what would a good paint job done right cost me ?

depending on your area, what u can, or cant do. from 700$(u do it yourself) on up 10k+(graphics and such)

The average seems to be around $2,000. But it all depends. Go around your local body shops and get some prices.

Sort of depends on what your expectations are, how much body work needs to be done, how much of that you're willing to do, etc.

I just had our '92 RS painted for $850 complete. The body was very straight, but the paint was literally peeling off the roof, rear bumper and hatch. Those areas had to be stripped and I did NOT change color. No, it isn't a show quality finish by any stretch, but it looks about 1000% better than before, and quite frankly, this car isn't worth putting an expensive paint job on. It's only got 74,000 miles on it and it runs like a champ, but c'mon, it's not worth a ton of money on the open market.

I'll get some pictures posted up in the next few days, but I'm perfectly happy with the finished product.

Around here its between $300-$800 for cheapo jobs, around $1500-$3000 for good paintjobs w/ lots of base coats and lots of clearcoat, and from there it only goes up (show cars and such w/ custom colors or effects). I have a friend that dropped almost $10,000 on paint materials alone for his show car

Are these "good" paintjobs similar to the quality of a factory paint job, or is a factory paint job like a show quality paint job? Just curious. My 85 has the original paint no clearcoat peeling and has 145k on it. Van Nuys paint too.

Quote:
Are these "good" paintjobs similar to the quality of a factory paint job, or is a factory paint job like a show quality paint job?

I had the same question in my mind, anyone?

Factory paint job is FAR from show quality Factory paint is usually full of orange peel.

That's because your 85 probably doesn't have clearcoat. I believe that clearcoat didn't show up on thirdgens until 1986, at least in most colors. There may have been a color or 2 in 85 that had clear, but I doubt it.

Anyway, a factory paint job is certainly not what most people would consider a show quality paint job. Factory paint typically has a lot of orange peel. A "good" paint job should run you around $1500-2k (plus any necessary body work) and will also have some amount of orange peel similar to a factory paint job. But, a "good" paint job should at least look good enough that a person 5' away (or the average schmuck from any distance) can't tell that the car has been painted. However, at that price range, you should expect the painter to mask off things like window trim, parking lamps, and other things of that nature as opposed to removing them like you'll get with a higher quality job.

Typically if you want the same type of paint job, but also have it wetsanded and buffed for a much smoother surface, expect to pay $500-800 more. The painter will add an additional layer of clear coat if he knows he's going to wetsand and buff, plus he'll have another day (or close to it) of labor associated with it.

Beyond that, then you'll begin to pay for the labor required to remove accessories like fog lights, tail lights, ground effects, moldings, window and windshield trim, as well as painting inside of the doors, under the hatch, etc. A real show quality paint job should show no masking lines, and should show no paint "bridges" between adjoining panels (quite common between the front fender and front bumper cover).

Likewise, there's nothing worse than seeing a great looking car, then popping the hood and seeing crummy nasty original paint in the engine bay, but you're talking about BIG bucks if you're going to pay for somebody to completely remove the engine and all components in order to paint the engine bay.

So my car has no clear coat then? Interesting, I thought without clear, the paint would be done by now, especially being in the california sun all its life. Or is this how it should look?

Oh ya is this color rare at all? i don't see it much on here.

Depends on who you know and how much work is needed, but generally...

- cheap paint job $700
- average paint job $1500
- good paint job $3000 to $5000
- show paint job $7000 to $10,000

Jim85IROC,
You're close. Lacquer was used at the Van Plant until 1986. In 1987, regulations required a switch to a water-based paint. Lacquers do not use clearcoat.

A water-based paint without clearcoat will have a very dull finish. The clearcoat is what gives the car the deep shine.

later,
Colin

sorry for the hijack but i am seriously considering painting my car later this year or early next year. now that i have enough money saved up. my boss has a friend who manages a maaco and painted part of his ford truck after he was in a lil fender bender. it came out really good so i will probably be bringing it to him. i am looking to spend between 1500 and 2000. maybe more if i have more saved up by that time. it does need a lil body work. will probably need a new hood and definitely fix some cracks on the spoiler. what i dont know is when they paint the car the same color again, do they need to strip the old paint or do they paint over it? i understand u have to prep the car as much as u can in order to save money. any other tips i should know? the paint on my ride has gotten considerably worse in the 4 years since ive owned it. and since i dont plan on gettin rid of the car, i would like to make it look nice again. thanx.

??

what a shock

[QUOTE]Originally posted by llvll4l2c91350
[B]sorry for the hijack but i am seriously considering painting my car later this year or early next year. now that i have enough money saved up. my boss has a friend who manages a maaco...

If they do a good job, go for it. Didn't know Maaco charged that much money though. So the general consensus seems to be 700.00 and up for full paint.

I say, if you plan to keep the car, spend the money to make it nice. It's not about how much the car is worth---fixing up an older car is an investment in your experience and enjoyment. We drive these cars cuz we love 'em, not to resell them for money, generally. My car makes me smile every time I drive it, so one of these days I'll treat her to a decent paint job. Looks like there is a Maaco or some such on there now, has held up pretty good. I would suggest waiting until you've got the body where you want it, as far as spoilers, hoods, etc. then make her shine!

my thoughts exactly

I have an 84 firebird it sat in my neighbors driveway for ten years untill i finally purchased it from him. It has/had surface rust but I sanded it off and sprayed some primer over it. I am 14 and dont have a job so I saved up every penny from christmas,birthday,graduationand confermation had $1200 and was about to get it repainted when everything went wrong egr blew up so I ordered headers and a intake manifold with out egr and the next thing I know I have a catback,y pipe even a cam waiting to be installed! Well right now my car Is at the mechanics geting looked over and soon to have all the parts I listed installed! Then it should be off to paint! How ever I am soposed to be getting a maaco paint job but I am rethinking I mean Its not a big deal to go from $800 to $1500 but my freinds and even people on other boards keep saying ohh it's not worth it just get the cheapo... but I want a high gloss black like 3+ coats of clear what should I do go in debt with a maaco job or go in debt even more with a better paint job?
Matt

just dont go blow your money now on a cheapo paint job. save up and buy what you really want for it.

You get what u pay more, Macco isn't that bad of a paint job people on this board have them and some of them look good, but u all so need to put that work in to it for that shine like wet sanding and buffing. If you go with a more exp. paint job mostly they will not need that much wet sanding and such for it.

am i correct in sayin with a cheaper paint job the old paint is left on there and with a more expensive one (lets say 2k bucks) the old paint is stripped?

WHERE IS A GOOD PLACE FOR A PAINT JOB AROUND RICHARDSON?

If I got a maaco job theres ways to make it nice too right? Like paying for the best prep and multiple clear coats instead of just the base/clear Or should I just stay away from maaco in general? I heard that they do a much better job with older cars then newer cars

Most painting places like maaco will take a little extra time with an older "cooler" car. the new cars that end up at maaco are usually fender bender repaints and spot repairs. they need to get those cars in and out fast because insurance is paying for them, not a customer. If you go to the shop and sit down with the manager and tell them what you want, they'll be more than happy to help you out. the more you talk to the guys at the shop and the more you get involved (without getting in the way) the better your car is gonna come out.

They said it takes an average of about 3 weeks versus 4 days for a whole repaint of a newer car