How was does it cost to repaint a car? Is it pretty cost prohibitive.
We have a 2012 Honda CRV that’s an t’s an ugly greenish color. Thinking about repainting it into a more attractive standard color (e.g., gray)
Not sure if this is a crazy / stupid idea since it’s a purely optional repaint and the car isn’t worth much
Honestly, a wrap looks like a better idea these days and a quality one can actually outlast a similarly priced paint job.
$400 Maaco special that will show different color door jams, orange peel, and other defects. Or a couple of grand to do it right. Good luck selling your car after though.
Yes, this. If the paint is in good shape, your better off selling and buying one with the color you want.
Maybe even trading it with someone.
+1 for the wrap. Can be done for $1000 and you can just peel it off later.
I got a Maaco paint job on an old pickup recently and was actually pretty good. Regular body shops cannot come close to the same price as their supplies will likely run that amount. There was a special at the location near me which was about $800 all-in for their mid-grade level which includes a 5 year guarantee.
The trick is to strip the car as much as possible yourself as they just tape off molding etc and usually not well. I would paint it the same color to avoid dealing with door jams, etc.
Here is the after (pinstripes were put on by a different company)
Stupid thing is going through this all trouble just to look at your car for a split second while getting in.
That defeats the whole point of his ask, though.
@pxwang, I agree wholeheartedly with those who say it would be cheaper to swap cars. Even a couple grand is going to be crappy compared to factory paint.
Sorry… missed that 
Agreed… sell it or swap it to save on tax. Its not that old (relatively speaking) and will begin to chip/fade within a couple of years and look much worse than the factory paint.
Agree with everyone else. If you’re going to change the color, you have to do it right. Engine bay, door jambs, under the carpets, etc. That’s gonna cost some $$$$. Otherwise, it’s going to look stupid, everyone will know it has been painted, and your resale value will plummet.
A good body shop is going to charge ~$3,000 for a CRV-sized car so it’s not worth it.
Even a wrap is not a good idea. You’re going to eliminate 99% of CRV buyers just to find the pimple-faced 17yr old who wants to look gangster but wants to pay you in monthly installments
Paint job is worth if only it is a classic imo.
As others have said, properly painting the car involves stripping the car down which means thousands of dollars. A cheap respray will miss the engine bay, jambs, etcetera, and will also likely devalue the car itself. It’s not worth it unless you’re going to do it right, which is kind of ridiculous on a CRV.
Thank you all, this thread is super helpful.
Confirms that repainting an old CRV is a crazy and stupid idea 
Another lesson is to make sure you get the color you want because repainting is cost-prohibitive.
Maybe my eye is too untrained, but what’s wrong with this?
He spent way more money than the car is worth to customize it.
For me the wheels are just too ugly, if you’re ok with that wrap color.
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