How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Car a Different Color?

Nothing can give you a feeling like the one you get when you are driving around in a car with a fresh paint job. Painting your old car is a high-cost undertaking, but you can paint your old car a lot cheaper than you can buy a new car. The investment benefits far outweigh the cost or cons.

People do not always realize that there are three different qualities of paint jobs done on automobiles. When you get an estimate for a paint job you want to know if the finish will be basic, standard, or showroom quality. This affects the price of the job and the length of time that your car will be out of commission.

All You Need to Know About Car Paint Job

What is a Basic Paint Job?

Basic paint jobs are the least expensive of all paint jobs. The painter will normally use synthetic enamel paint that is very low cost, and often low quality. They also put on a few coats as possible. As soon as the primer is covered the painter does not worry about adding more coats to get the depth of color or flawless coverage.

The paint is only applied to the highly visible areas of the vehicle. So, the coverage is not total or complete. Don’t know, what is the cost to paint only the car bumper? Follow our guide

What is a Standard Paint Job?

The standard paint job is a step up from the basic. On a standard job, the technician will work to remove rust and imperfections so the finish can be more attractive and protective. 

Higher quality paint is used during a standard paint job. The technician will use multiple coats of paint if needed to make sure that the coverage is complete and as attractive as possible. They also use plenty of clear coats to develop a hard protective shell over the paint.

What is a Showroom Quality Paint Job?

The showroom quality paint jobs are perfect and precise. The finish does not have a single flaw and everything that can be painted is painted. The paints, primers and clear coats used to create these masterpieces are the highest quality materials available.

A showroom-quality paint job will require as many as 24 separate coats of paint substances to create a unique look. The automobile may be at the shop for weeks or even months while this process is being done.

Professional Car Painting Benefits

The cost of painting a car by taking it to a professional painter is higher than doing the work for yourself, but there are benefits that a professional painter can offer that the average DIY paint job cannot replicate.

• Increase the resale value of the vehicle
• Improves your car performance by reducing wind drag caused by cracked, peeling, or chipped paint
• The professionals will be able to address any imperfections like dents on the surface
• They have the right equipment to create a smooth and flawless finish
• The professionals can paint the vehicle faster so your car is not out of commission for as long
• They can match the color of the paint you have, or they have access to high-quality automobile paint in the majority of different color variations
• They know how to work with the different paint types so they can create more aesthetically pleasing and unique results
• The automobile will be painted in an indoor environment that is free of dust, debris, and possible contaminants so the finish is perfect
• They often have the tools to “bake” enamel paints to create harder and more durable coverings over your metal
• They know how to treat the metal to prevent any rust or corrosion from forming
• They can dispose of the waste materials in an environmentally safe manner. All solvents and harmful chemicals will be properly disposed of.

Typical Cost for Automotive Painting

Money-Saving Tips When You are Using a Professional Painter

• Remove objects like the trim and the bumpers yourself so there is less labor involved
• Sand the rough spots of the car to make the surface smoother
• If any minor repairs are needed to fix dents and such do this before you take the automobile to the painter
• Choose the standard or basic paint job instead of the showroom quality job
• Do not ask for specialty paints like metallic, pearl, and others
• Do not ask to have the vehicle “candied” this process requires a lot more time and a lot more layers of clear coating. The result is amazing but the labor charges are extreme

DIY Automobile Painting

Painting your own automobile will save you the money you would have to spend on labor with a professional paint shop. That does not mean that you can paint your car cheaply and get a paint job that looks fabulous. Painting a car is an expensive undertaking, and doing the work yourself is time-consuming and often back breaking.

 With the negative thoughts out of the way, we must also say that painting your own car is rewarding. You get a great feeling of accomplishment and you get a unique and custom paint job that cannot be replicated.

List of Painting Supplies You will Need

You will need several things to paint a car. Some of the basic things you will need include:

• Gloss paint in a color that you love and designed specifically for automobiles
• Masking tape
• Screwdrivers to help remove trim, bumpers, and more
• Newspaper or cardboard to cover window glass and windshield
• Paint trays
• Primer
• Sandpaper
• Electric sander
• Steel wool
• Bondo or body filler
• Spray paint gun and possibly an air compressor
• A clean place to paint that is protected from wind, dirt, and debris
• Respirator
• Protective eye-wear
• Old clothing
• Mineral spirits or turpentine
• Clean and dry cloths

Paint Cost Estimates

How Much Paint Does It Take to Paint a Car?

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Choosing the Right Paint by Type

Before you can start to paint an automobile, you have to choose the right paint. There are different types and finishes of paint and each one offers unique characteristics and benefits.

