To get my car painted and fixed professionally, by a guy who paints hot rods and cusotm cars, heres my deal.
The guy wanted 4k to do the whole thing start to finish, and this is a friend. That was drop off the car, and hell go through it, fix the whole thing and replace all the seals and gaskets.
If my best friend and I strip the car (trim, windows etc), do all the body work (dent removal, weld up some extra holes) and all the prep (scuff the car down, tape off, etc) hes going to do it for 1500 (which covers house of colors paint, materials, his time, and shop space). I still think its a great deal. Ive budgeted 2500 for replacement trim pieces, seals, gaskets, misc costs, and his fee.
Hopefully this is coming in the springtime. You cant put a price on a good paintjob (or good bodywork)...its like artwork when you find someone whos truly good at bodywork (my best friend) or painting (this guy). 25 years of painting cars at that level makes a difference.
Hell, with osmoen else footing the bill, go to the most expensive place possible.
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