Price of a paint job nowadays?

[my67chevytruck]

lil more progress.

[UltraBlue71]

have you heard of Kirker brand paints? I have found they are really reasonable good quality paint and clear, they have a Metallic green that is close to what you are after, the thing is you have to choose from thier color selection, thats how they keep thier costs down I think. If you go with acrlic enamel and skip the clear it will save you alot, but you wont get the durability. You can check out my photoalbum, My truck is painted with Kirker products and it looks just as good as alot of the higher end paints IMO...
check out http://www.smartshoppersinc.com/rtshoppers.com

[big mike71]

Ask them if they will give you a break on the price if you pay cash.

[wwotr]

Originally Posted by UltraBlue71

have you heard of Kirker brand paints? I have found they are really reasonable good quality paint and clear, they have a Metallic green that is close to what you are after, the thing is you have to choose from thier color selection, thats how they keep thier costs down I think. If you go with acrlic enamel and skip the clear it will save you alot, but you wont get the durability. You can check out my photoalbum, My truck is painted with Kirker products and it looks just as good as alot of the higher end paints IMO...
check out http://www.smartshoppersinc.com/rtshoppers.com

Well I was looking into a Dupont Clear/Base Coat.
I asked him how much less for an Enamle paint, and he said he wouldn't even consider it, because it would be his reputation/work on the line,
and he doesnt like Enamle.
It looks as though, I wont have ANY "Paint Money" until Spring/Summer 2010.
That being said, if HE did the paint, I'd be looking at $4k-$5k.
He DID tell me though of a guy that came to him for body work on his 68 Camaro. He did the bodywork and then the Customer called him and said "Hey man I just can't afford your price, so I'm gonna have YOU finish the Bodywork and Macco do the paint".
My Bodyman said he had his doubts, but the guy brought it back to show him after Maaco painted it and he said they did a very respectable job!
The cost to have the whole Camaro painted was $2500.00 at Macco.
He said that was 3 years ago and it STILL looks great!

I guess my point is, that my Truck will be a "Daily Driver", and that since I know that ALL the Bodywork is being done (and done correctly this time), if this guys price next year is too high, I probably WILL take it to Maaco and have them spray it, and have no regrets because its a good "foundation".

Roger
"RATIKLE"

[wwotr]

Originally Posted by big mike71

Ask them if they will give you a break on the price if you pay cash.

That is EXACTLEY what my Contractor told me to do with the Body Shop who is doing my Truck.
I told him I had PAPER MONEY.
No Debit Card.
No Cheks.
No Money-Orders.

After al that, and he was still only $500.00 cheaper than my other 4 Estimates, and even then he couldn't gaurentee that if he found something else, that it would be even MORE!

For a Single Color on the Exterior, with SS Stripes on the Hood and the Interior painted a different color, I received 4 Estimates.

They were:
$7K and 5 Weeks (with NO PAINTING of the Interior)
$7K and 3 Months
$9K and 2 Montths (Paint & Bodywork gaurenteed for the life of the Vehicle)
$8500.00 and 2 months

All were Moot points, since I only had $4K to spend.
So instead of saving up I said "**** IT" and went with the option of getting ALL the Bodyworkdone and put in Primer and "Ready for Paint" next year.

So when it came to paint next year, $2.5K-$4k would be easier to swallow than the prices quoted above.
Roger
"RATIKLE"

[UltraBlue71]

I have heard a couple of decent painters say what everyone has said about Maacco and Earl Schieb if you do the bodywork, take everything you possibly can off of it (as little masking as possible) that the guys there can usually lay down paint pretty respectably for what you are shelling out. I dont quite understand what your bodyman has against this paint or if that is what you were saying, if you use thier Lazer Dry reducer it flattens the paint and makes it your basecoat then you shoot the clear on top of it, as you have probably figured out its the clear that costs the bucks! Good luck with your truck, I tell ya there is nothing like driving a truck with a good fresh paintjob, looking across that long ole hood while your driving, folks giving you thumbs up, makes ya feel like a million bucks! It also makes you paranoid and hysterical about where you park, the other day at my freinds house her damn dogs scratched the snot out of my bedside and I wanted to scream......

[UltraBlue71]

It sucks having to be on such a tight budget, I know where you are right now, brother.... I dug myself in a helluva hole with my truck but it sure was fun to do and its totally worth it!

