MTFCA Forum

I have my new Rootlieb sheet metal and the body is being worked on so my question is on the paint and costs. I do want a professional paint job and plan to bring the fenders, running boards etc to a local shop and wondering if anyone has had a recent experience and how much to expect it to cost.
I may wait to bring them the body as it is finished or do it in two batches.

Whatever you do, assemble all the sheet metal to your liking prior to painting. Once satisfied with fit, disassemble and paint. Nothing worse than fighting with sheet metal trying to install and fit it, and scratching it all to hell.

ThreePedalTapDancer wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 04, 2024 5:50 pm

Whatever you do, assemble all the sheet metal to your liking prior to painting. Once satisfied with fit, disassemble and paint. Nothing worse than fighting with sheet metal trying to install and fit it, and scratching it all to hell.

Great advice, I just heard the same advice from a local shop that quoted $25,000.00! It came down to $4,000 for paint/material and the balance in labor. I had to remind them that I am doing the restoration.

I would clean the panels down and etch prime them first. Then do your fit-up. It can take time, and handling will add salts to the metalwork which will accelerate rust. It takes far less time to etch prime them than cleaning them up later. It also allows you to take your time somewhat.

Allan from down under.

Being in the San Diego area, your best bet is to go to small local shops where you live, escondido etc. bigger shops are going to charge you 5 thousand or more. Many shops will not even touch your car if you just want them to paint only. You also, if you know anyone, could go to TJ. Lots of good paint shops there.

You also...could go to TJ.

That reminds me that years ago I had to replace a window in a Suburban, and found that the prices there were less inflated than in California. The Mexicans beat the pants off any of the shops around L .A. That may not always be true, but it sure was for me.

ryanpad wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 04, 2024 4:03 pm

I have my new Rootlieb sheet metal and the body is being worked on so my question is on the paint and costs. I do want a professional paint job and plan to bring the fenders, running boards etc to a local shop and wondering if anyone has had a recent experience and how much to expect it to cost.
I may wait to bring them the body as it is finished or do it in two batches.

As a restoration shop owner, I can tell you that paint materials and labor has skyrocketed in the last 18 months, so just be prepared for sticker shock. For example, PPG's DCC Concept 9300 is now over $800 a gallon wholesale and nearly $250 for a quart of hardener. Counting the 2 quarts of solvents needed, you will be close to $1200 for 7 sprayable quarts of paint. I will tell you that I have been doing this for a long, long time and you get what you pay for. Yes, you can buy cheaper brands of paint but the UV holdout and the shell surface is just not there on cheaper lines.

My suggestion would be to visit your local paint store jobber and ask them if they would give your name to several of their customers who might do side work at their house or have a small shop without a large overhead.

Most body shops will NOT paint your stuff like a body. They are making too much doing insurance work.
I was told this a few years ago while looking for someone to paint my Roadster. I made my own booth and did myself.

I painted mine right here at home. If you don't have a compressor and spray gun, you can rent one from an equipment rental store. There is one right here in Alpine across from Al Poncho's Mexican restaurant on Alpine Blvd. I put sheet plastic all around the garage and opened the door. Worked fine for me. Used Acrylic enamel from PPG in Santee. I did not use clear coat over it. Since I park in a garage, there has been no problem with the paint for over 20 years.
Norm
See attached picture

Like Dan pointed out, most shops don’t want to do repaints because they make a lot more on insurance work. I took my Mercury to a local guy who does a lot of the hot rods and restorations in the area. You could ask around at a cruise in. Another fellow had good look taking his touring car to Maaco. He did the disassembly and was very specific what he wanted from them. It came out quite well. You’re gonna hafta do some some legwork to find just the right guy.

Andy

Our local Maaco does great work. Had my 97 Dodge 2500 repainted about 5 years ago, $2000, base coat-clear coat. It's held up very well. One of our local club members had his 1920 Runabout painted at Maaco several year ago. Looks very good.

