Paint job cost

"jlay" (jerome-lay)
04/02/2015 at 16:34 • Filed to: None

I have a 1982 Chevy S10 project I'm building to be a daily-driveable track car. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! the project thread. 500HP/TQ from a 383 SBC, 6sp manual, custom double wishbone front suspension, custom 3-link rear suspension, coilovers front and rear, and quality parts throughout. It was in my hands for 7 years with very slow progress and 2 years ago, it went to a professional to finish the build. It's currently driveable and I was able to take it out for a test session at the track. The body panels are all in pretty good condition and should need minimal metalwork.

I don't particularly care how the truck looks - in fact, I quite like how it looks currently:

However, the chassis and body both have big patches of bare metal where cutting and welding was done. And I definitely want the truck to be waterproof in the rain, so that will require complete disassembly to powdercoat the chassis and paint at least the firewall and floorpans (both inside and out). The budget for the truck has been pretty generous and everything has been done right without cutting any corners.

Now that you have the background, here's the dilemna. The paint job quote came in at $20k and after telling the paint guy that I'm not looking for a show car, just a driver, here's the quote for $15k:

$15k is at least $5k more than what I want to spend. I'm really just looking for a paint job that looks as good as a fresh factory paint job on an economy car. Can anyone tell from the estimate above what level of paint job I would end up with and what I hours I could cut down on and still be happy?

DISCUSSION (8)

Bandit > jlay
04/02/2015 at 16:37

My T/A's job cost about 6k... and it looks damn near mint. Do a lot of the sanding and bodywork yourself and you will save a ton of hours.

V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me! > jlay
04/02/2015 at 16:58

Shop around. That price is ridiculous. I've seen frame-off rotisserie paint jobs for less.

banjo cat ghost of oppo past > jlay
04/02/2015 at 17:23

I got the local vocational students to paint my GSX project Jaguar british racing green for abouts $700 soo yeah see if theres a local auto dody school nearby.

It also took half a year and because I apparently rushed them did not turn out perfect so there you go.