motorcyle painting.....Average Cost??? Major stick shock today!

[gordorad]

Had a bit of sticker shock today.  Emailed a dude inquiring about a basic paint job.....Actually, just wondered if one part of my two tone paint could be changed...(silver to green)...leaving the black intact......

His quote, approximately $1500.00!! 

Is that way high?  About right???

Can it be done like I want?  Or does it need to be all redone??

crap, $1500.00 just for paint.  Could buy the entire bike for $5500!!  Seems outrageous to me!!

[ataDude #62]

It cost me $2200 for paint on my Valk in 2003.  I just sold that Valk to hot glue a month ago. 

The paint was by no means simple... lots of airbrushing. 

[fudgie]

Sounds right to me. I think thats what mine was.

[G-Man]

I had an interstate tank painted straight up black with 3 coats of clear (so he says) for $500.

[Garland]

I paid $4200 about ten years ago for a custom design with lots of airbrushed graphics on my 99 Tourer. I would never do that again! I think $1500 sounds pretty good to me. I recently repainted my bike myself when I got an Interstate tank and a new fairing and just the cost of primer, paint and clear was over $400.

[Wetrudgeon]

From our experience, we think that $1500 for painting all the pieces is on the low side.  We were quoted anywhere from $1500 to $3K for changing our yellow and cream to this:

It's stormy blue mica with a pure white stripe overshot with blue pearl.  Custom paint is not cheap.  On the bright side, it looks good.  Real good.

We trudge on.

[Jeff K]

I just bought some paint to paint a bike. Just the paint (quart) primer, and supplies were $220.

[gordorad]

Sure, I understand the paint is expensive........I"m not wanting something fancy....No dragons, Elvira's, flames, or anything else!!  Just adding a color.

Does anyone know if it is possible to just cover one color??   (change the silver to green???).....  mask the black and fill in??  Just wondering.

Even if $1500 is a "good" price, I'd make more sense to buy the color I want and have two...Or sell one!!

[gregc]

 Yes you can do what you are asking about, just paint one of the 2 colors of the two tone.  Here in lies the problem, is the color that you are keeping on the tins PERFECT? I say this because, the painter is going to clear coat over that original color. If there is the smallest of defects in the original paint, the clear coat is going to enhance those defects. Being under the clear coat there is nothing you can do to fix them, you are stuck with them forever.   Also since the entire tins are being clear coated, it is the same work as painting everything, one color.   Hope that makes sense.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Cost me somewhere around $1,200.00 after having the saddlebags painted 3 times...First time I had Corbin Bettlebags and hated the way they looked. Bought a set of Interstate saddlebags and it took him twice to get it right.If you've ever had dealings with a painter then you should know right now ( perfect riding weather ) is not the time to be having anything painted. I've had several cars a couple trucks and motorcycles painted over the years and whatever the painter tells you add 3 or 4 weeks to that before you get it back.

[PAVALKER]

For those economy minded painters.... here is something you might consider if you like "flat black".

http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/showthread.php?325514-Flat-black-paint-job-20


I have considered this.... getting a less than pristine Valk I/S and doing a Super Valk mod and this paint job.

[Tropic traveler]

I guess from what I've read here I did OK.
$600 to paint these bags. They were black I/S bags with some road rash on both bags & 1 lid. He painted the maroon stripe, it isn't tape. Matched the color perfectly & had them done in less than 3 weeks. He supplied the paint. Guy lives 2 doors down across the street from me.

[Gear Jammer]

Cost me somewhere around $1,200.00 after having the saddlebags painted 3 times...First time I had Corbin Bettlebags and hated the way they looked. Bought a set of Interstate saddlebags and it took him twice to get it right.If you've ever had dealings with a painter then you should know right now ( perfect riding weather ) is not the time to be having anything painted. I've had several cars a couple trucks and motorcycles painted over the years and whatever the painter tells you add 3 or 4 weeks to that before you get it back.

Weeks if you're lucky, and months if your luck is like mine,,,

[Willow]

Even if $1500 is a "good" price, I'd make more sense to buy the color I want and have two...Or sell one!!

Yes, that is very true.

If you're going to pay for paint get something special.  If you just want a different stock color scheme, buy another bike.

[fudgie]

Make sure the oem 'pin striping' is sanded and finished very well. It will show thru your finished paint. So painting over your old color my looked like a botched job if the prep is not done right.

[WamegoRob]

http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/showthread.php?325514-Flat-black-

Either I'm doing something wrong (I clicked a photo link to see the paint job) or they're trying a little too hard to get members.



The bike's paint project does sound cool.
Also, I'm glad we don't use vBulletin.

[R J]

I'm not a painter, but I have shot a few guns of paint and was being watched over by a very good painter.   Price quoted is in the ball park.  It is cheaper to paint the 2 colors and do it right the 1st time.

I was only going to do a one color, leave the other one alone  and say it was good.

Since I was very very proud of that 39 Chev Coupe, my painter told me to do the hood, it was 2 color and I wanted to change 1.   Well I did the hood and it looked like sheeeeeeet.

Ended up taking the body off, and had it blasted using walnut shell pieces.   I think that was what they were.   Any how it took the paint off to bare metal, and we started over.    Hood came out perfect.    So, he helped me get the rest of the body prepped and painted and the clear coat on also.  It seems like we put 4 coats of clear on it.

It looked very good clear up until the night I lost it in my garage fire, along with the son's Mustang, his custom build bike from Texas and my Road Glide plus numerous other things.     Now, if you park in my garage, the KEY stays in the firkin ignition.    If we would of had my son's key to his Tang, we could of saved his car and my 39.      One mistake I learned the hard way.   His key was in his pocket at his house about 6 1/2 miles across town.