[wwotr]

Originally Posted by UltraBlue71

It sucks having to be on such a tight budget, I know where you are right now, brother.... I dug myself in a helluva hole with my truck but it sure was fun to do and its totally worth it!

Ya know I'n really not bummed at all. I am SO STOKED knowing that the Body Work is getting done right this time and that the other "crap" body work that was on the Truck before I got it, is going to be a thing of the past!
On top of all that, I'll be getting my OWN GARAGE for it, once it comes home from the shop.

No Snow/Rain/Tar/Sap/Bord ****/Pine Needles/Racoon prints on my Truck THIS YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Roger
"RATIKLE"

[UltraBlue71]

My 71 gets our one car garage and the wifes 2006 Suburban sits outside, I told her the Suburban has to be taught respect for the elderly...

[wwotr]

UPDATE: 11/06/09

Went to the Body Shop today and am I glad I told them to take care of the "Worm Holes".
On the passengers sider rear Quarter Panel and over the Rear Fenderwell, I counted no less than 20 of these holes!

The owner told me to come by tomorrow at 3PM.
I told him it was Saturday.

He said ..."I know, the shops closed and all 3 of us are going to do the body work on just YOUR Truck"!

As usual I update my Body work page with 4 new photos from todays visit at: http://home.pon.net/wwotr/body%20work-paint


Roger
"RATIKLE"

[my67chevytruck]

looking forward to saturdays update...

[vintagesteel]

Originally Posted by wwotr

That is EXACTLEY what my Contractor told me to do with the Body Shop who is doing my Truck.
I told him I had PAPER MONEY.
No Debit Card.
No Cheks.
No Money-Orders.

After al that, and he was still only $500.00 cheaper than my other 4 Estimates, and even then he couldn't gaurentee that if he found something else, that it would be even MORE!

People have a FALSE idea that shops are making a crap load of money! If you asked him how much PROFIT he is making, you would probably WANT to pay him MORE if you could. The actual PROFIT of most of those shops is probably pretty close to the same. Usually the varience is overhead. Some shops have more than others. You have to remember, you cant afford MORE and THEY cant afford LESS. You have done it EXACTLY the way you should have to get the BEST quality you can. To many people get way to excited and want to rush things and compromise just to be able to see it painted. They usually regret it later.

[UltraBlue71]

Ahh yes, the wormholes, I can remeber dad drilling holes and using a slidehammer with a screw in the end, to pull dents 20-25 years ago, your supposed to go back and weld them up afterwards but I bet lots of guys just slathered the mud on and didnt bother welding them up. Thank goodness for the stud gun...
Vintage...I agree
Body work/painting is a tough way to earn a living, you gotta be good and you gotta be fast and everyhting you do is a rolling billboard for your ability, if you "doghouse" one you'll get labled a hack or a scabby craftsman...
but If you cant turn them out fast enough you'll starve, there is a reason I joined the Airforce, and didnt take on the family business....

[wwotr]

Originally Posted by my67chevytruck

looking forward to saturdays update...

UPDATE 11/09/09:

Well as promised, all 3 guys worked a full 8 hours on Saturday...... JUST MY TRUCK!

They were using a DA, and started to notice "Rust Spots" under some of the paint.
They looked like Blackheads on a Teenager.
They explained to me that the original paint had "Failed" (gee after 37 years), and started to separate.
This allowed water to get between the Cracks and start these "Blackhead" looking things.
When they started seeing that, they said screw it, and took it all down to bare metal!!!
They explained that the last Shop/Person, just Primered over the Rust coming up,
and eventually it would have reared its ugly head again.

Almost forgot....they saw some Rust by the back window and popped it out and did the Track all the way around the Rear Window!!!


My Truck looks like a Delorian from Back to the Future, with all the Gleaming Metal.
I have provided another Photo Gallery of today's adventures at: http://home.pon.net/wwotr/body%20work-paint

Roger
"RATIKLE"

[my67chevytruck]

looks like good progress! I always take it down to bare metal, never know whats hiding.....

[UltraBlue71]

Its easier just to blast the whole dang thing in pieces, if thats an option then you know what you have.....

[wwotr]

Originally Posted by UltraBlue71

Its easier just to blast the whole dang thing in pieces, if thats an option then you know what you have.....

