Paint question
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 73
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From:
RE: Paint question
yeah i thought the same thing. but bit the bullet and did it. just got them back 3-4 weeks ago springer classic tank and fenders did it in black with red and white pin stripes looks real good paid a 1000 for it.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Augusta, GA
RE: Paint question
a good car painter (in a collision shop)can make 6 figures, but that doesn't make him a custom painter. I could make more money painting cars for a living, but for me, its not about the money. My prices are based on time, not what you ride. Here, if you buy an hour, thats what you get (not 20 minutes like most auto shops). To make the lines of the graphics go away, the parts have to be cleared and sanded two or more times, thats easily like two paint jobs. Most people don't realize its the details that make the paint "pop", but the details always take the most time. The smaller the detail, the larger the time. Then add to that the materials and EPA, then taxes, rent, insurance, advertising, and the list goes on. Plus its custom, thats something designed for "YOU", there are no duplicates out there, you have number one-of-one. That alone should be worth something.
Take a look at the custom job on your bike, then ask for the same quality job on your car, its not like maaco, it could run 10 grand or more!
Take a look at the custom job on your bike, then ask for the same quality job on your car, its not like maaco, it could run 10 grand or more!
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: Lancashire, England
RE: Paint question
I was going to buy a stock fatboy in fire red pearl, but was disappointed in the graphics on the newmodels. I like the metalemblem style likethaton the anniversary model. I ended up with a grinder paint set which cost ÂŁ5300 from the dealers here in the UK. (Yes thats nearly $10600 dollars ! ). Whats nice about a custom is that you are unlikely to see someone out on the road with the same paint set.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,749
Likes: 4
From: Augusta, Ga.
RE: Paint question
Anyone who would pay 10k for a paint job is even more of a nut job than someone who thinks 10k is reasonable for a paint job.
At a shop rate of 70 bucks an hour....that would be 142 labor hours....or let's say 100 hours plus materials.
100 hours.....on a few square feet of sheet metal?
If it takes you that long...then you need to invest in some better technology or something....because you're lunch is going to get eaten every time.
At a shop rate of 70 bucks an hour....that would be 142 labor hours....or let's say 100 hours plus materials.
100 hours.....on a few square feet of sheet metal?
If it takes you that long...then you need to invest in some better technology or something....because you're lunch is going to get eaten every time.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,650
Likes: 2
From:
RE: Paint question
Be nice fellas. So he paid ten grand for a pint job - ya only live once... If he digs it than that's what matters.
Having said that - that is a lot of money!
Having said that - that is a lot of money!
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Banned
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,195
Likes: 0
From: Nor-Cal
RE: Paint question
I was serious .I wish I could have helped him save some dough.I see what some of these guys have to pay overseas and consider myself lucky paying what we have to spend here.Wich is too damn much.[:@]
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: Lancashire, England
RE: Paint question
I know I paid top dollar, but the set was sold out everywhere, and I wanted it. Don`t think I didn`t try to purchase one direct from the USA. When I rang a Harley Davidson dealership in the USA I was told the set was obsolete / sold out. The guy even ran a stock check to see which stores had bought them, and no joy. Contacted Harley Davidson UK and was given the details of the only UK dealer who hadimported one.Rang him and the rest is history.I was not in a great position to bargain with the dealer as he knew he had the only set in theUK, soif I didn`t buy it the nexy guy would.
Remember here in the UK, we pay basically twice as much for HD then those in the USA. Its roughly a pound for everydollar.Thats bikes andparts. ( also 4 x the cost of fuel ) You have just got to live with it.Accessories, I now buy direct from Chicago HD and save myself a packet ( thats even with the cost of shipping, duty 3.5% and then VAT 17.5% ).
Remember here in the UK, we pay basically twice as much for HD then those in the USA. Its roughly a pound for everydollar.Thats bikes andparts. ( also 4 x the cost of fuel ) You have just got to live with it.Accessories, I now buy direct from Chicago HD and save myself a packet ( thats even with the cost of shipping, duty 3.5% and then VAT 17.5% ).