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 |  | Low: $300-$900 |  | Medium: $1,000-$3,500 |  | High: $2,500-$20,000+ |
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Professionals generally use paint spray guns to evenly apply automotive paint. It is important that the colors are properly mixed and applied smoothly, and in layers; an auto paint job can include 12-24 coats of paint, or more.
Typical costs: |
- Some shops offer a paint job for about $300-$900. In this price range, a shop typically uses an inexpensive synthetic enamel paint with a minimum number of coats; they might not paint areas like the door jams or inside the hood; and, in some cases, they may simply mask off rather than take off removable trim and parts (which can result in harsh masking edges or paint in unwanted areas). CostHelper readers report paying $400-$875 for a basic auto paint job at an average price of $566; about a third of these readers say they are unhappy with the results.
- Expect to pay $1,000-$3,500 for a more thorough paint job using higher-quality, brand-name paint, with costs varying depending on the make, model and condition of the vehicle (the amount of rust and number of dents or scratches), and whether any interior or engine-area painting is included. In this price range, the process typically includes additional prep work (sanding, removing rust spots and dents) and ends with three to five applications of clear coat car paint[1] to protect the base paint color and to create a smooth, glossy final look. CostHelper readers report paying $1,000-$1,800 for a mid-quality paint job, at an average cost of $1,316; most are happy with the results.
- A showroom-quality custom or specialty auto paint job can cost $2,500-$20,000 or more, depending on the make, model and condition of the vehicle, the location, and what is included. This typically includes the highest quality automotive paint (some of which can cost hundreds of dollars a quart); sanding the vehicle down to bare metal, removing any dents, and applying 20-24 layers of paint, including six to eight applications of clear coat; and high-end options such as details by an air brush artist or a two-tone metallic paint job. The process can take up to a month or longer. CostHelper Readers report spending $2,400-$7,500 for high-quality auto painting, with an average cost of $4,975; all report they are satisfied with the final results.
Related articles: Auto Detailing, Window Tinting, Replacing or Repairing a Windshield, Towing a Car, Chrome Wheels, Tires
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What should be included: |
- Before painting, the surface of the vehicle should be cleaned, sanded and primed. Professional auto painting is typically done in a well-lit (and sometimes climate-controlled) paint booth, to minimize dust and debris that might mar the paint finish. Precision Restorations in Saint Louis, MO, provides a video demonstration of auto painting techniques[2] in a paint booth inside an auto body repair shop.
- Warranties can vary from six months to a year on low-cost paint jobs with basic paint, to five years or a lifetime warranty for custom paint jobs with high-end materials. The warranty terms will vary depending on the shop and the materials used; always ask what is covered.
Discounts: |
- Auto paint shops may periodically offer discounts of $50-$150 or more. For example, One Day Paint posts its monthly discounts[3] online.
- Some consumers save up to $200-$300 or more by doing the prep work themselves -- sanding the vehicle, and removing or masking the parts that aren't going to be painted. AutoMedia.com has a photo gallery[4] illustrating the steps to prepare a vehicle for painting.
- Do-it-yourself auto painting is possible, but it can be time-consuming and exacting work. Supplies can cost $100-$1,500, depending on the quality of paint ($100-$1,000) and the need to purchase tools like an automotive paint sprayer ($40-$600) or sander and sandpaper ($40-$250). Mopar Muscle Magazine explains how to paint a car[5] .
Shopping for painting a car: |
- Auto painting is typically done by shops specializing in auto painting and body work. Many are small, local businesses, although there are regional chains like 1 Day Paint & Body Centers[6] (in California, Nevada and New Mexico), and Maaco Collision Repair & Auto Paint[7] is a national chain of locally-owned franchises (policies and procedures vary between franchise owners).
- Before selecting a shop, look at recently painted cars in its parking lot, to see the quality of work done; ask which level of work was done on each vehicle. DoItYourself.com lists tips for finding an auto paint shop[8] .
