My 2nd owner, 1990 IROC, 5.7 TPI, power everything, no leather (b&w cloth houndstooth looking seats-power on one driver only), no t-top and 84,000 miles needs paint. $2,800 quote includes changing 2 fenders, hood and door (parts provided by me - submitting another post on what to do with the parts car) and black paint (not base/clear). I think the price is right for the amount of work the shop proposed to do.

I realize that it is really subjective as to whether it's "worth it" to pay shop prices to paint a car and it is ultimately my decision.
Someone told me it's "no question worth it" because it is the last year IROC and limited production run; maybe I'm just looking for more reasons to justify spending the money; opinions?

 

The price sounds ok, except for the no basecoat/clearcoat part. IMHO there is no excuse for not getting bccc paint (with at least 3 coats of clear). It lasts longer, holds up better if done right and looks better. And I'd stay away from one stage paint/clearcoat as well. This is just the body shop trying to cut corners. Personally I wouldn't settle for less.

 

Good point Blue502. YOUR car looks great! What kind of money for paint job in your area? From what I've been told, in Hawaii, bccc paint starts at $2,500 for a straight car.... I guess I should at least ask for a quote.

 

Well, I have to tell you, you aren't going to get a paint job anywhere close to what mine is for $2500. We were well over that in materials alone.

Cheapie paintjobs can be had at Maaco or Earl Slob for a couple of hundred dollars. Decent paintjobs in the $1500-$2500 range. The most expensive paint job in my area that I'm aware of was $36000. Mine was 12k, but that included replacing the core support and front frame horn, stripping the whole car to bare metal and fiberglass, and many many hours making my fiberglass hood look like a mirror. Of course everything varies according to the shop and who you know.

 

i'm with blue502; i paid less for my car then what the paint cost.......it's not rare for a great job.

the car cost me 8200 + tax.


for a nice everyday type car that has good paint i would say 2500-5000 depending on how much actuall work. i wouldn't be surprised if you hit around 3500 when done.

there are big differences from "show" paint and "good" paint......earl whats his name and macco shouldn't even be considered.

make sure you do some research on it yourself that way you won't be upset like so many become when they go this route.

good luck and post some pics when you finish.

 

Thanks for sharing your experiences; I sometimes wondered what it cost to get such a show quality finish. For my car, I drive it daily, park in a lot of parking lots and don't garage it, so I don't really want to invest that kinda bucks. The bargain paint is not an option; I like my car too much to do that to her. I guess I can liken it to evening gown & pearls vs. jeans & t-shirt; either can look good if done right on the right stuff and each has its place. ???
Thanks again for the input.

 

don't be mislead.......you don't have to spend a fortune to have a great looking paint job.

do some research........learn about techniques, styles, paint, etc.

i'm sure you'll do alright; if your willing to spend between 2 and 3 grand you should have no problem having a nice ride as long as you stick to a similar color that you have.

 

Now that I got my new rear quarters, anyone have any input as to what it is going to cost me to have them put on and spray them and the roof? I have already stripped all seals off so it's just a strait cut and pray job w/o added body work or prep. Any clue as to what I am looking at in labor?

 

figure most insurance places and small type paint shops will charge on the hour roughly $35-45..........then whatever else you need tacked on top of that. so figure on 40 bucks an hour even if their just standing and staring at your car.

why are you doing just the pannels and roof? is it purely to keep from rusting?

you'd be better off just doing the whole car seeing as it might be more labor intensive to work around already painted areas as well as blending the roof with the side rear quarter pannels; not to mention it won't look very well with mismatched colors on the different pannels. that is unless the rest of the paint is fairly new.

 

I've been thinking about a new paint job for my '92... I just got it and would really love for it to look as good as possible. But, to tell the truth, the prices I'm reading here are scary! Maybe I'll look into just having the hood re-done.. it's the only part that's seriously bad. After that I can concentrate on the minor body damage to the drivers side corner (fair sized scuff, small crack in plastic) and passenger side rear (small dent next to taillight). Those will have to do me until the loan is paid off. Makes me think of what my dad used to say about all his project Chevelles.....

"Son, if it ain't one thing, it's your mother..."

 

Here is my logic. I am buying 2 gallons of paint( so it all matches.) I am going to have the rear quarters put on, have them spray the roof, those quarters and a new bumper cover I have. Then I am going to do all the sand blasting on the inside of the car and under and behind the rear lenses. I want it done right but am not about to pay someone to do work I can do. I can spray behind the lenses, under car and inside. If I get some dust there it is ok but not on outside. The Gfx are gonna be done all at once and the doors I want to take off have new hinges put on and blast and spray jambs and inside then let them do the outside. I would rather piece it together and get everything rust free and then spray it. It is a full restoration and the roof is already stripped and has a coat of primer protecting it instead of three layers of shlt paint.