Cost of Materials for Painting a GMC

J

jeremy

New member
Dec 28, 2007
1,211
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Anyone have an idea on the material cost? Someone on the list a few weeks ago suggested checking into technical schools with auto body repair programs to see if they would do a paint job. I have found one here in AL that is interested and might give it a go. They want the cost of materials plus 15%. That seems very reasonable to me if I can convince them to go ahead.

Is it going to be the best paint job ever and last me 20 years? Probably not. But looking good from 25 feet at 25 mph is a huge improvement over the faded baby puke yellow I've got now...

Anyway, I was interested in what the material cost might be. Obviously there are a lot of variables, but is it in the $500 ballpark or the $2000 ballpark for 2 colors and some clearcoat? Any ideas?
--
Thanks,
Jeremy Knezek
1976 Glenbrook
Birmingham, AL
 
I painted my coach this summer with 1 color and the raw materials cost me around $600. If you went with exotic 20 year automotice paints you should cost that at $1,500 minimum. Oh yeah, plus labor!

I used a mid grade enamel with blue flake and the paint is a great color. It was the first time I have ever painted anything since I was using my fingers in kindergarten so it wasnt the best job but I did it with 2 hours of taping, 3 hours of painting and 1 hour of "touchup".

Best of luck,


Jeff
Toledo, OH
78 transmode
Wild Rover




> To: gmclist
> From: jtknezek
> Date: Fri, 29 Oct 2010 19:31:38 -0500
> Subject: [GMCnet] Cost of Materials for Painting a GMC
>
>
>
> Anyone have an idea on the material cost? Someone on the list a few weeks ago suggested checking into technical schools with auto body repair programs to see if they would do a paint job. I have found one here in AL that is interested and might give it a go. They want the cost of materials plus 15%. That seems very reasonable to me if I can convince them to go ahead.
>
> Is it going to be the best paint job ever and last me 20 years? Probably not. But looking good from 25 feet at 25 mph is a huge improvement over the faded baby puke yellow I've got now...
>
> Anyway, I was interested in what the material cost might be. Obviously there are a lot of variables, but is it in the $500 ballpark or the $2000 ballpark for 2 colors and some clearcoat? Any ideas?
> --
> Thanks,
> Jeremy Knezek
> 1976 Glenbrook
> Birmingham, AL
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
 
Jeremy,

You can get paint mixed up at most any good parts stores. First you'll need
to decide on base coat/clear coat - which is probably the only thing they
are using in schools these days and then a color. The exception may be some
paints for commercial vehicle applications.

If you want good paint at a reasonable price, try "smartshoppers.com". * *I
believe they are in Louisville, KY*.* We used to have a commercial account
with them. If you are buying in smaller quantities they add about 10-15%.
They have everything you need. My Dad was a full time professional
finisher/refinisher.for close to 50 years He used everything from the "back
in the day" enamels, nitrocellulose lauquers, urethane's including the early
Centari and Imrons among others. When you add up the primers, sealers and
the hardeners you eat up every bit of that $500. Smart shoppers has some
pre-packaged kits that are excellent paints with very good pricing. We used
them for years. The pre-packaged kits include about 50 or so stock
colors last time I checked and if you're doing a complete refinish you don't
have to worry about blending etc. Consider their factory kits. Plus they
will put the package together for you with everything you need from start to
finish.

One other thing my Dad always "preached" when anyone would ask him about
refinishing a car themselves was that it can never be too clean or too well
prepped. Also, stay within one company's product line. If you are using
DuPont paints then use DuPont's thinners, primers activators etc. If you're
using Sikkens - same thing. Ask me how I know - I did my first refinish
when I knew a lot more then my Dad. After all - I was 16 years old! But,
my car came out great - after my dad supervised the "second" attempt!

I have no affiliation with Smart Shopper's - just use their products for
over 30 years.

*Happy Motoring!*
**
Tom Eckert N2VWN
73 Glacier
Oakland, TN

>
>
> Anyone have an idea on the material cost? Someone on the list a few weeks
> ago suggested checking into technical schools with auto body repair programs
> to see if they would do a paint job. I have found one here in AL that is
> interested and might give it a go. They want the cost of materials plus 15%.
> That seems very reasonable to me if I can convince them to go ahead.
>
> Is it going to be the best paint job ever and last me 20 years? Probably
> not. But looking good from 25 feet at 25 mph is a huge improvement over the
> faded baby puke yellow I've got now...
>
> Anyway, I was interested in what the material cost might be. Obviously
> there are a lot of variables, but is it in the $500 ballpark or the $2000
> ballpark for 2 colors and some clearcoat? Any ideas?
> --
> Thanks,
> Jeremy Knezek
> 1976 Glenbrook
> Birmingham, AL
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
 
I painted my '55 Chevy (sigh) about 5 years ago. A gallon of PPG base in a salmon color then was about $475. That was only the base.