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CostHelper News
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7 Lesser-Known Discounts for the 50+ Crowd
As they age, members of the Baby Boomer generation don't like to admit that they're senior citizens, but they love getting discounts. It's kind of a quandary, because some of the best deals available are reduced prices for older folks. || Posted October 21 2013
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7 Ways to Stretch Your Reduced Food Budget
End of the year budgets are tight for everyone, especially in this economy.It's especially hard for the millions of Americans who depend on government programs like food stamps to help make ends meet. || Posted November 11 2013
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments |
Page 5 of 5 - << Previous 1 2 3 4 5
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| Posted by: Sharon L Christensen in Richfield, UT. | Posted: July 5th, 2023 12:07PM |
| Car Make: Ford | Car Model: Escape |
| Painter: ? |
I am looking at buying a new Ford escape. I'm finding it impossible to find the color I want it to be. I've always wanted a car color of cream with shimmery look and possible flecks of diamonds/looks. |
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| Posted by: james Bostain in Fultondale, AL. | Posted: October 28th, 2021 06:10AM |
| Car Make: 2015 | Car Model: Toyota |
| Painter: iron city |
repaint the enterer car but plastic parts because of pilling |
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| Posted by: Sheldon Wallin in Escanaba, MI. | Posted: October 5th, 2020 06:10PM |
| Car Make: 1976 Ford | Car Model: LTD II |
Cars has all body work done, parts removed and already primed. I have GM black paint and primer. Need costs to spray. I've already got alot invested and just want it finished. Thanks in advance |
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| Posted by: Michaeldoc in Columbia, SC. | Posted: July 21st, 2020 06:07PM |
| Car Make: MG | Car Model: MGB |
| Painter: NA |
I am asking what the approximate cost to repaint a
fading original color on an MGB roadster. Original color is British Racing Green. Would like to repaint entire vehicle, including engine compartment, door jams, trunk. Does engine compartment have to be cleared of all mechanicals? Car has not been purchased yet. |
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| Posted by: D's Nutz & Bolts in Las Vegas, NV. | Posted: May 13th, 2020 05:05PM |
| Car Make: Any | Car Model: Any |
| Painter: Self |
I've been doing body work and painting cars for nearly 40 years and watch the cost of paint and materials increase drastically. The old saying you get what you pay for absolutely applies to painting a car. I've argued with many many customers that I will not paint their car for $500 like they will at maaco or Earl scheib. The modern paint can be water-based or iridescent colors and can run up into the thousands of dollars a gallon.
I have yet to be able to collect on 100% of my time spent on doing a full paint job to a customer's car. I just can't justify charging a customer 1500 hours at 35 to $50 an hour. You can say that I do a lot of Charity work for the jobs I sometimes do. To the painters out there "Charge what your worth but be worth what you charge."
Please folks do your homework ask around about where the best place to go. And always remember buyer beware. |
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| Posted by: Ryan22 in Virginia beach, VA. | Posted: January 12th, 2020 08:01AM |
| Car Make: Ford | Car Model: F 150 xl regular cab |
| Painter: None yet |
How much would it be to paint a 1995 ford f150 two door |
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| Posted by: a user in Lancaster, OH. | Posted: May 21st, 2018 12:05AM |
I was looking to have the top of my Honda Civic painted. It has sun damage on it and I’d like to get to it before it gets to far gone. How much would this cost to have done? |
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| Posted by: Jarrad in Sacramento, CA. | Posted: December 4th, 2017 05:12PM |
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| Posted by: Diego Rodriguez in Grand prairie, TX. | Posted: July 29th, 2017 04:07PM |
How much would be an estimated price to spend having someone paint and do body work on my 1951 chevy pickup, its got about 40 dents ranging in sizes from ant size to golf ball size mostly smaller then a golf ball.and who would anyone recommend to make it look beautiful for the money spent |
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| Posted by: Tyson Krob in Belleville, KS. | Posted: May 10th, 2017 06:05AM |
| Car Make: Pontiac | Car Model: 2002 Grand Am |
| Painter: TBD |
Im curious as to how much it would cost to paint my car black |
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| Posted by: Hector Burgos in Reading, PA. | Posted: March 29th, 2017 01:03PM |
| Car Make: Mazda | Car Model: 3i 2005 |
| Painter: Maaco |
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| Posted by: Neal Estes in Spring, TX. | Posted: November 18th, 2016 04:11AM |
| Car Make: Ford | Car Model: F-150 Lariat |
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| Posted by: Ludgren in Calgary AB, Other. | Posted: March 16th, 2016 08:03PM |
How much to paint this regular cab regular box dark blue show quality |
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| Posted by: n tancrator in sun city, CA. | Posted: February 10th, 2016 08:02PM |
| Car Make: vw bug convertable | Car Model: 2 door bug |
vw painted paint over spray on new top, paint on windows, paint in engine compartment, paint on running boards. Prior to this sinfull so called paint job I also had a ford t bird painted came out good for 450.00.could not understand this came to conclusion that the person painting had some kind of bad day or night. They said come back but i was on the end of the waiting list 6 in front of me some time 2 weeks from now. this was a few years ago prices were so what less. |
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| Posted by: Mad Tiki in MESA, AZ. | Posted: October 2nd, 2015 07:10AM |
| Painter: Mad Tiki |
I think the writer is refering to the old laquer days of painting with his 20+ coats of paint comments. And his pricing seems to be from the same 60's era.
