Parts primed & ready for paint

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PROFESSIONAL MOTORCYCLE PAINTING & BODY WORK
Painting Pricing

*  The figures below are estimate pricing, not a guarantee of your final bill
*  For a written estimate, please schedule an appointment & bring in your bike or parts.
  - We do not offer estimates over the phone or via email.  Please see below for pricing examples.
  - Vehicle must be present for us to prepare the estimate. No exceptions.
*  All estimates are +/- 20% of final, actual cost.   Estimates take 2 to 4 weeks to create.  Turn around @ 3 - 4 months for paint
*  Our hourly rate is $90 as of January 1, 2009.
* Newer motorcycle painting prices are higher due to additional labor & supplies.
* Painting prices do NOT include mechanical repair of the vehicle.
* "Candy" paint adds $100 to $200 to any paint job estimate.
* Turn around time 3 - 4 months 
* We do not powdercoat
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Estimate to Paint ONLY Vintage tank, side covers, fenders (no frame) 
as of April 8, 2009
* Replace or reuse decals & emblems
* Decorative stripes & designs extra
* Removal of power coating adds 20% to 30% to the cost of labor
* Modern bikes are higher
* "Candy" paint adds $100 to $200 to any paint job estimate. 

· Remove tank, side covers, fenders from bike = 2 hours labor
· Strip paint from all surfaces = 5 hours labor
· Repair dents / rust / putty = 1 to 4 hours labor (if applicable)
· Prime all parts = 5 hours labor
· Paint all parts = 5 hours labor
· Additional colors, striping, or detailing = 1 to 2 hours labor + parts/paints
· Replace decals & emblems = 1 hour labor
· Replace tank, side covers, fender on bike = 2 hours labor
· Parts: Paint supplies (primer, paint & clear coat) = $300 and up.  Multiple colors or stripeing may increase price.
· Hand buff = 2 hours labor (if desired)
· Parts: Decals & emblems (reuse or replace?) = $50 and up, as needed
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22 - 28  hrs labor x $90/hr = $1,980 to $2,520 + price of parts
Estimate to Paint entire Vintage bike include frame, gasoline tank, 2 side covers, 2 fenders.  Additional parts extra.
as of April 8, 2009
* Replace or reuse decals & emblems
* Bike brought to us a whole unit (not in pieces)
* Removal of power coating adds 20% to 30% to the cost of labor
* Modern bikes are higher
* "Candy" paint adds $100 to $200 to any paint job estimate. 

· Disassemble/remove all parts down to bare frame = 4 hours labor*
· Strip paint from all surfaces = 6 hours labor
· Repair dents / rust / putty = 1 to 4 hours labor (if applicable)
· Prime all parts = 6 hours labor
· Paint all parts = 6 hours labor
· Additional colors, striping, or detailing = 1 to 2 hours labor + parts/paint
· Replace decals & emblems = 1 hour labor
· Replace all parts on frame & return to operational status = 8 hours labor and up
· Parts: Paint supplies (primer, paint, clear coat) = $300 and up.  Multiple colors
    or stripeing may increase price.
· Hand buff = 2 - 3 hours labor (if desired)
· Parts: Decals & emblems (reuse or replace?) = $50 and up, as needed
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33 - 38 hours labor x $90/hr = $2,970 to $3,420 + price of parts

