Car Knowledge and FAQs

If your vehicle is driveable after an at-fault accident and you can repair it with a painted auto body part, you could see significant savings by not taking it to the shop – even if you have the insurance to cover it. 

At a body shop, it will cost $500 to $1,500 to replace a front bumper. For more extensive repairs, your front bumper replacement cost may be up to $5,000. Learn about whether it's worth it to use a repair shop or if you can replace a front bumper on your own.

Side view mirror replacement costs about $150 to $350, including parts and labor at an auto repair shop. Your cost will be less if you install it yourself, but the actual cost to replace a side view mirror depends on your car's make and model and the repair shop's rates, if you use one. You can lower your cost by ordering a replacement side view mirror and installing it yourself.

If you're considering giving your car a fresh look with a new paint job, expect to pay between $1,000 to $2,000 for an average-quality paint job. A good quality paint job is worth the expense if you’re really concerned about your vehicle.  WHY A GOOD PAINT JOB IS VERY IMPORTANT Car paint isn’t as essential as an engine, but good paint is important to maintaining a smooth running vehicle for years to come. Your vehicle's paint protects it from rust and other exterior damage that can eventually reach the frame. Plus, a good paint finish just looks good, keeping your vehicle looking new even if it's several years down the road. QUALITY OF PAINT JOBS Car paint job costs can vary significantly based on the quality of the paint and the level of service you choose. Here's a general breakdown: Basic Quality Paint Job: $300 to $750 A budget-friendly option suitable for those looking for a quick color change. However, it may lack the durability and longevity of higher-quality options. Medium Quality Paint Job: $1,000 to $2,000 This is often the sweet spot for many car owners. It provides a balance between cost and quality, offering a more durable finish that can withstand the elements. High Quality Paint Job: $2,500 to $7,500 or more If you're aiming for top-tier, showroom-quality results, a high-end paint job is the way to go. This option includes meticulous preparation, premium paint materials, and multiple layers for a flawless finish. CAN YOU JUST TOUCH IT UP INSTEAD? If the cost of a full high-quality paint job is more than you’re ready to pay, a touch-up paint job might do the trick. Touching up paint is a good idea if you have a few minor spots to take care of. Using touch-up paint can help you preserve most of the factory finish from your vehicle's original paint job, which you can’t replicate except with the highest quality paint jobs. If you're having a body shop take care of the work, you can expect to pay about $300 for minor repairs. Do it at home, and touch up paint typically costs about $50, plus supplies for sanding, filling in scratches and dents, priming, and clear coat. IS A CHEAP CAR PAINT JOB BAD? Bargain paint jobs usually look just like that: a bargain. A bargain vehicle paint job will paint your vehicle but typically cut corners to make supplies and labor more inexpensive. Most will use synthetic enamel paint instead of brand-name paint, and the areas where technicians paint and mark off will be significantly different with this type of paint job than a higher-quality paint job.  For example, the shop may not paint inside the door jams or the hood. The shop may also not remove your trim and other parts, instead masking them off, which can cause edges to develop, or worse, have you end up with paint overspray from spray painting. QUESTIONS TO ASK TO ENSURE QUALITY PAINT JOB Shopping around for an auto paint service? Ensure you're getting an adequate paint job by asking these questions: What types of paint do you use?  Lower-quality shops will often use inexpensive synthetic enamel paint. Look for shops that offer brand-name paint that is of higher quality. Do you remove trim and parts before painting? Shops that offer a higher quality paint job will remove your trim and other parts rather than simply masking over them. How do you prep the exterior?  Prep at a low-quality paint shop may not be more than a quick wash and basic sanding before spraying it down. But a higher quality shop will completely sand your vehicle and remove rust spots and dents to ensure a smooth finish. You’ll be advised of any critical repairs you should make before painting. How many coats of paint do you apply? Low-quality shops may only apply a few coats of paint, but better shops will have at least three, including a clear coat for a smooth, glossy look. For comparison's sake: the highest quality shops will often apply 20 or more layers of paint, including up to eight clear coat applications. What is your warranty policy? Warranties can vary from six months to a lifetime, depending on the quality of the paint shop. Typically, medium-quality paint jobs will warranty their work for five years and repaint your car if needed. Can I see recently completed vehicles? The answer should always be yes. Take a look at freshly painted cars and see what you think about the quality of work. Ask which service level they selected, and note any imperfections that you'd be unhappy with. In addition to asking these questions, it's a good idea to seek out recommendations from family and friends. Be sure to read reviews online before committing to an auto paint shop. TIPS FOR SAVING MONEY ON YOUR NEXT PAINT JOB If a premium paint job is out of your budget, there are still ways to save money without compromising quality: Look for discounts online: Many auto body shops offer promotions on social media, websites, or daily deal platforms. Inquire about DIY prep work: Some shops allow customers to perform their own prep work, saving on labor costs DO IT YOURSELF AUTOMOTIVE PAINT JOBS Do-it-yourself auto repair often saves money, and painting is no exception. But it's important to note that painting isn't exactly your average auto repair. This job requires specialized tools and supplies that can be expensive to buy or rent.  Painting your vehicle can be very time-consuming, requiring lots of attention to detail and patience. Additionally, professional shops have access to tools that the average vehicle owner just can't use, such as a paint booth that minimizes dust and other debris that can cause problems with the finish. Whether you choose a body shop paint job or one in your garage, painting your vehicle protects it from the elements and can add years to the life of your vehicle -- not to mention a better look. CONCLUSION In the realm of car paint job costs, finding the right balance between your budget and the quality you desire is key. Whether you choose a professional service or embark on a DIY project, investing in a quality paint job not only enhances your vehicle's appearance but also protects it from the elements, adding years to its life. Before making a decision, gather quotes from reputable auto body shops, read reviews, and consider your long-term goals for the vehicle. After all, a well-executed paint job is an investment in both aesthetics and preservation. Now that you have a clearer picture of what goes into the cost of a car paint job, you can make an informed choice that suits both your style and your budget. Happy painting!

