Auto Painter

[Frog2Spider]

Can anyone recommend a excellent car painter that doesn't charge 2 arms, 2 legs and $10,000?

The paint on my '81 is original and for 36 years old, is in very good condition. The body has '0' rust and body work has never been needed, or done on the car. And the car has '0' dents and requires '0' body work now.

The painter, who has painted another car and a motorcycle for me, wants $10,000! This, for a simple re-paint, no door jams, no engine compartment, no trunk. I think he knows me to well!

Don't get me wrong, I want a quality job and I'm not asking for something for nothing. But $10,000? No way!

I'm in the Vancouver, Washington,/Portland, Oregon area, and I'm willing to work within a 50 mile radius.

All recommendations, based on experience and 'first hand' knowledge, would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Dave.

[aj81spider]

I can't give you a recommendation on a shop (I'm on the east coast), but I can share a few tips that kept my cost down.

I stripped the car before I trailered it to the painter (removed the top, all chrome, the bumpers, door handles etc). I also reassembled it when it was done. I gave it to him in the fall and he used it as filler work to absorb his overhead when the collision work got slow. He had it for 6 months, but it was winter so I didn't care.

The problem is that collision work is easy and lucrative so a lot of shops are not enthusiastic about a full repaint. I found a little two man shop that a friend had used who was more flexible.

[lglade]

If you find someone good in Washington, please let us know. I've been looking myself and haven't found anybody that I thought fit those criteria yet.

[Justice777]

Can anyone recommend a excellent car painter that doesn't charge 2 arms, 2 legs and $10,000?

Yes... Found a place near me that will do it for $15,000... Lol.
$10k sounds a bit much for as you say a respray of same color. I think 1/2 that would be fair. The place I mentioned included complete tear down, media blast, rotisserie, any rust cut out and replaced, all body work, inc. trunk and engine bay, base, clear, wet sand, polish and reassembly, + warrantee. I thought this was reasonable although not in my budget.
Also this is in So. Maine, and the guy has an 18 month waiting list before he could start.

[PhillySpider]

no rust or body work needed?...sounds like you could refinish your existing paint? Cut, polish, buff from a pro under $500 or DIY...