Cost of getting a paint job

[DonP1]

I have a 1970 Challenger that has three coats of paint on it. First factory red, then sublime green, and currently white. I'm wondering roughly what it would cost to strip all this paint and have a nice paint job done.  I'm trying to decide if I should do this or sell the car and buy one with the body and paint in nice shape. I've never had any body work done so I haven't a clue as to how much it might cost. I'm guessing the car would need to be stripped down of all parts, blasted, primered and painted, then re-assembled.

Thanks for any thought or suggestions if you've had this done.

[TinCuda]

I am having my car stripped,  primed,  and painted.   I have the engine out so I am getting the engine well painted also.  (Stripped, primer, etc) I am having the weather stripping around the bottom of the doors and trunk lid replaced.   All the emblems come off and go back on by the paint shop.   I am also having them put a billboard decal on the rear quarters.

The total bill will be within a couple hundred dollars of 5 thousand bucks.
My car did not need any body work and that can raise the price real quick.   Stripping old paint should not matter much if you have good metal underneath.
You can pay a lot for a paint job.  I have heard of people paying in the 10 grand range.   Shop around and look at their work.

[72cudamaan]

5k minimum with no body work. Costs could easily reach 15k for a real nice job.
Sure does pay to be able to do some of the work yourself.

[moparmaniac59]

I think I paid about 8K for paint/body work. I had a left front fender replaced, new AMD front bumper and the trunk pan replaced. I replaced all the rubber (seals & plugs) & had the bottom undercoated. I helped with removal and reinstallation of some of the body trim/pieces. I spent an additional 500 bucks to have the engine bay blasted/painted at a later date (you'll regret it if you don't do the engine bay). For what was done & replaced it should have cost about 10K. I worked with a super paint/body shop which makes all the difference!! I think 5K for paint only is in the ball park and very reasonable and as stated, a good paint job could easily cost upwards of 15K. Good luck and psot some pictures! 

                                                                        Matt B.

[Chryco Psycho]

It makes  a HUGE difference what the labor rate is in your area , to get the trunk floor replaced as well as the rear 1/4s & drops  , subframe connectors installed & some other minor body work as well as the paint job cost me 25k .
 The paint & supplies alone cost me 4K 

[aris_unlimited]

I paid $2k to get the car jammed, with the interior, engine bay, and trunk painted (body is still in primer for the rest of the work I need to do), as well as getting some minor holes repaired, plus replacing both rear quarters and both front fenders (guy works from the shop in his house so lowest cost around) and I still think I will have to pay about $3k for the rest of the paint and the billboard. Especially considering I am using a house of kolor paint, they aren't known for being cheap.

[GranCuda1970]

If you do most the work yourself and have the tools and know-how and friends who's brain matter you can pick it should not cost more than a few grand. More if the body is in bad shape but a relitively straight body would be cheaper! I don,t see mine costing that much but I still have to replace a full quarter and C O D Y 's advice on subframe connectors has been sitting on my mind for a descision.

[torredcuda]

Would definitely need to be stripped and who knows what you`ll find underneath all that paint for rust,poor repairs,filler etc.$5k would be a great price so probably looking at more like 8-15 depending on rate,quality etc.

[DonP1]

Thank guys. The body is pretty solid. Some issues but nothing that looks too bad.

Let me throw this out. How much to get the body blasted and sealed with a primer while I work on it?

I'm thinking if I could just get those three layers of paint off...

[Topcat]

Ever done sandblasting before?

If you sand blast primer off, it comes off in a hurry.

If you sand blast one layer of paint, you blast off the first layer before it starts going onto the next one.
Ever try 3 layers? That's gotta be thick. Turn the PSI up to work faster is asking for warpage. So you can't work fast. That could be more time labor per hr.

Factory paint was very hard paint. Almost like powder coating. After experience on sand blasting, I would leave the OEM paint on if the car is not rusty underneath.

In summary, it will take quite a bit of work whoever does it. I would get some estimates first or consider using paint stripper to remove a majority of it if yourself if you're concerned on saving some money.

There's a lot to learn about sand blasting. Consider your options before just "dropping it off" so you don't have any unexpected surprises later when the bill comes.

[Cooter]

I hear Maaco paint jobs are only $200.00......

[Cuda Cody]

Blasting a car with hood, fenders, doors and deck lid averages about $1,000 here int he northwest. 

Good paint jobs can be up to $20,000 with bodywork.  Top of the line PPG paint and clear will run you about $3,000 be themselves.  Do LOTS of research with anyone you decide to have work on your car.  Get references and talk to previous customers.  Ask lots of questions and find if he has a history of quality work at prices he quotes.

[TinCuda]

Funny how when I was in high school, I could get my whole car painted and a couple of body panels replaced for 2 grand.  LOL  How things have changed...


.,

[Sleepychallenger]

Thank guys. The body is pretty solid. Some issues but nothing that looks too bad.

Let me throw this out. How much to get the body blasted and sealed with a primer while I work on it?

I'm thinking if I could just get those three layers of paint off...

As I'm finding out, "nothing that looks that bad" is only that way with the paint covering it up. I am stripping mine myself right now and after two hours with a orbital sander, i got half a front fender down to metal. take your time and enjoy the dust.

[Chryco Psycho]

I have seen more stuff wrecked sandblasting it , you have to be super careful .
 Plastic blast is better & will remove paint but doesn't touch rust