You'll need materials to strip the old paint (paint that's too thick will crack), materials to clean the surface thoroughly (so it doesn't peel), masking paper and tape, reducer appropriate to the temperature you're shooting at, an epoxy primer a base coat and a clear. Base/clear has the advantage of being able to fix any flaws in the base (acts sort of like a primer) before shooting the clear.

For catalyzed paints (the epoxy primer and the base/clear) you need a fresh air breathing system to avoid being poisoned. It's no joke. The catalyzed paints have chemicals that go from your lungs to your blood and make the blood incapable of carrying oxygen and you suffocate no matter how much you try to cough it up.

Of course you could contact some pharmy company and see if they would pay for a vinyl wrap of your coach. A giant Prilosec motorhome would look okay, wouldn't it? :lol:
--
Randy
1973 26' Painted Desert
Ahwatukee (Phoenix) AZ
 
I'm in the middle of painting my 23'er and here's what I know:

So far I've used:

3 Gallons of 2K urethane primer (including hardener) @ $100 Each.

6 rolls of sandpaper (120 grit, 220 grit 320 grit) @ $20 Each

1 can of wax and grease remover @ $20

1 can of lightweight body filler @ $30

1 tube of seam sealer @ $16

2 packs of 400 grit wet sand paper @ $8 each

Here's what I have that's unopened:

2 gallons of single stage urethane white paint @ $90 each

2 quarts of hardener @ $29 each

1 gallon of medium reducer @ $34

1 gallon of single stage champagne gold paint @ $89

1 quart of hardener @ $29

1 gallon of slow reducer $34

I chose to use Matrix paints because they make the stuff right in my town. If your shop chooses to use PPG or BASF from the local paint supplier expect all of the prices to at least double.


--
1973 GMC 23'
All Birch and Maple Interior Cabinetry. TZE033V100221
"The Honeycomb Hideout"
 
This was great. Thanks. That looks roughly like $1000 so I'm probably looking around $1500-$2000. Thanks!
--
Thanks,
Jeremy Knezek
1976 Glenbrook
Birmingham, AL
 
Ken,

Anymore pictures of the progress? Hope the weather has cooperated.
--
Mike Thomas
Troy, MI
77 Brown Palm Beach, thought it was an Eleganza II
and 77 Purple Palm Beach
 
Has anyone here thought of using Glasurit paints? I had an old neighbor who had his 65 stang shot with Glasurit, that stuff looks like sex, but I know its not cheap...
 
Glasurit has been around forever. The OEM paint for Porsche and Audi -
possibly VW and Mercedes also. They developed the first metallic
automotive paints. The reason the European metallics looked superior to the
US paints was the way they polished the metallic chips. They were
experimenting with waterbased automotive paints and waterbased lacquers in
the late 1950's - before anyone else thought about the environment.

I don't know if their products are still available as Glasurit as they were
bought out by BASF in the early 1960's.

Great paint at $$$ back in the day, their paint was $100 a gallon while
DuPont acrylic lacquers were about $20 per gallon.

That's all I can remember.

Tom Eckert N2VWN
73 Glacier
Oakland, TN

>
>
> Has anyone here thought of using Glasurit paints? I had an old neighbor who
> had his 65 stang shot with Glasurit, that stuff looks like sex, but I know
> its not cheap...
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
 
http://www.glasurit.com/


I would say it is from their website...


> Glasurit has been around forever. The OEM paint for Porsche and Audi -
> possibly VW and Mercedes also. They developed the first metallic
> automotive paints. The reason the European metallics looked superior to the
> US paints was the way they polished the metallic chips. They were
> experimenting with waterbased automotive paints and waterbased lacquers in
> the late 1950's - before anyone else thought about the environment.
>
> I don't know if their products are still available as Glasurit as they were
> bought out by BASF in the early 1960's.
>
> Great paint at $$$ back in the day, their paint was $100 a gallon while
> DuPont acrylic lacquers were about $20 per gallon.
>
> That's all I can remember.
>
> Tom Eckert N2VWN
> 73 Glacier
> Oakland, TN
>
>
>

>
> >
> >
> > Has anyone here thought of using Glasurit paints? I had an old neighbor who
> > had his 65 stang shot with Glasurit, that stuff looks like sex, but I know
> > its not cheap...
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > List Information and Subscription Options:
> > http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
> >
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
 
Cool,

So they are around. I wonder if they broke from BASF or if they are a
subsidiary.

