Results 1 to 13 of 13

Thread: Hardtop repaint

  1. #1

    Default Hardtop repaint

    Whilst picking up my daughter's Mustang at Caliber Collision today, I noticed a 90 red NA sitting in the lot. I asked my "collision advisor" about it and he told me that the guy had brought in a hardtop to be repainted. "how much would that be" I asked. He rattled off a litany of hourly charges, material charges, blah blah blah...

    Bottom line is upwards of $800. Damn, that's gonna be one expensive hardtop.

  2. #2

    Default

    No way it can be $800, unless he has to strip it to the bone, make some repair, spray several coats, wet sanding in between!
    Gabriel

  3. #3

    Default

    Yeah, I laughed too.

    Then he asked me to bring my red in for an estimate. Just for grins, I think I will.

  4. #4

    Default

    Holy crap! That sounds waaaay high. I paid my guy about $200 to paint my hardtop. Granted, it's still Montego Blue on the inside, but who gives a shit? Unless the paint contains gold flakes, crushed pearls, and exotic cat pheromones, I have no idea why a simple respray should cost that much - especially a good old fashioned red.
    Last edited by trickyrix; 01-09-2008 at 09:18 PM.
    '94 Black & Black & Tan
    '99 head swap, JR header, TDR intake & header blanket, MegaSquirt, RB hollow bar, Tein Flex, 15x8 6ULs, HD M2 Sport, FM cat, Borla cat-back, black '95M interior, MOMO Zebrano, IL Motorsport console...

    Dyno Days
    8/16/08 (bone stock): 103.1 hp/99.0 lb-ft - Dynojet
    8/23/08 (Borla cat-back): 108.2 hp/104.1 lb-ft - Dynojet
    8/13/11 (more stuff...): 126 hp/116 lb-ft - Mustang dyno

    Roger Moore: the Danny White of James Bonds

  5. #5

    Exclamation

    This is Caliber Collision in Colleyville, they are the kings of high priced insurance work.

  6. #6

    Default

    sweet i know where to take my car for an estimate when filing a claim
    07 civic si sedan -- the new toy
    92 miata-dead 85 VF500F, 01 750 Ace Deluxe
    furry friends -- sibes - lakota, anana, baby - schnauzers - roxie, tater --- MUTT -- Aero()
    - gus gus and gidget -- birds - stewie & Libby

  7. #7
    Team Cheap Bastard
    President & Founder
    sammm's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    NC
    Posts
    6,457

    Default

    You can go buy another hardtop (in red) for $800.

  8. #8

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by POS Racing View Post
    This is Caliber Collision in Colleyville, they are the kings of high priced insurance work.
    But they do have caviar and Starbucks and Belgian chocolates in the waiting parlor. And your own collision advisor.
    Last edited by cam76034; 01-09-2008 at 10:04 PM.

  9. #9

    Default

    Many say that the proper way to repaint a hardtop includes removing the rear window, and the rear window seal is not supposed to be reused. The new seal is available only through Mazda and will run a couple bills. I suspect the $800 quote includes this seal at MSRP +20%.

  10. #10
    Mr Miata Solutions Rogue's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Propwash 16Xray
    Posts
    2,563

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Titus View Post
    Many say that the proper way to repaint a hardtop includes removing the rear window, and the rear window seal is not supposed to be reused. The new seal is available only through Mazda and will run a couple bills. I suspect the $800 quote includes this seal at MSRP +20%.
    Correct!

    There is the "right" way and the "TCB" way.

    Hardtops only look easy to paint.

  11. #11

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Rogue View Post
    There is the "right" way and the "TCB" way.

    Hardtops only look easy to paint.
    Even though I went TCB, you can't tell it by looking at the paint (on the outside ). If it's done right, there's no need to take the SOB apart, IMHO - esp since the hardtop will (should) see pretty limited use. Hey, do what I did and have it painted a contrasting color! That solves a lot of problems!



    $800 or $200? I dunno... $600 buys a loooot of other fun stuff (like a nice new soft top or a fancy steering wheel)... hell, it'll even get you a decent set of rims!
    '94 Black & Black & Tan
    '99 head swap, JR header, TDR intake & header blanket, MegaSquirt, RB hollow bar, Tein Flex, 15x8 6ULs, HD M2 Sport, FM cat, Borla cat-back, black '95M interior, MOMO Zebrano, IL Motorsport console...

    Dyno Days
    8/16/08 (bone stock): 103.1 hp/99.0 lb-ft - Dynojet
    8/23/08 (Borla cat-back): 108.2 hp/104.1 lb-ft - Dynojet
    8/13/11 (more stuff...): 126 hp/116 lb-ft - Mustang dyno

    Roger Moore: the Danny White of James Bonds

  12. #12
    Mr Miata Solutions Rogue's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Propwash 16Xray
    Posts
    2,563

    Default

    I don't necessarily think it should be disassembled, but that is the "proper" way.

    $800 is what it cost to have a big name crew at a big fancy shop do it.
    I wouldn't pay that, but I wouldn't rattle can it either.

    Good paint is not cheap, and cheap paint is not good.

  13. #13

    Default

    Did I mention that this NA was a 90 with over 200K on it?

Similar Threads

  1. Hardtop sling
    By Darron65 in forum Miata Tech and Chat
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 10-09-2007, 02:42 PM
  2. 91 with hardtop
    By OzCop in forum Miata Tech and Chat
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 11-28-2006, 05:29 PM
  3. Hardtop Hardware
    By Darron65 in forum Miata Tech and Chat
    Replies: 21
    Last Post: 07-21-2006, 06:57 AM
  4. SHOCK: NC Hardtop Confirmed for Sept 2006
    By srivendel in forum Miata Tech and Chat
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 11-09-2005, 09:22 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •