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Wed Aug 13, 2003 8:17 pm

I was curious on how much should a decent paint job cost? I was just quoted 15k, now to me that seems a little on the steep side but then this same person says that the bus he is working on now is gonna cost 30k :shock: Now I'm not looking for custom show quality (which is nice and all) just a two tone paint job for my daily driver ('65 kombi) and not earl shieb or macco. I was thinking of spending more on the lines of 2k-3k does this seem reasonable? I know I know a good body/paint person is hard to find and when you do find one they are usually worth their weight in gold. No welding needs to be done anymore just some block sanding and minor body filler (to smooth things out). Granted I've only been to one shop (I have to trailer "Rudy", no engine yet)and this shop left me depressed as well as shocked. Any feed back on this subject? Now I'm not going off on a rant or rave just just trying to get a feel of what to expect.

Wed Aug 13, 2003 10:08 pm

are u for real 15G's, thats insane i used to work for a Ford dealership in the auto body shop and a full paint job when they dry and wet sand, take off everything, pull the windows, take off the doors and all the door panels, for 3500 if u wanted full all out motor compartment under the carpeting under the body its 8000 but i mean that tooks me and 3 other people 4 days to take everything apart so try a dealership im not sure where u live but it might be worth a shot

Thu Aug 14, 2003 2:09 am

You should be able to get a decent job for what you're willing to spend. You ought to let your fingers do some walking first, go through the phone book, and call shops, tell them what you've got and what you want. Spend some time on the phone talking about the job, and actually go see the three or four that give you the best feeling, and see some of their work. Take the van when you do this, and discuss it more, get a written quote only, and then you can make your decision when you've got paper comparing prices from a couple of shops in your hand! Jeremy

Thu Aug 14, 2003 6:06 am

And what gets me is I told the guy that the bus is completely stripped of all windows all interior even the bumpers have been taken off as well as the engine. If any body out there knows of a shop in the Vista area (San DIego County) that they would like to refer, I would appreciate the tip. I will start calling shop but since "Rudy" has no engie I will have to tow him around town. I have been contemplating taking him south of the border to TJ. Any experiences there?

Thu Aug 14, 2003 7:47 am

Strip everything off yourself first and do as many prep work before getting a quote, the price should drop.

For $2-3k, you should be able to get a great paintjob. Most places has differenr quality jobs at different prices as well. A shop may charge you $800 for a basic job and all the way up to $8k (as an example, price will vary) for their top of the line quality paint job with 5 year warranty (free unlimited touchups and repairs, etc).

Thu Aug 14, 2003 8:16 am

I was planinig on doing most of the work myself (except body work and paint) Just the removal of everything including paint ,rubber, lights everything. I was just gonna bring in a shell.

Thu Aug 14, 2003 8:44 am

:shock:
I understand where you are coming from. I do show quality work. I recently did a 66 camper just as you are explaining. I had him bring me the bus completely void of all attached parts. He had the vehicle plastic media blasted prior to delivery, which made for a beautiful surface to work with. Unfortunately, that cost $850. There was no rust, so the body work was not extensive, but still-for a show quality paintjob- even the straightest panels get worked! I spent 200 hours on the body and paint. At my normal $45 per hour that would have bumped the price up past most VW lovers budget, but for this guy I charged $3,350 plus a good engine, a used det of dual Kadrons and a set of new low-pro style tires. At that price I included materials which eventually skinned me alive, :cry: but the rewards for me are worth it. He is very happy, and the recognition and further reference will bring in years of work. The bus is a two tone, basecoat-clearcoat, inside and out complete restoration. I even painted two racks, a ladder and both sides of the camper pop-top.
There are folks out there that can do what you want, so look hard, don't be afraid to question their abilities-ask to see their work IN PERSON and please be willing to travel a little distance. It will pay off. :lol:
it sounds like you may not want to go that far, in which a show syle paint job is still possible, but with less detail. I suggest shopping around the shops until you find a regular employee that is a VW lover and does side work in a shop a little better that a garage, and one that has good access to a real paintbooth. Good luck!!

Thu Aug 14, 2003 8:51 am

http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/77452.jpg
this is before

Thu Aug 14, 2003 8:53 am

http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/101819.jpg
this is four months later...

Thu Aug 14, 2003 11:46 am

Did you say you included an engine along with the paint job? Now thats a good deal.

Now Iam willing to travel a bit after all I did make the trek up to Oregon just to tow my "Rudy" back down here to Southern Cal. I have a few number that I'm gonna try and see what happens. I will be asking questions and see previous work. Like I said before, a good body/paint person is worth their weight in gold and I have alot of respect for these people. I just wish I had the patience and talent to do body work myslef.

By the way that's a kickass bus you did there!!! where are you located?

Thu Aug 14, 2003 4:54 pm

Ryan is located in Bellingham Washington.
i saw the bus prior to paint it it looked great at that point,as of yet i have only seen pics of the paint but i hope to see it in person very soon.
Ryan is a super nice guy to talk to give him a email and mabey it might worth the trip north?
good luck
russ

Thu Aug 14, 2003 5:22 pm

Thanks Russ but leaving the state for a second time would drain the pockets just a tad. right now my limit on travel is from Orange county down to Tijuana .

Fri Aug 15, 2003 10:40 pm

Thanks for the plug, Russ, and I'll see you this Sunday!

I didn't do an engine as part of the deal. I did paint the tin, however. He actually gave me a good SP 1600 as part of my payment. He bought a 1776 from an engine builder.

I am a bit too far north for a lot of folks, but no matter where I go I'll find that. Good luck on the project, and remember this took me 4 months, and even 2 months after he got the bus home it still sits awaiting all of the right parts and time to install them. Don't rush perfection!

Wed Aug 20, 2003 3:59 pm

I know this guy in Westminster(orange county). He does great work that's come out in hvw's. His names jose at leonardos body shop the phone # is 714-590-4998. Check him out.

Sun Aug 24, 2003 2:07 pm

so say you wanted to have every thing done to your bus strip all the paint remove all the rust (not alot of rust) and dings and do a two toned paint job ( and qualtiy work also) how much would that be?

Sun Aug 24, 2003 2:28 pm

PooMaster wrote: so say you wanted to have every thing done to your bus strip all the paint remove all the rust (not alot of rust) and dings and do a two toned paint job ( and qualtiy work also) how much would that be?

If money's an issue, it's always cheaper to sell the project and spend a few extra thousand $$ to buy a completed bus instead. Or learn how to do it yourself.

Sun Aug 24, 2003 4:27 pm

Without looking, I'd start around $4,500.00, as long as the work is being doen by pros in a true shop.

Sun Aug 24, 2003 8:51 pm

thanks

Mon Aug 25, 2003 2:06 pm

I agree. The guy who told you 15k obviously didn't want/need the work.

Tue Aug 26, 2003 5:34 pm

Paint is not cheap, or is that IT CAN BE. I just ordered the red paint for my 1960 DC. Just 2 gallons of the red cost over700 dollars, this does not count the hardener, reducer, or any other additives and also does not include the clear. I figure paint and materials at 1500 dollars. That does not count the 500 allready spent on primmer and sand papers. Then you add in sandblasting, any metal work and then just the prep to paint work.
The body shop my bus is in has had it 5 weeks and it will be ready for paint next week.
I have not got the final bill but I expect tp pay between 8 and 10,000 for body and paint. This was a RUST FREE, STRAIGHT bus to start with.
Remember you get what yo pay for.
I delivered a shell and am getting a painted one back