As mentioned befor they were at one time one of the best, since Sikkens came
about, I can't recall hearing anything about Glasurit for years - until your
post.

Tom Eckert

>
>
> http://www.glasurit.com/
>
>
> I would say it is from their website...
>

> > Glasurit has been around forever. The OEM paint for Porsche and Audi -
> > possibly VW and Mercedes also. They developed the first metallic
> > automotive paints. The reason the European metallics looked superior to
> the
> > US paints was the way they polished the metallic chips. They were
> > experimenting with waterbased automotive paints and waterbased lacquers
> in
> > the late 1950's - before anyone else thought about the environment.
> >
> > I don't know if their products are still available as Glasurit as they
> were
> > bought out by BASF in the early 1960's.
> >
> > Great paint at $$$ back in the day, their paint was $100 a gallon while
> > DuPont acrylic lacquers were about $20 per gallon.
> >
> > That's all I can remember.
> >
> > Tom Eckert N2VWN
> > 73 Glacier
> > Oakland, TN
> >
> >
> >

> >
> > >
> > >
> > > Has anyone here thought of using Glasurit paints? I had an old neighbor
> who
> > > had his 65 stang shot with Glasurit, that stuff looks like sex, but I
> know
> > > its not cheap...
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > GMCnet mailing list
> > > List Information and Subscription Options:
> > > http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
> > >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > List Information and Subscription Options:
> > http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
 
Well after seeing my neighbors 65 stang whih he had shot with Glasurit, I was sold! that car looked better then it did when it was new in 65! but he paid about $1,300 for all the supplies IIRC, and I imagine you would need 3x as much for a GMC. this was about 4-5 years ago, he was big into euro tuner stuff, and Glasurit is still used on such cars like Ferrari and Lamborghini(sp) as well as BMW, Porsche, Mercedes etc...

It really is amazing paint, also on the website they had a really great commercial paint for stuff like trucks that looks absolutly amazing and is supposed to also not cost a fortune, that stuff would be good for painting coaches I would think...


> Cool,
>
> So they are around. I wonder if they broke from BASF or if they are a
> subsidiary.
>
> As mentioned befor they were at one time one of the best, since Sikkens came
> about, I can't recall hearing anything about Glasurit for years - until your
> post.
>
> Tom Eckert
>

>
> >
> >
> > http://www.glasurit.com/
> >
> >
> > I would say it is from their website...
> >

> > > Glasurit has been around forever. The OEM paint for Porsche and Audi -
> > > possibly VW and Mercedes also. They developed the first metallic
> > > automotive paints. The reason the European metallics looked superior to
> > the
> > > US paints was the way they polished the metallic chips. They were
> > > experimenting with waterbased automotive paints and waterbased lacquers
> > in
> > > the late 1950's - before anyone else thought about the environment.
> > >
> > > I don't know if their products are still available as Glasurit as they
> > were
> > > bought out by BASF in the early 1960's.
> > >
> > > Great paint at $$$ back in the day, their paint was $100 a gallon while
> > > DuPont acrylic lacquers were about $20 per gallon.
> > >
> > > That's all I can remember.
> > >
> > > Tom Eckert N2VWN
> > > 73 Glacier
> > > Oakland, TN
> > >
> > >
> > >

> > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Has anyone here thought of using Glasurit paints? I had an old neighbor
> > who
> > > > had his 65 stang shot with Glasurit, that stuff looks like sex, but I
> > know
> > > > its not cheap...
> > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > GMCnet mailing list
> > > > List Information and Subscription Options:
> > > > http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
> > > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > GMCnet mailing list
> > > List Information and Subscription Options:
> > > http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > List Information and Subscription Options:
> > http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
> >
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
 
> This was great. Thanks. That looks roughly like $1000 so I'm probably looking around $1500-$2000. Thanks!

i had a quote from a body shop that figured mtls. at 1500 bucks.

