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Auto Painting Cost

How Much Does Auto Painting Cost?
 
low cost Low: $250-$400
 
average cost Medium: $1,000-$2,000
 
high cost High: $4,000-$8,000
 



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Auto painting prices vary a great deal depending on the quality of the job, the type of car and the amount of additional bodywork.
 
Typical costs:
  • MAACO is a national low-cost chain that can often paint a car for between $250-$400.
  • Middle of the road auto body shops often will quote prices between $1,000 and $2,000, depending on the amount of work.
  • Custom body shops can charge $4,000 to $8,000 if it involves removing many parts, changing the color of the car, detailing the engine, rebuilding mechanical parts, chrome plating, etc.
  • Tip: Be sure to ask about a shop's warranty. Bad paint jobs are notorious for lasting less than three years. Warranties can run five years. A place like MAACO might offer a six month warranty against peeling.
Additional costs:
  • There are many possible upgrades. Even at a discount shop such as MAACO, some customers will choose to upgrade the paint to a higher-quality one. Customers may also choose additional layers of paint (more than two) or a layer of clear coat.
  • When cars are repainted, sometimes they need body repairs beforehand. Small repair jobs (dents, etc.) can run $200-$500.
Discounts:
  • Some body or auto painting shops will offer a discount of a few hundred dollars if the customer sands the car and removes or masks parts that aren't going to be painted. This reduces the preparation work (and labor costs) for the shop.
  • Be sure to shop around and compare quotes. Prices and quality can vary even within the same chain, such as MAACO.
  • Tip: Many customers recommended visiting and reviewing a body shop. Ask to look for a recently painted car and see if it was well done. Larger businesses may have a record at the Better Business Bureau. There should be a work area where the bodywork is done, and a paint booth. If it's not in use, you can ask to inspect the paint booth to see whether it is relatively clean and dust-free.
Shopping for auto painting:
  • Use a local listings site such as Yahoo Local to search for "auto painting","auto body shop," or "Maaco" to get 3-4 quotes from auto body shops in your area.
  • Larger businesses may have a record at the Better Business Bureau.
Article updated November 2006
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