How Much Does Auto Paint Cost?

There are several variables when it comes to the question of how much does auto paint cost. When someone wants to paint a vehicle himself, they may not be saving all that much money verses having a professional company do it. The cost also depends on the brand of paint, the weather resistant properties and the coats applied to the car.

Millions of people are keeping their vehicles longer these days because they simply cannot afford to purchase a new or used one. They are taking better care of the one they have and that may include repainting it to make it seem newer. People often wonder, before they get too involved in renovating a car, how much does auto paint cost. The answer has several variables so the cost can range from low to high at the same car care professional.

A name brand company such as Maaco would be in the low-cost range and depending on which package a car owner choose, the average auto painting costs around $375. This price can go up if a car owner wants extras or a higher grade of paint, perhaps one that withstands more weather conditions then others. A note of warning, the warranty against peeling on a cheaper paint job is typically three to six months. 

Private body shops typically charge in the neighborhood of $1,000 to $2,000 for a standard size automobile paint job. Their paint tends to be of a higher quality then the low-cost shops but is not of the best quality. This paint will most likely outlast the low-cost auto paint dealer's paint job, but only by a year or two.

A custom auto body shop could charge anywhere from $4,500 to $9,000 for a detailed paint job. This type of paint job requires removing parts instead of taping off areas that do not receive paint. This amount may be reserved for auto accidents in which the engine is not damaged but the body needs repair and new paint. Their warranty will be the best and the paint job will out last the engine in most cases.