--
Fred V
'77 Royale RB 455
P'cola, Fl
 
> Jeremy,
>
>
>
> One other thing my Dad always "preached" when anyone would ask him about
> refinishing a car themselves was that it can never be too clean or too well
> prepped. Also, stay within one company's product line. If you are using
> DuPont paints then use DuPont's thinners, primers activators etc. If you're
> using Sikkens - same thing. Ask me how I know - I did my first refinish
> when I knew a lot more then my Dad. After all - I was 16 years old! But,
> my car came out great - after my dad supervised the "second" attempt!
>
> I have no affiliation with Smart Shopper's - just use their products for
> over 30 years.
>
> *Happy Motoring!*
> **
> Tom Eckert N2VWN
> 73 Glacier
> Oakland, TN


I had our coach painted a couple of years ago by a young man who learned at home and at a Jr. College. I was recently out of surgery and didn't have a whole lot of pep and I was doing the prep. Randy Van Winkle stopped by to visit and said, "You can't take it to the painters like that." For the next week he helped me learn to prep. He spent hours and hours. Eventually, with other college friends, we had seven working on getting it ready. Eventually we ran out of time. Randy saved the day on that one and guess what... it needed more prep. It is a nice 10 foot paint job. Just don't get too close.
--
'74 Eleganza, SE, Howell + EBL
Best Wishes,
George
 
Last I knew Glasurit was still part of BASF.

As far as ranking goes, Glasurit and Sikkens are among the best there is and priced accordingly.

FWIW, the Sikkens brand is owned by Akzo Nobel. I was just in their facility last week where the paint is blended. I learned a lot about paint and color that day.

Just like anything you get what you pay for. In the case of the more expensive paints you are getting better UV protection and a smoother flow when spraying. That's why they lay down like glass and keep the shine for many years.

If you are doing your GMC and want best of show then go for it. However you may want to consider how long you plan to own and use the coach. Do you really plan to go another 20 years with it? If not why spend the $ considering the next owner won't pony up the extra when buying.

Any decent urethane paint should give at least 11 years minimum of service anywhere here in the U.S. parked outside all of the time.

Ken Wolkens

--
1973 GMC 23'
All Birch and Maple Interior Cabinetry. TZE033V100221
"The Honeycomb Hideout"
 
Plan on the 2K figure and then some. And that's just materials. There will always be over and aboves like decals, stripping, sealant, beltline strips, etc.

This is a job that if you don't want to do it right, you shouldn't do it at all. Cheap paint jobs look like crap within two years.

Phil Swanson
 
I have heard that the GMC cannot be painted with acrylic lacquer. Is that true?

Art & Doris 76 EL

>
>
> Plan on the 2K figure and then some. And that's just materials. There will always be over and aboves like decals, stripping, sealant, beltline strips, etc.
>
> This is a job that if you don't want to do it right, you shouldn't do it at all. Cheap paint jobs look like crap within two years.
>
> Phil Swanson
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
 
My GMC was painted with a three stage upper body color, two stage lower body
color and IIRC, the materials came to over $1,100.00. That was 6 years ago.

>
>
> Anyone have an idea on the material cost? Someone on the list a few weeks
> ago suggested checking into technical schools with auto body repair programs
> to see if they would do a paint job. I have found one here in AL that is
> interested and might give it a go. They want the cost of materials plus 15%.
> That seems very reasonable to me if I can convince them to go ahead.
>
> Is it going to be the best paint job ever and last me 20 years? Probably
> not. But looking good from 25 feet at 25 mph is a huge improvement over the
> faded baby puke yellow I've got now...
>
> Anyway, I was interested in what the material cost might be. Obviously
> there are a lot of variables, but is it in the $500 ballpark or the $2000
> ballpark for 2 colors and some clearcoat? Any ideas?
> --
> Thanks,
> Jeremy Knezek
> 1976 Glenbrook
> Birmingham, AL
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>

--
Steve Ferguson
Sierra Vista, AZ
 
These comments are all over the place - please focus!

Feel free to chat about ancient lacquer techniques in a separate thread - the stuff is so rampant with VOCs that I doubt you could purchase it anyway without a license, and the facility doesn't have a waterfall exhaust scrubber, anyway. You don't want to pollute a nice seaside community, do you?

Epoxy-hardened or maybe even water-born finishes will be fine. My niece and her husband own a body shop here in MA and they don't use water-born because of the time and cost involved (the extra fan-drying equipment and extra time to dry the paint).

Yes, JimB was presented with a description of the facility but he was never in a position to relocate from his established territory. This isn't intended to compete with him, either - remember the "too cheap to have it done professionally" part?

If the facility is rented for a zero-sum amount to a not-for-profit organization for the purpose of raising money for their purposes, the depreciation and lost revenue is deductible in the normal fashion. Costs such as electric/utilities and even depreciation could be paid separately to the facility owner, with a set fee paid to the sponsoring club(s) by the coach owners.

I didn't mention this before, but their operational business runs tour trolleys powered by CNG, and with their experience, we might as well look into Propane or CNG engine conversion options.

I also have access to a bona-fide, registered with the IRS not-for-profit organization, if the club idea doesn't pan out.

