So what about "driver" quality paint jobs? Any options here?

[71firebird400]

Looking around to get my '71 Firebird painted. This has been my car since I was 17, but I am not under any sort of delusion that it is worth anything. This is a base Firebird (not even an Esprit) that came with a 2-barrel 350 and a TH350. The car's paint is pretty rough, it will need to be brought down to bare metal. Also, it needs patches in the quarters but other than that it is alright. I've got rust free doors and fenders for it.

I've been talking to several local body shops here in NW Washington and I've received the same answer from all of them- $5k minimum if there's no bodywork, but in my case it'll be more like $10k to get it painted. There is nearly no difference in the price they want despite some of these shops having a full down draft booth in the city or some guy who'll do it in his garage out in the middle of nowhere.

My question, is what can I do for around $5k? Is this simply not an option in today's world? At these current paint prices it just doesn't make sense to paint anything but 396 Camaros and 428 Mustangs. I would not feel comfortable driving the car as much as I do if I had close to ten thousand in just the paint. I'll be paranoid of leaving the car anywhere or getting even the slightest rock chip. My idea of a 'good' paint job is similar to what you'd find on a Ford Focus or Honda Civic; I'm not looking for perfection.

Any ideas?

[realcoray]

Having done prep for painting 5k seems like a lot until you actually experience how much work is involved even in a driver quality paint job. Materials also cost a lot, I haven't kept track of my current project costs but I would not be surprised if I haven't already spent 750$ and I have not bought paint or clear.

8-10k for quarter patches and a driver quality paint job seems reasonable to me. If you want it done cheaper then you'll either have to do the prep work or you'll have to sacrifice the quality and durability.

[71firebird400]

Having done prep for painting 5k seems like a lot until you actually experience how much work is involved even in a driver quality paint job. Materials also cost a lot, I haven't kept track of my current project costs but I would not be surprised if I haven't already spent 750$ and I have not bought paint or clear.

8-10k for quarter patches and a driver quality paint job seems reasonable to me. If you want it done cheaper then you'll either have to do the prep work or you'll have to sacrifice the quality and durability.

I guess what I don't get is that I've heard from a couple guys that 2K is material; the other 6K would be labor. Both of these guys are operating their 'body shop' out of their back yard and one of them was bragging to me about how there's no overhead since everything is paid off. In the same breath he estimated that if he focused on my car he could get it done in 3-4 weeks. Say 4 weeks, that works out to around $40/hour that this guy is making.

What I also don't get is that these 'mom and pop' style shops want the exact same money as the one's in the city that have much better/newer equipment. Just doesn't seem like $8k+ should be my only option, but that's what it is coming down to.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

Diy..

[Rod]

I agree with Vengeance read up on basic body prep, block sanding and priming and when its looks awesome if you don't want to risk the final paint send it to a one day paint, earl schieb, maaco body center, or someone like that, or take the final jump and order some inexpensive paint (summit racing or paint for cars.com) and paint it yourself then read up again on color sanding and maybe the 3M color finishing system

[robertjra]

$40 per hr is a good deal!!!!! I have $4000.00 in body panel replacement only no parts just labor!! and im still looking at 6k-7k for paint if you do it your self you will save 4k ez.

[yodas little brother]

i wish i could charge 10k to paint a car holy hell:seizure:

[DarkoNova]

Diy..

This. That's what I'm going to do. I'm going to start with just a basic flat black paint, and if it turns out well (or I don't like it, I guess lol) I'll try my hand at some real paint.

[FULMNTE]

Yeah! Blitz Black all the way.... :)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[HotRod47]

What do you think the guy in his back yard should charge you? Do you think he should work for minimum wage? He still has the talent and the tools to do the job. If you had those items wouldn't you want to get paid? It is tough work.

I do a ton of side work in my garage, all hot rod type work. I charge $40 per hour. And why shouldn't I? The local body shops are getting $50 and up per hour on collision, and $75 and up for restoration/custom work. I am a bargain.

[johnny68]

it can be done i was lucky in the piant department on the 55 i stripped it to metal and brought it to body shop in pieces the job cost me $3500 for it all and the firewall was swiss cheese they welded up every hole and replace 4 pieces of bent up metal its good enough to be on the cover of classic trucks and also be there advert. vehicle all of 2011 needless to say im haveing the nova done by the same guys but im guessing itll be in the 5g range due to im not stripping it they will oh by the way they had the truck for 1 year which was fine the nova ill give them 5 months tops
john

[rrstroker71]

Well considering a ligit shop that does good work has a 60k booth , plus employees, and over head, 10k is reasonable. I have a 60k booth and we paint 6-7 cars a year, 4 employees that have heath care, and they make good money. Bottom line is you get what you pay for and when you have a problem you have somewhere to go.

