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MG MGB Technical - Price of Bodywork / Paint nowadays

Hi Everyone,

I was talking to a buddy Friday night who has doing autobody work professionally since he was 16 yrs old. He has a solid 15 yrs experience.

I was asking him how much welding in new rocker panels and stripping and repainting my MGB would be and his price is quite high said about $5k. He said his company wouldnt touch it anyway as they just do insurance claims as thats where the money is and its quick and fluent business. He said the cost of materials has gone up dramatically.

Im just curious to know what you guys are paying nowadays. I paid $1500 for bodywork and a spray back in 98' Came out great but he never replaced the rocker panels and I had those crome oversills that came with it when I bough it. It also organ peeled and is now in need of some rust to be taken care of as well... Other than the rocker panels which are in dire need of replacement.

Again, Im curious to know what your costs are running you.

Thanks,

James

JRB Mr

My brother has been in the business as a repair and paint man for about 35 years

Prices for materials have gone up a great deal
He was talking about the increases just this past weekend
Primers, color tints, and clear coat have all gone up

I would say your 1998 price was low even for that time
I would also say that the price you were quoted is fair depending on the level of job done and the amount of work you do to remove items from the car prior to painting

I am going to have my B tourer done in about a year or two and anticipate a 5k or 6k bill

Only have beginning rust in the doglegs and do not need any real damage repairs
Jeff Delk

I did all my own patches and panel replacement. Body was bare metal when delivered to the body shop. Shop leaded seams where new panels were let in, installed door skins I provided. Primer and Endura metallic paint with pearl coat. $5k CDN, cash.
Kelvin Hawkins

As anyone had their MGB vinyl wrapped, I saw one at a classic car show last year, it looked very good, the bonnet was in carbon fibre wrap.
c cummins

I was quoted £1400 for just a paint job, external surfaces, with me providing the body bare metalled and prep'ed ready to accept primer, Boot, door, bonnet removed. That was at a local shop for 2 pack paint, BRG.
Steve Church

Planning to have a paint job on mine soon (Black RB BGT) - I haven't had any quotes yet, but I'm expecting the cost to exceed the value of the car when complete.

Steve, is 2-pack the best way to go? Looking at some of the modern cars the black ones have that 'liquid gloss' appearance which may not suit a 1970's classic.
Brian Shaw

Brian,
i questioned the 'glossy plastic' look of 2 pack at the painters. They said they could cut it back to look less glossy. They have done several classic cars in the past. I'll ask to see some local examples before I commit though. I'm still contemplating painting it myself in celly!
Steve Church

Had a friend do my MGC - completely blasted, urethane in engine compartment, trunk, underside and inside, clear coat outside, replaced one rear quarter and rear section of trunk. Repaired lots of dents (including aluminum hood) and minor rust. Cost about $7,000. A LOT of the cost was materials. Could never have had it done at body shop to this quality. Friend is now working on '33 Auburn boat tail - he does nice work!

FWIW, price to do your car sounds fair to me.

Cheers!
Jim



James Budrow

This should be an interesting one to comment on in a few months time. My BGT has just left home on a trailer heading down south to a Friends restoration company with the brief of making it like new again so it lasts another 37 years... my kids can sort it out after that!!!!

I'm expecting a 5 figure spend on it!!!

A.
Andrew McGee

As all have confirmed, either we are all in the wrong business or else paint and labour has gone up a lot. Just the pannels on th front wings below the chrome strip, make good the rust and paint $3000 od dollars. I decided it was not a priority. MD
J.M. Doust

Cheapest I paid was $1200 for minor rust repair and paint on my '65 B in a 1-day shop about 10 years ago. The most I paid was $14k for accident repair and paint for my '67 BGT in a high-end restoration shop about two months ago.
Steve S

Just was at my local body shop last week to get an estimate to repaint both rear lower panels from the door seam back (below the chrome line. They will also repaint the drivers front fender from the wheel well forward to the headlight and remove a dent in the hood. Quote was $600.

That is with me taking the bumpers off, the chrome side strips, the tail lights and the left headlight and turn signal light.

Only needs light sanding and paint. Dent is from a "friend" who closed the hood with his palm. They say that will come out with paintless dent removal.

Paint is Dupont Imeron single stage. That reduces the amount of their work.

Bruce Cunha

This thread was discussed between 19/03/2012 and 21/03/2012

MG MGB Technical index

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