Greetings Troy et al,

The $6500 does not sound too far out of line.  It depends greatly on the
amount of bodywork required and the paint quality.  Good materials are
expensive.  Per others already commenting on the list, find a small,
reputable shop who is interesting in working with you, and not just how
quickly they can get it in and out to make room for the next insurance
job.  A good place to start looking for a shop is through any local
hot-rodders in your area.  These folks are intimately familiar with
custom metal and paintwork - and face it, the Vanagon isn't something
most commercial shops will have dealt with before.

I had my Syncro done last year.  The initial paint and bodywork was
$5000.  This included some small dents, surface rust under the window
seals, seam rust on both rear quarter panels and right front step.  I
removed the pop-top and old canvas (removed most of the interior to
avoid dust and overspray, then delivered the Syncro and roof to the
shop.  They removed the windows, did the body and paintwork, then
replaced all the window seals and windshield seal when reassembling.  I
found and acquired all of the parts and seals (the shop wasn't familiar
enough with Vanagons to know our favorite part suppliers).   My final
cost was just over $7700, including the canvas which I replaced upon
reassembly.  The project took about two months.  I went to the shop
weekly to visit,  typically on Friday afternoons.  All-in-all it was an
expensive, but not unpleasant experience.

I did add a bit to the paint cost by using a blue-tinted metal flake
instead of the normal silver for my Wolfsram Gray, and also painted the
roof and lower panels medium blue.  It makes my 1987 look like a newer
Syncro.

*Best Regards,
Jon B Kanas

*

>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Troy
> Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2011 4:41 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Van painting cost
>
> I just got back from the body shop with an estimate of $6500 to repaint my
> van. For this price, I was going to completely remove all the moldings,
> poptop canvas, side windows and rear, bumpers, utility outlets, door
> handles, etc. and also reinstall. The $6500 does not include any new rubber
> seals. I'm guessing a good $1200 for a complete set of rubber seals to do
> all the doors and windows, pop top, rear hatch, etc. I do have some rust
> around the rear window, and side windows, and in one of the rain gutters,
> and one dent on the passenger side.  I really wanted to change colors, but
> that would add an easy $1500 to the price. So, I guess I was thinking in the
> $4000-$5000 range with me doing part of the work, so was a little surprised.
>
> I'd like to get some feedback from others who have their vans painted, and
> what they spent, and was was done for the cost.
>
> Troy
>
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