Painting....

[442MUCH]

What is a good price to paint the car. I've ordered the masks and trunk decal. Now I''m going to start looking for quotes. Dave..input here? http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v417/vttedrm/toetap05.gif

[brad442]

Hey Ken,

Depends on how much body work there is and finding a reputable painter. A good quality paint job, ready for a show field without much body work will run you at least $8,000. That might even be a conservative estimate. Also depends on if you take the car apart yourself, which is what I did. The less the painter has to do, the more you will save. I recommend talking to other Olds members in your area to see who they have used or would use.

[ragz442]

It's crazy what places are charging for a paint job nowadays. I was a combo man in the late 80's early 90's when base/clear was fairly new. I worked in a collision shop that also did restorations. It was hard to make a living doing allover paint jobs. Usually myself and another guy would team up and do them between insurance work. Like Brad said, it's going to depend on how much body work is needed. Dave pulled all the trim off his car and the body was rock solid, I believe he paid 4k for the paint job. [Hope he doesn't mind me disclosing that info?]. He had wanted me to do it for a couple years, I really wish I could have, but working full time I just couldn't make the commitment. I don't really have my shop set up good enough to take on a big job right now either. Sorry for rambling, but I think Dave did pretty good going by some of the prices I've heard lately.

[442MUCH]

It's crazy what places are charging for a paint job nowadays. I was a combo man in the late 80's early 90's when base/clear was fairly new. I worked in a collision shop that also did restorations. It was hard to make a living doing allover paint jobs. Usually myself and another guy would team up and do them between insurance work. Like Brad said, it's going to depend on how much body work is needed. Dave pulled all the trim off his car and the body was rock solid, I believe he paid 4k for the paint job. [Hope he doesn't mind me disclosing that info?]. He had wanted me to do it for a couple years, I really wish I could have, but working full time I just couldn't make the commitment. I don't really have my shop set up good enough to take on a big job right now either. Sorry for rambling, but I think Dave did pretty good going by some of the prices I've heard lately.

I spoke with a guy who was a body man for an exclusive custom paint shop here in town (He's an Olds guy too). Their average paint job is between $12-$18,000! So I asked him how things were going. He said that he worked for another body shop and they are really busy and the money was better. So I asked where he worked and he said .......Maaco.

I said, you left Doug's Place to work for Maaco? He said that Maaco gets a bad rap because they will do a $100 paint job if that's what the customer wants. That $100 job looks great for about 6-12 months. So I asked if I wanted a top paint job what would that cost me and how long would it look good. He told me to bring the car by.

So I did. Another fellow did the qoute. He asked what I wanted done. I said that I wanted a complete paint job and I wanted a good one. He asked if I wanted the best, I said yes. He walked around the car and said, do you want the chrome and stainless masked or removed. I said remove it. ( I figured if he removes it and scratches the car putting it back on, then it cost's me nothing to have it repaired. If I do it, I'll be pissed. He asked do you want us to put it all back on too. Yes I said. He said will you supply the masks and trunk decal? Yes.

He walked around the car and said OK. We'll remove all the bright work and re-install, we'll completely sand the car and paint two colours, and remove any dents or dings. Do you want us to do the door jams, hood lips and the underside of the trunk? Yes. I told him I may want the spoiler removed and the holes in the trunk filled. He marked that down. He went inside and came out with a quote. He gave it to me and while I was looking it over he said "And I'll guarantee the paint and the shine for 5 years. $2,952.52 :eek: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v417/vttedrm/icon_bs.gif No BS. $2,952.52! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v417/vttedrm/yesnod.gif Looks mighty tempting.

I'm going out Saturday to get a few more quotes just to see where those come in.

[PSU442]

that's an incredible price! that's reassuring... my paint doesn't have much time left. It seems its deteroriating exponentially. is it easy to paint the door jams and stuff? i always thought they had to take the doors, trunk, and stuff aoff the car. That's great though Ken -- keeping the same color combo?

[442MUCH]

that's an incredible price! that's reassuring... my paint doesn't have much time left. It seems its deteroriating exponentially. is it easy to paint the door jams and stuff? i always thought they had to take the doors, trunk, and stuff aoff the car. That's great though Ken -- keeping the same color combo?

Yep. Factory colours all the way.:D Did some talking to local car guys and they said I'm looking at 6-8 grand, like Brad said, to get a decent job. I'll have to investigate more on this Maaco job. There was a car that won first at a show a few years back and when he told everyone it was painted at Maaco, no one believed him, or at least found it hard to believe.

