I just ordered the stillen classic kit for my 2000 maxima (black). I'm thinking about getting the entire car repainted black when the kit comes in, because I have many scratches on the car (trunk, roof, hood, door) - some of which are more than 6 inches long and are deep.

I plan on driving the car until it dies or I move to the Cayman Islands (5 years or less) - so the repainting is primarily for my enjoyment, not for resale value, as I know I will lose my a** on the paint job anyway.

I've seen many places (ex: MAACO) that offer paint jobs for cheap - and then many that are outrageous ($5k plus) that I'm sure do spectacular jobs.

The question is: will a cheap paint job last 5 years? What do you deem a fair price to repaint the entire car, if you have had this done? What would you do in this situation?

Thanks so much for the input!!

 

If you want to get your car repainted I wouldn't go the cheap way. I would pay a decent price at a good auto bosy place bc it will pay off in the end. Remember you get what youpay for. MAACO might do a good job but it will probably wear out anf fade in a couple of years. I say go the best way you can and oay for the best paint job you can get, it will just turn out better for you in the end.

 

Cutter - thank you for the comments, they were very helpful but not necessarily what I was looking for.

Maybe I didn't explain myself well enough, or give enough information. The car has 96,000 miles on it. I'm going to drive the car until it dies, or I move to another country - whichever comes first. If I move to another country first, I expect the car to be worthless at that time - as it will have close to 200,000 miles on it or more.

This being said - the paint job would solely be for my own enjoyment - not for resale value when I get rid of the car.

My questions - and these are only to experienced body/paint shop workers or people who have had their cars repainted totally:

1. What is a fair price for a paint job that will last 5 years?

2. Would you even paint a 5 year old car to begin with?

3 Would most paint/body shops be able to match up the paint perfectly if I only get the kit painted?

 

1. I had mine estimated by a shop that does great jobs for 2000.
2. no, because living in big cities, there is too many cars and the minute you park outside, your getting scratched.
3. yes, but it will cost 500 per item, that is if they are professionals.

 

when i originally put my body kit on, i had it painted by Maaco. the paint peeled off the front bumper within months. they also didn't match the colors right. def stay away from maaco.

 

how much did you pay for the paint, 03? and what kind of guarantee was it?

 

I got an estimate, for 3500 to repaint my car.....

 

I got an estimate for 2800.00 with the installation of the kit induded. It is a Vintage Restoration place in a little town here in Indiana.

 

at Maaco, i paid $265. that was to paint my front and rear bumpers and fenders. it had a 1 year warranty, but barely made it a month.

this July, i took my car to a "real" paint/custom shop and they charged me $1500 to strip and respray everything. so far, i have had no problems with the paint job and i am very happy with it.

 

i have seen some jobs done my maaco. it's terrible. they did not strip the original pait, just did it right on top. you could see red fading into the dark purple. it was horrendous. a good body shop will strip your existing paint, and do primer, then paint, then clearcoat. depending on where you go, it will cost b/w $2500 to $5000 like you said.
i think around $3500 is fair for whole car. this amout will get you good paint, and quality work without shortcuts.