Don't ask why we didn't just take it out of gear and push it out.    Need the key to get the bastard out of PARK.  My 39 could of been pushed out without a key, but it was in front of the Tang.

[BF]

I'm getting a front fender and a rear fender painted now, single color (black) with clear coat for $350 for both fenders.  No body work, fillers or dents done.....just the paint.   Getting them done from the local paint guru at the local custom shop.  

They do fantastic custom paint work....seriously beautiful stuff, but they charge accordingly for that kind of work.  I'm just getting a simple one color with clear done.  

Supposed to pick up the fenders sometime this week.  When I pick those up, I'll be taking them a Woodys fairing outer to get the same color and clear coat for $250.  

[gordorad]

Thanks for all the info....BF, your price sounds reasonable...Realistic!!  I can see paying $600 for a tank, fenders, and side panels......(maybe)...But $1500??  for just fill??

Guess I will check around more.  And I guess it is like anything, if it is for a motorcycle, the price will be 2-3 times inflated!

[Rams]

Guess I will check around more.  And I guess it is like anything, if it is for a motorcycle, the price will be 2-3 times inflated!

I'm having an I/S tank painted for my 02 Standard currently, I spoke with several painters prior to making a decision on who would do it.  Prices were from $800 to $1,200 from most.  I asked two of the five different painters why so much, one told me because biker's are so damn hard to please and it had to be perfect, the other one told me what I believe is the truth.  He said and I quote, "Because, we can". 

It a skill/talent I don't have, he does.  What can I say.

[BamaDrifter64]

This paint job cost me $5000....

Fortunately, the Valkyrie came with it!   

[Jess Tolbirt]

i ran an ad in craigslist, looking for an automotive painter to do a side job for me on a bike, all i have to spend is 500 dollars...I got about 15 emails that day.. got my bike painted and it looked great!! i gave the job to the guy that had kids and needed Christmas money,,

[PAVALKER]

http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/showthread.php?325514-Flat-black-

Either I'm doing something wrong (I clicked a photo link to see the paint job) or they're trying a little too hard to get members.



The bike's paint project does sound cool.
Also, I'm glad we don't use vBulletin.

Yea, sorry no pic unless you can log in.  Didn't realize that since I log in automatically.  You get the idea of the project based on the text in the post.... and I agree, glad we don't use vBulletin here as well .  It does look pretty good... it's a smoother bedliner that he was using.   

[Fritz The Cat]

I have a good friend who paints cars for a living. Back in 2006, he painted my shadow for me and wouldn't let me pay him. Kept saying "We'll work it out". I've bought him quite a few beers since then and an occasional lunch but I have no idea if we're even or not. It was the paint job that sold her. She was originally black.

[Black Dog]

I've had good luck with my local Auto Body Shop.  Interstate tank (was Green/Silver) painted Black cost $250, Pair of raw Corbin Side Covers (needed prep work) $200, Champion Bags $250, and an I/S Trunk (was Green/Silver, and needed some sanding to remove the decals) painted Black $400...  All done with 2 coats of clear over the Black.

Black Dog

[Grumpy]

Shame this guy is not local to you, he repainted my Interstate 5 years ago, fairing, gas tank (also removed dent) both saddle bags and the trunk, two colors red/black and all the pin-striping for $585.
Had him do a CM450a last year, Tank and side covers, two tone blue. Plus made up new decals that matched the original factory ones, $200. Does a lot of custom work, many bikes in bike mags, and a lot of show winners. A lot of people ship the parts to him for painting. Check out the galleries my red and black is is there.

http://www.freewebs.com/bostonbillys/apps/photos/album?albumid=4667179&pagesize=60&page=2

[gordorad]

Damn Grumpy.....This guy still around?  For a savings of $900, I'll ride down to Tampa!!    Almost like a "free" trip.

Great suggestions on putting an add out.  If they have good experience...

So, do most of these guys require the parts brought in?  I've taken the tank off.....Guessing the fenders are not too difficult to remove?   Or are they??

[fudgie]

Damn Grumpy.....This guy still around?  For a savings of $900, I'll ride down to Tampa!!    Almost like a "free" trip.

Great suggestions on putting an add out.  If they have good experience...

So, do most of these guys require the parts brought in?  I've taken the tank off.....Guessing the fenders are not too difficult to remove?   Or are they??

Yea take the panels off. Little over a hour it can be stripped. Of coarse putting them on takes longer.

[sugerbear]

i gad a quote of $1800 to repaint mine. i strip it and bring only the tins.

factory colors.

[Grumpy]

Damn Grumpy.....This guy still around?  For a savings of $900, I'll ride down to Tampa!!    Almost like a "free" trip.

Great suggestions on putting an add out.  If they have good experience...

So, do most of these guys require the parts brought in?  I've taken the tank off.....Guessing the fenders are not too difficult to remove?   Or are they??

He iss still around, his number is on the web site, give him a call, probably can give a rough estimate over the phone, Mention that I  told you to call, my name is Bill Gurney. may give you a break.

[Lyn-Del]

Only one thing I can suggest ... do NOT save money by skimping on the clear coat.  My painter likes to use extra layers of a good clear coat, then when little scratches happen (and they WILL happen) they'll be in the clear and will buff out.  If the clear coat is thin, those scratches can be all the way into the paint, and that doesn't just buff out.

[JimC]

Do yourself a favor and search your area for automotive paint suppliers,

Contact them and ask for references of guys that do side work. They will probably have several, if not a bunch of them.

I was into the street rod, custom car scene for years and I know of at least 5 guys in my area that would do an awesome job for you, all of them shop at the same auto parts / paint supply house.

Jim