Oneflare
Updated June 7, 2024 |
4 minute read
Cars instantly get elevated with a repaint, mainly if repainted with quality paint. On average, car respray costs in Australia fall between $1,500 to $3,000 (including GST) for small to medium-sized vehicles with minor bodywork. But the price can go over $3,500 for larger vehicles.
Scratches and chipped paint not only look unsightly but also reduce your vehicle’s resale value. So, if you’re keen to give your car a makeover after a car servicing, consider respraying as an option.
So how much does it cost to paint a car? Consider if you need to respray the entire car with a different colour or only repaint specific panels. Below you’ll find the average cost of the service in various cities.
City | Average Cost to Paint a Car |
Sydney | $1,500 – $3,000 (including GST) |
Melbourne | $3,000 – $3,500 (including GST) |
Canberra | $300 per panel |
Hobart | $200 – $250 per panel |
Adelaide | $500 – $1,500 (including GST) |
Your location is not the only factor affecting the cost of having a car painted. The type of car you have will also affect the repainting process. You can expect to spend hundreds to thousands of dollars to repaint a luxury car instead of your everyday commuter vehicle.
Other factors that influence the cost of new paint jobs include:
Below is a list of the most commonly used automotive paints:
Car respraying or painting costs also depend on the paint finish. Some automotive paints contain special additives that enhance their durability. The price can also increase if you want a colour in a different finish, like high-gloss or low-lustre.
Here’s how much a car paint job costs per litre based on different paint finishes.
Finish | Average Cost |
Solid Paint | $70–$105 for 2–3 litres |
Metallic Paint | $120–$130 per litre |
Pearlescent Paint | $250–$2,000 per vehicle |
Matte Paint | $100–$105 per litre |
If you’re curious about how many litres of paint you’ll need for your car, this depends on factors like your vehicle size and brand.
Typically, for a sedan or medium-sized vehicle, you’ll need about a gallon or 4 litres of primer, 2 to 3 gallons of topcoat, and roughly 3 gallons of a clear coat.
Below you’ll find the full car respray prices for different vehicles. Note that these averages are based on minimal bodywork. If your older vehicle has minor dents or rust, you can expect to pay more for repair before you can apply a fresh coat of paint to restore its original colour.
Car Type | Asking Price for Car Paint |
Sedan | $4,000 – $5,000 |
Hatch | $3,000 – $4,000 |
Ute | $3,500 – $5,000 |
Station Wagon | $4,000 – $5,000 |
Van | $4,500 – $5,500 |
Coupe | $4,000 – $5,000 |
SUV | $4,500 – $6,000 |
Convertible | $3,000 – $4,000 |
Of course, the price of car paint services will also vary depending on whether you need the entire vehicle painted or just certain sections. For example, if you’ve had a minor collision that scratched the paint on a single car door, you won’t need to pay for an entirely new paint job for the whole vehicle.
Here’s the average prices for painting a whole car versus just certain parts of a car.
Job | Average Cost |
Repaint the whole car | $1,500 – $3,500 |
Door repaint | $100 – $500 |
Bumper respray | $150 – $300 |
Car roof paint | $200 – $1,000 |
Here are a few tips to help you find professionals near you and get the perfect paint job for your car:
You can find a professional painter through Oneflare. Check out our list of pre-qualified car detailers to find a reputable automotive paint shop based on honest customer ratings and reviews.
Take your car to multiple car painters and get written proposals for the work you need to be performed. Getting multiple quotes allows you to compare the cost of materials and labour. From there, you can make an educated decision.
The best time to save money is during the estimate process when you can select the best car painter within your budget. However, if you’re good at bodywork, you could save a lot of money on repairs by doing it yourself. Also, ensure your car does not have debris and road grime, as the detailer shop you go to will charge you more to remove them.
When comparing car painting services near you, you should look at how much they cost and gauge the quality of the work you’re getting. Take time to look at ratings and reviews from the shop’s customers. While the best-rated providers might charge more, you will likely get a higher-quality paint job that will last longer.
Car repainting or respraying is a worthy investment, especially if it’s already covered with scratches and you plan on selling your car in the near future.
Doing this yourself can be a gamble, so it’s better to find a professional who can do this for you–someone who can deliver quality handiwork to bring new life to your vehicle.
* The cost data is based on Oneflare and third-party sources
Sun damage on bonnet
Detail and respray
Re-selling car
Quoted by Boss United
Damage on doors
Small area on doors
No panel beating wanted
Quoted by Excell Buff Automotive Polishing Co.
Paint fading, mainly on the top of the car
Polish, detail and respray
Two-tone black and metallic grey
Quoted by Car Gleamers