The price of painting a car will vary depending on different factors, such as the size of the car and what area you live in.
On the other hand, your budget will dictate the level of work you receive. Like most things in life, if you’re looking for a cheap deal, it likely won’t be done properly or professionally.
We’ll discuss what to consider when comparing prices and help you identify what’s worth paying for and what is probably just a scam.
What is the Australian “average”?
In this article, we will assume the average car in Australia is small to medium-sized.
Therefore, the average price to paint a car with minimal bodywork in Australia is between $1,500 and $3,000 (including GST).
Larger vehicles generally start from $3,500 (including GST) and increase with size.
Here are some average car painting costs across Australia:
| City | Average Price Per Car | Average Price Per Panel |
| Adelaide | $500 – $1,500 (including GST) | |
| Canberra | $300 | |
| Hobart | $200 – $250 | |
| Melbourne | $3,000 – $3,500 (including GST) | |
| Sydney | $1,500 – $3,000 (including GST) |
What do different car paints cost?
The price of respraying a car is dependent on the type of paint used.
Some car paints have additive properties to make them more durable and resistant to the elements as opposed to more standard paints. If you live close to the sea, this could be worth considering if your vehicle is prone to rust.
Different types of finishes like high-gloss, low-lustre, matte and metal flakes will also increase the price point.
Here are some average car paint prices depending on types of finishes:
| Type of Finish | Cost Per Litre | Cost Per Car |
| Matte | $100 | |
| Metallic | $120 | |
| Pearlescent | $250 – $2,000 | |
| Solid Paint | $170 (per 5-litre) |
What is the price difference between painting some of the car vs the whole car?
You might think that it’s quicker and easier to just repaint the whole car all at once, but doing so often isn’t feasible or even necessary.
If you only need painting done on specific parts where damages have occurred, such as the doors, bumpers or roof, it makes more sense only to paint that part of the car. It can save a decent amount of money, too.
A car respray must be done on a flat, as-new surface. Rust, bumps and scrapes need to be panel beaten and smoothed out before paintwork can be done, which will usually cost an extra fee.
Here are the average prices to paint a whole car vs certain parts:
| Part of Car Being Painted | Average Painting Costs |
| Bumper | $150 – $300 |
| Door | $100 – $500 |
| Roof | $150 – $300 |
| Whole car | $1,500 – $3,500 |
How do I know that my car needs repainting?
If your vehicle is well maintained in good condition, you can change the colour by painting it or getting it vinyl wrapped. If your car’s clear coat is peeling or the paintwork is fading, a partial or full respray will be needed to restore your vehicle back to life.
Flaky and chalky paintwork or visibly exposed metal clearly indicate that paintwork is needed. Any metal left exposed to the elements will rust very quickly, which can lead to even more repairs or even having to completely replace the vehicle. Having the panels with exposed metal resprayed can help prevent any rust from forming.
Paintwork that’s flaky can only be repaired by spraying those panels. Flaky paintwork occurs when the clear coat starts peeling off and leaves the exposed base coat underneath without any protection from damage, which can result in exposing the metal underneath.
Therefore, painting the panels damaged before this happens will give your car a brand new, factory-like finish and prevent rust from forming.
How to find a car painter
Word of mouth is generally the easiest way to find a car painter. This way, they already come recommended.
A simple Google search is another way to find local car painters in your area.
Either way, go onto the car painter’s website to determine whether they’re licensed and insured. This is very important to ensure a good quality of work and cover all bases if something goes wrong.
Check their Google and Facebook reviews as well since those can’t be removed and are most likely to be unbiased.
How do I compare quotes?
Unfortunately, these types of quotes aren’t one-size-fits-all and generally require the painter to see your car in person to be able to assess the extent of the paint job necessary.
So, you will need to take your car to multiple car paint shops and have them give you a quote. Before going ahead, ensure that the quote is free and comes with no obligations attached. While this can be a schlep, the quote is accurate rather than an estimate, making quotes easier to compare.
When looking at the quotes themselves, compare the different costs of materials and labour that companies charge. This will allow you to make an educated decision on what counts as average and what is more extravagant.
How to cut down on the costs of painting a car
- Comparing quotes is the easiest way to find a car painter within your budget. But, inquire about prices that are much lower than average and why. For example, there are dangerous and poisonous chemicals present in car paint. Health and safety should be a top priority, and this factor must never be neglected.
- If you can perform your own bodywork, you could cut the cost of repairs and instead do it yourself.
- You can also save money by washing your car yourself before taking it in to get rid of any debris and road grime.
Key Takeaways
While there are average prices available to give you a ballpark figure, it’s best to take your car to a spraypainting workshop so that they can give you an accurate quote. Get quotes from various companies in order to make an informed decision.
Don’t forget to read Google and Facebook reviews and inquire whether they are licensed and insured.
If you only need minor paintwork done, you may only need to spray certain parts of the vehicle rather than the whole thing.
DSY Auto Group in Sydney provides specialist auto body painting. Contact us today for more information on our professional services and competitive rates.