AJ'sLS1

I want to repaint my 1999 Z Black again. Basically the car went through some tough winter times in Chicago, but is now in the warm state of Texas. It will be garage kept now, but i am curious as to about how much it will cost to repaint the whole entire car. I say entire because i am getting a different spoiler and hood. I just saw recently posted pics of a jet black convert SS on the board and man was it smokin
Is it smarter and cheaper to take it to a body shop or take it to a Chevorlet dealership and have it repainted there? Any advice from those who have had there rides repainted would greatly help.

Project car in Progress

Xsta Z 28

iTrader: (2)

Depends on what level of detail. Complete paint, including all jambs, I'd budget $7,000 to $9,000. The custom paint on my Berger cost around $8,000.

As for paint, you get what you pay for.

onyxxtreme

iTrader: (4)

if you can do most of the prep work, or whatever you can to knock off man-hours, you'll save some money
if you're up for doing that, when you decide on who you want to paint it, talk with the body guy and see if he can work with you

IRACE2

It could always get vandalized and have your insurance pay for it.

SilverGhost

iTrader: (53)

eh park it in the ghetto and see what happens. insurance!

j/k..def go body shop..just shop around until you find the best deal for the money. if the car is already black, prolly can avoid doing jambs and stuff, that will save some coin.

prepping it yourself will help too as mentioned, if you want to do that.

AJ'sLS1

I definitely have to do some shopping around with body shops. As for the insurance aspect..it's already to damn high because of tickets and crap
I was going to leave out all the jambs and stuff. Just basically the exterior of the car..want that nice shine again.
With prep work, what are some things I could do before going in there. Not much of a body work specialist. Thanks

K9Kev

iTrader: (28)

Where in Texas are you ?? I use a shop in Arlington that does really good (show car) work at a reasonable price. If your gonna paint it, why not get the jambsetc, all done at the same time anyway. As long as the price is decent I would always lean towards an entire job.
Let me know if your interested and I'll send ya a nuber and a contact.
Kev

MysticZ00

Im an auto painter from VA and have a few comments. Most places dont do the jambs with the exterior of the car because 1. theres not enough room in a paintbooth to keep everything open and move around without rubbing against a panel, and 2. it would be very awkward to tape it up to paint the jambs along with the exterior. Also getting the jambs done would not be the way to go if youre trying to save money. If youre thinking about doing some of the prep work yourself I could give it a second thought because depending on the paint manufacturer and the shop, they usually cannot issue anytype of paint warrantee if you do the prep work. Black paint has the deepest shine of all colors but the main issue is fress paint will leave fine scratches very easily and black shows these scratches more than any color, due to the depth of the shine. It can scratch so easily that when the clean the car to deliver it to you they may scratch it then, but theres no real way to prevent this. The scratches will typically wax out but your not supposed to wax a new paint job for a minumum of 45 days so the solvents can evaporate. If you wax too early you will trap the solvents in and cause the paint job to fade, and this is also not covered by warrantee. But keep in mind the cheaper the bill the cheaper the results. I dont want to sound like an a$$ or anything just trying to help.

demonspeed

iTrader: (7)

So what would you say this paint job should cost?

AJ'sLS1

I am located in Round Rock Kev, and yea i am trying to save money so that jambs and crap are going to be left out. I here ya about the black issue but damn it is the nicest color once it's kept sweet looking. I hear that Zaino make some pretty good ****. Have you guys used this at all? Once the car is painted it will be garage kept but i am also not going to take the cheap way out. I want it to Shine!! How do you prevent the scratches from ever coming back...it is a daily driver so i will consistently wash the car...any advice anyone? Thanks for the tips though.

MysticZ00

The cost of the job varys on the labor rate in the area and if theres any body work that needs done. With no body work i would estimate around $2000 plus tax. To prevent some of the scratches you could request them not to detail the exterior of the car and let it sit a day or so after you get it to let the paint cure a little more. Be sure to use plenty of water and a soft sponge, this should prevent most of them for the 45 day period. Once that time is up all scratches if any should wax out with no problem. As far as products I would highly reccomend Mequiars.