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Colour change on a late beetle
StenGuns - January 22nd, 2006 at 09:50 AM

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 ]


barls - January 22nd, 2006 at 10:03 AM

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


StenGuns - January 22nd, 2006 at 10:13 AM

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 - January 22nd, 2006 at 10:17 AM

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


StenGuns - January 22nd, 2006 at 10:35 AM

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


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


blutopless2 - January 22nd, 2006 at 11:03 AM

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.


helbus - January 22nd, 2006 at 11:52 AM

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.


matt - January 22nd, 2006 at 01:12 PM

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 - January 22nd, 2006 at 02:15 PM

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 - January 22nd, 2006 at 11:09 PM

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!!!