With today’s price conscious consumers, buying an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or aftermarket car part can make a huge difference in savings, anywhere from 26 to 50 percent, according to I.I.I. But, are you getting the same quality for both parts? Will an OEM part last longer? Will the aftermarket part fit? Are you really saving money in the long run? These are all viable questions. And, when it comes to spending a few hundred dollars, you want to make sure you're getting the best bang for your buck. How do you go with the most cost effective alternative, but also make sure the car part will fit your car, and it won’t rust within a matter of years? Let’s dig in to the differences and which part might be right for you. Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Car Parts OEM car parts are made by the vehicle’s manufacturer and is the same exact part you’d get if you took your car apart. You can purchase OEM parts through car dealers, which often means you’re paying a much higher premium. However, since OEM parts are the original parts your dealer would provide, you can rest assured that they’re going to meet high quality standards and are guaranteed to fit your car. Aftermarket Car Parts Aftermarket car parts are generally made by manufacturers that did not take part in manufacturing your vehicle’s original car parts (although, they could be). Instead, aftermarket car parts are created AFTER your car rolled off the assembly line. There are different types of aftermarket parts, including parts sold by car dealers but under their own brand, independently manufactured parts, remanufactured and reconditioned parts. Since there are different types of aftermarket car parts, they all differ in quality and standards. You have high quality aftermarket car parts, which are often comparable to OEM parts. Some high quality aftermarket car parts are even vastly improved versions of OEM parts, due to companies finding faults in the original design and correcting them before producing a better product.  On the other end of the spectrum, there are lower quality aftermarket car parts, which are the ones that give “aftermarket parts” a bad reputation, are cheap to produce, and may not come close to OEM standards. There are always aftermarket car parts far in between, and it really comes down to the notion, “you get for what you pay for”. Choosing between OEM or aftermarket As you decide between OEM or aftermarket car parts, you also have to consider what type of parts you need. There is much more risk in purchasing an aftermarket bumper beam that may or may not meet crash safety tests, versus purchasing aftermarket bumper covers which mainly serve a cosmetic purpose. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, cosmetic auto body parts, such as the fender or bumper cover, do not affect the vehicle strength or safety ratings. Aftermarket issues to look out for in these cases are merely cosmetic - including fit, finish and durability. Although some bumper covers are designed to reduce shock, they do not make as huge of an impact as that of a structural bumper beam – which could mean the world of a difference in a head-on collision. Another thought to consider is how important cost is to you. By purchasing an OEM car part, you know exactly what you’re getting – the exact part that came off your car, produced by the same manufacturer. There is no guessing involved and the part is guaranteed to fit and work with your car. However, be prepared to pay a high price for these parts. OEM parts are controlled by car dealers, which means there is minimal price difference between these dealers. On the other hand, aftermarket car parts are manufactured by different companies from different countries – and, they’re all competing with one another. Aftermarket car parts, therefore, will be much cheaper than OEM parts, but will greatly vary in quality and price. You may only save 20% compared to OEM car parts but get the same quality, if not better. Or, you can save 50% compared to OEM car parts but get a car part you’ll need to weld, drill and force to fit your car. The Verdict High quality aftermarket parts are the way to go if you want to save money, while ensuring you keep your car in great condition. There is no point in paying a premium for the brand name, OEM part when you can get the same quality part at a discounted price. However, it is also not worth it to pay a very cheap price to get a part that won’t fit your car and may end up costing you much more in labor and replacement costs in the end. Aftermarket car parts are used by most body shops nationwide and are generally accepted by most insurance companies. However, make sure you review your state’s policies in regards to using aftermarket car parts. Also, know your seller or the company you’re buying from. If it’s a reputable company, chances are they’re selling quality parts and wouldn’t risk giving you low quality parts to prevent you from coming back. A trustworthy company will have good customer reviews, a reasonable return policy and offer great customer support. Don’t forget to check if they offer warranties to ensure you’re taken care of in the long run.

A few days ago, a customer walked in asking us to give him an estimate of how much it would cost to fix his 2004 Infiniti FX35 front bumper and fender. Needless to say, after we quoted him, his car is now sitting in our shop waiting for us to finish painting his Infiniti FX35 front bumper and fender. Apparently, he had gone to a few body shops around Houston and the cheapest he was able to find to replace the FX35 front bumper and fender was going to cost him about $1600 for the parts and to get them painted. So, he asked us what our price would be and we were able to save him about $800! The reason local body and paint shops or dealerships quote customers so much higher is because: Standardized labor costs - The average labor costs are $65-$95/hour, so not only are you paying for the paint but you're also paying them for painting services at an hourly rate. Paint expenses - Since most body shops repair individual cars one-by-one, they often don't order a large quantity of paint supply (thus, they pay a higher price point for paint products). Insurance quotes - Although unethical, some places will quote you based on how much they think the insurance companies will offer. So, they'll simply inflate the pricing because they know you can pay it. Here's a breakdown of our pricing vs. the one our customer received: ReveMoto.com Other Houston shop Parts cost: $507 Parts cost: $800 Paint/labor cost: $350 Paint/labor cost: $800 Total cost: $857 Total cost: $1600 Overall, our customer was able to save almost $800 (or 46%) of the lowest estimate they were quoted! We're happy to have earned his business, and we'll be posting pictures soon of how the Infiniti FX35 front end turned out! Stay posted!