[GOAT8U2]

Hey everyone, I'm looking to finally get my GTO painted but have no idea what today's cost for a pro shop to do it are and especially here in IL?

Here's some details..
69 Convertible GTO
Looking for a stock light blue (I have the actual paint name on a sheet in the garage) with a white flip
Front bumper has a few minor dents
Rear truck lid has one raised bump from car flexing or rust
Lower front fender panels by door need to be cut and patched
Decent scratches from door though rear quarter on driver side
Bumpers are in great shape even after late 90s triple chrome

From here usual labor as the cars not bad and last paint job in mid 80s was done by my uncle who's a pro. I'd like a down to metal refresh but have no idea what that adds to cost.

I'm thinking 6-8k and possibly $10k if it's a down to metal job with the labor extras from sheet metal needs.

Any tips, timeline, IL shops to recommend and price idea?
This would be a late fall project for me 2019 with custom turbo job right before it so they don't nick up new paint.

Thanks

[MUSLCAH]

Are you taking the car apart and doing the re assemble ? If not ....probably 250-300 hours @ 60.00 + 3500 Paint and materials

[TAKerry]

In my area (prob. not much diff than IL) that would cost upwards of 20k from a reliable shop. I would start to 'shop' around right now if it were me. That way the shop should be ready for you when you are ready. For an expense that large I would def. interview several sources and make sure there is a good time frame involved. I have heard way too many stories of cars languishing in the paint shop for years!

[My442]

What I did to save money was to do all of the disassembly myself.

Took off all of the trim, bumpers, tail lights, etc.

Once the car was painted, I did all of the reassembly.

Saved a lot of money.

Also, be the gofer on chasing parts for the shop - that saves money too.

[My442]

Have a written contract for everything:

WHAT will be done
HOW it will be done
WHO will do it
WHEN it will be done
ANY contingencies

DO NOT have a verbal agreement

Only pay for progress milestones

[GOAT8U2]

Whoa this isn't what I was expecting price wise or labor, wow.

I have the lower panels to weld on but not sure what else would be needed other than paint and materials to hunt down for shops.

I don't have much trim but the rear bumper, side mirrors and trunk emblems are easy enough to where I couldn't image it being more than 4 total hours of labor on their end. This would be a good labor guess test on their end to see what they feel is needed.

I was planning on a contract but wow it sounds like these aren't 3 month jobs huh?

[My442]

The price of paint and supplies is very expensive. It can cost 1500-3000 just for paint and supplies.

Shop labor is at least $65-80 per hour, or more.

It does not take long to get into 5 figures.

So, be prepared for some high quotes.

[GOAT8U2]

Curious if any IL members chime in and can comment on their recent experience and good shops. Quality, price and time are three things I hope someone can produce out here.
I know one things for sure, all 100% of my money is going to clear and they'll get it right away so I'm gonna fulfill my end well. LOL

I'm ok with $10k etc if it's done flawless and within a decent time frame but the games and then massive price jacks at the end I'm so done with in the car community. If rather just let it sit here another 5 years looking like scratched okness.

[n20ta2]

Unfortunately 10 grand isn't going to get it done right. I wouldn't even trust any shop willing to do it for that. I did all my own body work and materials were around 5500 with paint. I gave a buddy who owns a restoration shop 1000 to spray it so that's 6500 right there without any of the metal work you need to have done or labor for body work. 17 to 20 will get you a really nice job from a reputable shop.

[GOAT8U2]

Damn, how are some of these high end paint shops closing up near me if that's the cost. LOL
I'll check around and get back in here but I'm not looking to drop $15-20k so I'll do the custom turbo setup and just make it go fast and not look fast.

[pippintook]

This thread has good info on paint and bodywork costs and some other good advice
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=823565

[n20ta2]

I think the cost of materials has killed a lot of high end body shops, most people aren't able or willing to spend that much on there project. I understand where your coming from it's a tough pill to swallow, I'm really fortunate to be able to do most of it myself.

[MUSLCAH]

Just a cut and buff..from 600-3000 grit, takes 60-80 hours. And all these TV shows that restore cars..NEVAH EVAH ...tell you the cost of the build....You’d be shocked !

[GOAT8U2]

Ya but at $29k that guy had a roof chopped off, mines already off and doesn't need painting or reassembly. LOL

Still his story is exactly what I'm afraid of, shops have lost their business ethics and taking way longer and busting you up in the end for a crazy bill is the norm now. These car shows are causing shops to all feel like they're the best and everyone is willing to spend $100k in restorations.

I'll look around and see what's up.

[TAKerry]

Many different ways to look at the equation. I know of a car (1940's something roadster) that had body work and paint done and the cost was in excess of $80G , AND it still needed a motor and a custom leather int. To me that was a stupid way to spend that much money. At another shop down the road from me they turn out 'show quality' paint jobs on camaros and chevelles, etc. at the tune of $30G Personally, I dont have that kind of money laying around, let alone to put into a car so I did mine on the cheap. I learned how to spray and did it myself. End result is pretty darn good for a rookie and it will hold its own to 90% of the vehicles I park next to. Also, Im not afraid to drive and enjoy the car like it is meant to. I have close to $3000 in materials, and tools (paint gun, paper, buffer, buffing supplies, regulator, dryer, etc. etc.) to get the job done. One thing I considered was going to MAACO. I talked to a couple before I found one that I was comfortable with. The owner had a guy that did special cars. He quoted me around $5g to do the job. I would look into that as well. Sounds like you just want a car that you can enjoy driving without breaking the budget. Same as me.

[MUSLCAH]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ there yah go ^^^^^ watch some you tube videos....gets some tools at Harbor Freight.......and hang with the best of them !

[My442]

I worked at a GM B-O-P plant back in the day (1972-1974).

This plant (Framingham) turned out A body Buicks, Olds, and Pontiacs.

The way these cars were painted would shock you.

All done by painters with spray guns.

No cut and buff, no TLC, no nothing.

So if you want your car to look original, spend less money.

They were not that good when new.

[mgarblik]

Originally Posted by My442

I worked at a GM B-O-P plant back in the day (1972-1974).

This plant (Framingham) turned out A body Buicks, Olds, and Pontiacs.

The way these cars were painted would shock you.

All done by painters with spray guns.

No cut and buff, no TLC, no nothing.

So if you want your car to look original, spend less money.

They were not that good when new.

You are right about that!! When I worked at a Pontiac dealer, they took an order for the city power company. 30 dark green Sunbirds, low option cars, all the same. When they came in, the paint was so bad below the beltline, the primer was showing through on about half of them.. The Cincinnati Zone sent a guy out to document the terrible paint, or lack of it. Then they all went to the body shop for lower body repaints before they were delivered. This was in 1980 BTW. People sometimes wonder how the Japanese got such a foothold in the US car business. This was the time period where GM, Ford and Chrysler GAVE the US auto business to the Japanese.

[dataway]

Yep that is all I want on my car, a factory quality paint job, little peel here and there ok, random fish eye ok, tad dry somewhere ok. I drove it many years with the factory paint and it was still a sharp car. Plus, some TLC and elbow grease can get a marginal paint job looking pretty good.
Not for everybody .... but why put a $15k paint job on a $30k car.
But ... everyone has their own thing that they like perfect, some it's engine bay, some it's wheels, interior ... and some it's paint. It's great that there are people around with the skills to do perfect paint.

[MUSLCAH]

It’s all the metal work, lining up panels, body work, that take up the lions share of the labor.