[brad442]

Hey Ken,

Having painted three cars in my "resto" days, here is a question you might ask yourself, are you looking for a top notch show quality paint job or are you looking for a really nice, driver type paint job? Are you planning on continuing to drive and enjoy the car just as you do now? Will you fret over a small rock chip or small scratch?

If you are going with a top notch quality paint job, it's all about the body work. There are many good painters out there, but not many good body men. For example, did the Maaco guy say he would block sand the body of the car several times? This gives you that laser straight look and really enhances the body of the car. Block sanding shows all of the high & low spots on the body and a good body man with smooth all of those out. Did he offer to color sand and buff the car after the paint has cured out? This is a must for that "glass" look in a paint job.

Does he know that in order to remove the outer window sweeps on the top of the door, you have to remove the door glass? I've done this, it's a really big job and requires considerable help. Will he remove the front end panel of the car or keep it on the car? Does he know that all of the plastic pieces come off separate and will need to be painted as well? Instead of filling the holes in the trunk, maybe just find another trunk lid and have it painted at the same time, that way you could switch out the trunk lid if desired. (I found another trunk lid for mine when I installed the wing. I saved the original trunk lid in case I ever decide to put it back on, but I should have had it painted when I painted the car.)

I only offer these items up from experince. It seems our cars get quite a bit more respect with a really good paint job on them. Having seen your car in person, I think it would look incredible with a top notch paint job. Matter of fact, it would look really good parked in my garage... LOL! But, once you spend that kind of money, you worry about it alot more and your are much more hesitant about driving the car for fear of paint damage.

Just my .02¢, keep us posted on how it turns out. Take your time and research as much as you can. It will pay off in the end...

[zodiacblue442]

Ken - Think how many cars the painters at Maaco paint in a day... they get lots of practice just from the shear volume of vehicles that go through their shops. They know how to paint cars!

I'll let the cat out of the bag here... my brother's `77 442 (the white one with the blue stripes that got totalled in a wreck a few years ago) was painted at Maaco in 1990 or 1991. The car never saw a garage and was a daily driver up until it got smacked in 2003. The paint held up terrifically in the CO sun and in the CO winters for over 10 years. My brother just kept it waxed. They did the striping per factory dimensions. My brother did the 442 stencils himself on the doors and trunk lid later. After my `74 Supreme got rear ended, I had the car fixed at another body shop and then took it to Maaco for a repaint. Another very good job. My dad's `80 Supreme Brougham he had back in the mid `90s got caught in a hail storm. A body main friend of ours did the body work, and the car was repainted at Maaco. The body main was astounded at how well the car came out... the cost of the paint job was just over $300. He said, "I couldn't even buy the materials to paint the car for that!" My dad had a `69 GMC 4x4 that we put an Olds 455 engine in. The truck was repainted the brightest red you've ever seen. I think they called it Porsche red. It was done at Maaco. Another daily driver truck and the paint held up great. Side note... the truck was bright and shiny and fast!... my dad got a few speeding tickets in that truck! :eek: Oh yeah... one last thing, our race car DONUTRUN was painted at... you guessed it - Maaco! This was a lower priced paint job and it still turned out pretty good. Looks real good when the car is going damn near 100 mph! :D

What I'm saying is Maaco gets a bad rap because I think they tend to rush the body work and paint prep., but they can turn out some really nice paint jobs. On the above cars, we've done the bodywork and paint prep. ourselves or had it done at another shop, then took the cars to Maaco "paint ready." It's been our experience they use quality paint that holds up well over time. Sorry for rambling... just wanted to share my experiences.

Gary


Yep. Factory colours all the way.:D Did some talking to local car guys and they said I'm looking at 6-8 grand, like Brad said, to get a decent job. I'll have to investigate more on this Maaco job. There was a car that won first at a show a few years back and when he told everyone it was painted at Maaco, no one believed him, or at least found it hard to believe.

[sledhead2]

Todd is right on with my car, when I was getting prices I was getting in the area of 4 to start and most saying closer 5-6. I am still trying to figure out if I got a deal or not. I am a perfectionist (sp) and as I am putting stuff back on car I am seeing things. Most everybody that has seen the car loves it and do not see the things I do. I am thinking anybody that owns a car of this nature is going to know their car inside and out, which will turn the owner into an Eagle Eye. That is why when my buddy went with me to get the car, he looked it over and told me to shut up and pay the man. Todd has not seen it yet I am waiting till he does, to get his feed back. I told him some of the things I am seeing but not all. I am trying to use Todd as an unbiased car guy that has done paint and body, and knows these cars.

