Topic: Paint cost!?! Weigh in experts

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

This is my fifth or sixth build and this was the first bike with paint I couldn't buff decent.

So paint guru's, I know very little about what you do. Enlighten me.

Was quoted by a recommended shop at 125 to color match my candy blue 550 Super Sport side covers. I repaired and finish sanded a crack, covers still need stripping and paint, no body work. Fair deal?

For Q's sake I asked what the tank would have been (the tank I have is good), he said with no dents he would have charged 175.

So basically, is 125/175 a fair price for a candy job on these pieces? The tank sounds a little low, 125 for the side covers sounded a little high to me though. As I said though, I need schooled on the subject!

[77cafe750]

his price seems in line unless he mixes all his own paints then even the smallest amount he could buy would be more then enough for the side covers but he wouldnt have to buy much more paint to do both i usually charge 200-300 to paint all the tins and skins on something like our bikes factory style no bodywork so he seems close to me

hope this makes sense i a typing on my phone and cant read the whole screen

[Really?]

Those prices don't seem bad to me but what do I know, lol.  I just know the guy that lived across the street from me a couple years back said she charged $1200 for a tank and two side covers.  He was into vintage restores as a side job.

[77cafe750]

just depends on the color a customer wants 200-300 any us auto manufacter color in the ppg catalouge fancy paints goes up i have had really good luck getting close to original paint colors with some creative home mixing

[Gordon]

Back when I wanted to get my 400F tank and side covers painted the lowest quote I got was $400 for the set.  The rest were at least $500, and that was just for a straight-up candy ruby red.  That's why I decided to buy my own equipment and teach myself to paint.  Probably spent about $250 overall, plus a few days of my own time.   

If you can get a good paint job for the whole set for $300, jump on it!   

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

Back when I wanted to get my 400F tank and side covers painted the lowest quote I got was $400 for the set.  The rest were at least $500, and that was just for a straight-up candy ruby red.  That's why I decided to buy my own equipment and teach myself to paint.  Probably spent about $250 overall, plus a few days of my own time.   

If you can get a good paint job for the whole set for $300, jump on it!   

I attributed the higher cost to the candy paint, so it all adds up. Sounds fair.

DIY interestes me much more, I assumed I couldn't get into it without a fistful of cash. Did you already have any of the required equipment Gordon? Compressor?

[Gordon]

DIY interestes me much more, I assumed I couldn't get into it without a fistful of cash. Did you already have any of the required equipment Gordon? Compressor?

I already had the compressor, and while everything I read told me it wouldn't be up to the task because of its size (10 gal), it ended up working fine for the small size of the job.  I think I spent about $125 for the spray gun, regulator and moisture filters, and the rest on paint supplies and a respirator.  And yes, you really, really need the respirator. 

 
 

[77cafe750]

if you are going to paint any thing with any kinda auto use a resperater trust me the long term consequences arent worth it

[Gordon]

I can't believe it when I see these guys on the car shows like "Overhauled" painting in a booth with nothing but goggles on!  They're probably doing more brain damage to themselves in that one job than I did throughout my entire 20's! 

[77cafe750]

not the brain damage i would be worried about i am only 29 and my lungs are damaged according to my doctor about the equivalant of smoking for 30 years non stop i ahave been painting with my granpa since i was 16 and never were a resperator until i woke up in the er one not and didnt remeber passing out in the booth i keep the x rays next t the paint equipment so all the kids that work with get the picture of why i am dick with saftey equipment now

[Gordon]

Lung damage is more immediately apparent, brain damage doesn't show up until later, and unlike the lungs the brain doesn't regenerate. 

[scottly]

When I painted my Cobra replica with urethane paint, I rigged a positive pressure air supply to a modified respirator mask. The air supply was from a rest-room hand dryer blower, that my buddy gave me after using the same type of setup while sand-blasting his Chevelle frame. When I think of all the chemicals I've inhaled over the years, I cringe.

[77cafe750]

same here i cant beilieve how old i am starting to feel i get winded playing softball with my daughter