expensive paint jobs

[cadillac ken]

The number of base coats depends on the color and if you are doing any kind of color change. It took almost two gallons of unreduced base coat to completely paint my old 1990 Ford Taurus SHO and do a color change from white to dark blue. This was a proper color change with jams, firewall, trunk, and all cladding and trim removed. I'm estimating that my '74 Eldorado convertible will take a little over a gallon of base for a respray in the same color.

I usually use a value shade sealer.  It saves you a ton of money and time laying down base to cover.  Also helps with certain colors that don't cover very well.

[spolij]

Thank you all

[goob]

I usually use a value shade sealer.  It saves you a ton of money and time laying down base to cover.  Also helps with certain colors that don't cover very well.

Take 2 spray out panels...spray the value shade sealer on 1...and spray light gray primer on the other...spray 3 coats of base on each...the value shade panel looks covered.. the primered panel is not...continue spraying the primered panel until it is covered...apply clear to both panels.. let dry... compare...2 different shades of the same color...if it's a difficult color, spray more or you will not get the true color...

[spolij]

DAMMMM       Just finished pricing material and a gun i'll need to paint. $1600.

[chrisntam]

Price it being done by a pro and you’ll gladly release the $1600. 

[spolij]

Chris yes and i'm sure i missed something lol

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

Next week weather permitting I’ll be bringing it to a place that puts the tops on. $1300 plus material!!!

Thank you all for the advice and wisdom, keep it coming LOL
Merry Christmas and happy new year to you and yours.
John

PMSL! My materials for restoring my car's roof, in and out, was more than that. Finished and properly restored
it was almost 7 grand.

Now its waiting for its spot for paint and body work this winter, including a new trunk lid and rear left door. You don't want to know what this is costing.

Just put the $1600 towards Earl Schieb if you're doing a hack job.

[Jeff Wilk]

PMSL! My materials for restoring my car's roof, in and out, was more than that. Finished and properly restored
it was almost 7 grand.

$7,000 for material and labor just for a convertible top replacement and restoration of its mechanicals?

[cadillac ken]

Do the math.  Most professional shops that know what they are doing are charging about $100 and hour.  Have you looked at the going rate of a top notch independent mechanic?  An 8 hour day will be $800.  And I promise you this kind of work does not go quickly.  It is very, very, time consuming.  Think about what you can get done on your car in your garage on a Saturday.  I'm betting like most folks, not much headway in 8 hours--- Why so many cars taken apart for "restoration" by their owners almost never see completion and end up getting sold as projects.

[35-709]

$7,000 for material and labor just for a convertible top replacement and restoration of its mechanicals?

Not for a convertible top, Jeff.  A vinyl top with issues underneath and (I believe) a headliner.

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

Not for a convertible top, Jeff.  A vinyl top with issues underneath and (I believe) a headliner.

"issues underneath" is being Christian, LOL! All NOS scripts, correct roof, new headliner, restored visors, etc, etc, etc
and for a 1970 Fleetwood sized roof. And the work was done by actual restoration shops - Hyannis Vintage Auto and
Paul's Upholstery.

Its DONE. Its PERFECT. Its GORGEOUS. Its PAID FOR.

Looking forward to saying "ITS PAID FOR" when it comes to the paint and body work....

Remember these pics? ...yike$...

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

Missed a few...

Roof done and waiting to go in to upholstery...

This is what money looks like when properly applied to a car.

[Jeff Wilk]

Not for a convertible top, Jeff.  A vinyl top with issues underneath and (I believe) a headliner.

THANKYOU for that info. Lots more helpful than being told to do the math. For that quality and extent of work that $7k makes sense now. Especially up in Hyannis. Finished work looks awesome too!

[spolij]

Laurie   I have painted cars before. I expect a really good job. Not a $30,000 job.

The labor for convertible top for 66 deville was $1300. I supply materials.

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

Laurie   I have painted cars before. I expect a really good job. Not a $30,000 job.

The labor for convertible top for 66 deville was $1300. I supply materials.

The labor for the installation of the roof and headliner including roof trim, script and interior trim was $1500,
I supplied the materials.

[spolij]

I would have thought a hardtop would be much more expensive than a conv.

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

I would have thought a hardtop would be much more expensive than a conv.

Body shop was $4500, there was a LOT of cutting and welding including work inside on the roof.
Upholstery was $1500 labor.
I paid over a grand for the roof, headliner, insulation, NOS scripts (4) and visor restoration.

This doesn't including the 60+ hours I put into restoring the exterior roof trim properly
and restoring the interior roof trim, belt covers, coat hooks, etc.

Glad that's over.

This winter's task for me is restoring the hubcaps/wheel covers, whatever they're called
when the car goes in the shop for paint to data plate, a new left rear door and trunk lid.

World Of Wheels in Boston at the Seaport Center March 20-22, 2020.

["Cadillac Kid" Greg Surfas 15364]

Well,
Now that we are "telling all", attached are a couple of shots of my wife's 75 CdV. Original top needed replacement and this is what we found.  All replacement panels, welding body work and top ended up costing about $6K which included paointing trunk to hood.