I've finally got my car respectable on the performance side now I need a fresh coat. How much did you pay, how happy are you w/ the job?

I had mine done a year ago after i had a fender bender and decided to go with a totally new color. With fixing what was damaged and doing the complete paint swap, it came to about $2800(mostly paid for by insurance). It took the guy a couple months (a friend of mine who did it on the side), but when it came back it was NICE!! the clear looked like glass!! He used all PPG products with about 4 coats of clear. you can see more pics on my webpage listed below.

So with that being said. I've said it once and I'll say it again. Cheap, and nice paintjob never go together in the same sentance. With paint you get what you pay for. I'm sure you could get a car painted for a lot less then $2800, but would it look as nice? I think not..

My paint job from Earl Scheib, www.earlscheib.com, was $600 with painting the door jams and t-top jams, and fixing some rust on the A-pillar and rear end. Upon close inspection you can tell it is a low end paint job, but from a normal viewing distance it looks great. I've had a lot of compliments on the paint job. Plus it survived the winter okay. See http://www.sr20deforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9178&highlight=presto+chango for more pics.

In 95 I had Maaco repaint my 90 Camaro almost the same color as it had been. They charged about $700 including sanding down the hood. It looked good for the next 3 years until I sold the car. Unfortunatly the paint didn't stand up to hitting a deer.

repainting pics (http://www.sr20deforum.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=117566#post117566)

I posted some repainting pics in the North forum. I had all of the dents removed from the car, a new windshield installed, all of the the trim replaced or repainted, and the entire car was refinished and repainted.

The car looks better than new, however, it was $4k Canadian. A cheap paintjob *will* look cheap. In the long run, it's worth spending the money if you plan on keeping the car.

The car I have a dark red 93 Se-r in Miami which is in need of a serious paint job (its pretty bad). I was told that it's not that good to drive around in it's current condition and was recomended a good sray over for about $800 down there.

Here's the thing; I will be buying a few body parts that will need paint on them and i'm now thinking if it's worth it going for the current color spray over or all out with complete color change of my dreams.

How much do you guys think a complete color change will run? I would spray the interior, tunk, engine bay and all other non important places flat black. Then I would have the rest of the body (including the door jams, ect..) the color of my choice (can't tell you guys yet).

In a few weeks the engine will be done and running and the paint is the only think that is gonna be keeping me from bringing it home to New York.

I'm paying 2200 original color and some pearl on the clear. custom vents on hood and shaved antenna and fuel door like audiTT. the place has a spray booth and heaters. you get what you pay for it's been 3 weeks already.

I don't agree that you have to spend over $1000 to get a good paint job. From both Maaco and Earl Scheib I have gotten good paint jobs for well under $1000. If your goal is to extend the life of a daily driver both of the above companies will do a fine job. If you want a show car then go with the big bucks paint jobs. Plus it's not worth it to me to put a lot of money into an older car. If you get hit in a 10 year old car the insurance is going to total out the car and you'll get a few thousand if you are lucky.

This thread comes at a good time.... Maaco is doing a half price sale. Their regular $499 paintjob is like $249 for a couple weeks.

Although Maaco isn't the best, it's pretty damned good for the money.

Originally posted by Storm88000
This thread comes at a good time.... Maaco is doing a half price sale. Their regular $499 paintjob is like $249 for a couple weeks.


At that price you can get it done every six months, cause basically.. you would need to. You get what you pay for. A long time ago I looked into a Maaco paint job, I looked at what came out and I knew a couple people that had their cars done there. I was not impressed at all!! It's DEFINITELY worth the extra money for a paint job that will last the life of the car and withstand anything. The only reason to go to maaco is if you're trying to sell your car and need the paint to look good to get rid of it.

just thinking the same thing . every one I know paints at maaco and sells it for more then you see the car 1 year later and it looks like ass.

Originally posted by RaSER X


At that price you can get it done every six months, cause basically.. you would need to. You get what you pay for. A long time ago I looked into a Maaco paint job, I looked at what came out and I knew a couple people that had their cars done there. I was not impressed at all!! It's DEFINITELY worth the extra money for a paint job that will last the life of the car and withstand anything. The only reason to go to maaco is if you're trying to sell your car and need the paint to look good to get rid of it.

Well that is unfortunate for them. I've had 3 cars painted by Maaco and all were decent for the money paid.

My paint job cost me 2200 for changing black to blue and fixing and replacing the truck and bumper.
This is also inclue body work too.

it came out just the way i like it.

Originally posted by ThomasSr20
My paint job cost me 2200 for changing black to blue and fixing and replacing the truck and bumper.
it came out just the way i like it.

And might i say, It's a nice color blue, too!!

But anyways, 'IF' you pay for the "top of the line" Maaco paint job, It sure as hell should last a good couple years!! BUT... even their top of the line paint job is still a low budget "only if you're gonna sell it" paint job.

It's DEFINITELY worth the extra money for a paint job that will last the life of the car and withstand anything.

The question is how much life does a 10 year old car have left in it anyway?

My parents got their Subaru painted by Maaco five years ago and it still looks good, very little wear or oxidation if any. I'll be getting my car painted this summer and I'll need to do the budget approach myself.

Originally posted by keithert


The question is how much life does a 10 year old car have left in it anyway?

Quite a bit. The cars hold up well, and heck, I can source a JDM SR20DE with fewer than 60,000 kilometres on it for $500 CDN.

Then again, my car is no longer a daily driver, so that should also make it last longer.

Originally posted by keithert

Plus it's not worth it to me to put a lot of money into an older car.


We're approaching the issue from two different angles.

If you plan on keeping a car forever, it's worth it. Yes, given enough money, you can keep a car running for a very long time. My other car was made in 1962.

It's worth it to me. It may not be worth it to you.

My car is goingin for a fresh coat and body work on monday. I am getting both rear wheel wells completely redone, a hole in the crossmember, rust around the 3rd brake light, and the wheel well rims fixed, along with a complete colour change ( red to dark pruple/blue).... all for $1500 est Canadian !!
Its being done by more of a hobbiest rather then someone who is doing for $$$, and I have seen his work, done on a few other "enthusiats" cars...
I am excited. I have had dreams of her looking this way for a while now

Cool! PM me with more details!

Do you want to borrow my digital camera to take some pics while it's being painted?

James

Originally posted by keithert
The question is how much life does a 10 year old car have left in it anyway?

As long as the owner maintains and take care of the engine and any challenges it may face for survival.