* Disassembly & reassembly labor only covers standard work.  Extra labor (and parts, if applicable) will be charged to repair or replace damaged, worn, or missing parts. 
Sanding on a Benelli frame
Completed Paint & Clear coat on a Triumph Tank
1966 Honda 305 Dream CA77
1998 Suzuki GSXR 750
2001 Triumph 1200 Daytona
1974 Ducati 860 GT
1974 Norton Commando 850 - custom seat paint job
Before: plain black Corbin Smuggler Seat & Trunk
Sorry about crappy pic - we failed to snap a true "before" picture
The Corbin seat is for this Norton, as see
on our Home Page
Trunk was painted to match existing
custom paint job
Before with old seat
1972 Triumph Bonneville T120R
The inspiration for his paint job - The Michael Jordon Yamaha YZF as seen at the Barber Museum in Leeds, Alabama
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1978 Suzuki TS 250
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We cleaned & sealed inside the tank
Honda Magna parts drying in the paint booth
To control workmanship, cost, and turn-around time, we do ALL work here in our shop - start to finish - mechanical, painting, polishing, upholstery, etc.  (Only re-chroming is done off-site.)
This way, we can assure you of quality, consistent work.
Prepping a Ducati Tank for Hand-painted Stripes
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Paint Preparation & Final Product
We insist on striping all parts to the bare metal & in using minimal putty to repair dings & dents.  We
feel starting with a "blank canvas" allows for meticulous prep-work which leads to a high quality paint job.  Stripping away old paint primer and putty allows for close examination of the parts - particularly the frame & gasoline tank - to uncover otherwise hidden pin-hole sized damage, rust issues, or cracks hidden by paint. This is also a great time to consider sealing the inside of your gasoline tank so worry of rust or fiberglass "bubbling" are minimized.  A discount paint job isn't a bargain when poor prep work, questionable products, missed deadlines, or a lazy paint person* prevents you from obtaining the high quality, authentic-looking paint job your vintage bike deserves.  All patterns, schemes, lining, and graphics are fully researched, properly laid out, and professionally applied to produce beautiful, accurate results on your vintage motorcycle. 
Click to be directed to painting pictures
Randy preparing a batch of primer before painting parts from a 1970 Triumph TR6C
Trophy 650 aka "Greenie"
Estimate to Paint ONLY Frame (no tank, no side covers, no fenders, no etc.) 
as of April 8, 2009
* Removal of power coating adds 20% to 30% to the cost of labor
* Modern bikes are higher
* "Candy" paint adds $100 to $200 to any paint job estimate. 

· Disassemble/remove all parts down to bare frame = 4 hours labor*
· Strip paint from frame = 2 hours labor
· Inspect frame & repair welds = 1 to 2 hours labor (if applicable)
· Prime frame = 1 hour labor
· Paint frame = .5 hour labor
· Clear coat frame = .5 hour labor
· Replace all parts on frame & return to operational status = 8 hours labor
· Parts: Paint supplies (primer, paint, clear coat) = $100 and up
· Parts: Decals & emblems (reuse or replace?) = $50 and up, as needed
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17–18 hrs labor x $90/hr = $1,530 to $1,620 + price of parts

* Disassembly & reassembly labor only covers standard work. 
Extra labor (and parts, if applicable) will be charged to repair or replace damaged, worn, or missing parts. 
"Why does it cost $xxx just to paint the frame?"  Here's why ...

Frame painting of a 1969 Royal Enfield Interceptor 750 
This is just what it takes to paint a motorcycle frame. 
I haven't added the pictures yet about what it takes to
re-assemble the bike. 
Check back soon!
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Powder Coating

Removal of powder coating will add 20% to 30%
to the cost of labor

Why? Because powder coating is very difficult for us to remove and we often receive parts like this: 
A brake drum/wheel hub from a 1954 Triumph 5T SpeedTwin.
Note the powercoating on the INSIDE of the brake drum.
Not only is this a poor example of powder coating service, but it could have been extremely dangerous had the customer used the bike before bringing it to us.
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Wet sand & Final Buffing on a 1974 Honda XL 125 tank
HOME page
Revitalize the Spirit & Beauty of your Classic Bike
Click here to see more pictures related to this project
1978 Yamaha DT175E
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We cleaned/sealed inside the tank
1968 Triumph TR6R
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  This is the reason why all parts & pieces that come in for painting are thoroughly cleaned & stripped of all old paint before any painting begins.
    In picture 1, note the small hole at the bottom of this oil tank. When the oil tank arrived, it had years of oily residue on the top & bottom of the tank. Years of sludge had somewhat plugged the hole and prevented it from completely leaking though.
  In picture 2, you can see the light shinning though when you look in from the top of the tank.
  In picture 3, the hole has been welded shut and sanded smooth.
  For info of the service on this TR6R, click here.
Picture 1
Picture 2
Picture 3
1974 Yamaha RD 250 with 350 Top end
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Custom rear tail light
Click to see the complete restoration & customizing of this 1974 Yamaha RD 250 with 350 Top end
including 3 short videos of the bike
Repair of a Side Cover from 1972 Honda CB750 Four K2
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Click to see the complete restoration of this 1972 Honda CB750 Four K2 including short videos of the bike
Painting the components of a 1977 Honda Goldwing GL1000, a mix of plastic & metal parts
Paint estimates take 2 - 4 weeks to create
Paint turn around time is 3 - 4 months
* "Lazy" paint job = not removing old paint, only priming & clear coating the front part but not the underside & not carefully inspecting each part before painting
1972 Triumph Bonneville T120V
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Removing layers of body putty &
old paint
"Before" of the fenders, side covers, gasoline tank & oil tank
For more details about
the restoration of this 1972 Triumph Bonneville T120V, including mechanical servicing and cosmetic work
plus
lots
more pictures, please CLICK HERE
Stripe layout
Painting of Triumph Gasoline Tank badges

