Let’s be honest; no one likes a faded, chipped, rusty car exterior. Your car looks its best with a slick coat of paint, clean and shiny.
But after you drive the car off the dealership forecourt, you wave goodbye to the memory of a fresh-looking car. However, a few options are available if you’re looking to spruce up your vehicle.
Aside from aesthetics, re-paining your vehicle also prevents wear and tear to the metalwork, extending the lifespan of your car. But how much does it cost to paint your vehicle? Is it affordable? We’ve done the research to find exactly that out. So keep reading to learn more.
Paint jobs vary wildly, with some body shops charging as little as $300 and others up to $10,000. The price of the job will vary depending on the quality of paint and work, the state of your vehicle, the size of your vehicle, and the color of paint you choose.
Generally, a standard paint job will cost between $1000 and $4000. Of course, you could do it for a few hundred dollars, but be prepared for a less-than-perfect finished product!
What Factors Affect the Cost Of A New Paint Job?
Before we give you a cost estimation, it’s essential to consider all the factors that will affect the end price to get an accurate idea of the overall cost.
Paint Quality
The price of a paint job varies significantly depending on where you get a quote from. And the quality of the finish you desire will drastically impact the price.
Higher-end car painting services will provide a higher quality of paint, better tools, and a higher level of skill in the painter. So when you’re looking at hiring a professional to paint your car, remember that the price will be directly reflected in the product.
If you want an extremely high finish, going for a bargain bucket paint service will leave you disappointed. Re-doing a paint job is difficult without damaging the bodywork, so think carefully before you spring for the next coat of paint.
Size of Vehicle
Understandably, the size of your car will directly impact the cost of the paint job. A small two-door car will cost significantly less than a truck. The larger the vehicle, the larger the surface area; therefore, the more work is required.
Color and Quality
Not all paint is created equal, and different colors carry different price tags. For example, standard paint colors like black and white are significantly cheaper than specialized colors.
Also, the quality of the paint will considerably impact the price. A higher rate, long-lasting paint is more expensive than the industry standard options.
However, the higher quality, more expensive paints may save you money in the long term, as you only need to re-paint less often.
Additionally, the cost will increase if you want to add more details, such as racing stripes.
Car Condition
The paint job will cost more if your car is a little worse for wear, with a few scratches and surface imperfections. However, many paint services will offer a repair service.
They will fix any issues with your vehicle as part of the service. In addition, some businesses may not charge you extra and will work around the problems.
However, suppose the company is serious about providing a good service. In that case, they will want to fix the surface damage before considering painting. Not fixing these flaws will only lead to more significant long-term damage.
Inspect your car thoroughly to know how much additional work it may need before painting. This will prevent you from getting nasty surprises when you get a price estimation at the shop.
Waxes and Seals
Many paint shops will add wax or a seal as a part of the service. This will add an additional $100 or $200. Although it’s more money, it’s a good idea to do them as these protective coatings significantly boost the lifespan of your car’s paint job.
Should I Get A Professional Car Painting Job or DIY?
Thinking about the potential cost of a professional paint job might have you thinking, “how hard can it be?” Well, doing the paint job yourself is possible.
Painting your own car involves a lot of patience, skill, and the correct tools. However, if you’re willing to do the research, buy the proper tools and take on the responsibility of painting your own car- go for it!
Although you will yield a different result than a professional paint job, you may do an adequate job that’s good enough for the purpose.
DIY paint jobs are more suitable for older cars or ones only for all-terrain adventures. Basically- vehicles that can afford to look imperfect will pick up some bumps and scratches.
It will cost you around $100 to $1000 to paint your own car, depending on what materials you need to purchase.
However, we don’t recommend painting your own car, as the resulting appearance will not be as good as that of a professional.
When Should I Think About Painting My Car?
There’s no defining moment that requires you to re-paint your vehicle. However, we suggest re-painting your car every five years.
You should observe the quality of the paint to monitor it and ensure it’s staying intact to the extent that the metalwork underneath will be damaged.
How Much Does it Cost to Paint A Car?
Here are some of the general price estimations for a paint job. As outlined above, the price will vary depending on several factors. Here are some available cost estimations:
- A basic service: the more inexpensive paint jobs will use lower quality, synthetic enamel paint. They will use as few coats as possible. A basic paint job will cost between $300 and $1000.
- A standard service: A typical paint job will range between $1000 and $4500. The cost will include sanding and rust removal to ensure the result is attractive.
- A showroom-quality: for the highest quality of finish, more steps will be involved to ensure a good product. The bodyworkers will sand the bodywork down to the bare metal and remove all rust, dents, and imperfections. They will then apply several coats of paint to ensure a high-quality finish. This will cost between $5000 and $20,000.
Alternative Solutions
If a paint job no longer seems the way to go, other options are available. For example, vinyl wrapping your car is becoming an increasingly popular choice for car owners.
Vinyl wrapping transforms the look of a car by applying large sheets of pressure-sensitive vinyl to the body. Vinyl wrap is an eye-catching way to change a vehicle and is a great alternative to paint.
How much does a vinyl wrap cost?
Vinyl wrap costs around between $2000 and $10,000 per vehicle. Most of the cost of vinyl wrapping a car comes from labor.
Vinyl wrapping is hugely time intensive and requires a highly skilled professional to properly complete the job. Therefore, the price will vary depending on the vehicle being wrapped.
A compact car will cost around $2000 to wrap, with trucks and commercial vehicles costing around $3000.
Paint vs. Vinyl
Both painting and wrapping a car can achieve great results. However, vinyl wrapping has significantly increased in popularity in recent years.
Vinyl is often considered a better option to paint as vinyl protects the car’s body better than paint. In addition, the vinyl protects the metalwork from sun exposure, harsh weather, and road hazards.
Additionally, vinyl wrapping can last up to 10 years, whereas a paint job may only last between 3 and 7 years. Therefore, vinyl wrapping can cost you less in the long term.
To Summarize
Cars are expensive things to own, upkeep, and even more costly if you want to maintain a pristine aesthetic. Caring for your car is essential and will lengthen the lifespan of your vehicle.
Re-painting your car is a great way to re-vamp your car’s appearance and protect the bodywork of your vehicle. A paint job can range from a few hundred dollars to over $10,000.
A standard paint job will cost between $1000 and $4000. The price tag of a paint job will directly impact the finished product- so bare that in mind when you’re searching for the best deal.