The real question is:

Are there a sufficient number of paint-work competent owners (and their contributing helpers) with coaches willing to participate, contribute and be managed in such an effort? Even without the possible complications of the no-profit issue, this would give the participants unequaled control over the outcome, which I for one have found essential to meet my own requirements.

Remember, whatever happens, this dream team must allow for prioritization and patience in the schedule - their will be many coaches being prepped simultaneously, but there is only one paint booth and only so much indoor parking space for the queue.

This could work!

I have a full brochure of the facility, which a few have seen already. It may be found on my MC Photo Site ...

But first, a message for our sponsor - please contribute at Thanksgiving for these wonderful online forums we are using every day.

Donations may be sent to:

Bdub
? GMC Motorhome Photo Archive
7110 Forbess Dr.
Brownwood, TX 76801

Alternatively, donate online using PayPal, using the name "GMC Motorhome Photo Archive" ?
? Which hosts my few contributions under the user name "Firefly"

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=36633&title=this-is-a-pdf-file-with-the-photos26amp-3bamp-3b-specs-of-a-nice-shop-available&cat=5640
--
Mark Scoble, Augusta, Maine - 1973 23' Palm Beach Stretched to 32' and undergoing complete renovation at the GMC Co-Op
 
There's a link to Smart Shoppers at bottom of message..

They have lots of auto refinish products, body shop supplies etc.

They have a clear coat kit for $219. Contains everything you need, urethane
primer/sealer w/activator, base coat, clear coat, reducers etc. Even
measuring cups & paint sticks.

I don't know how many kits would be required to do a coach, but even 5 kits
would be $1,100.

When the time comes, I will more then likely go this route. I have been a
very satisfied customer of theirs for over 30 years. Good products, service
and prices.

I have no affiliation with Smart Shopper's.

Tom Eckert N2WVN
73 Glacier
Oakland, TN

http://www.smartshoppersinc.com/

>
>
> These comments are all over the place - please focus!
>
> Feel free to chat about ancient lacquer techniques in a separate thread -
> the stuff is so rampant with VOCs that I doubt you could purchase it anyway
> without a license, and the facility doesn't have a waterfall exhaust
> scrubber, anyway. You don't want to pollute a nice seaside community, do
> you?
>
> Epoxy-hardened or maybe even water-born finishes will be fine. My niece
> and her husband own a body shop here in MA and they don't use water-born
> because of the time and cost involved (the extra fan-drying equipment and
> extra time to dry the paint).
> Yes, JimB was presented with a description of the facility but he was never
> in a position to relocate from his established territory. This isn't
> intended to compete with him, either - remember the "too cheap to have it
> done professionally" part?
>
> If the facility is rented for a zero-sum amount to a not-for-profit
> organization for the purpose of raising money for their purposes, the
> depreciation and lost revenue is deductible in the normal fashion. Costs
> such as electric/utilities and even depreciation could be paid separately to
> the facility owner, with a set fee paid to the sponsoring club(s) by the
> coach owners.
>
> I didn't mention this before, but their operational business runs tour
> trolleys powered by CNG, and with their experience, we might as well look
> into Propane or CNG engine conversion options.
>
> I also have access to a bona-fide, registered with the IRS not-for-profit
> organization, if the club idea doesn't pan out.
>
> The real question is:
>
> Are there a sufficient number of paint-work competent owners (and their
> contributing helpers) with coaches willing to participate, contribute and be
> managed in such an effort? Even without the possible complications of the
> no-profit issue, this would give the participants unequaled control over the
> outcome, which I for one have found essential to meet my own requirements.
>
> Remember, whatever happens, this dream team must allow for prioritization
> and patience in the schedule - their will be many coaches being prepped
> simultaneously, but there is only one paint booth and only so much indoor
> parking space for the queue.
>
> This could work!
>
> I have a full brochure of the facility, which a few have seen already. It
> may be found on my MC Photo Site ...
>
> But first, a message for our sponsor - please contribute at Thanksgiving
> for these wonderful online forums we are using every day.
>
> Donations may be sent to:
>
> Bdub
> ? GMC Motorhome Photo Archive
> 7110 Forbess Dr.
> Brownwood, TX 76801
>
> Alternatively, donate online using PayPal, using the name "GMC Motorhome
> Photo Archive" ?
> ? Which hosts my few contributions under the user name "Firefly"
>
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=36633&title=this-is-a-pdf-file-with-the-photos26amp-3bamp-3b-specs-of-a-nice-shop-available&cat=5640
> --
> Mark Scoble, Augusta, Maine - 1973 23' Palm Beach Stretched to 32' and
> undergoing complete renovation at the GMC Co-Op
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
 
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