How much to paint classic car?

Answer 1

Let me start by saying that this, as usual, is not a one answer question. To be thorough, I have to lay out all possibilities. Ok. If you choose to have it done, then here are the scenerios. First of all, it will depend on what you want done. 35 coats of hand rubbed candy, is going to spin the meter up much more than a good old black laquer job. Flames, stripes, or other graphics, will set you back even further. Then, it depends on if you want stickers, or painted. Do you want door jams, trunk, and under hood included? And, oh yeah, I'm getting ahead of myself, as usual. What kind of shape is the body in now. Bodywork is a big contributer to the final ticket, as well. You see, paint, and color open up a whole world that baffles some. To simplify, it all comes down to reflection. A staight panel reflects proper. A wavvy panel reflects wavvy. The darker the color, the more important that reflection thing becomes. In otherwords, you can put white over a penel that isn't perfect, and it won't be noticed as much as say, a black panel. So, more body work is involved. Colors vary in cost as well as type of paint, and necesary steps to apply them, as well as skill level. The short answer here. $5000, and up, if you want something of quality, and duration. I recomend doing it yourself. I didn't know how to do it the first time either, but, now I can hand mask the famous Chevy "runway" stripe, like on the Z/28's, and all the other stripes Chevy has thrown out there. Also flames. I learnedthe "reverse" masking techiques needed to make flames right, as well as why you shoot them backwards, for effect. I learned how to get metal flake to laydown, to blend pearls, and how to make candies, actually not a color but a tint, dry to the right shade. I learned all this in one summer, free of charge. I worked out a deal with a guy who had a shop in town, that did all of this. I helped out a little on the mechanic end of his business, and with wetsanding, and such, in return for the priveledge of watching, and asking questions. I made him an offer he couldn't refuse, because I didn't want to drop my camaro off, and give up the keys. I was afraid they would take it out and beat it, and, they would not let me drop it off not running. I guess I showed them, huh? I just couldn't let someone else work on one of my cars, I guess is what it really came down to. When you build your own stuff, it becomes a matter of pride. That is something that a guy who has a car built for him would never understand. Chuck.