An average paint job is about 3500. Thats a driver quality job with a couple minor door ding repairs included. Paint is applied with 3 coats color, 3 coats clear. Unless you want an issue with the paint manufactures who wont warranty a job in excess of 2-4 mills. (Thats factory specs)
Average paint job for a restoration or show car is 5500-10k. Thats because every step is done twice to ensure nothing at all is missed. Car is body worked and primed. Blocked. Minor imperfections are reworked to perfection, then car is re primed. Blocked again, then painted. Color is applied. 3 coats if solid. 4 if metal flake. 3rd coat is sanded with 800 to remove any roughness from metal flake, then a 4th to 5th coat is applied. Then 4-6 coats of clear are applied. Color sand & polished |
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| Posted by: habi mogh in warren, NJ. | Posted: August 31st, 2015 05:08PM |
| Car Make: mercedes-benz | Car Model: 350 sl |
looking for an honest and reliable custom paint shop close to my home town in nj. |
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| Posted by: ProPAINT in Springfield, PA. | Posted: July 27th, 2015 06:07PM |
Anyone who thinks that throwing the paint in a gun and just paint it for a few hundred bucks than they need to go to a franchise like Maaco.
I'm a experience painter of 20 years and shop owner. I wouldn't touch a full paint job nothing less than starting at 5,000 and that's a generic/Comercial paint job, although we are 100times better than a Maaco. Our professional workmanship don't deserve to be disrespected anymore than it is and for our skilled craftsmanship to be devalued anymore. Like any other skilled trade you get what you pay for.
If you need the paint stripped and disassembled which I encourage to be done, than that will double the price.
Do not waste your money or the shops time unless you have the money to throw away for car to be repainted. |
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| Posted by: wave63 in Roanoke, VA. | Posted: April 19th, 2015 07:04AM |
| Car Make: toyota | Car Model: |
| Painter: na |
Ask your insurance agent for the phone number of your local insurance claims adjuster. Those guys can point you to a good paint garage. |
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| Posted by: nana m. in Greer, SC. | Posted: March 30th, 2015 07:03AM |
| Car Make: Chevy | Car Model: Truck |
My grandson has an old truck that I would like to have painted for him. He is 17. It is a mess. Original paint coming off. I don't want to break the bank but want it to look better than it does now. Original Carolina blue color. Who would you recommend in the Greenvile/Spartanburg area of SC. Thanks for the info, |
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| Posted by: jt performance auto body inc. in Medford, NY. | Posted: February 23rd, 2015 06:02AM |
| Painter: joe |
I hope if someone is putting 20 coats on they are using unavailable lacquer. Today's paint would fail right away with 20 coats
it probably wouldn't make it out of booth.who wrote this stuff? Beter do more accurate research |
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| Posted by: Bobby Trent in Richmond, VA. | Posted: December 17th, 2014 07:12AM |
| Car Make: all | Car Model: |
| Painter: myself |
i have been painting cars for forty years, starting out in the early seventies when I could paint a car for about a hundred dollars. A lacquer job would be triple the price because of the buffing required. Now paint costs hundreds of dollars per gallon and labor costs are upwards of 50.00 plus per hour. I as many others that have posted here refuse to enslave myself to a customer to paint his car. If you can get your car painted on the cheap then you will get what you pay for. Maaco serves a purpose for you just get color on it and don't worry about how it looks years from now. Just look at it like this : when I go off to work my boss is obligated to pay me a certain amount. If I am qualified I might make a lot of money if I barely do the job I might get minimum wage. When you hire body shop you are paying for his experience and hopefully you pick one that is not a low level criminal as many in this business are. |
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| Posted by: pacheco in long beach, CA. | Posted: November 11th, 2014 10:11PM |
| Painter: mazda 2002 |
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| Posted by: Heinz Heller in Hallandale, FL. | Posted: October 31st, 2014 11:10AM |
| Car Make: Chrysler | Car Model: convertible 2008 |
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| Posted by: Rwhprism in Rochester, NY. | Posted: August 22nd, 2014 05:08PM |
| Car Make: Mid size | Car Model: Sedan |
| Painter: You! |
I use paints ordered online for about $200. Get a base coat, clear coat combination. Much easier for a novice. Paint for cars has several nice varieties and if you want to go crazy, add paint with pearl additives to the clear coat for nearly any sharp effect. Hard to get the pears right but do the research on hw to shoot these and you will be pretty good if you follow directions. Pearls cost another $50 or so. And they add into the clear coat. The hardest part is the spray set up.
