A car paint job runs $500 to $10,000+ depending on prep, paint quality, and finish level. A Maaco-style budget respray is $500 to $1,500. A proper shop with full disassembly and clear coat is $3,500 to $7,000. Concours-quality work runs $10,000 and up.
Most drivers pay $3,000 to $5,000 for a quality single-stage respray with light bodywork.
Single-stage vs basecoat/clearcoat vs three-stage pearl.
Same-day spray vs strip-to-metal makes 5x cost difference.
Dents, rust, and panel replacement add $500-$5,000.
White and silver are cheapest; pearl, candy, and matte cost more.
A truck or SUV needs 30-50% more paint than a sedan.
Maaco vs boutique body shop is the difference between $1K and $7K.
| Vehicle | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Honda Civic | $1,500 - $5,000 | small surface area |
| Toyota Camry | $1,800 - $5,500 | standard sedan |
| Ford F-150 | $2,500 - $8,000 | truck bed and cab add area |
| Chevy Silverado | $2,500 - $8,000 | similar to F-150 |
| Jeep Wrangler | $2,200 - $7,000 | removable doors and top |
| BMW 3 Series | $3,000 - $9,000 | metallic and color-match precision |
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For a beater you plan to sell, sure. For a car you want to keep nice, no - prep is rushed and the paint is single-stage with no clear coat.
Single-stage has color and gloss mixed together (older cars, budget jobs). Basecoat/clearcoat has color underneath a clear protective layer - modern standard, more durable and glossier.
Budget respray: 3-5 years before fading. Quality paint: 10-20 years with garage parking and waxing.
A quality paint job on a desirable car can add $2,000-$5,000. A budget respray rarely adds anything and can hurt value if obvious.
For a project car, sure - a roller paint job in your garage costs $300 in materials and teaches you a lot. For a daily driver you want to keep nice, pay a shop.
Spring or fall when humidity is moderate. Hot summer paint dries too fast; cold winter paint takes forever to cure.