How to get the BEST $2500 Paint Job

[supranewb]

i do bodywork for a living and recommend you don't prep it yourself. first off, too many tools(if you don't already have them), materials, and time to make it worth it. and two, they will have to go over it again anyway(if they're a reputable shop).

$2500 for a complete paint job is great if... they remove everything, prep it, spray it, and then reassemble it. and it would be a spectacular deal if they threw in any bodywork for that price.

it wouldn't be such a good deal though, if they were just going to tape up the whole car and spray it.

you do need to be more specific about how much bodywork needs to be done though, so others can get a more accurate assessment of where your money is going(a couple dings, rust, etc.).

and finally, spend the extra money for base/clear. enamels are old news and they are usually used for cheap paintjobs(maaco:naughty: ). base/clear will last alot longer. just make sure that they use a one manufacturer system(ie..ppg primer, ppg basecoat, ppg clearcoat). some shops cut costs by using different system components(ppg primer, ppg basecoat, generic clearcoat, etc.). they should tell you that it is dry enough to drive after 24 hours but don't wax or drive through car washes for 30 days.

hope this helps, although it seems you have already made up your mind. good luck with it.

 

[Shytheed Dumas]

Thanks, I was hoping to hear from a pro and that's exactly the kind of info I was looking for, so +1 to you. As far as specifics of body work goes, there is literally zero rust on the car - even surface rust - with one minor exception. I have a small, apple sized dent in the passenger rear quarter panel, and there is a little surface rust around the margins of the dent where the paint cracked off. During a quick walk through with the guy we found maybe 10 small dings, like car door bumps in parking lot. He seemed to have a really good eye, because he picked up on some I had never noticed before, but it wasn't bs, because at an angle they were definitely visible.

He did say that the mirrors, wing and side molding would be coming off. He seemed on the fence about whether to pull the bumpers or not. The price was to include all of the body work and the removal / reinstall of those parts. Sounds like I found a deal, and like I said he's in good standing with the BBB and Attorney General's office. As soon as my $1,200 windfall comes in I'm driving her over. ::w00t::

Here's a pic of my car. You can see the dent on the rear corner.

[/IMG]

 

[Steve_N]

Hey Curt-

I have gotten several quotes in Louisville to repaint & do body work on my Supra in the $2200 range. I will be getting a few dings out some rust on qtr panel, spot of rust on drivers door & large rust spot on top of my A-Piller. This included them painting the moldings & R&R all other trims & parts. This also included a liftime warrenty on the paint & workmenship (except rust) & I can give them auto paint code I wanted. I was only going to supply any needed parts such as Targa Seals & front window trim & paint it silver again. So sounds like your quotes are on the money as the ones I got.

 

[supranewb]

He did say that the mirrors, wing and side molding would be coming off. He seemed on the fence about whether to pull the bumpers or not. The price was to include all of the body work and the removal / reinstall of those parts. Sounds like I found a deal, and like I said he's in good standing with the BBB and Attorney General's office. As soon as my $1,200 windfall comes in I'm driving her over. ::w00t::

be persistent... but if he won't take the bumpers off, just take them(and the header panel) off yourself and have him paint them. they're easy enough to remove and it will definitely be worth your time to do it.

painting them off will allow for them to get the paint around the back edges of the bumpers and prevent flaking/peeling, especially on bumpers due to their flexibility. and while you're at it, remove the header panel too.

as far as pricing, that's a great deal...especially with the bodywork involved. once again, good luck. i'd like to see some pics when it's done.

 

[Shytheed Dumas]

Thanks Steve. I probably won't be getting started until after the Louisville meet on the 14th, so if you don't mind sharing who you've talked to, shoot me a PM so we can compare notes. I wouldn't mind checking out a couple of other places just so I know I end up going with the place I feel best about in the end.

-Kurt

 

[pbsupra90]

$2500! In my area, a paint job of the entire care would cost 8-10K. But I live on Long Island, and this shop works on high end cars. The black looks nice. My advice for those dings, is park away from everybody else if you can and walk.

 

[toyotanos]

Holy thread zombie! Did you even check the original posting date before replying? D: