Author Topic: Will a metallic respray cost much more than a "standard" colour?  (Read 1926 times)

Offline Mr.Tom

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My poor old Mk3 golf has seen some hard times in its life. When I got it there was a huge scratch running down the passenger side. Halfway from the front door, across rear door (with a bit of a circle back on itself), then part way across the back quarter. All the handle recesses are scratched (as if someone wore rings a lot, or held the keys while opening the doors). There are also a lot of other scratches and stone chips around, most too deep to cut back.

I was thinking of getting a re-spray (when funds allow), but wanted to know if it would cost a lot less to go for a regular colour, like Black or White, rather than get it re-done in the existing Dragon Green.

Also, it is possible to do what I think is called a "blow over"? just give it a sprucing up, rather than a complete respray.

All panels and parts would need to be done regardless of colour. A few dings will need patching and leveling too, but I can do that myself.
If it saves a lot more, I can do some prep too, like sanding back to primer. Not too sure what would be involved really.

Are some colours cheaper, due to being more readily available?

Thanks, sorry it was so many questions, hehe. :)

Offline zdebx

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Whatever respray you are planning to do, it won't be cheap. You will be looking at around £1000, if not more.

Metallic or regular paint won't really affect the price much. It's the labour that makes the price look ugly, lol
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Offline Mr.Tom

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Always thought that the metallics needed a special process, or the right temperature or something. It's Dragon Green, so looks a different colour from different angles. Will ask round a couple of places locally and see.

Offline Wayne

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Yes it will cost more and for a proper job you would need a complete respray or it could end up looking all different shades.

Offline Birksy

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The colour isn't really relevant, although an unscrupulous refinisher may say that metallic cost more and hike the bill accordingly. The actual percentage of aluminium flake in Dragon Green is insignificant though, compared to say reflex silver which is nearly all metallic.

The real cost is in all the prep work that is required. For every scratch that needs feathered and every ding that needs filled/removed that takes skilled labour and that's what costs.

If you are painting it a different colour, there is considerably more prep work to be done and you are painting areas that didn't really need painting. If I were you I'd get a few quotes and stick with your original colour.  Get each repairer to talk you through what they're going to do for the money. When it comes to bodywork, if you buy cheap, you'll pay twice!
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