why is getting a paint job so hard

[Yaristeve]

I understand that you (the OP) want to find the best deal but I would recommend against the friend-of-a-friend deal. Like ilikerice said, paint jobs are difficult to get perfect and how persistent will you be if you do find blemishes in the paint?

My brother in law paid $8k to get his 1970 Boss 302 painted a different color back in 1984. And this was through a friend-of-a-friend, under the table, illegal paint booth at home, guy. It wasn't any fancy paint or pearl. Just a factory-style Grabber Orange. The painter did install the factory stripe sticker kit, though.

Anyway, given all the new OSHA and environmental laws, $3-$5k doesn't sound so bad, especially if, like ilikerice said, you can keep taking it back until it is perfect and it is guaranteed for a few years...

[ilikerice]

Originally Posted by Yaristeve

I understand that you (the OP) want to find the best deal but I would recommend against the friend-of-a-friend deal. Like ilikerice said, paint jobs are difficult to get perfect and how persistent will you be if you do find blemishes in the paint?

My brother in law paid $8k to get his 1970 Boss 302 painted a different color back in 1984. And this was through a friend-of-a-friend, under the table, illegal paint booth at home, guy. It wasn't any fancy paint or pearl. Just a factory-style Grabber Orange. The painter did install the factory stripe sticker kit, though.

Anyway, given all the new OSHA and environmental laws, $3-$5k doesn't sound so bad, especially if, like ilikerice said, you can keep taking it back until it is perfect and it is guaranteed for a few years...

^what he said^

you are going to get what you pay for in the long run. I also do not recommend using friends of a friend. That could lead to alot of unhappy business, mostly on you're end. If you don't like how he did something, he could easily say, I cut you a deal, what do you expect. He may be cool before the process, but prob not after its done and you criticize his work.