Why Does It Cost So Much To Repaint A Classic Car?

One of the most asked questions we get in the shop is, “How much does it cost to repaint a classic car?” Some people think we don’t want to answer the question. That’s not the issue – the issue is, we don’t know. There are too many variables that could come into play when painting a classic automobile.

What condition is the car in? Unlike having a brand new car painted, unless this car has been in your family since it rolled off the assembly line, chances are, you do not know what this car has been through. And some of these cars have been through a lot.

Is it currently painted? If so, what’s underneath the paint? (The answer to that could and has shocked a few customers, but that is another story.) There could be rust, body filler, and other DIY “fixes.” How much bodywork is needed? More often than not, we won’t learn the ugly truth until the car is disassembled or the paint is taken off.

What Is Involved In A Classic Car Paint Job?

The cost of repainting a classic car depends heavily on the condition of the car, the desired quality of the paint job, the products and materials needed – even your choice of paint color alone can increase your budget by thousands of dollars. Then there is the labor, which could include several hundred hours for the steps involved.

First there is the disassembly, body repair, alignment of panels, block sanding – all of this before rolling it into the paint booth. All of this is followed by taping, primer, several layers of paint and clear coat. But we are not finished yet. There’s color sanding, also called cutting, and buffing. The color sanding and buffing is repeated, using finer and finer grit sandpaper at each interval. Click to read an article from Hemmings that does an amazing job of breaking down the processes of automotive bodywork and paint.

Once you realize all of the variables involved in the bodywork and painting of a classic car or truck, you will begin to understand why it costs so much. These classic autos are an investment, and their owners understand the value of the work involved in bringing them back to their original glory, if not making them even better.