School me on getting car re-painted: shops, paint quality
 

Hey RS

Did a search, and couldn't find anything with the answers I'm looking for.. either that or I suck at searching.

Anyways, I'm considering getting my car fully re-painted. The paint is just damaged beyond repair from door dings, rock chips, regular wear and tear over the years, and I don't think paint correction is going to fix it. (Doesn't help that it's black..) :okay:

A few questions..

Has anyone had experience with getting their car re-painted? If so, anyone have body shop recommendations?

Would there be any price/quality difference if I got say, a Lexus black vs a Benz black? I assume when you're re-painting, the quality all depends on the shop's work, and not so much the paint itself..?

And lastly.. are there any downsides to having your whole car re-painted?

Thank you all in advance!

Well theres big difference in prices of paint, for example a regular black compared to a metallic or pearl etc.... Then theres single stage, 2 stage, tri stage etc....

While the quality does depend mainly on the bodywork and prep previous to the paint, there are still cheaper paints that can ruin it.

I would definetely recommend a shop that will give you a warranty on all work done, do not go to a private shop. Expect $3500-$4500 for a full paint job if you want it done right.

And finally the only downside to a fresh paint job is that first door ding or rock chip you get will really be noticeable

^ Yeah what he said. Make sure you don't cheap out on the paint job, find a good reputable shop and avoid places like maaco at all costs :nyan:

Not to completely discredit "professional" shops, but some the best paint work, especially for complete resprays comes out of small private or backyard paint shops, bc they have the time to prep a car properly and get it ready for a quality spray.

Just something to consider.

Any particular reputable shops around the area anyone would suggest? I'm also looking for a brand new paint job soon.

Have to agree! Got my old civic eg painted for harvard blue pearl iirc at a private shop. There were TONS of door dings , rock chips, etc. all were smoothed out with "bondo" (dont know what it is , but that was the name given by the guy). Exterior paint matched 100% to interior. I took my car to 2 other places to get quotes , Professional place in richmond wanted $1800 with hook up. Another Professional place on Clarke dr. wanted to respray all but the hood - they would "buff it out" to match the newly painted section - all this for $1200. Finally took it a friend's dad who did "backyard" painting. He had access to a painting booth/oven near Byrne rd. It took him a weekend. Got the car and I was extremely satisfied. He said he put 2 coats of clear so it'll be "shiny - just how you like it". The only issue I had was, there was some over spray on the tires , and rear license plate. He said to use a bit of remover and they will go out (I didn't do it). Got the paint done in Jan 2006 sold the car June 2011. Buyer was impressed at the paint condition :) Oh the final cost - $800.

While that is true, unless they offer a warrantly i wouldnt. Most Bodyshops gurantee theyre work for the time you own the car, so if it starts peeling, bubbling etc theryre responsible for it. If you go to a private shop and theres no warranty and it starts happening, your on your own.

And unless you know the private shop or backyard painter well then i might. But for every good shop there is, there are 10 waiting to take your money. Materials alone depending on what you want can be anywhere from $800-2000 for paint alone. Unless your doing the R&I yourself and some prep work a good paint job wont be cheap.

The big downside is the meltdown you will have when you notice it:fuuuuu:
I've had experience with boyd and tru-line auto body. I know a painter at tru-line, and if you need any indication of how good Pat is, ask to look at his jetta. Its fucking phenomenal paintwork. Boyd did a great job of matching my rear bumper as well. Neither are overly cheap though, but quality probably won't be unless you are willing for it to take a long time.

My personal experience, (strictly my own and no one else's) is that I've had a lot of cars painted. Both stock cars and modified rods and customs and the 2 cars that were done by professional shops, I had issues with paint peeling, bonding and discoloring/ fading.

Albeit, they fixed it, but at almost 5k after taxes, this shouldnt have happened.

Now the k-series mini I built was painted by a private painter. He didn't advertise, I heard about him through word of mouth. Huge gamble. I had never seen any of his completed work, but he was highly recommended so we gave it a shot. Took 3 months to prep and paint. Bill was high but the quality of the spray was amazing. It hasn't been polished yet and it's been almost 2 years since it was painted and there was no orange peel or swirls Notta.

Final verdict, I was super impressed.

But like you said, there are other that will take your money and give you a shit job.

End of the day, do you homework, research your painter, be private or professional, go look at their previous work, and finally go with your gut. It won't steer you wrong.


OP: good luck with your car. Hope it turns out he way you want it!

Subscribed.

I'll be looking for a complete paintjob in the coming months. Difference is, I'll bring the car with all the trim, body panels and glass stripped and the engine bay gutted. All the metalwork will be done but final prep and paint required. Looking for jambs, engine bay, panels and exterior shell done in base/clear.

Good thing it's a small car.

Some are definetely good, hell a lot of the better painters do private work. I had my trunk hinges rusted out and none of the shops i took it to would even touch it. Finally found a private backyard shop in Langley, guy did a fantastic job.......However a year later i dropped $4200 on paint with the same guy. There was one dent on the car and i asked him to fix it which he did. But when i picked it up there was tons of orange peel, he had bondoed the front bumper together with the fenders, didnt remove door handles, mirrors etc....When i picked it up i had expected better, i told him he needed to polish it and he said i only paid him for paint so it wasnt his problem. Because of him chances are i will never deal with a private shop again that doesnt offer a warranty.

Any recommendations to get a bike painted? This would include power coating the engine and frame as well.

I also want to give my winter beater a repaint in the same colour. if someone can recommend a good private painter please let me know...

Wow, thanks for all the helpful responses!

Glad to know I'm not the only one this thread is helping.

please let me know too.

In for info on this too

only one place to take it Richmond Boyd Autobody, the head painter is legendary!