So the Jury is still out for me?

Ken that Price sounds almost too good to be true. Even with your dollar being worth more (or ours less) that price is a super good deal in U.S cash, and your dollar and ours are with in pennies of each other right now

[zodiacblue442]

I think Dave is right on target. The car usually looks perfect to everyone but the owner. I had my show quality `73 442's body and paint work done by a professional body man (not at Maaco) and I can tell where he rushed a few things, and that was after he had the car for a year and I started getting on his case about wanting to get my car back. Ken, the price was alot more than what the guy from Maaco quoted you! My 442 does look gorgeous but I could point out a few flaws.
Gary

Todd is right on with my car, when I was getting prices I was getting in the area of 4 to start and most saying closer 5-6. I am still trying to figure out if I got a deal or not. I am a perfectionist (sp) and as I am putting stuff back on car I am seeing things. Most everybody that has seen the car loves it and to not see the things I do. I am thinking anybody that owns a car of this nature is going see know there car inside and out, which will turn the owner into an Eagle Eye. That is why when my buddy went with me to get the car, he looked it over and told me to shut up and pay the man. Todd has not seen it yet I am waiting till he does, to get his feed back. I told him some of the things I am seeing but not all. I am trying to use Todd as an unbiased car guy that has done paint and body, and knows these cars.

So the Jury is still out for me?

Ken that Price sounds almost too good to be true. Even with your dollar being worth more (or ours less) that price is a super good deal in U.S cash, and your dollar and ours are with in pennies of each other right now

[brad442]

Great points Gary. I still want to cry when I hear about Scott's '77 442.:mad:

Anyway, Ken, I think you came to the right place here on the board with your question. Like Dave said, we all know our cars in and out.

When I repainted my car 4 years ago, I convinced my wife, this is what I wanted to do. I ended up using the top notch guy around. The only thing he does is Classics, Hot Rods and Muscle Cars. He only works on 3 cars at a time. While mine was in his shop, for 5 months, he was working on a '71 440 Six Pack Charger and a real '70 Hemi Cuda 4speed. He had to repair some fender bender damage in the driver's rear quarter of my car, then he stripped the whole car down to metal. Every Friday around lunch, I would go out to his shop and check on the progress. Not to mention, he called me nearly everyday with various questions. I was there when he painted to car and I gave the ok before we went to paint. I went in the booth and watched him spray the car. I helped him stripe the car and we double checked all measurements together. He really took care of the car as if it was his. After all of that, grand total was $9,435.00 which included paint and materials. But, it's perfect in every way now, way better than the factory, which is what I wanted.

Basically, just make sure you are comfortable with the bodyman or painter before you pull the trigger. You'll be much happier in the end.

[77-442]

Alot of high end paint jobs start with the stripping of the existing paint and usually rust and ding repair, not to mention a ton of hours involved in priming & blocking to make it very straight. This is where the majority of the cost comes in. The new paint going on is only as good as what's underneath, and I can say that after doing this for over 28 years(semi-retired exotic car body & collision shop owner) that if a car had more than the factory original paint, let's say a less expensive enamel job over the orig job we would tell the owner we could not guaratee the job because of the heavy mill buildup(thickness) of the existing paint. Make sure if you are not stripping the existing paint that it is solid everwhere, no checking cracking etc, you can also check the thickness with a Mill guage which most quality body shops have.

Jim

[442MUCH]

Wow, thanks guys. This is exactly the feed back I wanted to hear. I'm not going to rush into it. I had plans to bring the car in, in October and let them keep it until April. This would give them lots of time. As I said I will be going out for quotes on Saturday. I'll be asking the body guys some of the input you guys have mentioned. I do have a spare trunk lid - good idea Brad.

The only cars I have seen in person from the guys here are Gary's '73 (Seattle) and Brad's '77 (Atlanta). Both cars are top notch. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v417/vttedrm/yesnod.gif My car was painted 20 years ago after the F5 tornado hit this city in 1987. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v417/vttedrm/willy_nilly.gif I had some hail as I drove into it going toward the storm to get my girlfriend (now wife) who was watching houses being ripped apart and describing it until the phone went dead. Got three dings but insurance painted the whole car because they couldn't match the fade in the 11 year old paint. (It was my daily driver winter & summer - luckily, Alberta doesn't get a lot of snow and so they use sand instead of salt in the roads.

