Professional paint job

[Branderson]

Hey gang,

I'm saving up for a paint job and I was wondering for those of you that paid for a professional paint job, what were the around about costs.

My hopes are that I can get one for 10k.  I'm told that it would be hard to find someone to do it for cheaper than that.

Any tips or lessons learned would help too.  I'm not able or willing to paint it myself.  I'm hoping that replacing the window seals all around is standard practice but I'm not sure.  The only place near me that I know of is Atlanta Custom Coach. 

Any info would be greatly appreciated. 

[luvrbus]

I paid Mike Wilson 16k almost 10 years ago for the Eagle Matt owns now 1 color 10K sounds about right 

[Dreadnought]

I did some digging as I'm looking into this myself. I found out that Technomadia spent about 16-17 k on the respray of their 61 GM 4106 bus around 2014.

Their bus is probably smaller than yours. I'm considering using a wrap for a lot of sections of mine

[Branderson]

man that's troubling...i'm def not looking to spend 16k....shoot I don't even want to spend 10k.   

[j.m.jackson]

Sounds like 'Professional' is the catch.

I spent time painting my old 5303. I am not a painter, by ANY means.

It was time consuming and dirty, but not difficult, especially since I rolled it. Honestly 80% of the time was spent on the STEEL sections of the bus where there were 6-7 layers of paint and it was cracking. I had a little triangle sander that I could get around the rivits to get deeper than the cracks in the layers of paint.

Also consider that the roof is generally coated with white roof paint that just rolls on.

The problem is that auto body shops won't touch it because it won't fit in their booths. I have a local shop that I do computer work for that paints all my stuff, and the owner is begging for more to do because I've got lots of trade built up with him, but he couldn't touch the bus because of the size.

You've got to consider what you're willing to pay vs. doing it yourself vs. doing nothing.

[windtrader]

Are you near Kansas? If so, I know someone who does semi truck painting and has a large booth for it.

[luvrbus]

I know a guy in MO that will base coat and clear coat 1 color for 8k being a bus owner Ted does good work  
I am a huge fan of base coat clear coat not so much on the 1 coat systems because I don't like to feel lines on a paint job,you get into graphics it cost $$$.
You can check your local Volvo truck dealer the one here in Phoenix does body work and painting on Prevost and Volvo buses and has a huge paint booth 

[ol713]

      Hi;
        I got an estimate approx 3 weeks ago for $12 grand.  I am not
        sure the bus is worth much more than that.  (west coast)
                                 Merle.

[windtrader]

A good paint job depends greatly on the prep and that depends on the condition of the current paint and body. Prep is so labor intensive the final price can vary a lot. Base/clear is my preference as well but costs more than single stage. Paint cost vary a lot as well.

[brmax]

Your probably well aware, though it keeps going up. So take a few minutes this weekend and check your local supplier on paint prices. Just look at a car color you notice and walk in and ask for their paint pro. Say, hey can ya shoot me a cost per gallon of 2016 buffalo blue with atomic pearl, ya know 2016 year. Also a gallon mid temp reducer and a pint of hardener "please".
And get ready.
Lol (Colors are optional)

Great! Its Friday again
Floyd

[HB of CJ]

In the past cars were painted with good paint and fine brushes.  Lots of thin coats rubbed out then waxed.  From a distance you could not tell any difference.  With the good jobs you had to get very close.

Reprint.  Way back in about 1976 or so we hand brushed the side of a fire engine parked too close to a small fire that became a big fire.  Red lacquer with fine brushes.  Looked very good when done.  Fun.

[luvrbus]

Your probably well aware, though it keeps going up. So take a few minutes this weekend and check your local supplier on paint prices. Just look at a car color you notice and walk in and ask for their paint pro. Say, hey can ya shoot me a cost per gallon of 2016 buffalo blue with atomic pearl, ya know 2016 year. Also a gallon mid temp reducer and a pint of hardener "please".
And get ready.
Lol (Colors are optional)

Great! Its Friday again
Floyd

Good primer cost over a $100.00 a gal now and don't price RED metallic it will make you have the big one.that is why I bought black   

[Zephod]

For me, $200 of Grey rustoleum, a roller and an afternoon. Then where the paint peels or cracks, I sand lightly and repaint.
I'm not spending much money putting lipstick on a pig! It's an old bus and will only ever be an old bus.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[windtrader]

It cost me around 800 in materials to spray a little BMW last year. I'm sure materials alone would be a few thousand

[richard5933]

      Hi;
        I got an estimate approx 3 weeks ago for $12 grand.  I am not
        sure the bus is worth much more than that.  (west coast)
                                 Merle.

If that were the basis for spending money on our buses I doubt any of us would be here.

For me, the most important thing is can I afford it? If so, the question is will I get enough enjoyment out of the final result to make it worth spending the money. When I get to the point where we have enough money saved to get our 4106 painted we will. Not because the bus is worth it but because our enjoyment of it is worth the expense.

Richard