Car Paint Job Cost

Paint is one of the most crucial aspects of a car's look. Can you imagine a Ferrari without its patent bright red color or a Limousine without its shiny black body? In short, one can say that color of the car gives it an identity of its own. Unfortunately, this identity does not remain with it throughout its life. Oftentimes, you need to give touches to revamp its look or sometimes even a complete makeover! Car paint job is one of the inevitable car repair works which car owners have to take up at least once in the life of a car (unless you want to replace your car at the first sight of a peeling paint). This article deals with car painting cost which varies greatly under different circumstances.

Determinants of a Car Paint Job Estimate

Car paint job prices are not uniform for every garage in the country and for every model of car. There is a large variation in car painting prices due to several factors. Quality is the most important cost determinant of a car paint job. If you expect a superior quality job, then you obviously have to shell more than you would for an average or poor quality job. Besides, some auto shops may take up additional repair or preparation work, which often results in extra cost. However, good preparation also means you can expect a fine quality of work. The make of your car will also influence the final cost of car painting. The larger the car, greater is the amount of work and more is the quantity of paint required, hence the cost also increases in that proportion. Interestingly, the color of paint also influences the car painting cost, with red being the most expensive color.

Custom Car Paint Job

Some high-end auto shops are known for their custom car painting works. This type of car painting job often renders a factory finish look to your old car. The job is an extensive one and may stretch over days. The first step is stripping the existing paint by sanding it down. Then minor repair work, if any is done. Dents, scratches etc. are also taken care of. Then a layer of primer is applied to the car. A primer helps the paint to grip the surface in a better way. After that, a very fine quality car paint is applied uniformly on the surface of the car with a spray gun. Finally, several layers of a transparent paint are applied on the new paint to seal it. All this hard work eventually results in a brand new look for your car. This type of car painting job comes for a whopping USD 4000 - USD 8000.

Cheap Car Paint Job

If you are looking for affordable ways of painting your car, then you might consider availing services from MAACO, an auto shop known for its economical car painting prices. This national chain charges you USD 250 - USD 400 as a cost to paint a car. Although, the work is not comparable with custom painting shops, it is certainly better than road side auto shops. What more, you can get an upgraded paint for a little additional expense. MAACO offers a six month warranty period for their car painting job. Roadside auto shops are notorious for their poor quality work and exorbitant prices. On an average they charge you a hefty USD 1000 - USD 2000 for a cheap paint, with absolutely no preparation work.

As mentioned, cost of a car painting job is dependent upon the quality of the job. If you are unwilling to pay or cannot afford to avail the services of a professional, then DIY car paint is the best option. But then, make sure you have requisite skills and that you follow car painting instructions. Besides, this may not be a profitable venture considering you would any ways have to arrange for supplies and car paint, which won't come any less than USD 2000. Hence, make sure you consider all the pros and cons of a DIY paint job.