How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Car?
The cost of painting a car varies greatly depending on the level of detail in the pre-painting preparation process and the quality of paint used; if you’re repainting or refurbishing a vehicle that you intend to keep for a long time, it’s a good idea to spend more.
Price Ranges for Paint Jobs
There are chains that charge a few hundred dollars to repaint your car or truck, but consumers spent between $1000 and $3500 for what they describe as good-quality, “thorough” paint jobs, while a “showroom quality” paint job costs at least $2500.
Decide How Good a Paint Job You Really Need
Repainting the hood and touching up door dings should cost between $200 and $1000, depending on the amount of work required. Cars in hot climates battle hazy finishes and faded paint caused by intense heat and damaging rays, while cars in cooler climates may require attention to touches of rust beneath the paint.
Don’t Paint over Problems
Paint is a cosmetic, not a means of covering up bodywork issues, so painting over dents and rust will only make them worse in the long run. A shiny, fresh coat of paint will likely make body damage even more visible.
Keep Your Budget Realistic
Skimping on paint can be a recipe for disaster, as it can lower the car’s value. If you have a classic or a vehicle with a higher value, it’s even more important to stay on top of the cost-per-mile list.
Understand the Work Involved
Preparation will be minimal for an inexpensive paint job; from 50 feet away, it may appear fine, but up close, there will be telltale signs it was a surface respray. Just know what you’re paying for, and see if there’s any kind of warranty.
Paying More Gets You a Better Paint Job
As you move up the price ladder, shops will remove more trim pieces and items like the headlights and taillights, and in more expensive paint jobs, the prep will almost certainly include sanding off the old paint.
How much does it cost to paint a car a different color?
On average, the cost of painting a car a different color ranges from $300 to $1,000, depending on the size of the vehicle, the repairs required prior to painting, the color chosen, and the quality of the materials used.
Is repainting a car worth it?
Painting (Usually) Adds Value Having your car repainted is an investment in many ways: not only will you get a vehicle with a like-new finish, but you will also increase its residual or resale value. You can also get a higher trade-in value for an older vehicle by investing in repainting.
How much does it cost to get your car repainted?
Standard: The cost of a standard paint job typically includes sanding the body and removing rust before painting to achieve an attractive finish. Standard costs range from $1,000 to $4,500.
How much is a paint job at Maaco?
Maaco paint jobs range from $300 to $1,000, depending on the size of the vehicle and the amount of bodywork required. Maaco is a national chain with locations across the United States that can paint your vehicle for a legitimately reasonable price.
Is it cheaper to wrap or paint a car?
A lower-quality paint job with multiple coats will cost about the same as a car wrap, but if you want a matte finish or color-shifting paint, painting your car will cost significantly more than wrapping it to achieve the same look.
Is white the cheapest color to paint a car?
The cheapest option is to go with a standard color like black, white, or grey; if you want a specialty color, especially one used by a premium automaker, you’ll have to pay more.
Can I paint my own car?
If you want to do it yourself, you’ll need a well-ventilated area where dust and dirt won’t fly onto the wet car and ruin the new paint job while it’s drying, as well as a spray gun, primer, and glossy car paint. A professional-looking job will require specialized tools, as well as a lot of time and patience.
How much does it cost to have a small car painted?
Consumers paid between $1000 and $3500 for what they described as good-quality, “thorough” paint jobs, with a “showroom quality” paint job costing at least $2500, according to consumers who reported their prices to the site.
Can you paint over existing auto paint?
If the existing finish is still relatively new and in good condition, and you just want to change the color or apply something like a pearl coat over it (as we show later), sanding down the existing paint and recovering it should suffice; otherwise, it can be painted over like the rest of the car.
Does painting a car decrease value?
A factory perfect repaint can cost up to $5,000, while a $500 paint job will look like a $500 paint job and devalue the car. As you can see, a cheap quick repaint can look very bad and will almost certainly devalue the vehicle.
How do I prepare my car for Maaco paint job?
You pay Maaco to sand and scuff the rest of the car, so you do any repairs to the peeling paint, stone chips, and dings, and Maaco sands and scuffs the rest of the car. Make sure they use hardener in the paint, and pay extra for the primer/sealer coat.
Is a Maaco paint job worth it?
Yes, Maaco is worth it in terms of price, but that isn’t saying much. I’m not a paint expert, but I know someone who went to Maaco and researched and chose the more expensive option, which means they did better prep work, and I thought the car looked as good as any glossy new car.
What’s the cheapest paint job at Maaco?
Maaco offers the most basic services at a reasonable price. Painting your car costs around $300 on average, which is not a large sum to remove your car’s old paint coat. The shop can offer you a low-cost painting job because it uses lower-quality paint than traditional retail shops.
Why are Maaco paint jobs so cheap?
Because the advertised price does not include any prep work, MAACO paint jobs are “so cheap.”
Can I bring my own paint to Maaco?
Most MAACO locations are independently owned, and while most do, you can expect them to laugh you out of the shop if you bring them metalflakes, candy, or color-change paint.