Price for a paint job?

[rockford]

I'm curious to know how much people have payed for a simple, but decent, paint job. My bike is mechanically almost perfect (for a 35 year old) so I think it's worth doing. I don't want to go 'hog wild' because I know I could easily end up with a paint job that costs more than the bike is worth. Besides, I think fancy paint looks odd on an old motorcycle. It has no dings or dents and no rust (so far as I know). Also, I don't think I'm going to have the stripes redone. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

[chuck hahn]

Best bet is tom ride it to several body shops in your current area and get many estimates. But an average ( with stripes ) is around 900.00 to 1100 for a real good quality job from most " vintage bike painters " from what I have researched. This is why I am determined to learn the painting end for myself.

[Steve]

You can see two examples of rather inexpensive paint jobs by clicking a few links in my sig.

My wife's 850L was done with very few requests, which included a "dark blue" and a "bright silver", with "an angel on the tank". I have no idea what the actual colors are (Ford, Chevy, etc.), but they were applied somewhat close to the original pattern, so they don't look terribly out of place.

My son's 650L was done a bit differently, he wanted something "different" and went with green. He sketched some graphics to give the painter some inspiration, and we are pleased with the results. We did most of the prep work (stripping and sanding), so the price was kept low.

My wife's bike, including the angel on the tank (hand-painted, not a decal) was $700, my son's bike was $400.

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[AKC75]

Have you considered doing a powder coat instead? Just as another idea. Powder coating is baked on so it's very durable and fairly inexpensive to do.

This is is what my bike is getting in a couple weeks. http://www.prismaticpowders.com/colo...9/CITY-LIGHTS/

You can get basic colors to some really cool combos. It's pretty endless what you can get.

[Rover]

Maybe a local vocational school will take it as a painting project in their auto/body shop.

[JTGS850GL]

I painted mine myself for under $100. Here's the start of the painting part of my last project:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?218173-New-to-me-GS1000G/page3

[trevor]

Is the bike in question the 1980 gs1100e? You can get the decals for it.

Red...

http://www.diablocycle.com/GS1100E-1980-Red-Complete-Decal-Set.html

Silver...

http://www.diablocycle.com/GS1100E-1980-Silver-Complete-Decal-Set.html

I will be painting my 83 1100e in couple of weeks. My dad is doing it.

[rockford]

Thanks very much to one and all for the good information, advice and suggestions. The prices mentioned seem to be in line with what I've gotten and they sound reasonable as long as it ends up looking nice. I'm going back and forth on the pinstripes but I'm sure it will work out fine, either way. I'm a pretty good painter but I don't paint things that have motors! Thanks, again!

[tkent02]

I'm a pretty good painter but I don't paint things that have motors! Thanks, again!

Check out the threads here about DIY paint jobs. Some are OK, but some are very very good, cost a whole lot less, just as durable if proper materials are used It definitely gives a sense of accomplishment, a lot more so than plopping down a grand or so and picking it up a week later. It does take some time and effort but the results are well worth it.

Here's one:




Here's a thread with some more:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?229570-Anyone-experienced-with-painting-there-own-bike-body-parts&highlight=650+paint

There are lots more on the forum if you have patience to do a good search.

[1948man]

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?229190-My-Stockish-Paint-Job

$250 but it was a friend who used paint he already had on hand and I did the prep.