Places to get my car painted near me

Monty Rakusen/Getty IMages

Giving your car a fresh coat of paint is a great way to make your vehicle feel new again or even improve its original appearance. Depending on the vehicle’s size and the paint color and style you choose, the cost to give your car this type of facelift ranges from just a few hundred dollars to $20,000 or more.

The expense may be a wise investment, however. Not only does a new coat of paint make your car look good, but it also protects the vehicle from wear and tear and corrosive damage. Before you embark on repainting, be sure you understand what’s involved.

Factors that affect cost

As with most vehicle add-ons, there are many factors that influence the total price of painting your car. Here are the primary ones to be aware of.

• Size: The size and type of vehicle you drive will greatly impact the cost to paint it. Painting the body of a large SUV will cost more than painting that of a smaller coupe.
• Paint color: Not all paint is created equal; the color and quality of the paint will range in cost. Painting your car a basic color such as white or black will be cheaper than a less common color.
• Paint type: The price range for one coat of synthetic enamel paint is anywhere from $300 to $700 for an average-sized sedan, according to J.D. Power. High-quality paint, on the other hand, may cost several thousand dollars.
• Paint finish: Paint finish refers to the amount of shine that the paint has. Depending on your style, prices vary for matte, gloss or semi-gloss finishes. Paint finish costs may also include adding a coat of wax or seal your car’s paint job. The cost of a regular wax is about $100 to $200. A specialized ceramic coating will be more expensive.
• Caliber of body shop: Through research you may come across very inexpensive paint jobs, but beware: Price and quality of work go hand in hand when it comes to getting your car painted. If you opt for a bargain body shop, the work quality is not likely to include the same level of care and attention.

Should you get professional car paint job or DIY?

When deciding between professional or DIY painting, consider your purpose for painting — do you want a quick cosmetic fix before selling the vehicle, or are you working on a restoration passion project? A DIY paint fix may add some value to a dinged-up car, but it won’t ultimately improve it.

While it’s possible to paint your own vehicle, it involves patience, skill and a range of paints and tools you may need to purchase specifically for the job. The result of your own paint job may not provide the high-quality vehicle facelift you are looking for. Do-it-yourself paint jobs are best suited for older vehicles or all-terrain vehicles that frequently pick up knocks and scratches.

For people looking to restore a family vehicle or collector’s car to its original condition, it’s usually a better idea to employ the services of an auto repair shop where professionals apply up to 24 even coats of paint for a high-gloss, durable finish.

Professional auto painting costs

Many body shops offer several levels of service to cater to customers with different budgets and requirements.

The main types of paint service are:

• Basic: The most inexpensive paint job involves as few coats as possible, using synthetic enamel paint. For the basic job, the painters are unlikely to paint areas that are not normally visible, such as the inside of the hood. Basic costs range from $300 to $1,000.
• Standard: The cost of a standard paint job usually includes sanding the body and removing rust before painting to get an attractive finish. Standard costs range from $1,000 to $4,500.
• Showroom quality: This process involves sanding the bodywork down to the bare metal, removing all the rust and dents and then applying up to 24 coats of high-quality paint. The project may take up to a month, and the showroom-quality costs can run anywhere from $5,000 to as high as $20,000 in some cases.

DIY auto painting costs

For older vehicles, the cost of a professional paint job may be excessive. In these cases, you may wish to try painting the vehicle yourself. The necessary materials are widely available from hardware and automotive stores for as little as $200. Your only other costs are in time and effort.

The required materials and tools include:

• Gloss paint.
• Primer.
• Foam brushes.
• Paint trays.
• Masking tape.
• Sandpaper.
• Mineral spirits for cleaning.

One of the biggest concerns with a DIY project is finding a location to paint the vehicle. Many professional painting and body shops have climate-controlled booths designed to limit the amount of dust and dirt that might come into contact with the paint and ruin the finish. For a DIY project, your best option is to paint the vehicle in a clean, well-ventilated garage.

Tips for painting your own car

There are several steps to consider when painting your own car.

• Work downward. Start by painting the high spots like the roof, the top of the hood and the tops of the doors before working your way down the vehicle.
• Use consistent pressure. You will need to use consistent pressure while applying paint with your foam brush.
• Don’t use too much paint. Adding too much paint at once could create drips and runs in the finish. Aim for even coats, keeping in mind that you’ll need to make multiple passes.
• Be patient. You will likely want to add several coats of paint to achieve a clean finish, but you must allow at least six hours in between each coat.

If these steps seem daunting but you have a small budget, consider a basic paint job done by a professional.

Consider quality vs. price before painting your car

Everybody wants a cost-effective service, so when you are contacting body shops to get quotes for your auto-painting project, it’s tempting to go for the lowest price offer.

However, you get what you pay for. Lowball quotes may be for a low-quality paint job or inferior materials. Rather than removing trim, the painters may simply mask it off, and they may not paint areas that aren’t visible.

Cheap paint jobs may also have poor taping techniques that will result in overspray on your windows or rubber fixtures. The quote may not include certain services that the auto painters charge as an additional rate, meaning they may choose to paint over problems like rust or dents rather than taking the steps to address those issues first.

Before committing to a service, ask the painters what steps and details their price covers. Check if sanding and preparing the bodywork is part of the cost and ask to look at previous examples of their work to make sure that you are happy with the quality.

The bottom line

When shopping around to have your car painted, remember many factors will ultimately influence the cost you’re charged, including the color paint you select, the finish and the quality of the paint. The size of your vehicle will also play a role in the price.

Though you may be tempted to go for the lowest price possible, remember the final look of the paint job may suffer. You may end up with paint that doesn’t last as long or key details may be ignored or overlooked. Take the time to carefully review what’s included before making a final decision.

Learn more

• How much does it cost to own a car?
• Should I get a prepaid car maintenance plan?
• What to know when buying a car

How much should it cost to have a car painted?

How much does it cost to paint a piece of a car?

Is it worth repainting a car?

What is the cheapest price to paint a car?