How Much Is Car Paint?

Car paint cost varies depending on which type you purchase. Prices range from $30 to $120 per gallon or more. Different types of car paints include water-based, urethane-based, enamel and acrylic lacquer. Decide on car paint by knowing what price you want to spend and understanding the paint application techniques. Customized paint jobs done by professionals cost more than do-it-yourself projects.

• Water-based car paint is perhaps the most expensive, averaging $120 per gallon. Water-based car paint gives a painter flexibility because of the paint's ability to accomplish a customized look on your vehicle.


• Car paint based on urethane sells for $90 dollars per gallon, on average. Urethane-based paints utilize a combination approach, in that they have traits of both enamel and acrylic lacquer.


• Enamel type of auto paint costs about $50 per gallon. Enamel car paint creates a hard layer over the automobile after it dries. Some enamel paint jobs entail two steps while others may only require one.


• Acrylic lacquer paint tops the list as one of the cheapest forms of pain available for automobile owners. It averages $35 a gallon and is considered easy to apply by auto painters.