Anyway driving across Canada and the US three time each does take it's toll on the front, so I think it's time. Again, thanks for all the info. Let's see who will be able to answer my questions when I ask for a quote now. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v417/vttedrm/cheers2.gif

[ragz442]

Just for the paint and clear, not the primers, thinners, supplies etc. I paid about $300 6 years ago when I did the '76 Supreme. That was for "middle of the road" quality paint. It has held up nicely, but the car doesn't see rain, snow etc. I had estimates [for just the final finish paint/clear] in Dupont, PPG, etc. between $5-700. The biggest problem with Maaco is the quality of the paint they use, it is the cheapest crap you can get, at least around here. Everything that's been said to this point is dead on, sounds like some knowledgable people here. Only one small trivial thing, the outer sweeps can be removed by taking out the glass stop, it'll allow the glass to roll down low enough to remove the center screws. The more time spent priming/blocking, the better the job is going to be. It's a time consuming, labor intensive, messy job. But it's the only way to get a show quality finish. Dave, I'm looking forward to seeing your car, I'm sure it looks great. Just remember, NOTHINGS perfect :cool: .

FWIW my comment on the quality of the paint Maaco uses is from first hand experience. May be a different story in other areas. I worked in a Maaco shop for 2 days, wasn't my "cup of tea" and I bailed. They could not match anything, blending was out of the question. When a car came in for collision work, say the front clip needed to be painted, the whole car got painted. It was a production line, 2 gals masked every car, they came to the painter [the whole car was painted]. Straight from the booth and into the oven......next. All day long. Painted about 20 cars in 2 days, Went back to my old job with my tail between my legs :o .

[442MUCH]

Just for the paint and clear, not the primers, thinners, supplies etc. I paid about $300 6 years ago when I did the '76 Supreme. That was for "middle of the road" quality paint. It has held up nicely, but the car doesn't see rain, snow etc. I had estimates [for just the final finish paint/clear] in Dupont, PPG, etc. between $5-700. The biggest problem with Maaco is the quality of the paint they use, it is the cheapest crap you can get, at least around here. Everything that's been said to this point is dead on, sounds like some knowledgable people here. Only one small trivial thing, the outer sweeps can be removed by taking out the glass stop, it'll allow the glass to roll down low enough to remove the center screws. The more time spent priming/blocking, the better the job is going to be. It's a time consuming, labor intensive, messy job. But it's the only way to get a show quality finish. Dave, I'm looking forward to seeing your car, I'm sure it looks great. Just remember, NOTHINGS perfect :cool: .

FWIW my comment on the quality of the paint Maaco uses is from first hand experience. May be a different story in other areas. I worked in a Maaco shop for 2 days, wasn't my "cup of tea" and I bailed. They could not match anything, blending was out of the question. When a car came in for collision work, say the front clip needed to be painted, the whole car got painted. It was a production line, 2 gals masked every car, they came to the painter [the whole car was painted]. Straight from the booth and into the oven......next. All day long. Painted about 20 cars in 2 days, Went back to my old job with my tail between my legs :o .

Spoke with a few friends at the A&W meet tonight. They said that I should look into wet sanding the car in the spots I want done rather than painting the whole car. I am the owner so I know where it needs work. To them the paint looks great. One fellow showed me his truck and said, I painted a fender. Tell me which one. I couldn't tell. The reason for my considering a "spot" job? My 2nd son needs braces. So there's a $5K touch.

One fellow told me to spot paint it and if I didn't like it, then paint the whole car. Makes sense. I'll still be going around to get quotes on Saturday. I have heard that Maaco has great painters because of volume, but body work and prep should be done elsewhere. Had rumours about the quality of the paint or what they mix in it to thin it.

Dang, you guys really know your stuff.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v417/vttedrm/thumbsup.gif

[brad442]

Only one small trivial thing, the outer sweeps can be removed by taking out the glass stop, it'll allow the glass to roll down low enough to remove the center screws..

Dang, I wish I would have known that... Oh well, gave me a good excuse to grease the tracks really good, which hadn't been greased since the car was built...

[ragz442]

Well, to be honest, the best thing to do is pull the glass out when painting the car. It never fails, they either get scratched up or badly over sprayed. Plus you usually get a lot of dust and crap in the doors and you can clean the regulator and tracks up good afterwards.