How Much Does a Car Hood Paint Job Cost?
Getting a car hood painted is sometimes necessary for a variety of reasons.
Whatever the reason may be, a car owner will likely be faced with at least two possibilities for repair: getting a complete paint job or going with what’s known as a spot painting technique.
Most car owners choose to have the entire car repainted to ensure that the paint matches the rest of the car. Spot painting, on the other hand, is a cheaper option, but it will only be painted in certain spots and may not match the car’s original paint color.
How much to paint a car hood?
The cost of a car hood paint job is going to be based on a few different factors. This can include the type of paint used, the make and model of the car, and the paint shop/professional performing the work. For smaller jobs, budget anywhere from $150 to $400, while larger jobs can cost upwards of $1,000 to $2,000.
Larger companies, such as MAACO, offer spot painting services along the lines of $100 to $250, while whole car painting services can cost $250 to $1,000. A standard but high-quality paint job can cost approximately $1,000 to $2,500.
According to CarsDirect, a car hood paint job can cost from $200 to $1,000.
At Fat Daddy Customs, a professional car painter we found online, stated they would charge $275 per panel when using the spot painting technique. These quoted prices do not include materials.
1 Day Paint and Body Centers, another collision shop we had looked at, offered various painting packages that ranged anywhere from $449 to $1,000.
Members on anandtech.com said you should be prepared to spend anywhere from $300 to $500 on painting just the hood. On that same thread, a member posted their bill they received from a local dealership, and according to the estimate, they were quoted $1,300 for a brand new car hood.
On e90post.com, a BMW message board, a few members talked about what they had paid to paint their car hood. One member claimed he was quoted $800 at a BMW certified collision center, whereas another said a simple detail shop would cost about $300.
Factors that affect the price
The cost of labor
This varies significantly in various locations and is often based on work quality. Quick hood paint jobs that cost less than $500 may not include preparation work and the paint application may look less than professional. In contrast, paint jobs with superior results command higher prices.
Materials
Paint jobs often require the owner to purchase or pick out the primer, paint and clear coatings. The prices of these materials vary and are based on the quality of the materials.
Paint brand
Like painting a home or room, there are different types of paints used on automobiles. Sherwin Williams and Trinity 1945 are mostly used for standard paint jobs, whereas DuPont, PPG or Diamont are often used for higher quality jobs.
Car hood painting overview
The first step will usually involve preparing the surface for the painting process. A typical paint job entails sanding the surface, repairing dents (if there are any), applying a primer, and then applying the matched paint. The entire process depends on the painter or auto shop. Some may run through the preparation phase fast, while others may spend time finishing the exhaustive work to ensure quality.
What are the extra costs?
There are auto shops that may charge extra for preparing the surface, with some charging around $75 per panel.
Dent and ding repair, if needed, may also require additional fees. Some shops/painters charge by the hour or dent for this particular service.
Paint upgrades, such as when choosing paint with a better quality or if extra layers of paint are needed, may increase the costs.
Tips to know:
Reputable body shops may not be upfront about other costs. Be sure to ask in advance if they charge extra for sanding, masking and baking procedures. A good shop should offer you an itemized bill showing you what your deposit will cover.
Be sure to inquire about the warranty. Bad paint jobs are known to last less than three years. Some offer a full warranty and will cover any defects within a certain time period, while others prorate theirs, which means that you will be required to pay a percentage of the whole to get a warranty.
Quality paint jobs are typically done in paint booths to ensure a clean and dust-free environment. Visit various body shops and ask to see recent paint jobs to inspect the outcome of their work.
Questions to ask:
How much is your labor rate per hour?
Do you offer free estimates? If not, how much does an estimate cost?
Do you charge extra for procedures required before painting the hood? If so, what are these procedures?
How long will it take you to finish the paint job? Will I need to leave my vehicle with you? If so, how many days?
Do you have paint booths and baking ovens?
If I am not satisfied with the paint job, will I need to go back to the body shop where I had it painted, or can I have it redone in your other locations?
How can I save money?
Consider doing the job on your own. If you buy paint touch-up supplies, you may spend less than $50 and a few hours for the entire job. Of course, all scenarios will vary, but a touch-up pen, for example, would be ideal for minor scratches on the surface. There are many videos online that can help you with the process.
Check for ongoing promotions. Some body shops offer bonuses for referrals while others offer as much as 50% discount on deductibles to customers who bring their insurance claim.
Shop around and compare quotes from different painters/body shops to get the best price. It’s always best to get at least three quotes before proceeding.
In some cases, it may be cheaper to purchase an aftermarket hood that matches your car’s current color. Consider checking out a few junk yards or talk with a collision shop to explore your options.
Advertising Disclosure: This content may include referral links. Please read our disclosure policy for more info.
Average Reported Cost: $10175
How much did you spend?
- Jim (Los Angeles, California) paid $20000 and said:
Maaco ain’t what it used to be.
Was it worth it? Yes
- Gus (Deer Park, New York) paid $350 and said:
This was after I sanded the hood to metal.
Was it worth it? Yes
