A painter buddy told me something about auto body shops that has me rethinking how I prep a car
Last week I was talking to a friend who runs a collision shop here in Bakersfield, and he said the average redo on a bad paint job costs him around $1,800 in material and lost bay time. I always figured a respray was a quick in and out thing, but hearing that number made me realize how much prep and masking actually drives the cost. For the guys doing body work full time, how do you decide when a panel is worth fixing versus just ordering a new one?
So when you're looking at a dented fender or door, what's the line for you where fixing it costs more in time than a new panel would? I get that aftermarket panels can fit like crap and OEM costs an arm and leg, so is it more about how bad the damage is or just what the insurance is willing to pay? Just trying to wrap my head around how you guys actually make that call in the moment.