Is your car looking a little shabby? Over the years, the paint on your car begins to fade or gets chipped away by stones, harsh chemicals or external forces. Whether you want to increase the vehicle’s value or give it a completely new look, adding a fresh lick of paint can make a huge difference. Not only this, but if the paint is damaged, the car body is much more vulnerable to rust. This could eventually lead to even costlier repairs.
Keep reading to find out more about what prices to expect when repainting a car in the UK. This article will look at the average prices for professional detailing services. If you aren’t convinced about getting this done professionally and would like to know how to do it yourself at home, check out our new article – How to Prep and Paint Your Car Like a Pro – Tricks of the Trade.
How much do car paint jobs cost?
It mostly depends on what work has to be done and the condition of the surface you’re working with. For example, it would cost significantly more to get a complete respray than it would to get a single side panel or bumper painted or have minor paintwork repairs done. The average cost to repair a chip in the paint is between around £60 and £210. The costs for repairing scratches are similar, however, if the paint is peeling, this could get more expensive.
In addition to the bodywork and preparation, you’ll have to consider the type of paint being used. Commonly used colours like black, white and silver are normally the cheaper options. Changing the colour of your vehicle will also cost more as additional components will have to be painted, such as the door jambs and engine bay. The higher the quality of paint, the higher the price. If you get add ons like racing stripes or metal flake paint, this will also cost extra.
How much does it cost to get a car resprayed professionally?
A full respray is the most expensive option, averaging at around £2,400. This figure is based on the prices for spraying a Ford Focus or a similar compact car that is in a good condition. Prices will vary depending on the model. For example, the paint for a limited edition Lamborghini model is likely to be more expensive than for your average Vauxhall car. For a luxury or vintage car it can cost up to a whopping £10,000.
For comparison, the average cost to respray a bumper is approximately £280 and the average for one side panel is about £400, including minor repairs. This may be different if the parts aren’t painted to match the rest of the vehicle.
Types of auto paint
- Solid
Solid paint is the standard finish for most vehicle manufacturers. These paints are relatively cheap and easy to produce, as well as simple to repair. For example, small paint chips in the paintwork can sometimes be repaired using a touch-up pen. These pens are widely available and come in many different solid shades. On the other hand, sometimes the paint colour range offered by the manufacturer is more limited.
- Metallic
The shiny, metallic finish of the paint is normally achieved by adding a small amount of aluminium powder to the paint mixture. Metallic paint often lasts longer than the standard solid paint, with less fading. It can also add a little extra value to the car. The downside is that it can be very difficult to find an exact match for this type when repairs are needed.
- Pearlescent
This hard-wearing paint contains ceramic crystals that create this reflective pearlescent effect. A pearlescent paint job can cost an estimated 30%-50% higher than the average. Though it may look impressive, paintwork repair costs are also consequently higher.
- Matte
The colour range for matte finish paint tends to be limited to black, silver and grey shades. The paintwork has to be cleaned and maintained regularly with specialised car care products. Scratches are also more noticeable on matte surfaces.
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