Professional paint job costs?

[AlbatrossCafe]

I have spent probably 50+ hours over the last few weeks with an orbital sander, sand paper, and scotch-brite pads on my 39' bus. It was a PAIN IN THE ASS!! lol. It's so far been the only part of this conversion that I have not enjoyed.

Regardless, I am done with that and I am ready to paint. I have browsed threads talking about which paints to use and how to paint it. Despite it's high cost, I am going to go with automotive paint. I want this to be a one-and-done kind of thing, and I know rustoleum will fade a bit sooner that I'd like. Maybe I'll throw some clear coat on top, but we'll see. Bottom line is - I want this to look good. I don't have unlimited money but I can pay whatever is needed for the right job.

Here is my question. Painting/prepping for paint is not something I enjoy at all. Since the sanding is done, I wouldn't mind paying to have it done at a professional shop with my color scheme. So what I want to know is:

• Has anyone had their bus painted professionally? If so, what was the cost?
• If no one has had this done, anyone with any other paint-shop experience know what might be the ballpark-range of a price I should look for? I don't have any knowledge here and don't want to get overcharged.
• Should I buy paint beforehand (maybe to save cost?) or do they measure all that out and handle it for you?

• Lastly, ignoring costs, how ridiculous would it be to make the bus that color-changing iridescent paint? Would it be overkill? lol

[EastCoastCB]

You did all that prep-
Try to paint it yourself. It's not too hard to do it and you'll save a ton of money.

[Scooternj]

I just rattle-can'd mine without any prep. Going on 2 years and holding up pretty well.

[family wagon]

If you have a shop apply the paint, I suggest not buying the paint yourself. The shop will probably have a brand they commonly use and are very familiar with its behavior in their shop/booth as far as what ratio of paint:hardener:reducer to use based on the temperature that day, what size batch to mix, optimal viscosity and paint gun settings.. If you provided a paint they're less familiar with it could affect the result. They might charge more just for the hassle. There's a fair chance they'll be getting better materials pricing than you can get.

IMHO the only reason to buy the materials yourself when hiring a pro to do a job is if you have reason to believe this pro might somehow "forget" to buy the materials for your job with that upfront "50% down payment" and start giving excuses about how he can't start your job yet because he spent your money finishing the previous job, so now he has to take a new job to get money for materials to do yours.... Better to just not hire that kind of "pro"!

You might try pricing it out both ways to help make the choice. As a small point of reference, for whatever it might be worth, two years ago I bought a bunch of Valspar automotive paint for a trailer. The tan colored sealer cost about $100/gal, the single-stage paint was maybe $120/gal, and I don't remember what the primer, reducer, and hardener all cost. All told I think I was in around $400 to paint the exterior only of the trailer box, about 12x6 feet by 3 feet tall, plus some paint on the fenders, tongue, and tool box.

Let us know what you find... with my bus having all-new metal on the sides, next spring I'm going to have to paint around 700 square feet of body.

[AlbatrossCafe]

Just got quoted by a commercial truck paint shop for 2 colors (White roof and dark blue sides) for $5200 lol. That is more than I bought the bus for. They said that even though I sanded it they would have to do it again so that they could properly warranty their paint job. They wouldn't do it without that.

Guess I probably will end up doing it myself!

[EastCoastCB]

You won't regret doin it yourself. Other than it will be some work!
Their estimate sounds low compared to some I've heard.

[GrantRobertson]

Originally Posted by AlbatrossCafe

Just got quoted by a commercial truck paint shop for 2 colors (White roof and dark blue sides) for $5200 lol. That is more than I bought the bus for. They said that even though I sanded it they would have to do it again so that they could properly warranty their paint job. They wouldn't do it without that.

Guess I probably will end up doing it myself!

I have talked to a couple of auto painters about doing my own prep work for my car. They said I should never leave here metal for even one day. If I did my own prep, they said, I should then at least give a coat of primer.

Then, after one layer of paint goes down, there is a time window within which the next layer should go down, for best adhesion. This window can vary from a couple of hours after the undercoat to a couple of days, depending on the under coat and over coat.

