Prep for painting

[mik]

I am getting some estimates for body work and paint. Just want someone else's opinion. My car needs are welding in pieces right above the headlights, about a 5" x 3" patch. Also welding in one wheel arch, a 12" high front panel between front door and front wheel well. Also having the front sills next to front wheel wells on both sides replaced. The person giving me the estimate said the welding and prep would take about 30-40 hrs. The rest of the car's body is in very good condition. He is quoting $1500 for paint, red. He is quoting $1500-2000 for welding and prep. Does this sound reasonable? Thanks. Mik

[baltobernie]

Paint finish is a very subjective thing; what some people think is great, others judge as mediocre. There's also the Law of Diminishing Returns. An outstanding paint job costs way, way more than a "nearly outstanding" one.

Ask to see some of his work, and be sure you can agree that his definition of "good body and paint job" matches yours.

Not knowing where you live, I'd say that $50/hr. is a very good rate for a professional auto body shop. It's what I paid in Baltimore two years ago.

[mik]

Thanks for the input. I am in Minnesota. The number of people around here that do this kind of work sort of fit it in and may keep the car for months and work it into their schedule. Doing their insurance repairs first. Since I won't be driving it in the winter, I don't mind that. I am waiting for another bid from a person that comes highly recommended and in talking with him, he seems like he will do a more complete job. Told him I am not looking for a show car, just a good looking driver. His response was "I know your not looking for a show car, but that is what it will turn out to be."

[wikkid]

Paint finish is a very subjective thing; what some people think is great, others judge as mediocre.

That is SO TRUE, and not only about paint finishes. It never ceases to amaze me how any 2 people can see something so differently.

[johndemar]

I got a quote for $1800 for just the paint, and I do all of the prep work. The body shop does nice work so 1500 for the paint is in the ball park but agree you want to see some of their finished product.

[azygoustoyou]

I have a similar deal. The paint shop is charging me about $2000-2200 to put on the base, clear,and polish. I have to do all the body work up to the primer with reducer. It's a lot of work! The shop does excellent work that is flawless. They said like gray's, silvers, and black colors are cheaper. Red's and bright blues are expensive. A quart of red is about $250. Just for the base and clear of the meteorite silver cost about $700

[BEEK]

having owned a restoration shop, doing paint and body work on cars for many years. we charged a minimum of 5,000.00 to paint a spider. and painted 100's. for that you got total dissasemby. all pannels were painted inside and out, jams, inside trunk ans under hood to the upper inner fender seam. for a extra 500 we would pull the motor and paint under hood as well.
most of the time people would have the motor rebuilt at this time, so we didnt charge any additional labor for the r&r. also a front suspension overhaul was part of the deal as well. we only charged parts at this time of dissasembly. this work included most all bodywork except collision, we would replace a fender or so depending on what was in the salvage yard. or just fabricate the needed parts. this was in 2000 year $$.
for those who wanted a cheaper alternative we also did just a outer paint job, this involved not much bodywork, sanding off all paint and rebuilding from steel, then painting for 2500 +/-
ther are shops in the area who painted cars for 500.00, yes we lost a few jobs to them. only time will tell if the customer was happy. im driving a car i painted 10 years ago. still looks like new except for a few scratches, and a small rust bubble in the lower rear wheel arch. to this day i still have people asking me to paint thier cars, even though i have been out of the business for 8 years. just an opinion. 1. you get what you pay for 2.check the shops reputation form prior customers, did they fix the problems of cover them up. 3. if you are not satisfied will they respray?, god knows i had to a few times, for very small imperfections, granted the customer never saw them.

[mik]

Thanks to all for the feedback, all very helpful. Mik