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How do I Choose the Best Auto Paint Shop?
Finding an auto paint shop can be a very difficult process. Though there are often dozens available, they may vary dramatically in price and ability. In order to find the best one, it is important to first evaluate the work of the shop in question and determine whether or not it will be able to perform the job required. In addition, get an idea of how long it will take the shop to perform the service, as well as the cost associated with completing the job. Looking at all of your options before choosing and asking people you know for recommendations may help you make the best choice.
First, you'll need to get an idea of the kind of work that the auto paint shop does on a regular basis. Start by visiting several shops in your area and asking for photos or examples of paint jobs that are similar to the type of work that you need done. In addition, ask for a list of possible references that you can contact in order to get a thorough review of the shop's work. In most cases, reputable businesses should have no problem providing this information.
Find out how long the business expects to take to complete the job. Depending on the difficulty of the job, the time can range substantially. Simple jobs, however, should take no more than a few days to complete. Complete repaints and more complicated jobs can, in some cases, take a week or more. Shops that claim a job will take an excessively long or surprisingly short period of time to complete may indicate a business whose work is not up to par, and should, in some cases, be avoided.
It is also important to get an idea of what the paint shop will charge for your job. As with the time period for the completion of the job, costs can vary dramatically. While price should not be the sole factor on which you make a decision, it should play a substantial role. This is especially important if you expect to use the same auto paint shop for several jobs.
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![It's best to ask to see samples of work and references before choosing an auto paint shop.]()
By: saidin jusohIt's best to ask to see samples of work and references before choosing an auto paint shop. -
![Auto paint shops may be able to cover up scratches and other damages caused by a collision.]()
By: Anna BaburkinaAuto paint shops may be able to cover up scratches and other damages caused by a collision. -
![Complicated auto body paint jobs can take more than several days to complete.]()
By: Dmitry VereshchaginComplicated auto body paint jobs can take more than several days to complete.
Discussion Comments
@Laotionne - Some paint shops that do a lot of business are able to charge lower rates because they do so many cars, and because they have the process down to a science. These shops can often give you the same quality of work as other smaller shops, but at a lower rate. You just need to be sure they have a good reputation for doing good work.
@Laotionne - I understand the position you are in. You want to get a good paint job for your car, but you don't want to pay for more than you need. I bought a used car years ago, and the dealer told me that the paint job was new, but that it was a cheap paint job from a small car paint shop. I really appreciated him being honest with me.
After about a year, I noticed that the paint did run some and fade a little, but nothing major went wrong. For me, the cheap paint job was good enough, so I guess which paint job you go with should depend on how close to perfect you want it to be.
I need to have my car painted. The color is looking a little faded, but the biggest problem is that I have a few dings where the paint has been chipped off by flying rocks or something else hitting the car. I also have a couple of really small rust spots that need to be taken care of.
I got an estimate from a couple of the local auto body shops near where I live, and the prices they gave me were very expensive. I don't know how much the average paint job is supposed to cost, but I have seen commercials on TV where the price for a paint job is a fourth of the prices I have been quoted by the local places.
Are the cheap paint jobs a good deal or are they just not as good of quality as the more expensive custom auto paint jobs?
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