Expert Opinions on Paint Quotes

[Mesencephalon]

I would like to get my MM repainted. I'd Like to get one of those deep deep multi-layer jobs where you can almost fall in to the shine without hitting the bottom .. you know the kind. I'd like to get a dark cobalt blue / purple, almost black as the base, under the black, and a zillion coats of clear to get that "deeeeeeep" effect I see at car shows. So dark that you don't even really know it's there unless its in like, complete direct light ... What kind of money am I looking at do you think? What kind of shop should I be searching for? Are the real experts all out in California, is this a thing I should start saving for a road trip for? (Like a supercharger :D)
Any opinions or advice? Am i living in a fantasy world?
Thanks!

[ghost03]

My black 03 was repainted december of 05 from the dealer after it was hit from falling rocks from a dump truck.After it was all said and done my insurance payed around $6500 for the labor and materials....

I got 4 or 5 base and clear cotes and it looks like glass when its all waxed and clean.I would say you would be looking to spend the same amount or more if you want to go multicolor......Look around at local car shows and ask around where their cars were painted and get a few good estimates from the shops...DOnt jump at the first good estimate you get.It will take time to get it done right.

[Rocknthehawk]

I worked in a bodyshop for a while...

a multi layer job like that, done correctly will probably run into about 10K.

To give you an idea, a black mercedes with minimal bodywork was $8000

[Bigdogjim]

Ford repainted mine 2 years ago at the cost of $8200. Got almost 11 mills of paint which is a lot of paint.

Price I got at other shops were from a "low" of $6000. all the way to $12500.

I had two shops tell me straight up they did not want the job because it would take a work bay away for almost 4 weeks. They said they would "loose" money because they can make more on small quick jobs.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

Yep, with today's paints, labor costs, keeping a shop EPA compliant, etc, you really can't get a $3000 paint job anymore that is really good quality. It is easy to spend 10k on a paint job with no body work, for custom stuff.

[magindat]

Yeah, dude. All this sounds about right. 8-10K for what you're after. 4 weeks in a booth sounds like an exaggeration, but a good week in a booth for prep and paint sounds right.
You need to hunt for a true 'custom' shop. A good shop will have pics of their work all over the place and will gladly show and tell about their work. They'll be proud and upfront, yet a bit guarded since everyone has their little technique secrets.
In contrast a bad shop will be secretive and say 'trust us' we know what we're doing.

Here's the hard part. Good painters are around. Trouble is, they are hidden. Custom work is very uncommon, so good painters can be found churning out 'cookie cutter' jobs in dealers and collision shops so they can eat.

Meeting people at shows and online can help. Seeing a job and asking where, but especially WHO did it can help.

As for me, I had a good friend who is an excellent painter. My job took a marathon 27 hours in the booth and that was post prep!

As far as this board, millsmarauder is a professional painter and I have seen his work. He seems very good, the work is clean and as a fellow marauder owner, I'm sure you'd get the best job possible. I believe he is in N. Florida.

Good luck.
Rich

[Mesencephalon]

I'll just post instead of trying to reply to everybody.

I was hoping for around 5K, but I understand times have changed. Last time I looked into it was 1985, so ...

I think it will have to wait for the right time. And I will have to take time to find the right people. People that are anxious to not "clog up" a bay for a week or whatever don't sound to me like the type with the passion and love of the job that I'm looking for. I don't want someone treating me , begrudgeoningly, like some bothersome obligation. I want someone to say "I LOVE this job painting cars is my life and I love making cars dream machines" not worried about whether or not he can make more money fixing key marks and shopping cart dings on Yugos ...

Thank you ALL for your info. Very much appreciated.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

Mesencephalon, unfortunately what you are describing not wanting in a body shop is what most have become due to insurance work. They can just make more money that way, faster.

If you find a guy who will spend the time on your car, it will cost $$.

[Pops]

As a body shop owner I agree with Rich. All of his statements are correct. If you try to get a lower price you will get a lower quality job. Find a good custom shop and pay the price and you will be much happier.

[Dr Caleb]

I would like to get my MM repainted. I'd Like to get one of those deep deep multi-layer jobs where you can almost fall in to the shine without hitting the bottom .. you know the kind. I'd like to get a dark cobalt blue / purple, almost black as the base, under the black, and a zillion coats of clear to get that "deeeeeeep" effect I see at car shows. So dark that you don't even really know it's there unless its in like, complete direct light ... What kind of money am I looking at do you think? What kind of shop should I be searching for? Are the real experts all out in California, is this a thing I should start saving for a road trip for? (Like a supercharger :D)
Any opinions or advice? Am i living in a fantasy world?
Thanks!

I can't find pictures of it, but Logan's second MM he had repainted, and it may be more cost effective. He left the black base, and had some clear blue added to the clearcoat. It was black at night (so I am told), and during the day a really cool blue effect.

That way, you only have to have the clear redone. The pics of it were simply stunning.