1 hour of labor = $90

Shipping extra

Estimate to Paint Vintage Gasoline Tank 
as of October 30, 2010
* Removal of power coating adds 20% to 30% to the cost of labor
* Modern bikes are higher
* Damage or repair to tank is extra
* "Candy" paint adds $100 to $200 to any paint job estimate

· Remove/re-install tank from bike (if applicable) = .5 to 1 hour labor*
· Strip old paint from gasoline tank = 1 hour labor
· Prime tank = 1 hour labor
· Paint gasoline tank = 1 hour labor per color
· Clear coat = .5 hour
· Hand painted stripes = 1 to 2 hours per color
· Parts: Paint supplies (primer, paint per color, clear coat) = $50+ for each item
· Hand polish = .5 hour labor (if desired)
· Parts: Decals & emblems (reuse or replace?) = $50 and up, as needed
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5.5 – 9 hrs labor x $90/hr = $495 to $810 + price of paint supplies and/or parts

* Disassembly & reassembly labor only covers standard work. 
Extra labor (and parts, if applicable) will be charged to repair or replace damaged, worn, or missing parts. 
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Directory of Painting Prices


Located in beautiful Central Virginia since 2001

8175 Black Walnut Run Road, Rhoadesville, VA 22542 USA

Service by Appointment ~ Closed Sunday & Monday
(540) 854-0689  //  info@rcycle.com

The Mid-Atlantic Region Premier Restorer of Vintage Motorcycles
Celebrating 10 years Servicing Fine Vintage Motorcycles
Website created and managed by Ursulina Creel.  Comments? Send to info@rcycle.com
This page was last updated on: December 8, 2011
Website, photographs & video content are the property of Randy's Cycle Service & Restoration & may not be used for any reason without prior, written permission.
All paint work is subject to a $90 or $180
non-refundable Estimate Fee
Things that affect the pricing of a paint job:
1. Parts off the bike, or, will we be removing them?
2. Condition of the outside of gas tank - rust, damage, dents?
3. Condition of the inside of the tank?  If there is significant rust inside the tank, we will require & charge for cleaning and sealing the tank before painting. (2 - 3 hours labor + materials) 
4. Damage on the side covers or fenders? Cracks, dents, missing rubber grommets, broken tabs, etc.  We do some plastic repairs.
5. Any of the parts Powder Coated? 
6. What turn around time are you desiring?  We require at least 1 week of strictly "cure" time before shipping or pick-up + the time to schedule in the paint job
1970 Triumph Bonneville T120R
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Original tank was incorrectly striped, sealer was lifting & a bubble had formed at the center seam
Paint & inside sealer were burned away & re-sealed
After paint was removed, an old weld reveled holes in the center seam
Randy cut out the damaged area, created a new metal "patch" for the repair, and welded it in place
The paint was matched to the existing fenders were were painted several years ago
1975 Triumph Trident T160V
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This tank, though it appeared cosmetically "perfect", actually had crooked striping and the sealer inside was bubbling & was coming loose.  Both the paint & sealer were removed, the 
gas tank was sealed, then painted correctly. 

Click HERE to see all the service performed on this Trident
Note the lack of symmetry in the scallops both horizontally & vertically
Sealer bubbling inside the gas tank
Tank was "baked" to burn away
inside the outside
In the paint booth for primer
Painting the tank badges
When you want a paint job or restoration done correctly & to the highest standards, bring it to us,
Randy's Cycle Service & Restoration

Don't settle for amateur results
3 layers of color are applied