Cheap paint in the Bay Area?

Does anyone know of a cheap body shop in the Bay? Trying to get a hood and roof re-sprayed on a 1997 Suburban. It’s an old family car so I’m not looking for a showroom restoration.

 

Maaco is usually cheap

for a good reason

 

I got a quote from them, prices are through the roof.

 

Bay Area and cheap paint does not go hand in hand. Business overhead and environmental fees, etc make it so the vast majority only want to do insurance job. And the minority that do custom work will charge out the nose.

If you want cheap, you'll need to find the guy that does the body work on your driveway and then sprays without a booth and then decks/rub/polish all the impurities away..... and then cross your fingers that it doesn't peel or bubble up in 6-12mos.


.....or just vinyl wrap a color that's close.

 

^ all of this is accurate.

 

I believe it. I had hoped there was still a guy in a small shop some where. Looks like I’m going pre-mixed rattle cans.

 

I was like you. I had a super small shop in downtown SJ paint my classic car back in 2000. Went to go find them a couple years ago and was told vast majority of these shop closed up because of property value, or inability to maintain profit, or retirement.

I only know shops that do high end paint jobs for top dollar...or else you're going to have to look for places in modesto, Fresno, etc.

 

Do you have a garage and good sized compressor? If so, you can do it yourself with pretty decent results. It takes a lot of prep but isn’t insurmountable. Google Kevin Tetz paintucation as a starter. Another option is going to a vocational high school that has auto body. I had a 96 Dodge 2500 stripped and painted at one and they did a very nice job. Cost was materials and $10.00/hr. It was $1,350 out the door.
The car was over $800 for the gallon of red paint alone. Clear was almost $400. So materials do add up. Going with lower tear materials will result in dissatisfaction and short life.