Urethane Paint

Urethane Benefits

• Longest lasting
• Resist chipping
• Does not have a tendency to run
• An alternative to lacquer
• Available in a wide range of colors

Urethane Drawbacks

• Aliphatic polyurethane is illegal in some states
• Generally, more difficult to apply
• Takes longer to dry and cure
• Cost more than acrylic enamel

Urethane Paint Cost Estimates

Acrylic Enamel (Single Stage)

Benefits

• Creates a strong hard coating on the surface
• No need for a separate clear coat so it saves time
• Available in a wide range of colors
• Cost less than urethane paints

Drawbacks

• Difficult to apply
• Needs to be baked on to create the best protection

Acrylic Enamel Single Stage Cost Estimates

Acrylic Enamel (Dual Stage)

Benefits

• Creates a strong hard coating on the surface
• Fewer runs and drips than you have using a single stage
• Available in a wide range of colors
• Cost less than urethane paints

Drawbacks

• Takes longer to paint the vehicle
• Needs to be baked on to create the best protection

Related>> How Much Does a Can of Spray Paint Cost?

Acrylic Enamel (Dual Stage) Cost Estimates

Acrylic lacquer

Benefits

• The easiest car paint to apply
• Been used since cars were first invented
• Has a very high gloss
• Cheaper than urethane paints

Drawbacks

• Color fades very quickly
• Illegal in many states because of the environmental impacts it makes

Acrylic Paint Cost Estimates

Acrylic Urethane

Benefits

• Comparable to enamel in the durability features
• Comparable to lacquer in the ease of application
• Not the most expensive
• Dries quicker than many other automotive paints

Drawbacks

• Must be used quickly because it dries very quickly
• Not illegal in any state

Acrylic Urethane Paint Cost Estimates

Solid Paint

Benefits

• Least expensive
• Easier to repair if it gets scratched or damaged

Drawbacks

• Rather boring and dull

Solid Paint Cost Estimates

Metallic Paint

Benefits

• The aluminum powder in the paint catches the light to create dazzling effects
• Can help to hide minor imperfections like dings or small dents
• Can be expensive

Drawbacks

• Difficult to repair if the vehicle gets scratched because the paint is hard to match

Metallic Paint Cost Estimates

Pearlescent Paint

Benefits

• Crystals shine brilliantly
• The crystals in the paint can appear to be a myriad of colors
• Hides flaws and imperfections

Drawbacks

• More expensive than a solid paint
• Hard to match if the paint is scratched

Pearlescent Paint Cost Estimates

Matte Paint

Benefits

• The latest fad in automobile paints
• Rather unique looking
• Does not require a clear coat for shine

Drawbacks

• Maintaining the paint is difficult
• Very expensive
• Only specialty paint shops will attempt this work

Matte Paint Cost Estimates

Primer Considerations on Paint a Car

You must use a primer on a car body before you apply the base paint or color. The primer creates a solid color on the body of the car and that will allow the color you chose to be more uniform and consistent.

Primer creates a protective barrier on the metal so rust, corrosion, and other harmful things cannot destroy the foundation of your vehicle.

Primer makes a better surface on the car and provides the color paint a better surface to stick to. The adhesion qualities of your paint will be doubled and, in some cases tripled by the presence of a quality primer.

NEVER skip the primer when you are painting. A lot of people choose to purchase aerosol cans of primer. This primer works well but you should know that it does save you the hassle of setting up a paint sprayer, and it is easier to clean up because you simply toss the can, but it is not necessarily cheaper to use an aerosol primer instead of liquid primer.

FAQs

Can You Skip the Top Coat or Clear Coat to Save Money?

If you want a matte paint job you always skip the clear coat. If you use a high gloss paint or something like a one-stage acrylic enamel then you can skip the clear coat when you paint because the clear coat is combined with the color paint.

Can I Paint My Car with a Paint Brush?

There are people who paint their vehicles using foam paint brushes that apply smooth coats of paint. It is very difficult to do this and create a flawless finish on your vehicle.

Can You Rent the Tools to Paint a Car?

You can often rent the paint sprayers, sanding equipment, and air compressors that you will need to paint your car. This is a great idea if you are not going to need the equipment again in the future, or if you want to reduce the cost of painting your car.

Can I Use Normal Aerosol Cans of Paint on My Car?

No. A car must be painted with automotive grade paint. The average house paint does not create the same hardness of barrier for the elements of the sun, wind, rain, cold, and heat so they do not provide the car with the proper protection. Average house paints in aerosol cans will also fade quickly and will not look as good on your car body.

Final Thoughts

The idea of painting your own vehicle is one that many people entertain. Some think about doing this to save money and some think about doing this because they like the challenge and the reward of seeing their hard work being admired.

Paint on a car is more than just a cosmetic thing. It serves as a barrier for the surface and protects against rust, corrosion, and other problems. You want the paint on your car to remain intact so you have the highest levels of protection. Also, when your paint job looks good the value of the car is higher.