You may be wondering – how much does a candy paint job cost?
A candy paint offers a unique appearance to your vehicle by putting a layer of transparent candy paint layer over your vehicle’s sealer or reflective basecoat. Then, this protects the paint job with a quality clear coat.
As a result, your vehicle’s paint appears as though it is glowing in good lighting as light tends to bounce off your reflective layer. Then, the candy layer provides a rich color for an attractive result. This effect is the reason why candy paint has become quite popular among owners who want their vehicle to stand out.
In this post, we will discuss how much a candy paint job costs, some key pointers to consider and whether it is worth it or not.
How Much Does A Candy Paint Job Cost?
Before we discuss the price of a candy paint job, let us talk about the types available. Over the years, candy paint has developed into various types. Thus, there are 4 main types of this paint today such as the following:
1. Pearlized candy basecoat
This type comes with a candy dye in addition to a pearl pigment in the basecoat binder. The paint dries rather quickly but it comes with a dull appearance.
2. Transparent candy basecoat
As the name implies, the candy dye comes with a clear basecoat binder. It also dries quickly and the base appears dull.
3. 2K urethane candy
These candy dyes have a special, “2k” clear type of a binder. Once the paint dries, it looks glossy and clear.
4. Candy concentrates
Lastly, there is the candy concentrate. It is highly concentrated in the binder system and is compatible with your clear and base paint.
As for the best type of candy paint, we can say that there is no wrong or right answer to this question. You need to factor in important aspects such as the following:
1. Graphics
If you want to paint some stripes with your candy paint, we recommend the pearlized candy basecoat – or perhaps the transparent. This base coat dries quickly and neatly, and there is a reduced tape line. If you paint your car with a single color of the candy, then the pearlized or the urethane candy is most suitable.
2. Painter skill
Keep in mind that genuine candy paints are not the easiest to apply evenly. On the other hand, standard automotive paint has a tendency to look blotchy or streaky in the finish if applied unevenly. This is why if you are an experienced painter, then you may want to choose a candy paint that matches your preference.
However, if you are a beginner painter, you may want to opt for the pearlized candy paint. This is usually beginner-friendly and you simply cannot go wrong.
3. Durability
One thing we are not particularly crazy about candy paint is its reduced durability. The dyes used for making a genuine candy paint do not quite hold up well to sunlight. But this still depends on how much time your vehicle spends outside, as well as the thickness and quality of your clear paint.
If you have an apple red candy paint on your car then leave this outside in the scorching heat of the sun, it may likely fade significantly in a couple of years. But if you use conventional auto paint in another vehicle, and it also gets exposed to the sun a lot, it should be good for up to 10 years. Only then will it start to show signs of fading.
But for vehicles that are parked in shaded areas such as garages – and if these cars are not used regularly – then the fade may only be noticeable after 10 to 20 years. It all depends on how much sun exposure it gets each day.
However, we would like to mention that the most durable of all the candy paint types is the 2K urethane one. It usually comes with UV protection, which is great if you want to prolong its appearance and reduce the visibility of fades. The only thing to consider is that the price point is very steep.
Now, if you have a vehicle that is often requiring repairs, then it may be prone to part damage. This is why we highly recommend a pearlized candy basecoat. This is because of how easy it is to repair this paint using simply blending techniques.
As for the price point of a candy paint job, this depends on several factors. One of these is the application process. Your artistic process involves taping and painting, as well as graphic effects combined with customizations. In this case, you can expect to pay about $30,000 to $50,000.
With the case of a pearlized or an activated candy paint job, you can get this a little more cheaply than others. Usually, the price point goes as low as $2500 but as high as $15000 – this all depends on the extent of body work needed, as well as the availability of parts in your area.
Is it Worth It?
There are so many reasons to love candy paint. But at the same time, there are elements that can cause the paint to fade quickly. These include harsh weather, dirty surfaces, and where you are parking your car.
If you wish the paint to last longer, then you need to park your vehicle indoors. Candy paints are quite sensitive to the sun, causing it to fade more quickly than your conventional automotive paint. So, if you are thinking about getting a candy paint job, make it a point to park your car in a shaded garage and use a special cover with UV blocking properties that help to increase its life.
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Summary
Candy paint is becoming more and more popular because of the unique and stylish appearance it gives your car. However, be sure to take note of factors that shorten its lifespan, so you can retain your vehicle’s paint job. Also, choose well where you buy candy paint to achieve the results worth your time and money.