How Much Does a New Paint Job on a Car Cost?

The cost of a new paint job for your car can vary dramatically from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Prices vary across the country and may fluctuate based on the type of paint used, the quality of the job, the number of paint layers required and the size of the vehicle. A range of prices is available based on the nature of the paint job.

For a low-end job from a national paint job chain, you can expect to pay between $300 to $900. Larger vehicles often require a higher estimate because they require more paint to be used. This type of job includes a surface cleaning of old paint and dirt, the masking of areas to prevent overspray and a heat-cured finish. The painter may also repair light chips so the old paint job will not show through. The service that provides a low-end paint job may give a one year warranty on the finish.

A midrange job may cost you as little as $1,000 or as much as $3,500. The quality of paint may be higher with a midrange job. The price may approach the top of the range if a large vehicle is being painted and if the job includes interior painting or recoloring of the area near the engine.

A high-end job comes with a high-end price: Prepare to spend between $2,500 to $7,500. Some quotes are even as high as $20,000. High-end jobs often require the paint shop to use high-end paints, which may cost hundreds of dollars for a single quart. These custom jobs may also require a specialized application:

While low-end painters tape over body parts such as mirrors, headlights and bumpers, high-end painters completely remove these parts from the vehicle. The body is then sanded before the paint is applied. After the paint is applied, the painter completes a wet sanding and buffing of the surface. The paint shop may offer a lifetime warranty for the job.

Additional costs may be added to the final bill if you require extra work on your vehicle. For example, painting the truck bed or switching the color of your vehicle may increase the cost of the job. Adding sports logos or pinstripes increases the price. If you have body damage that needs to be repaired before the paint can be applied, you will pay for this additional work.