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As we Canadians keep our vehicles longer and longer — over 10 years on average — keeping up appearances can become difficult and expensive. While mechanical components have improved to match the financial need to keep our existing vehicles on the road, body paints and finishes are exposed to even harsher environments than ever with extreme weather events.
So how much does it cost to paint a car? Well, getting a complete repaint done on a regular daily driver (not involved in collision damage) is not a common request at most body shops. This is primarily because of costs and the fact that the vehicle won’t operate any differently when the job is done, no matter how good it may look. But let’s dive into some details and pricing.
How much does it cost to paint a car?
To completely paint a car, it can cost anywhere between $8,000 to $20,000 depending on the vehicle size, kind of paint used and labour. Let’s get into more details.
Factors affecting car painting costs
Condition, condition, condition. You may look at your commuter chariot and think the body is pristine except for the peeling or faded paint, but you’d be very wrong. If it’s been in daily use, it will need panel repairs before anyone starts the prepping and sanding in order to repaint it. Those seemingly small insignificant scars will become glaring faults and craters once they’re covered in fresh, gleaming paint. This is the reason no reputable paint shop will even consider refinishing a vehicle until all the marks are repaired and that usually involves applying body filler (a thick paste that hardens when cured).
Corrosion also plays a major factor — not the hole causing type but rather the corrosion that makes exterior trim items difficult to remove. Yes, good paint shops will remove all exterior bits and pieces that aren’t intended to be painted before dragging out the paint spray-gun. Think things like door mirrors, moldings, lamps, roof racks, etc. Labour costs for trim removal and damage repair is on top of the painting fees and materials.
Types of car paint finishes and costs
For mainstream vehicles the most popular car paint system is still the colour coat/clear coat two-stage version. Paint shops usually price out these materials on a per hour basis of anywhere between $50 and $75 per rated hour of paint time. So a complete repaint calculation of say, 38-40 rated hours for an average sized sedan means a range of $2,000 to $3,000 in materials. Labour fees start at $120 per hour for the application, bringing your total to almost $8,000 before tax and any panel repairs.
Additional layers of paint used on higher end rides such as tri-coat or quad-coat applications will raise the material costs accordingly. For example, just a half litre of quad-coat red used on Ford Explorers will run in the neighbourhood of $400 and you’d need much more than that to do a complete repaint job.
If your vehicle is white, no matter how many layers the factory put on, you may be able to drop down to a single or double layer coating on a complete repaint saving you major coin. But try this trick with most other colours and the inferiority of the finished product will be quite noticeable.
Car size and model impact on costs
Yes, size does matter. The larger the vehicle, the more real estate there is to prep and paint. A small hatch or compact may be rated at 30-35 hours of paint fees all the way up to 70-75 hours for a full-sized SUV or pickup truck. The more trim a vehicle has in terms of body moldings, claddings, roof racks, etc, will increase costs as well. Larger rides can see complete repaint costs exceed $15,000 or more.
Paint quality and durability
Credible body and paint shops will always use national brand paint products, bringing few worries about quality or durability. Considering the investment required, it’s imperative to do a little homework before selecting the shop. Look for Better Business Bureau ratings; ask at the factory retailer where you bought your ride, check with your insurance company, and inquire with any friends or acquaintances who may have had collision damage repairs done recently.
Paint job warranties and long-term value
Most quality body and paint shops will offer a nontransferable lifetime warranty on complete repaints, but get it in writing to know the details on what conditions they consider warrantable. Long or short term value is very subjective. Even the best paint refinish job will not add enough vehicle resale value to match the cost of the paint job itself. Some potential buyers will be put off by a repainted vehicle, thinking it’s hiding collision damage or corrosion.
No matter how good a body shop prepper and painter do their jobs, they will never be able to duplicate a factory finish. New vehicles are painted without any interior or exterior pieces being fitted, including windshields and back-glasses. They are finished in a pristine environment lessening the risk of airborne contaminants getting on fresh wet paint and immediately cured to harden the finish. A complete restoration on a classic or collectible vehicle can bring acceptable results, but those jobs involve disassembling everything but the kitchen sink at prices 4 to 5 times the cost of a traditional refinish.
If you’re looking for a deal on complete paint jobs when your vehicle is having collision repairs done, ask the body shop for a quote on refinishing the panels your insurance company isn’t covering. Painters are happy to do this type of work as it eliminates the difficult task of matching new paint to existing coats that have been exposed to the environment for five years or more.
FAQs – Car painting costs
What is the downside of repainting a car?
It can potentially reduce the trade-in or resale value of the vehicle.
What is a cheaper alternative to painting a car?
Vinyl wrapping, while expensive may be cheaper than a repaint.
What colour is cheapest to paint a car?
Plain white is the least expensive, but be warned changing the colour of a vehicle can add substantial costs and leave a very unattractive end result.
Can I repaint my car without sanding?
No, without sanding and heat treating the paint will not have a chance of adhering.
Can I paint over existing car paint?
Yes, providing the surface is properly sanded and cleaned and not too thick in the first place. All body shops have paint gauges that can verify the thickness of the paint. Add too many coats and cracking can occur in the finish.
Does repainting a car devalue it?
Possibly; it depends on the next buyer and the quality of the job.
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