$3,900 for media blasting and zinc primer - Am I getting ripped off?

[G50911]

hi all. i just got a bill for this service and i was pretty shocked to say the least. anyone know what the going rate is for this? they shop said they charge time and materials and apparently the undercoat was the culprit. someone make me feel better please.

[swbstudios]

That is expensive-probably a P-car surcharge. Depending on the part of the country you are in and the media used, it can run as little as 6-800. Plus priming-another 3-400. I've paid as much as 1800 for a Camaro, with another 300 to prime. 3900 seems quite high for a small car.
It is possible to warp panels depending on the media used and the skill of the operator. So, I suppose if the car was heavily undercoated and a very expensive media was used and the operator was being extra careful and the job required a lot of hours-a price close to yours could occur.

[haul]

all depending on the result and yes more carefullnes is more expensive. for myself, if the work is perfect for the car and my needs, than ok, but they could have told in the first place in which direction you should expect the overall costs.

average is the above mentioned, but st with average result...

[Jules Dielen]

was it 'undercoat' on top of the zinc primer or is the zinc primer the undercoat? I just paid $1800 for just sandblasting a 356. no coat, no primer. (not much rust in AZ)

[Jrsully]

I paid about 1250 incl enclosed trailer delivery to my body shop 100 miles away. This was a Targa and was plastic media blasted with a lot of loose parts done as well, no primer (my body shop did it the day the blaster delivered it)

[WCB4]

Tub and 2 doors blasted, soda, aluminium oxide and a little steel as needed. Then epoxy primer. $750.00. 95% of all the schutz was removed before sending out. Quote had been a thousand, but was told "there wasn't much work too do on this glorified VW", when I picked it up. I was not a bit insaulted.

Later sent the 2 fender, 2doors, front and rear deck lids and all the hinges to be electrolytic (sp) dipped and e-coated $600.00
I will be posting on this project soon.

[jerryg]

I guess it depends on the location. I had my '67 Targa done in Fresno, CA for $1500, but no primer. The previous owner had painted the car with epoxy and it was a bitch to get off. No warpage, though. FYI, the shop talked me out of soda blasting any car because the aftermath causes future painting problems (so they said).

But since you have the job done, it really doesn't make much difference if you got charged too much. You just should warn future customers of the high cost of doing business with that company. Word of mouth is precious in our community.

[ETexSpeedo]

In my experience having many blasted with various means as well as full chemical, if you had the heavy undercoat removed typical of 73 911's, I can see that amount. Probably they had to use a lot of hand work inside the compartments as well as the underside.

I don't have to tell you....but next time get an estimate. No one likes surprises.

RoySmalley
www.eurowerks.com

[drwhosc]

The vinyl based undercoating on 911s is like concrete. Having taken it off with using everything under the sun. it was a hard job. If it was in good shape with no rust, you should have left it. It is not an easy job, so not surprised that it took a while. I wonder what the shop's experience is with this type of undercoating.. May be the first time they encountered it, and they did not know what they were getting into.

[keith]

The vinyl based undercoating on 911s is like concrete. Having taken it off with using everything under the sun. it was a hard job. If it was in good shape with no rust, you should have left it. It is not an easy job, so not surprised that it took a while. I wonder what the shop's experience is with this type of undercoating.. May be the first time they encountered it, and they did not know what they were getting into.

this is likely the case.