Hi all,

What do paint shops typically charge for prep/paint of a set of window louvers and a hood scoop? How about installation? I have a pretty good idea of what stripes cost (from the stripes thread)...but I don't know how much painting a few ABS plastic parts costs. I've never done this kind of thing, or even been in a paint shop before. Should I look in the phonebook for paint shops or go to a 'street rod' type speed shop that does paint? Anyone have any idea?

Tilt

 

I've been quoted $65-75 per part. thats the best deal I've been quoted

 

My shop charges time and material. $65 per hour.

 

From my experience and reading TMS - where you live (urban vs rural, etc) will be the major factor. I'm in a fairly rural area and it cost me $60 to have the chin spoiler preped and painted - getting the hood painted was around $550 total.

 

It's usually cheaper in the winter also.

 

That's a good question. I'm getting quoted from $140 to $300 for the same parts (CDC Classis Chin Spoiler and two Xenon Mirror covers). Out of four places, $140, $220, $300 and $300. Not sure what to do since I don't have experience in this. I don't mind paying $300, but not unecessarily.

 

you can buy some stuff painted on ebay

 

Just a word of caution there.

When I had my chin spoiler painted, I called three places and got three quotes. I went to talk to the lowest one and didn't feel 100% comfortable that I would get a quality job. So, then I talked to the 2nd guy. He said the right things. Even though I had the factory paint color code, he said the factory paint tint can vary from batch to batch, even within the same code. This is especially true for the metallic colors (like my Sonic Blue). He wanted to have my car there (or a piece of it) so that he could match the tint exactly. Since I was having the rear gears installed while he was painting the spoiler, I couldn't leave the car, so I removed the gas cap door and took it to him. The end result was a perfect match.

So, if you get something prepainted, be forewarned that the tint may or may not match your car.

 

Hmmm, good point Don. Guess the same goes for paint shops. Three of the four told me they could match the paint, the guy that quoted me $220 asked for either a piece of the car or a bottle of touch up paint. Unfortunately is was the worst looking place as far as upkeep.