Do you have a car or truck that runs great but looks horrible? (At one point you could actually spot mine from outer space using Google Earth!) Would you like the looks of a newer vehicle without the new car price? If either is the case, then the answer may be to paint your ride! But where do you start? What’s involved? How can you do it without breaking your wallet?
Well, the answer to these questions will depend on a few factors.
Is Painting Your Car a Good Idea?
First off, is your vehicle worth investing in? For example, does it have a sound engine and transmission? Is it likely to continue running good for a while? Is the body still in decent condition? Or is it eaten away with rust? These are important questions to answer before deciding to invest more money into your vehicle.
How Much Should It Cost?
Next, what do you want it to look like when it is all done? And how long do you want it to last? These two questions will help you figure out a lot. If you are looking for a high quality paint job with panels straighter than a ruler, then expect to pay. But if you just want it to look good and last a few years, then you may be able to get by with a cheaper paint job. Paint jobs can cost as low as a few hundred dollars (Maaco Special) and cost as high as 3 to 5 thousand dollars. So, really, the cost will depend on what kind of final results you are shooting for in the end. With this in mind, don’t be fooled by auto body shops that promise much for very little. The truth is—you get what you pay for when it comes to a paint job. Keep yourself informed. And take the time to shop around. With the answers to these questions you should be in a better position to make a good decision.
What, though, makes one paint job so expensive and another so cheap?
Why such a difference? A big reason has to do with the type of paint materials that will be used. Acrylic enamels are the cheapest. But they may come only in certain colors and only last for two or three years. Urethane enamels can come in almost any color and be as durable as anything out there, but this will depend on the quality used. Urethane enamels are more durable than acrylic enamels but will cost more. Both have the shine and color built into one. Both are economical. However, sometimes these can lack luster and depth. In addition, if you want a color with metallic or pearl flakes in it, then, as any experienced paint tech will tell you, enamels often are difficult to work with.
The most durable
and widely used paint on most vehicles today are
basecoat/clear coat systems. These come in every
color imaginable, have a deep shine, and can often
be sanded and buffed later in order to remove any
light scratches. Also, they can last from 5 to 15
years; or even longer. However, basecoat/clear coat
systems can cost significantly more; but may be well
worth it depending on how you answered some of the
questions posed earlier. Maaco offers to paint a
car for a few hundred dollars but will use an acrylic
enamel. Maaco can also paint a car with a basecoat/clear
coat system, but last time I checked (2009), even
Maaco’s base price for this is about $1500. Add to all this lots of body work, removing parts, and preparing
panels and the price can go higher.