Paint Cost

[90grad]

All,

A general question.  I have a VMC 56 can machine.  I don't have the stuff to paint a machine, so I stopped by MAACO after work.  Here's what I took them:

1. Cabinet - already primed, sanded, and ready to shoot
2. Coin door - already primed, sanded, and ready to shoot
3. Main door - needed prepped (sanded), primed, and painted

I told them I didn't need any body work done, I just wanted the paint.  The estimate was $600.  I thought that was a little high, based on 2 of the 3 items were ready to go.  Am I wrong?  Is $600 too high, too low, or abou right.  I didn't want to stick $600 in a machine that's not worth that right now.  Maybe in years to come...

[dr galaga]

$600? What about their ads that say they'll paint a car for $100 (plus probably a few hundred to mask it).  I think I paid about $250 to get some body work done and paint my Cavalier CS-80...of course it took about 6 months for them to do it!

[coke_and_stuff]

When I paint a machine materials alone cost me around $300.00 but thats for everything.

Joey

[90grad]

Brent,

That's what I thought.  Basically, I think the guy was quoting me insurance rates.  He said he considered the cabinet and the main door as bumpers, which he said cost $200 each to paint.  Then, he said the coin door was like painting a mirror twice (one front and one back), which he said they get $60/each.  Then, there was about $100 for prep on the main door.  That kind of p--sed me off, since this isn't an insurance job and 2 of the 3 pieces are already primed and sanded.  They could squirt those in no time.

[Creighton]

Sounds like the guy was an idiot. How do bumpers and mirrors relate to a flat spray of a coke machine, jeesh...
I can understand that they would need to clean the paint gun mix your color choice and repeat for the next customer. Time is money in that biz. $600 seems high. Maybe stop by the independent paint shops and have them give a call next time something red is getting painted.

Surprised that it is $300 in materials. Enamel, clear coat or something else?

Great thread hope others chime in.
Creighton
 

[FDNY1975]

My father in law just had a Chevy Lumina painted for $300.00+ Tax. It was a white car was repainted white, they did some minor body work I mean a few small dings. Car turned out really nice I was very surprised a great deal for the money. Good luck .

[cokecolaman]

I stopped by a Maaco when I got one of my first machines...it needed a little prep and some paint...they quoted my $800 and they were doing cars for  1/2 that  ...I said no thanks and checked out some local shops and they all wanted between $800 and $1000. I found a guy that used to own his own shop and he paints them for me and does the body work as needed for less than 1/2 what they were asking.

[MoonDawg]

         Maaco is a large chain so who do you think pays for those expensive television ads in the long run?

         Sure, you can check out independant shops but if they are reputable they still won't sell you a cheap $300.00 job. And there are cheap paints which last about a year before they wear off like chalk or there is paint with expensive hardeners that shine like a mirror. These still require color sanding and buffing after the paint has dried. But you get what you pay for.

       Sorry you chose to break down and paint a machine that is not worth $600.00 Wayne,
but that's why most people justify restoring round corner machines rather than the square......... these costs are the same.

       I use the expensive materials and could not do your described job for less than $600.00, but of course I also have to cover overhead.

       Keep shopping and you will find someone who will work cheaper but he probably won't bid a second machine for the same price.

       Just my exprience
        

[FDNY1975]

I agree MoonDawg you get what you pay for but in my farther in laws case it was worth the $300 the car is not worth much more than that. I said it was just painted but it is nearly a year now. It's not going to add value to a 91' Chevy  like it will to a restored machine he just wanted it to look good for a few years before he gets something else. I would not bring something I have money and time invested in such as a classic car or soda machine. Just my opinion.

[cokemachinesandmore]

90 grad  where do you live? anybody on the site live near him that could recommend a shop to him? If you were in chicago I could recommend a shop. I agree those chain body shops are not the best place to take what they call specialty items. But like everything else Paint has gone up quite a bit, its definitell not as cheap as it use to be. would like to get some input from SIGNGUY