That was an option, but an additional cost, that I didn't have the funds for.
The initial Estimate for whats being done was $3500.00.
Now its up to $4K and thats as far as I can go $$ wise.
I'm completly happy with these guys and their progress.
They also see me come in 3 times a week to take pictures, and they know that I appreciate and am STOKED about my Truck!
They say its a nice change from someone just handing them a wad of cash and saying "Thanks" and leaving, never to be seen again.
They take the time to show me the progress and explain the process.

Roger
"RATIKLE"

[wwotr]

TODAYS UPDATE 11/13/09:


Nothing much to report from Last Week.
The Shop had some "priority Jobs" come in during the week,
(Insurance Repairs), so there was no progress on my Truck this week.
They said, if all goes well, it could be ready in a week.
The unfortunate thing about that, is I'm leaving for Phoenix to spend a week out there with my Wife, Son and G.F. for Thanksgiving.
So as much as it pains me, I told them it would probably be better to pick it up the week AFTER Thanksgiving.


Roger
"RATIKLE"

[UltraBlue71]

I'm completly happy with these guys and their progress.
They also see me come in 3 times a week to take pictures, and they know that I appreciate and am STOKED about my Truck!
They say its a nice change from someone just handing them a wad of cash and saying "Thanks" and leaving, never to be seen again.
They take the time to show me the progress and explain the process.

Roger
"RATIKLE"
[/QUOTE]

Thats all that matters then, looking forward to your pics!

[vintagesteel]

Originally Posted by wwotr

TODAYS UPDATE 11/13/09:


The unfortunate thing about that, is I'm leaving for Phoenix to spend a week out there with my Wife, Son and G.F. for Thanksgiving.

Isn't it kind of weird taking your wife AND G.F. to Thanksgiving? (OH, it's HIS G.F.) It's nice finding a shop willing to EXPLAIN things instead of TELLING you what they did. I've always tried to do that with my customers. And took pics during the process to show them if they couldn't be there during the "FIND". It builds trust between you and the shop.

[wwotr]

UPDATE 11/28/09:

I was gone all last week for Thanksgiving in Phoenix, but my Body Man DID send this one Cell Phone Shot to me last Tuesday.
I thought I'd share it with ya.
I'll be going done Monday afternoon to see it in person and take MORE PICURES!!!

Roger
"RATIKLE"

[wwotr]

UPDATE 11/30/09:

OK KIDDIES.................

Stopped by the Body Shop today and posted a **** LOAD of new pictures at:
http://home.pon.net/wwotr/body%20work-paint

Just Scroll down to "Body Work 11/30/09".
I've made another Gallery for you all.

Body work is done on the Bed and Hood.
Still have the Cab/Doors/Fenders/Cowl and Tailgate.
Looks SWEET!

Progress is gaining on my Wife's Motorcycle Garage, and as soon as it's ready, then her Bike goes into that and MY Garage will be ready to accept "RATIKLE"!
I'm thinking theres still about 3-4 more weeks of Body Work at the pace their going at, (which is fine by me).

Comments/Questions/Opinions are always welcome.

Hope everyone's Thanksiving was good.

Roger
"RATIKLE"


Disclaimer, My site is I.E. Exclusive and may not load correctly using other types of Browsers.

[Richard8971]

The amount of money invested in paint and body work today can break a person's bank account. Too many times however, a poor sucker spends a ton of bread and gets nothing in return. (I have seen this happen way, way too many times)

Being in the field for over 20 years I have seen another thing happen over and over again, and it is this.

People have champane dreams and beer budgets. I have seen customers nickle and dime you to death on the estimate to get it as cheap as possible. ("Oh, I don't care how it looks, it's a work truck!") And when they get it back, they are out there with a magnifying glass, picking the thing apart driving the poor shop crazy.

Affordable paint jobs mean one thing... blemishes can be found, but not noticable from a few feet away. If a person wants "show quality", they better expect to shell out a bunch of cash.

As long as you are realistic about what kind of quality you are looking for, and honest about your budget with the shop (and provided you found a decent shop to work with), you should end up happy with the end result.

Looking good so far, keep us posted with the progress!

Don

[wwotr]

Originally Posted by Richard8971

As long as you are realistic about what kind of quality you are looking for, and honest about your budget with the shop (and provided you found a decent shop to work with), you should end up happy with the end result.

Looking good so far, keep us posted with the progress!

Don

Don,
I HAVE found a Body Shop I can work with, in the same County as I'm in and I keep the $$ in this County.
I'm happier than a Hog in ****!

Roger
"RATIKLE"

[my67chevytruck]

truck is looking good.....