...might I be expected to pay for a respray? Over the years I’ve replaced this and that on Margarita and now the panels, in a strong light, don’t quite colour match. The boot lid especially. I’ve found someone to weld a new base to the sliding door so now the bus is pretty solid and deserves matching paint all round. I’ve had two quotes, one a mate at £1000. One a pro at £6000. Mistrust one, can’t afford t’other. What should I be wary of or ask? Or does anyone know a good service in Kent? All advice gratefully received!
£6k even for a bare metal seems expensive. £1k mates rates is cheap. It's best to check over a few more shops and check out their work. I would have thought somewhere in between the two prices is about right unless I'm massive out of touch.
I'd ask what work they'd be carrying out. I'd hazard a guess that the £1000 job is a quick rub down and blow over (oh err), and the £6000 is a more thorough job, windows out, panels blocked flat etc. Materials alone can easily exceed £500 (primer, filler, top coat, masking materials, sanding materials), so after materials £1k doesn't go very far.
Its a lot of money. If its not rusted or holed I would just live with the patina. Mine has patina and less than perfect paint but an expensive paint job won't add to the enjoyment of the van. We have seen on here where some folks have gone for a cheap and cheerful paint job and regretted it.
I paid £5.5k for mine, that's that's from partial bare metal, but with majority of prep work done by the painter.
I normally say "about 4 grand mate" without seeing the bus. That's for windows out, doors off, proper prep including sorting out dents and minor issues, paint into the shuts, inside of doors etc, 2 non metallic colours. More if it needs welding, price doesn't include new rubbers and seals. 1K is just a 10 min scuff with scotchbrite, mask the windows up and blow a thin coat of colour. It will look ok. For about 6 weeks. (Not touting by the way, I'm stacked out. )
I had bottom half done, inc new wheel arch and 1 sill and and a bit of tidying up on most panels for £3500. This year I had the windscreen surround sorted and roof, inc pop top painted for £600. So without any welding it probably would have been £ 3ish.
This sounds a fair quote....think you'll find anyone half decent will be busy...both parts of my work were booked in about a year in advance to ensure it was done out of season.
I always self prep and look around for companies that will just put the paint on. If you’re capable and have the room/time this is the best route
Paint has got pricier over the last couple of years apparently ... Just one technical note from me: Ideally the painter should be using triple filters on their spraying kit to keep (I think) air and moisture out of the paint as it goes on. (Know of a good guy in Bournemouth if that counts as near enough)
I think @Beaver knows or uses someone reasonable in Bristol, if you fancy a road trip..........Sarah, where are you???
Actually, I was just thinking of getting a orbital sander on it all over, and ratting it. Always fancied the ‘rat look’.
I have just collected a split from a bloke after having some paint. It had the bottom Blue painted. Rear tailgate, the White on the rear corners. He works for a insurance approved body shop during the day, does private weekends and evenings. He charged a grand to do the blue. There wasnt much filling to do but a bit. Sensible prices !! @Kkkaty
My advice would be to get in writing what work they're planning to carry out . I did weeks of prep and was going to spray it myself but a friend of a friend who'd just bought a sprayshop offered to finish off the prep and spray in two pack for 3 grand , deal done on a handshake . Basically they had the van for 2 weeks , did minimum prep and blew it over in cellulose missing the sill below the slider which was still in primer . They sold themselves as classic car restorers and honestly didn't have a clue. My fault for trusting them , I didn't expect a show finish, just to do a half decent job . Idiots ... I paid someone else to sort out their numerous mistakes and put it down down to experience . I've since been asked by several people if I know of a decent sprayer locally - needless to say I told them where NOT to try ... On the bright side they went bust last November , no surprise there then Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
