Question: Average cost for paint????

[1971 K10 shortbox]

Ok guys,

I just got my check from my Uncle Sam ( aka Taxes),

Its time to get the 71 short box painted.

There is no metal work to be done, its solid, and ready to go.

Its completely disasembled, ie: the cab, interior, box fenders ect. is all removed.

I am looking to have the entire thing media blasted to bare metal, primered, bottom undercoated, and I would like a two tone deluxe black and white paint job.

I have a painter in mind, but as always I am going to get a few estimates.

What price range do you guys think I am looking at?

As always love the board,

and thanks for your opinions.

[streetstar]

$6000.00 more or less, but probably no lower than $4500.

You would be surprised at how much bodywork will still have to be done -- even with clean sheetmetal

[68gmsee]

I was given a paint only ball park figure of $5,400. I told the guy I could learn how to paint for that much and do both my trucks.. He sort of laughed.

The other guy would not give an estimate but said he charged $50 an hour. This would include everything. Someone that has had work done there says this guy is awesome but expect the "includes everything" to be between 5 and 10 big ones...

I'm still thinking of learning how to paint.

[lilred67]

i would say 6-7k if they hang and adjust all the body pieces for you. maybe 5-6k if you hang your own body pieces. the good body shops around here want 5-6k for painting the outside only with no major body repair.

[Sammy]

Never agree to an hourly charge. And believe this is most important get everything in writing including total price & what day to be completed. My son's 68 took 6 months too long. Hourly charge they will soak you on labor.

[PanelDeland]

^ I agree.Do a contract.Specify everything to be done and a time frame.Add penalties for past due.Keep in touch and stop by to see progress.Check references,look at examples of the work the painter has done.Talk to previous customers.
There are a few other posts about this.Do a search and research the problems others have had to educate yourself.

[jorgensensc]

top notch paint jobs are in the 10k + range. I took the Bel Air to about 6 different paint shops. They all told me 10k and at least a year. At the end of the day I found a shop that misquoted me but agreed to stand behind their quote (for the most part) and I spent roughly 6500. THat is completely disassembled frame off with me hanging all the doors and body panels. Exactly 1 year later I got the car back. That is why I'm going to paint myself from now on. I seriously think you are looking at around 7k for inside and outside, undercoating and the bed. add another 1000 for media blasting. THat is just my opinion.
Shawn
SHawn

[brad_man_72]

if i tried to paint my truck with my tax refund i might be able to get enough cans of krylon to do the passenger side.

[Ole Blue 68]

That's the crazy thing, paint and supplies don't really cost that much. You could get a nice paint set up from Eastwood and some decent paint for a couple of hundred bucks. It's all labor.

[NuBomb]

Paint is quite a bit more expensive than you think. The supplies like primer, tape, reducer, hardner, body filler, spot putty and sandpaper are not nearly as cheap as you might think. I've seen plenty of people have well over a thousand dollars in just paint materials.

[68gmsee]

Around here, no one wants to mess with old iron. If they agree to do it, you do it on their terms, take it or leave it. One guy I talked to says he makes more money on collision work on newer vehicles. Doesn't have time for labor intensive body work. All he does anymore is replace body panels and paint. Very little straightening/repair work.

If he does take on an old vehicle for restoration it's fill in work only.

One example is a friend of mine took his 2004 Explorer in for hail damage on the roof and hood. They cut the roof off and put a new one on. Then replaced the hood and painted it all and they were done.

[lowrollin70gmc]

$4500 minimum if they do the work. Those little dents sure do add up to a lot of labor and block sanding.

I probably have $3k in materials on my truck (complete front and visible back of all panels to bare metal; body filler, etch primer, primer surfacer, primer surfacer again, sealer, 3 coats base, 3 coats clear, and undercoating for unseen areas). Add body labor to that and you're way up there. Thankfully I did all work myself and paint was a raise at the shop I worked at.

Oh, those materials weren't top of the line, either. Also, try to find a place that is passionate about old cars, otherwise you'll be a prick in their side and the job won't come out as well as it could have for the same price. Everything in writing will make the shop and you happier. If they tell you it will be a show truck for less than 10k, walk away. Honesty on both parties behaves will keep all involved satisfied. Driver quality can mean two different things to two different people, I say find a car you're satisfied with and show it to them for an honest quote.