I currently have a 2011 Wicked White Evo X GSR and was planning on installing an FQ400 full body kit that I just received after waiting more than 6 months and then have the car completely repainted either in the same color or Octane Blue. However after some long thoughts I am also considering going a different route with Bayside Blue found in the R34's which is actually a tricoat paint job and more expensive. Also worth noting that I don't plan to fully paint the engine bay until later on when I plan on rebuilding the engine.

I thought it might be a good idea to ask for some more opinions as well as some pros and cons before I take the car to the body shop this spring.

 

Check price of doing that color first, if not go with PlastiDip and see if you like the finish. That is the cheapest route, if money and paperwork is not a problem go full paint.

 

A decent paint job from a reputable shop is going to run $3k+ once it's back in your driveway. I couldn't stomach spending that much on a new paint job and not paint the engine bay too.

I'd say wait to paint the car until you pull the motor and just vinyl wrap it so your new FQ400 body matches the rest of the car. You could even vinyl wrap it in something close to that Bayside Blue and see if you like it first on the Evo body.

 

Got a quote a few weeks ago from a shop that's painted evos before and they priced me at $7k to paint it Octane Blue including partial engine bay as well as installing a carbon fiber roof which is actually what I'm expecting to spend.

I might actually just paint it the same color or the white that's on the FE's but considering there aren't many pictures of a white FQ400 I'm not entirely sure I'll like the look.

 

Closest pic I could find of a wicked white FQ400

 

$7k paint job on an Evo? God bless you.

 

Man that R34 looks sweet.

 

lol that's what most body shops here in Colorado seem to be asking for a full paint job on a 4 door car so don't really have much of a choice if I want it done right.

 

Yea paint jobs can get ridiculous.. but I agree the the above suggestions. Before you just spend that much in paint, I would look at wrapping it. It isn't super cheap either, but it will hold you over for a long while until you paint the engine bay

 

The pearl white on the FE is also a tri-coat, so expect to pay twice as much for the supplies and a lot more for the work. Keep in mind, if you ever need anything matched later, tri-coats are more difficult to match and blend over a standard base/clear. A really good paint job will cost a lot. If you consider the amount of work that goes into it, you will understand why. I thought the same until I got into the business of automotive refinishing.


The blue on that R34, in my opinion, is not justifiable for the extra expense of a tri-coat. If you're going to spend the money on a Nissan tri-coat.... code LX0 "Midnight Purple" is what you should do

 

$7k with proper prep and good quality base/clear is pretty much entry level. Anything below that is either going to be discounted because you know the owner, you've done all the prep already, or corners will be cut. Custom colors and upper tier paint materials can bring that to $10k in a heartbeat.
$20-30,000 isn't unrealistic for a show quality job with a lot of clear and a lot of wet sanding.

A professional Plasti-Dip or vinyl wrap is the way to go if it fits into your budget and taste. Some of the more recent dips have a paint-level quality, just not the durability. Vinyl can be good for nearly as along as a respray if it's done right.

I'd drop by a couple shops that do Dip/Wraps and take a look at some of their work before committing to a paint job.

 

A good paint job isn't cheap and a cheap paint job isn't good, and is super noticeable.