[langtown]

If your not going to do it yourself Stick with a legit shop. It will save you thousands in the future. There are plenty of people that have the talent to do it in their shed out back but the chance of finding one is slim. I've fixed alot of 1.5 to 2 year backyard paintjobs(FL rust pops quick)because of poor craftsmanship and bad prep work. After its done twice the owner of the car has 15k in a paint job that could of been done for 8-10k if it was done right the first time. If you wanna save some cash I would do as much of the prep work that you feel comfortable with then take it to pro and enjoy what you helped do.

[Tom Welch]

do it yourself, with a little prep work and attention to detail spray can jobs have just the right look, cheap too. check out Mr V's 67 Camaro. Besides, why spend the cash on bling when what you really want is performance anyway? You know its true...

[SLO_Z28]

$400 paint job:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/07/P1120045-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
Did the body work myself. Maaco paint looks good, dont let anyone tell you otherwise.

[OLDFLM]

http://www.duplicolor.com/products/psFinishSystem/

[elitecustombody]

Maaco paint looks good, dont let anyone tell you otherwise.

Maaco paint looks good from far, but far from good. I see their work everyday,because my shop is right next door to Maaco, you get what you paid for.

OP,do your homework on the shops in your area and go with the one you feel comfortable with.

BTW, having better or newer equipment than a small shop doesn't always mean that they can do good work.You can spend thousands of dollars on equipment,but you can't always buy talent. There is a shop around the corner from mine with $120k paint booth, but quality is very poor,trash,crappy masking,oversparay,e.t.c.

[Tony_SS]

The quality of Maaco matrials is trash, from what I've been told.

I would try my hand at the prep, then look around for a local who finish it off if you dont want to spray it yourself.

[First Bird]

DIY. I just painted my 68 Firebird. Buy and read books. Paint and body is within your ability believe me. I live in Seattle. What part of NW Washington?

[64impala]

DIY. I just painted my 68 Firebird. Buy and read books. Paint and body is within your ability believe me. I live in Seattle. What part of NW Washington?

Its guys like yourself that promote positive feedback on doing work that seems impossible due to lack of ability, money, and know-how that give us all the positive motivation to diy! THANKS

[71firebird400]

DIY. I just painted my 68 Firebird. Buy and read books. Paint and body is within your ability believe me. I live in Seattle. What part of NW Washington?

I'm up in Bellingham. Had a guy quote me $6k if I strip it down to bare metal and do most of the disassembly work. Seems like he knows what he's doing, but I have a couple others to check with before I proceed with anything.

[First Bird]

Good luck. Sounds like your're getting close to getting a paint job. It is spendy. I now understand why a paint job costs $5000 to $15,000. There is so much work, so many steps that have to be done right. Materials alone cost me $1700 for sandpaper, primers, color, clear.

[Smock67]

DIY. I learned how to do body work on my Firebird, It is time consuming i spent 40 hrs easy on each quarter panel to get them near perfect. Besides it will turn into a love affair with your car. I think total in paint and all materials I may have around $1000 into it. Bare minimum i would suggest doing as much body work as possible but dont skimp on it if your going to do it do it right. Read ,Read and Read some more on how different people do it, everything from guide coats, to tape on body lines and so on. Besides the tools and knowledge you get out of doing this should hopefully help you later on. I've painted 6 cars now and have certainly made my money back from all that I learned on my car.

[Blown73]

I had never touched bondo before I got my 73 Nova. I had no clue how to get from where it was, to what I wanted it to be, but I sure as heck didn't have the money to have someone do it for me. So, I started out by buying books, reading online, accumulating tools, sanding the car, and finally got the balls to tackle it myself. It took me 1 1/2 years to do the body work on the car, but I cannot tell you how much I learned doing it.

I did have a friend of mine paint the car for me, but all of the prep and bodywork was done by me.

The car turned out beautiful (IMHO) and its everything I wanted it to be. I always get compliments on how straight the body is and it is probably the most rewarding thing for me to hear, because only I know how many hours I spent sanding it down to make it as good as I can.

Now, I am taking it another level that I never thought I would, I am replacing my own quarters. I have read all the articles, watched the you tube videos, seen a few done, talked to friends. I think I can do it, but who knows?

Point is, you can't look at these things like they are a mystical thing. You can learn it just as well as the next guy if you put your mind to it. I think I might even paint the 67 myself...

[evostilo]

I found a good shop (small fam shop) that did my car for a bit over 4k but its been over 1yr but its a show finish,

The faster you want the car painted the more your going to pay, If you have no rush i say take the long route, pluse it gives you tons of time to buy extra parts.

