Tired of the same look on your wheels? Is the color of your car several seasons ago? Do you want a new change or simply just a color to suit your mood? Or has the color simply worn off and made your car look ancient? Well, the answer to that is simply to have it painted again.
If you decide to have your car re-painted, you should know the ins and outs of a painting job first so that you will be able to choose the right paint, and understand how much it should cost and how much time it should take.
Painting a car is not an easy job. It requires proper detail and careful planning to ensure a good and high-quality finish. The cost of a painting job for a car can be attributed to two factors: the work preparation and the quality of the paint.
You cannot just bring your car to the shop and paint it with your desired color. There are certain things that need to be done first before actually putting paint on your car. It should firstly be sanded from top to bottom to make the surface smooth. If your car has any dents, dings or scratches, these are mended before the re-paint. After that, mirrors, windows, door handles, and lights should be covered to make sure that these areas will not be painted by accident during the process. This covering of car areas is called masking. However, higher-quality shops usually remove the trims for a better output, instead of just masking them. All of this preparation is very time consuming and needs proper detailing so that the finished product will be of high quality and look good.
Preparation is one of the reasons why some paint jobs are more expensive than others. If you go to an expensive paint shop, you will certainly get the best quality paint there, and they treat the preparation with respect and importance. A mid-priced paint shop may offer you some of the same services, but at a slightly lower price. The choice of garage depends on you and how you want your car to look after the repair.
As mentioned earlier, another factor in the cost of painting a car depends on the quality of the paint. High-quality paint may be more expensive than the other paints, but it certainly lasts longer and has a longer fading time compared to the cheaper paints. If you are in a paint shop, you should ask them about the quality of the paint they use, and if you have a particular preference for a brand of paint, you can ask them to use it if it is within your budget.
How Much Does It Cost To Paint A Car?
In view of these factors, we can now ask ourselves how much it actually costs to paint a car. Prices vary between $300 and $20,000 depending on the make, model and condition of the car. The difference between the two prices is pretty big. Let’s discuss these prices further so that we can better understand why the prices are so different.
A cheaper paint job can range from $400 to $900. It includes an enamel layer with a few coats to freshen up the look of your car. In this price range, only the outside is painted, but not the inside of the hood and some other hidden areas.
If you have a higher budget that allows you to spend $1,000 to $2,500 on a paint job, you will have a bigger and better quality result. Within this price range, the paint shop usually uses high-quality, brand name paint. The cost includes sanding and removing dents or rust. They will use premium paint and they will also add clear base coat and a glossy finish to your car. At this price, the paint shops usually do not mask the sensitive areas, but they remove the trim and then simply reinstall it.
If you really have a huge budget and can spend more than the average just to make your car look great and cool, then the best and highest quality car paint in the showroom can cost you between $2,500 and $20,000. The preparation work is very intensive and this amount takes into account every single detail. Your car will get the best of the best when it comes to priming, sanding and repairs. They will also use the highest quality car paint with a series of coats to make sure it won’t fade easily.
Now that we have discussed the cost estimates for your car, it’s good to know how long it takes to paint a car. Just like the cost of painting a car, the time it takes to paint a car will vary. For simple paint jobs, it may take a week or two to finish. For premium paint jobs this usually takes 2-3 weeks due to the details of sanding and trimming. However, the quality work in the showroom may take longer than expected, as every little detail is evaluated and everything is thoroughly checked, so it may take a month, or even longer, to complete this type of paint job.
These different amounts and time frames will help you decide which car paint job best suits your needs. There are a number of paint shops that you can visit and check. Some offer promotions and discounts depending on the season and their availability. Your resources and time are also an important tool in choosing the right paint job for you. For example, if your car is really a necessity and you don’t have a replacement car, but you want a showroom-quality paint job, you may have to use public transportation for about a month while your car is in the shop. Or if you live in a sunny environment and the heat causes the color of your car to fade within a few months or years, but you have a limited budget, then you may want to consider premium paint instead of a base coat. You should think carefully before you decide on a paint job, but whatever you decide, it will definitely make your car look better than it is now.
