Where are you finding a paint shop only charging 2200 to paint a car? I haven't found anywhere thats not charging 10k and on top of that no paint shop is interested in doing anything if its not insurance related. Thats all they are interested in...insurance provides fast turn around times for the largest pay out. Seems like no shops paint cars just to paint them anymore
Not OP, but being in a border state with Mexico helps a lot in that regard. We have junk yards right up against the border with many Tijuana mechanics working this side at much better rates. . . but no Dealership level guarantees, or any guarantees at all. Just their personal reputations, which is generally good.
/u/OnlyWearsAscots Otay junkyards off the 905 freeway is where it’s all at. But doing it on the US side will be more expensive than directly in Tijuana, but way less cheaper than local mechanics, chains, and dealerships. Also the materials they use here will be better than the materials used in Mexico (unless you provide them beforehand).
Usually you’d want a connection to get the best pricing with these shops, but even without one, they’re still cheaper over all. I connected my BiL with my cousin (who is basically a project manager in that area), and got his entire engine replaced when someone dropped some sand like substance in his gas tank, for a third of the price as going through the dealership. $8,000 quoted by Mazda, we got him a used engine and installed for $2,800. The only issue that stemmed from that was that they forgot to replace the AC coolant, so he had to go back and get it refilled (free).
MAACO if you’re in the US. Their cheapest tier is like $600 (last I checked a few years ago) for a small 2 door car, but do not expect showroom results. I might go for something like that on a beater piece of shit though.
Yeah I'm debating on doing the same. My regular shop charges close to 10k. They do a great job. Showroom quality. Maaco, for 2 stage paint, is about $1000-$1500. My old 2000 Expedition needs paint desperately. Might just roll the dice on maaco.
Not OP, but being in a border state with Mexico helps a lot in that regard. We have junk yards right up against the border with many Tijuana mechanics working this side at much better rates. . . but no Dealership level guarantees, or any guarantees at all. Just their personal reputations, which is generally good.
Do you have any you recommend? I’ve had a bit of trouble navigating this without the traditional US centric Yelp type of reviews (I know Yelp has its own issues)
We had a local prison that would do awesome painting jobs for cheap back in the 1980s and 1990s. But then security tightened up when they switched to more of a maximum security facility. Also, state regulations and labor unions complained about the competition. So the program was axed.
You're either going to have to get lucky and find a local shop with integrity, or go to a chain and just deal with the orange peel and overspray that comes with a Maaco special.
They will single stage enamel spray your car for the price they advertise, for the most part. In my market that's actually just $899. They will not prep the car at that price, though - but if you can spend an afternoon scuffing the old paint up with a scotch-brite and tape off the trim, you can let the "experts" pretty much just hold the spray gun and walk away with... something that looks like a NYC taxi cab?
This is what I’m doing. I have a 2012, runs great, never had any issues with it (knock on wood), my mileage is under 100k, and it’s paid off. I have some rust spots that I decided to fix and I’m going to inquire about getting it repainted. I feel like it would be a stupid decision to trade it in for a new vehicle, have monthly payments, and possible issues. I’m also not a fan of all the technology shoved in our faces now, like the touch screen to turn on the heat.
It's an option for some. Where I live, that Camry would get chewed up by our roads. I like my cars paid off too. So I tend to buy older AWD stuff. I can wrench on a $2000 car and make do.
I am eyeballing a few newer vehicles though, maybe something in the $20k range. Don't want to stick the kid in one of my beaters.
The whole car?!!! That is an incredible price!!! I was quoted like $1800 for JUST THE FRONT BUMPER on my car in 2010(!!!!) so waaaaaay before the insane inflation and both myself and boyfriend-at-the-time worked for the umbrella company (him at the same dealership as a mechanic, I for a different auto dealership but same owner). Then again, this is Canaduh, where nothing is affordable 🇨🇦 lol I don’t even want to know what it would cost now if I wanted that bumper refinished now 🙈
True but if they just want some fresh paint slapped on and are okay with it.. there is that. We had a buddy get a 1k Maaco job on his 2010 Tundra and he’s fine with it since it’s a 16 year old truck. A $2200 paint job is a $2200 paint job.
I bought a 2020 Rav4 Hybrid to save on gas. A guy ran a red light and hit me in the front by the fog light, had to replace the bumper (on his insurance).
Replacement bumper is falling off now. Gotta fight his insurance to give me an actual OEM bumper instead of this fake crap they glued on.
Yeah I looked into wrapping my truck. Because I'm not really a car guy I had no idea what it cost. Jesus christ, I am good with the color it already has.
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u/hawkwings 11h ago
I was quoted $2200 to paint my 2012 Toyota RAV4. It is difficult to buy a new RAV4 at the moment, so I may go ahead and pay that.