Im looking at a local Manx style buggy that's primed, ready to paint. What would be an estimate on getting that done? I am located in South Carolina.

chaz

Lots of variables. Is the entire buggy wired? Gauges installed? Seats & interior?

The best way to paint a buggy is to have it stripped down to nothing. There are so many covered little areas that painting it on the pan does not result in a quality paint job.

Another thing is many painters will not paint on any primer because they didn't do the work underneath and therefore won't gaurentee the paint because of the uncertain sub-surface. I also guess they will need to know the type of primer that was used so there will be no interaction. I personally would be suspect of a home primer job....even though I do them myself.

So all that being said......

1.Throw paint on and just mask where possible....$1000
2. Bare body (no wiring, no interior, hood seperated from the body) I would say $1000 but a much better job than the first estimate.
3. Body attached and the painter disassembles everything to do it right I would say $3000
4. Body attached and the painter sands off old primer, repairs any imperfections, shoots the high build, blocks it out, sealer, new paint.......$4000-$5000

That is my estimate.

Some peoples idea of ready to paint is not allways ready to paint, but if it is it depends on what material you use, enamel, single stage urethane, base coat clear coat, old school metal flake, etc, figure from 300 to 400 at Maco to 2 - 4 thousand  for metal flake, just depends on what you want.

Materials alone for my Sportman ran me close to $700.00 which included Flake, Black Gel Coat, Clear Gel Coat, other additives and sand paper etc. I did most of the grunt labor and my buddy/customer did the spraying. He told me that it would have cost me around $3,000.00 if he had done it himself.

Jim,

That was body off and stripped of all accessories right?

Yes it was Jeffery. We also did a lot of body work and reinforcing the glass. This wasn't the highest quality buggy, but it is now. LOL

Jim,

It looks great. I feel your pain about strengthening. I added 3 layers to the sides of my Deserter and 3 or 4 layers to the hood and that piece that goes across the front where the tank rests. I could deflect my hood by about 1/2 inch in the center!

I wonder if gelcoating is typically more expensive then the classic prime, block, bc/cc paint job? I have no experience with gelcoating.

You dont have to add glass to a Allison Daytona

Chaz I sent you a private message here at DuneBuggyArchives. 

Sorry for thread jacking.