How much it costs to paint your car depends on a number of factors, just like painting a house. Different colors require more coats of paint, as do special enhancements like graphics or metallic flecks. The number of items – mirrors, decals, running boards – that need to be removed also affect the bottom line. Some shops offer a variety of low-cost painting options, but can they be trusted? Let’s go over a few scenarios to get a look at price, and more importantly, value.
Low-cost Paint Jobs
Unless you’re interested in painting your car yourself, you’ll probably spend $1000 or more. Can you find paint jobs for $200 – $400? Absolutely. It’s an unfortunate fact that those jobs won’t last more than a few years though, and may never live up to your expectations.
If you’re intending to paint your car yourself and have someone with the necessary tools, space and experience, you can cover your costs for around $50. The caveat is that if this is the first time you’re painting a car, it’s going to look like it. This is a skill that improves dramatically with experience. If you drive anything but a beater, it just isn’t worth it.
Average-cost Paint Jobs
Paying $1000 – $2000 for something may not seem “average” but it represents the cost you’ll pay for the middle-of-the-road paint job from a reputable paint or body shop. Most businesses apply two coats of quality paint in the same, or very similar, color of your car. They will make minor corrections to the body, like filling in scratches, but extensive rust damage will cost extra.
It’s a good idea to see examples of a shop’s work, perhaps even talk with former customers, before selecting one over another. Avoid the mistake of making your choice based on price. The least expensive job could easily reflect cutting corners or using a lower quality of paint, while higher prices could be padded or they may be higher because of warranty or insurance issues.
High-cost Paint Jobs
Anything over $4000 is considered a higher cost paint job, and should be considered higher in value. These professional shops can charge upward of $10,000 for a total rehab. These are also the shops that specialize in refurbishing antiques to their original glory.
Unless you have a very special car, going with a high-cost shop usually boils down to overkill. It likely will not reflect in your resale value, so consider whether the cost is worth it split up over the life of the car you will enjoy.
A Word on Warranties & Savings
Certain national chains infamous for delivering poor quality, short-lasting paint jobs offer a warranty of around six months. A reputable paint shop might offer a warranty of five years or longer, but that guarantee gets wrapped up in price. You should aim for anything over three years protecting against problems like bubbling or peeling paint.
In addition, you may be able to save money by taping off your own door handles, bumpers and trim or doing basic sanding. The shop you work with should be able to give you tips on doing those things to their standards. Given the discount a business offers, it may or may not be worth doing the prep yourself. Given your experience, you may be happier with the final outcome if you leave all the bodywork to the professionals.
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