If you wait too long, the undercoat will cure too much and the overcoat won't stick.

So, go ahead and do it yourself, just do lots of homework first.

[AlbatrossCafe]

Originally Posted by GrantRobertson

I have talked to a couple of auto painters about doing my own prep work for my car. They said I should never leave here metal for even one day. If I did my own prep, they said, I should then at least give a coat of primer.

Then, after one layer of paint goes down, there is a time window within which the next layer should go down, for best adhesion. This window can vary from a couple of hours after the undercoat to a couple of days, depending on the under coat and over coat.

If you wait too long, the undercoat will cure too much and the overcoat won't stick.

So, go ahead and do it yourself, just do lots of homework first.

Thanks for the advice. I didn't sand down to bare metal. I used 220 grit and scotch bright just to scuff up the clear coat/outer layer first. Either way, that was over 3 weeks ago. I'll probably have to do it again by the time I get around to painting it. RIP my free time lol

Would have done it sooner but I don't have a garage big enough. Wish it was easier to rent large paint booths.

[Stu & Filo. T]

I went to Maaco they told me $3000.00 to $4000.00

[CaptainInsaneo]

My plan is to do a clear coat with color shifting pearls over black or grey rustoleum(or the like). The thing of it is if you take your bus and get it pinstriped by the natural flora and fauna of the road side environment. Sure the Auto paint will stick a bit better and show it less, but it will still look like crap to the person who spent so much time making the bus their own. The clear coat is where the strength of the finish lies, and the primer is what will determine how well it sticks to the bus the main color coat is just a fancy layer of self adhering pigment. Spend time an money on the primer and sealer cheap out on the paint.
Make your own paint booth rent some scaffold stretch some 1" pvc between the scaffolds and get some plastic by the roll, a little duct tape and imagination and Bob's your uncle. Paint your sides then elastomeric the top.

[Dragonpop]

You can go over to Bertha Bus and see the job they had done on their bus. Also
talk to Aaron with Broccoli bus he got a quote from a truck paint shop for doing
his bus that was in the $4000 to $4500 range in Seattle. It included painting the
wheels as well.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Stu & Filo. T

I went to Maaco they told me $3000.00 to $4000.00

Never let them touch anything!

[Albatross]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Never let them touch anything!

Agreed, I've had friends go to Maaco, and it generally looks nice for a year to three before you start seeing bubbling or peeling, and then it all goes to ****.

[Maggie01]

Originally Posted by CaptainInsaneo

My plan is to do a clear coat with color shifting pearls over black or grey rustoleum(or the like). The clear coat is where the strength of the finish lies, and the primer is what will determine how well it sticks to the bus the main color coat is just a fancy layer of self adhering pigment. Spend time an money on the primer and sealer cheap out on the paint.

Has anyone used the clearcoat with color shifting pearls? I'd love to see pictures. Where can you even buy the color shifting pearls clearcoat? I plan on using Rustoleum primer and paint. Which primer should I use though the Rusty metal primer I'm using inside on the floor and walls or just regular primer?

[musigenesis]

Originally Posted by Maggie01

Has anyone used the clearcoat with color shifting pearls? I'd love to see pictures. Where can you even buy the color shifting pearls clearcoat? I plan on using Rustoleum primer and paint. Which primer should I use though the Rusty metal primer I'm using inside on the floor and walls or just regular primer?

You're talking about painting over the school bus yellow? You don't need to use primer for that.

[ol trunt]

You'll notice that Capt'n Insano isn't around any more--I wonder why? The chameleon paint material can be had at any auto paint store. However, be ready for sticker shock. Such a paint job will cost more than the bus--way more. Unless you have backers for Burning Man best go with something more affordable.
Jack

[Danjo]

I was quoted 4K for my shorty. I did it in a paint booth in LA for about 1K not including my time of course.

If I were to do it again I would do it the same, but hire an experienced sprayer. I did OK, but it could have been better.

Isn’t that car wrapped?

[Rovobay]

That paint is spendy. spraying a bus is not hard if you have the time, energy, and equipment...

[bus-bro]

Yes, it's insane to prep for paint and have no plan how to paint it.