JGT

I've been considering an aftermarket hood and I've been given a few estimates. They are as follows:

$1,304
$900 - $950
$550

The first two estimates include painting the underside, and blending both fenders, as well as all installation. The last one does not include the underside, and I am still waiting to hear back if that includes blending the fenders. All quotes include minimal prep work.

These are all reputable shops that I have researched and have been recommended to me. They do a lot of custom work, and they know what they are doing.

From previous research, I've had something in the $500-600 range in my head as a reasonable price. When I received the $900-950 estimate, I thought, OK these guys are going to give me an incredible paint job for that amount of money, maybe it is worth the peace of mind. Now, the $1304 just seems ridiculous to me, but then, why are the other guys so much cheaper, are they skimping on something?

So, I am curious what you all paid, how much prep work it required, whether it included painting the underside and blending the fenders and whether, overall, you thought it was a great paint job.

I am willing to pay extra to make sure the job is done right, but I want to make sure I am not getting totally screwed. I know paint is one of those things where you get what you paid for, but at what point have you paid enough to be confident you are going to get a good paint job?

FLAstangx3

It's usually not the Paint that drives the cost. Unless of course you are asking for smoething outragous. It's in the Prep. When you get any aftermarker hood, how good the gel coat is will tell the story. Then there is the enevetible corner damage from shipping and handling. Any shop that knows what they're up against (ie, done it before) should quote on the high side. Once the actual piece is in hand, you'll get a better perspective.

Boltzman

i paid 1300 for both sides (Not shiney underneath) and they would have blended the fenders except they did such an awesome job ,they didn't have to. I've had crappy before and I learned a lesson...NEVER AGAIN

JonCo

I paid $600 for both sides clear coated. Didn't need fneders blended the guy got the paint match dead on. He charged me on the low side for the amount of work that went into prep and painting.

msalomon76

I paid $1000 for both sides clear coated and fenders blended, I got a "life" warranty against color chanching or cracks not caused by crashes or stones

tacbear

I am about to pay $400.00 for my painter too fix a curb scrape on the splitter and repaint the splitter, hood and front bumper cover. He is also going to sem-gloss black the back edge of the hood to cut down on glare. He will use 4 coats of clear and then wet sand through 2 of the coats of clear. I am getting ready for a Magazine photo shoot!

PenguinGT

I paid a total of $800 for:
- Hood (top and bottom + prepped properly)
- Blended fender tops to match
- Fill decklip holes from ugly OEM spoiler thing (yuck) & repaint the entire decklid
- Headlight splitters painted
- CDC duckbill spoiler painted