I use a garage surrounded with tyvek and a furnace blower fan. You can get a great HVLP gun for harbor freight for less than $60. You will need some compressor power. the LEAST I would use is 2 hp. And then only if I was spraying small . you Can use 2/3 parallel compressors if you have a regulator to dial pressure back to about 60 psi. Here's what's critical :
Cool the air before you extract water. I use copper tube in cold water before $100 regulator |
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| Posted by: willam in glasgow, KY. | Posted: August 21st, 2014 09:08PM |
| Car Make: chevy | Car Model: camaro |
| Painter: local shop |
had my 99 Camaro completely re-painted from top to bottom from dark indigo blue to blood red by a local shop..i knew going in it was gonna be pricy and when he told me 6,000.00 I was not surprised..but his shop does amazing work and for amazing work you gotta pay a amazing price..from the time I dropped it off to the time I picked it up was 3 months..but if you seen my Camaro now you would faint...it is HOT!!!!! |
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| Posted by: Larry Hillman in Columbus, OH. | Posted: July 16th, 2014 12:07AM |
| Car Make: Mercedes | Car Model: S 420 |
| Painter: Mark Dunlap |
Dropped car off 02/02/14 for paint job, was to be ready 02/12/14. Finally got it back 02/17/14 with white compound in cracks. I was told to bring back in a week and a half to have buffed to remove bubbles and dullness. It took until June 10th to catch him at the shop. Phone calls were unanswered, no reply to texts. Only surface rust was sanded, no trim or panels removed, was to repair trunk, did not, lines in paint, chips in paint were only painted over and areas not painted. After dropping off 06/13 he did not paint my car until 07/12 and each day there is another excuse why he has not finished. I will take my car, done of not, today and he has the nerve to bad mouth Macco. |
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| Posted by: Lancer in Riverside, CA. | Posted: March 10th, 2013 01:03AM |
| Painter: Macco? |
I have a long travel pre runner ford ranger extra cab that just had all new fiber glass trophy bed sides and new badd ass front clip added.. It was silver stock.... But now it's cab is still silver and role-cage are the same but some are rusty... And new glass is blue.... So now is all jacked up.... Although I know it's a pre runner, so who cares right??? Well I do. Lol I don't know you get what you pay for, but I still want. Good job that won't peel of in a year... I want it to be at least prepped... Sanded , and sprayed Matt Black... And maybe a clear coat... How much will this aprox. Cost me? Can I expect it to be Decent for about $600??? Or am I to hopeful? And I would like to have the jams done as well... But I don't really expect show quality... |
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| Posted by: Hugh in Nj, NJ. | Posted: January 4th, 2013 07:01PM |
Want to get a dodge charger painted white and get the trim changed to black. What do you think that the price would be for a quality job? |
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| Posted by: Cadaver Puncher in Brockton, MA. | Posted: September 17th, 2012 05:09PM |
| Car Make: Camaro | Car Model: |
| Painter: nobody yet |
I had my Camaro tboned on the drivers side. Went to maaco for an estimate to replace the door and respray the car black.
I was quoted $3500.
SO.... I got a door put it on myself, block sanded the entire car by hand, primered it, went back 2 months later for a respray estimate... $5500.
WTF? I did all the prep work. Hell rent me the shop for the next couple days and I'll spray it myself.
