Colour change on a late beetle

StenGuns Veteran Volks Folk

2,147 posts · joined Mar 2004 · 22 Jan 2006, 9:50 am

#449459

Well it seems that I might be buying a 73 L bug.

The body and paint is very sound but my son (the new driver!) insists on Red or Navy Blue..

I am always loath to change from the factory colour but, if we decided to do this, we would have a competent paint shop do the work.. My questions..

Is it feasible to do a complete colour change (inside and out).
What would this cost to go from Orange to Red say..
Would this be a body off job?
How long?

Replies from AVDubbers that have done one would be good.

Happy to get this done in Melbourne or Sydney so recomendations as to which shop would be helpful..

Thanks
Rob

[ Edited on 21-1-06 by StenGuns ]

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barls Administrator Causer of Chaos and Mayhem

9,473 posts · joined Jun 2004 · 22 Jan 2006, 10:03 am

#449466

ive just done this and its not cheap. i went from blue to red and it cost me $2200 and that was with me doing all the prep. i was quoted up to 5g for the job but that was a full respray in two pack with the car stripped to bare metal. repainting the car doesnt require the body to be lifted off the pan. i cant recomend any one as mine was done up the coast

“We all pay for life with death, so everything in between should be free.” Bill Hicks
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StenGuns Veteran Volks Folk

2,147 posts · joined Mar 2004 · 22 Jan 2006, 10:13 am

#449471

Hmmmm... 5 big ones eh? Thats not cheap.. Plus it would eat into my 67 dual cab budget.. I was hoping for a cheap option.. Silly thought really.. Methinks a serious clean and paint touch up with some chrome/stainless mags etc will have to do for now..

barls Administrator Causer of Chaos and Mayhem

9,473 posts · joined Jun 2004 · 22 Jan 2006, 10:17 am

#449475

there probably is cheaper option in acrylic but im not sure try asking dubcrazy or helbus as they are both in the industry

“We all pay for life with death, so everything in between should be free.” Bill Hicks
the chaos project - click me

StenGuns Veteran Volks Folk

2,147 posts · joined Mar 2004 · 22 Jan 2006, 10:35 am

#449480

Thanks Barls.. Thats why I enquired through this forum.. Cheers

barls wrote:there probably is cheaper option in acrylic but im not sure try asking dubcrazy or helbus as they are both in the industry

blutopless2 DAMSLO

2,457 posts · joined Jan 2004 · 22 Jan 2006, 11:03 am

#449486

i have had quotes ranging from $3000 to $10000 for a full respray inside and out in my choice of colour if i deliver the car ready to paint. and that does NOT include any body repairs etc.

see.... air and water do mix 😉

1974 1300
1997 MK3 Golf GL
2003 NB Cabrio
2012 Golf VI GTI
2014 Audi A4 Quattro

helbus Administrator Mad fabricator, paint and body

7,386 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 22 Jan 2006, 11:52 am

#449504

The body can stay on the pan, but a full colour change means all panels off and parts stripped off. Yep you save by doing this bit yourself, along with the reassembly.

I would think you would still expect at least $2000 for the paintjob alone without repairs.

It took me three full days to do our beetle a couple of years ago with a colour change, and that was with painting the insides satin black so they did not have to be as good.

That plus the cost of the paint and the hire of the booth, I would say it would still only bring it down to $1500 absoloute minimum.

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matt Insano Dub Head

743 posts · joined Dec 2002 · 22 Jan 2006, 1:12 pm

#449533

I am just about to start a colour change on my mates vs ute, he wants to go from white to maroon. the paint and thinners alone will cost him $500, lucky for him we are such good mates and that is all its costing him. maybe you could befriend a panel beater/spraypainter that would do it cheap for you

Matt

StenGuns Veteran Volks Folk

2,147 posts · joined Mar 2004 · 22 Jan 2006, 2:15 pm

#449547

I am really startintg to like that Orange colour!..

Is egeworks L bug a different orange (metalic)?.. Superb example.. see below..

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=30900

HGFS Wolfsburg Wizard

531 posts · joined Feb 2005 · 22 Jan 2006, 11:09 pm

#449789

That looks the same colour as the 72 superbug we had before the kids came along. It is a nice colour (IMO) when its all polished up, anything thats orange or red really benefits from a good polish to get rid of the fading. Our car got hit so when we had it repaired the back half was painted, which spurred me on to give the rest of the car a proper polish so it matched. Came up with a really deep shine and got thru the motor reg inspection real easy, the bloke couldn't believe it had been hit.

The only pics I've got aren't digital and theyre pretty well stashed from a couple of house moves (sold the car 10yrs ago) so I dont have much I can show you atm.

So give it a good cut & polish and the "driver" should be happy!!!

1954 Oval long term project going nowhere
1958 Beetle drag car project
1959 Beetle project I need to sell one day
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