A professional paint job will cost you 3 times the value of the car…and you’ll still have a$8-$10k car if you have to sell it.

At least have the patience to wait till the body is finished and have everything done in one go, you'd hate yourself (or the painter) if there is a slight color difference between the body and the fenders

GG Gregory wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 05, 2024 1:08 pm

A professional paint job will cost you 3 times the value of the car…and you’ll still have a$8-$10k car if you have to sell it.

What does it matter if it cost 5-times ...or even 10-times the value of the car? I do not get this mindset! How many other things in life do we buy that are not worth what we paid for it at a later date??

A smart individual will let a professional that is equipped to spray paints with isocyanates do the job instead of a hobbyist trying to risk their life doing it in a garage to save some money. Modern Paints are not like they were 10-20 years ago, and 2k paints will attack your nervous system and kill you.

BRENT in 10-uh-C wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 05, 2024 2:07 pm

GG Gregory wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 05, 2024 1:08 pm

A professional paint job will cost you 3 times the value of the car…and you’ll still have a$8-$10k car if you have to sell it.

What does it matter if it cost 5-times ...or even 10-times the value of the car? I do not get this mindset! How many other things in life do we buy that are not worth what we paid for it at a later date??

A smart individual will let a professional that is equipped to spray paints with isocyanates do the job instead of a hobbyist trying to risk their life doing it in a garage to save some money. Modern Paints are not like they were 10-20 years ago, and 2k paints will attack your nervous system and kill you.

It matters a lot if you don’t have that kind of money for the outrageous prices of paint jobs. I know it’s hard work for a professional paint job for sure. Since you’re in this field I understand your comment, it’s how you make your living.

GG Gregory wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 05, 2024 2:25 pm

It matters a lot if you don’t have that kind of money for the outrageous prices of paint jobs. I know it’s hard work for a professional paint job for sure. Since you’re in this field I understand your comment, it’s how you make your living.

But the original poster (Vincent) stated that he wanted a professional paint job. The way I read it was that he just wanted to know what to expect for pricing.

The best way to learn the cost of a professional job is to ask professionals in your area who will consider doing the project to give you some bids. That it could cost more than your vehicle is worth is something to consider realistically, and definitely leads to exploring a DIY approach.

Brent offers excellent advice. Professional paints are far beyond the capabilities of the DIY hobbyist and should be left to them.

One can still find alkyd enamel as utility paints for machinery, tractors, implements and the like that the amateur / hobbyist can apply with good results. A plus is that the results will be very close to what was applied to Model Ts originally.

Some thoughts: there is much to recommend brush application. No over-spray and expensive equipment is not needed. By paying careful attention to proper reducers, viscosity and surface preparation (all of which are necessary for good results when spraying) equally good results can be had very economically.

Just letting you know that a “professional “ paint job can be nice but sometimes it can come out looking like plastic and not authentic. Some don’t like hearing that by the way but it is your car to fix like you want.
It can come out nice but not looking right. Way too much glassy and slick. And or course everybody has an opinion and if you spend BIG money on a paint job from someone you will usually wind up a with a lot more invested in the car than it’s actually worth. Happened more than to be sure. There will be opinions. And I’m not a purist by the way.

Have your car body metal pre fit and all holes and etc in alignment. THEN
the body parts repainted and THEN you assemble the car. You can do more than you think then depending on others. Lots of T’s get restored to the point of being built better than Ford ever did it.
Ford wasn’t building his cars to be museum pieces but to be a nice looking car meant to be used. Good luck!

I'm with John on the over glossy plastic looking finish that modern paints can give.

Allan from down under.

Lest we not forget.......this is a hobby, not an investment scheme. It doesn't matter how much the vehicle is worth. It's your's, you bought it because you fell in love with it, spend whatever it takes for your enjoyment and love it to death. We've all been spoiled over the years. We're in a hobby that your item increases with time. Most hobby's don't have that benefit. The increase in a model T isn't very much, but better than nothing. Do whatever your finances will allow you. You won't be disappointed, It's a great hobby.

Ed aka #4

I agree with Ed. It doesn’t matter what you spend if it’s what you want. As long as your wife doesn’t know everything.

Andy

To the recent posts, true enough ! Frankly, no one in 2024 needs a model T - therefore, according to one’s means, it’s a “luxury”. However, it remains, as it ever was, “every man’s car”, and the majority of T owners are in the DIY camp, where economy of means rules, and very few of us have the wherewithal of Jay Leno, where love of the beast and passion aside, cost is no object.

Brent made a very valid point about modern paints. They contain isocyanates which can be deadly. I was aghast recently when I saw a painter go into his booth with NO RESPIRATORY PROTECTION to do a quick shot of paint on a piece. In reality, you should use supplied air and cover every inch of skin when painting with modern paints.

I am knees deep in the restoration of my '27 Fordor. When I did my '26 Touring we used Dupont Centrai and wound up with about 7-8 gallons on the car. The Fordor will need more, but its more car with more surface area. My advice is if you have someone who has a great reputation (and it's pretty easy to figure out who they are) look over the car and they tell you "it's time and materials" you have found your guy. I understand not everyone (including me) can say sky's the limit but, in the end it depends upon how much you want the completed car. Good luck.

I'm another MAACO fan. In 2008 I did a frame off on a 52 truck. Talked with our local MAACO in Texas and they said if I primed it myself and wet sanded (which I did do in my driveway), they would finish paint it for $800. They actually talked me out of their $1200 paint job and said their cheaper one would cover more imperfections and look a lot more like 1952 paint and last just as long. I'm sure that would cost something like $2000 today, but thats probably a lot cheaper than what other shops might charge. I know from talking with other car friends their typically paying $4000-$10,000 today depending on what they have done and how perfect they want it to be. Here's a pic of my truck taken 2 years ago. It still looks exactly the same.

I had my ‘24 Touring painted by a professional and of course I knew it would be pricey. I disassembled the body & stripped the it to bare metal saving me a great deal of cost. However it still cost $6000. One has to consider what material & labor cost is involved. $120 an hour adds up fast and this guy is on the lower end of the spectrum for labor cost. Not everyone has resources to cover an expense like this though. All I can say is do the best you can with the tools & resources you have and enjoy the outcome & more importantly, enjoy your vehicle!

I forgot to mention, my body man who painted my T also replaced the bottom edges of the body with new metal as the old was getting pitted and also the rear had backed into something years ago and was was patched up but not a great job done, thus a lot more work than just painting.

Just paid out 3500 for all the black sheet metal…. The body just went into the shop today. The total is going to run me $7000.

In a recent post a lot of people complemented Steve Chase on his 11 touring. When he started he didn’t know anything about painting. He found a fellow to instruct him, practiced and learned to paint. Thousands of dollars in materials and his car came out well. There’s no getting around material cost.

Andy

Model T sheet metal was never close to perfect. Fenders, especially, came with imperfections. Hoods often show distortion around the louvers. Gleaming paint highlights normal imperfections. Opening the hood a few times will damage paint along the hinges, and the hood catches will go right to work on the paint when the car is used. Model Ts that are driven will have oil and dust on the chassis parts. Doors overlap outside body surfaces, assuring paint damage with use. Running boards are painted, and using the car normally will result in damage to running board paint. Joints in the sheet metal assemblies have no welting or other insulation from metal to metal contact.
A Model A has fewer such issues, but it's very difficult to maintain a show quality paint job on a Model A that is driven.
From what I've seen, modern body shops do very little bodywork. They remove and replace damaged parts, and any actual paint and body work is VERY expensive, and rarely involves dealing with the preparation issues typically found on antique cars. A shop that caters to tractor restorers would probably be willing and equipped to to a good, lasting paint job on a Model T.

I've followed this guy's videos for quite some time and he will walk you through all the steps of painting your own car as a beginner even using a HF gun with great results.
https://www.youtube.com/@PaintSociety