Maaco is the masters of deception. STAY AWAY paint it in your garage...it'll turn out 2346426798755% better than maaco. |
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| Posted by: Hazel in Toronto, Other. | Posted: April 5th, 2012 05:04PM |
| Car Make: 1991 Infiniti | Car Model: G20 |
| Painter: Robert - On the Spot Auto |
While the car works, it is old so didn't want to spend $2,000 on a paint job - there's no return on that investment. Robert ran an ad on Craigslist saying he would paint in your driveway and that he could fix rust holes small or large. His original quote was $450 and he added another $50 when he shows up to do the job for material costs. Turned out that I had a fairly large on on the right side rocker panel. He used some kind tin foil which is now hanging off the car bottom and the soft putty-like material that was there a day ago has dried to become brittle like parchment paper and now cracks. He painted the rocker panel area black with rust-proof paint. Robert answered my first call back about the problem but now will not answer my calls, he sends my call to voicemail every time. I have sent him a text message, in addition to a voicemail message so far to no avail. Anyone coming across his Craigslist or Kijiji ads needs to avoid him so as not to get ripped off. What an amateur. |
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| Posted by: harland 123 in Decatur, GA. | Posted: June 29th, 2011 09:06PM |
| Car Make: ford | Car Model: mustang |
| Painter: local |
hello,let me start by saying this,more than sometimes u get what u paid for but, if its also in the quality, of the painter and or body man i had little to 0 bodywork less than 200$ if u scale it,but the painter was on point, the car looks great I get rave reveiws every time i drive it,so the answer to the age old question ....just seek and u will find.... |
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| Posted by: Caseyinidaho in Nampa, ID. | Posted: June 23rd, 2011 10:06PM |
| Car Make: 1962 Ford | Car Model: Falcon |
| Painter: me myself and I |
no offense.. but really your stupid... 8,000 for a new car paint job? get serious.. only spend that if you have a classic like my 1962 ford falcon where its gona matter more to the car in value terms lol.. i heard of really fancey paint jobs on classics starting 4,000 - 7,000 so IDK how your new car is costing more? lol sounds like you got ripped off bad- it only cost 150.00 - 500.00 for a amazing paint gun, 300.000 in paint, 50.00 in sandpaper, a 50.00 DA sander... 9.00 for plastic sheeting.. and body work with bondo and dent removing cost a few hundred if you can spend perhaps 50.00 - 150.00 in sanding blocks.... really wouldn't you just spend 800.00- 1500.00 on all the supplies for a really really good paint job then pay some guy 8K? lol.. my car is only worth 5,000 right now cause its being restored but come on 8K thats retarded.. plus each clear coat will cost probably 50 bucks in the paint terms... so get like 4-5 clear's for 250.00 why you ask? cause it'll save you hundreds down the road and your car will look slicker- all you needa do is learn this stuff * which i know a ton* take your wheels off, sand everything smooth, fill in dents, get the right paints for engine compartment/ body/ trunk/ etc. those are like eastwood 20 dollar cans of chassic black or w/e you get the idea. then paint away yourself the right way |
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| Posted by: what the fuk do u expect for $500-1200 in milw, WI. | Posted: April 23rd, 2011 12:04AM |
customer comes in with a 70's classic. typical body damage and rust . says i want my car to look like your restored 50's-70's car. you look at it and tell them $9000. they faint. you ask them what they want to invest into their car . they respond $500 . you openhand slap them. then they say can u paint it for $500 i just want it all one color . you explain to them what it would look like being a "quickie" scuff and shoot in one day out the next no wet sand and buff CHEAP enamal.no kind of warrenty, and a dont tell anybody i did this deal, they say no prob i wont be picky for $500 at least ityll be one color. then they complain to everyone how its not show quality and rust is popin back up after a year or less,but they never tell any one they only paid $500 bucks.thats why reputible shops wont give a price less than $3000 for a complete.the're tired of dealing with jackasses that think $500-1200 is alot of money to paint a pile of shit car. i get between $200-400 avg. just to do a minor repair and paint on bumpers. |
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| Posted by: a user in Taylor, MI. | Posted: March 30th, 2011 07:03AM |
| Car Make: n/a | Car Model: n/a |
| Painter: n/a |
Do you have any reviews @ the maaco in taylor mi.ON northline rd. I am considering having a car painted there and would like to know if you heard any reviews @ that location. Thanks if you can help; Jim |
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External Resources: |
- www.carsdirect.com/car-maintenance/clear-coat-car-paint-understanding-the-pros-and...
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=deaZn2DxIUY
- www.onedaypaint.com/special-discounts/
- www.automedia.com/ViewPhotoGallery.aspx?BrowseBy=Channel&ChannelId=24&AId=744&APId...
- www.moparmusclemagazine.com/techarticles/body/mopp_0612_how_to_paint_a_car/viewall...
- www.onedaypaint.com/stores/
- maaco.com/
- www.doityourself.com/stry/7-tips-on-finding-the-best-auto-body-paint-shop#b
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