Full Cost Breakdown of Repainting a Car

Key Highlights:

• The cost to repaint a car varies between ₹20,000 and ₹5 lakh.

• Factors that affect the cost to paint a car include the quality and price of paint, labour charges, pre-paint preparation work, the size of the vehicle and the condition of the surface.

• Authorised or renowned workshops in large cities often charge more due to more expensive labour and operational costs.

Types of paint jobs

A good quality paint job is evident in the kind of work and quality of paint used for the job. The higher the quality and extent of the work, the costlier the paint job. The following are different types of paint jobs:

Single Coat

The most basic paint job, often done by roadside garages, uses simple enamel paint with minimal prep. Expect to pay ₹15,000 to ₹30,000 depending on vehicle size.

Intermediate Coat

A mid-level option involving better surface preparation (such as sanding) and higher-grade paint. It typically costs between ₹30,000 and ₹70,000 and is offered by quality independent workshops.

Showroom Finish

Offered by authorised and high-end workshops, this premium finish uses factory-grade paint matched to your car’s original code. It involves multi-layer coatings and extensive prep. Costs range from ₹80,000 to ₹5 lakh, with extra charges for rare or custom colours.

Factors that Affect Car Repainting Costs

Several factors determine the final bill when repainting your car:

Size of the car

Larger cars, such as mid-size or full-size sedans and SUVs, require more paint and additional labour.

Surface condition

If the condition of the surface, such as door panels, fenders and bumpers, requires old paint or rust removal, additional processes, such as grinding, sanding, and filler work, add to labour and overhead charges.

Paint quality

The quality of paint ranges from basic-level enamel to mid-level acrylic, and then to the range-topping urethane and metallic paints. The higher the quality of paint, the higher the final repainting costs.

Labour costs

The labour in authorised workshops or renowned service centres is usually more skilled than that in smaller independent workshops. This factor affects labour costs, which vary by city size — the larger the city, the higher the labour costs.

Hidden Costs You Should Know About

While the general public's perception of repainting a car only includes the cost of paint and the labour to paint the car, there is more than meets the eye. The following are some of the additional expenses that can impact your repainting budget:

• Old paint removal – ₹5,000 to ₹20,000
• Dent repairs – ₹2,000 to ₹10,000 per panel
• Rust treatment – ₹2,000 to ₹10,000 per panel
• Disassembly and reassembly – ₹2,000 to ₹15,000
• Clear coat application for additional gloss – Up to ₹5,000

Tips to Save on Car Painting Costs

The cost to repaint a car generally varies from one workshop to another, and it is entirely up to your preference for quality and the budget you can stretch to for giving your vehicle a makeover. However, if you want to refresh your car without overspending, we would recommend that you consider these cost-saving strategies:

• Get multiple quotes: Compare pricing between local garages, independent shops, and authorised dealers.
• Pick a mid-range job: If you are budget-conscious, go for an intermediate finish — it balances quality with affordability.
• Avoid cheap paint jobs: Low-quality paints often fade or peel off quickly, and eventually will cost you an additional amount for a repaint.

The Real Cost of Giving Your Car a New Look

Based on the type of car and quality of paint, the final cost to repaint a car in India can vary from as low as ₹20,000 to as extravagant as ₹5 lakh. This wide range of costs involves various factors, such as the quality and price of paint, labour, pre-paint preparation work, the car's size, and surface condition. If you are on a budget, a mid-tier paint job from a trusted workshop offers good value. Just make sure to avoid shortcuts with poor materials or workmanship.

FAQs

1. How expensive is it to fully paint a car?
The total cost to fully repaint a car can vary between ₹20,000 and ₹5 lakh, depending on factors such as quality and price of paint, labour, pre-paint preparation work, size of the car and condition of the surface.

2. Is it worth repainting a car?
If you intend to keep your old car for a long time (five years or more), it is worth repainting the vehicle. However, you should note that the resale value is affected by a repaint job, especially if it is not a factory match.

3. Is it cheaper to wrap or paint a car?
The initial cost of wrapping a car is usually lower than painting the whole car, as the price and labour of a wrap job are less than those required in painting a vehicle. However, wraps do not last as long and do not fix surface damage.