So, I had a bit of a smash monday when it iced up on my way home from work, long story short I at LEAST need to repaint my bumper, possibly replace it.

I have a Chrome Silver '05 and I'm considering just having the whole thing repainted (some *** egged it HARD less than a month after I got it, and someone poured cola on it in the summer sun once, a couple of nice dings from car doors).

My question for you lovely folks is.

Where at around St. Louis, MO would be a good place to get a full body paint job? I don't want a bad paint job obviously so I know bargain basement prices aren't in my future. But I'm thinking a nice dark blue metallic (darker than the stock blue).

Also, what should I be expecting to pay for a full paint job?

Thanks in advance, if anyone knows where to go, it's you guys!

 

Where were you hit? Front or rear? Only thing I would recomend is getting some form of protection for your new paint (clear bra or spray on clear bra). It cost a little bit more, but well worth it. I know I would regret it if I didn't do it when I had my front repainted. Good luck.

 

Smacked the front right side into a guard rail. I think the thing that saved it from being really damaging was it was a glancing blow, I was kinda of spinning so it wasn't full on direct impact. Still felt like 5x worse than hitting a curb.

 

Repainting it another color is a more daunting task than you think, at least if it is done right. Prices are going to vary wildly based on quality and the shops themselves, but a rough guesstimate to do the engine bay and everything else will be $4000+. Are you not claiming this on your insurance?

 

Nah the damage isn't great enough to justify the rate increase they will slap me with, and besides they wouldn't pay for the whole paint job so my thinking was while I'm at it I might as well. I've had a few other cumulative dings (as I mentioned) over the past 3 years since I got it so, I know it wont be cheap but my biggest thing is I have never had a car painted before so I have no idea who here in STL would do a good job.

Aside from any specific recommendations for places to go can anyone give me some tips on what to look for when trying to find a place to paint your car?

Anything that gives you a pretty good indicator (barring testimonials) of how good a shop is?

 

Not sure about STL but around here if you're looking at a complete color change, you'd want to get the door jams and hatch area as well as the underside of the hood at least. Then they'd have to fix the dings so you'd be probably looking the 4K range around here.

 

Regional forum is the place for regional shop recommendations.