[Andrew McBride]

I agree. If you have the time diy. I am blocking my car and jamming it myself to cut cost. All the panels on the car will be re-aligned. All they have to do is do their final scuff, shoot the car and I am doing the cut and buff. Buy good materials. $1500 is what I am expecting to pay for base, clear etc.

I can't say it has all been me. I have some good friends who are guiding me through the process. I bug the bodyshop guys quite often too. Good luck!

[cp72ss]

I am also looking for some one that can do final body/paint or looking to DImyself. Does anyone have a good suggestion on books or videos or an education series on body work. Ive been doing my Chevelle for a while now and all of the major fab work is done.

Thank you

[muthstryker]

If you just want driver quality check craigslist, there are several guys in Snohomish/Everett that can do you car for 2k..

Also, Single stage paint is going to be cheaper..

[muthstryker]

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/aos/2475995866.html

http://www.narrowwayrefinishandcollision.com/paint.htm

[Rod]

I say it again paint it yourself and while your practicing body work drive like you stole!! thats what I did!!

car in driver primer
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/07/IMG_1003-1.jpg

block sanding my car
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/07/GEDC1133-1.jpg


painting 1sickT8 in a booth
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/07/GEDC1140-1.jpg

taping off the stripes and painting them in the garage
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/07/GEDC1190-1.jpg

[ROBS6T8]

Hey Rod thanks for the pics. One more question for you, as I have asked you a few! :help: When you painted the stripe, did you scuff the clear and paint right over it? Just where the stripe was going. Scuff the entire car and clear everything?? Or was the car not cleared to begin with? According to my tech sheet, I must clear within 12 hours of laying the basecoat.
I'm doing mine in pieces and then wanted to do the stripe after final assembly. Thanks.

[monteboy84]

I did my stripes on top of the base-coat and before clear. Within a few hours of laying the base it will be dry enough to mask on, but still open for adhesion of the stripe color.

-matt

[69cortezsilver]

well you could always liquidate some firearms, and potentially pay 6k for a decent paint job!!!!! lol just sayin

[Rod]

Hey Rod thanks for the pics. One more question for you, as I have asked you a few! :help: When you painted the stripe, did you scuff the clear and paint right over it? Just where the stripe was going. Scuff the entire car and clear everything?? Or was the car not cleared to begin with? According to my tech sheet, I must clear within 12 hours of laying the basecoat.
I'm doing mine in pieces and then wanted to do the stripe after final assembly. Thanks.

I sanded the area that the stripe was going with 1500 grit the masked the spot, and sanded inside the masked area with 800 the shot color then the clear then removed the tape and let it sit 48 hours then wet sanded both the stripe and body at the same with 1500 to knock down the stripe edges and a little more with 2000 then used the 3M triple stage paint polish system over the area

[ROBS6T8]

Thanks a lot Rod. That helps a great deal. I'm thinking of shooting it in pieces. At least I know I can do the stripe at a later date.

[Capown]

You can also try going to a Local College paint and body class... May take awhile but you help the school and students or u can ask the teacher about the students and pay one for side work. You would be taking a chance but it would be cheaper.

[BulldawgMusclecars]

I guess what I don't get is that I've heard from a couple guys that 2K is material; the other 6K would be labor. Both of these guys are operating their 'body shop' out of their back yard and one of them was bragging to me about how there's no overhead since everything is paid off. In the same breath he estimated that if he focused on my car he could get it done in 3-4 weeks. Say 4 weeks, that works out to around $40/hour that this guy is making.

What I also don't get is that these 'mom and pop' style shops want the exact same money as the one's in the city that have much better/newer equipment. Just doesn't seem like $8k+ should be my only option, but that's what it is coming down to.

Spend a week of block sanding your car, and tell me it isn't worth $40/hr to have it done...if its done right, that is. More than likely, the guy doing it at home is going to cut and buff the car to get any flaws out, whereas the shop...maybe, maybe not. BTW, a fancy booth is no guarantee. What I would do before having ANYONE paint my car in a booth, is watch the painters using it. If they EVER sand in the booth, even just a minor run, its contaminated, and the dust WILL wind up in your paint job. I used to work for a booth manufacturer, and have seen this time and time again...even on TV, from professionals who should know better.

In the bodywork stage, it doesn't matter if you have any fancy equipment....you don't really need it, if the body is decent to start with and doesn't need any metal replacement. Why not go buy a $400 compressor (or better yet, find one on Craigslist), get a decent primer gun (you don't need anything fancy), and do all the bodywork yourself? Even painting a car isn't beyond the home builder, but I would highly recommend searching out a local body shop or paint supplier that has a booth to rent. $150 per day is what it costs locally, and for the hobbyist (or even a shop that doesn't do a lot of painting) it makes a lot more sense than trying to build a booth at home, or take chances with the local collision shop.