Paint Budget

I know this is a hard to answer question, but here it goes.  I'm looking at buying a 69 that's got to be painted.  I've had two people tell me budget 8 to 10 grand.  I was surprised at that, but i probably shouldn't be.  Any thoughts?

Who is doing the painting?  How much prep work has to be done?  Are you doing any/all of the work yourself?

I recently took my '69 to a well known paint shop.  He quoted me $7 to $8k.  He paints alot of highend cars.  I have stripped all the paint off mine, but it needs a little fiberglass repair and smoothed out.  He also has about a one year waiting list.  I had another shop quote $5K, with a three month turnaround.  Pending the quality and how many hours it takes to get the car straight, your looking anywhere from $4 to 10K.  I know of one shop that wants $2K just to prep the car for body work & paint.

GM has recently closed a plant here so I got one of the line painters to do mine for $3500 including glass work and putting a new front/rear cap (fiberglass) on and the work for that.

71Shark had him do his as well.

He wants mine back because of some pinholes in the front fenders.  These will be free.

They don't always have to have a big shop and high rates to be good guys.

He's also a former club member and has owned numerous vettes that he has painted so I was comfortable with his work.  I also got to see his work before I had him paint her.

i`ve seen some paint jobs go as high as 14k, flawless, i expect to to pay 8-10 when the time comes.  iv`e seen some 4k jobs and that is definately not what i want.

The original amount stated is certainly in line with the Vette shop here. I have gotten cheaper quotes but the quality is nowhere near what I would want. I have only priced them doing all of the work. All I would do is drop off the car.

Scott

The way to save a good chunk is to do the prep work yourself.

Yep 8-10 is sure in the ballpark...

BUT be aware I am starting to hear that some of the local Painters who are well know for doing Vettes, Street Rods that are NOT metal etc will no longer do a car that was preped by the owner...

Removal of trim etc is fine but IF you take sand paper etc to the body etc they will not back up their work  ... I can understand this...

Bob G.

Pulling as much as you can out of and off of the car can save you some money.  Putting it back together yourself will save some more.