How much $ is saved in prep work?
 

Considering renting a garage for about 150/month to prep my e30 for body work. There's very minimal rust, but I wanna strip it down (alum bumpers off, lights, grills, glass etc) and get the body painting etc down professionally, then after it's done, put all the parts back myself (as to ensure it's done PROPERLY and cheaper).

I also figured this would be a great time to rebuild the a/c system, as it's not nearly as efficient of effective as it can be.

How much on average would I be saving? I've hear of people spending a mere 900-1500 for a good paint job, after prepping the car themselves

thanks in advance

Where can I rent a garage for that price?

cl my friend...just look around

$150 for a garage rental?

How much with a hoist?!?!?!?

I wonder if you could subsidize property purchases by having hoists in the garage and renting out each bay for $1000 a month?

I got half a double (yes I have to share) for $120 a month in fairview lol

soooooo....

....back on topic. How much is prepping when painting a car?

thanks :)

Proper prep should save you at least 60% on the cost of the job, if not more.

Unfortunately, there are still too many factors to tell you accurately, just call and discuss with the paint shop you intend to use..

Rough and dirty, I'd say divide the time you spend by 2 or 3, then multiply that by the shop's labour rate.

I'll be doing the same thing with one of my cars at some point, except I'll be pulling the glass and drivetrain, since I want the engine bay resprayed.

You will save a lot if you can remove all trim etc by yourself.

IME it's about a 50% price cut just by removing trim/windows and scuffing inside corners, doorjamps, trunkjams, tail and headlight buckets, etc

Nevermind the discount, you can really make sure the work is done right by spoon feeding the body shop the easy shit (Long blocking and spraying etc.)

GL

Got my first quote today from a shop. They wanted $3500 for fixing previously mentioned rust, as well as a whole re-spray (incl doing all prep work etc.). Shop guy said that others charge "too much" at 7-8's

...feeling uneasy about having someone do work on my car that might end up crap with a price that low. Don't wanna pay twice for a job to be done properly

Would it be in my best interest to have it stripped prior to getting body work done? I feel that way, I'd be able to ensure the body work was done properly, prior to putting the car together. I'm feeling a bit uneasy about doing it all myself, as I haven't been able to find many garages that suit my needs to do the work in.

thanks

I had my car painted a few years ago... I did all the prep work save for two tiny dents that they spotted (I hadn't). I pulled off the spoiler, bumpers, mirrors, all trim, lights, etc. even the lock cylinders in the doors and the trunk. Everything that could come off, came off.

Cost to paint car was $2,400, in three-stage Mazda "Velocity Red" mica. And it's a convertible.. so no roof to spray. YMMV..