Also one of the newbies to this site, but boy have I enjoyed learning from everyone that has contributed. Question: I am interested in purchasing a used Speedster replica and expect that I may then have it re-painted. What can I expect in terms of cost for a quality paint job and does anyone recommend a business in So Cal?
Thanks for any info you can forward.
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Haven't had a car painted in decades, so I'm not much help there, JP. Maybe give John Steele a call at JPS (Speedster manufacturer in Hollywood) and ask who he uses for his paint jobs, His cars have VERY nice paint quality.
Click on 'Makers' tab at top here and click on JPS for contact info! 
You can spend a bundle on a "show case" paint job or you can get a Maaco special....
Body prep. is the key to a good finish and is therefore time consuming...(read that "EXPENSIVE") I've had done two middle of the road jobs and held the costs down by doing the body work and sanding my self.... Like everything else, you get what you pay for....
x2 on JPS for a SoCal paint job. John Steel used to sub his paint to the guy who leased the front half of the ghetto-barn in North Hollywood (JPS leased the back). I think John brought the painter-guy in-house a few years back. The paint was always the JPS strong-suit-- really, really nice. I wouldn't hesitate to let him paint my IM, assuming I could make it through the entire transaction without doing John Steele bodily harm (which would require restraint).
I do a lot on my cars, but I no longer do paint. Just not enough patience left to deal with it. I used to spend HOURS doing the body work til I felt it was perfect, then get the car to the painter who invariably pointed at a few areas and said "Gee, that's pretty rough - I'll have to spend some time making it right."
El-Cheapo paint will cost you twice - it'll be cheap when you get it done, but it'll look OK at best and you'll probably get it done again in a few years. Plan on around $1 grand for that.
Quality prep and paint will cost you, but the finish will be much better and people (mostly everyone) will notice. Plan on $2K - $6K for that, depending on where you go and what gets done, with a sweet spot of $2,500 or so. I spent over twice that on my car and the finish came out great and has lasted since 1999.
What is the paint process on your car, please Gordon ?
Thank you all for the feedback...well maybe not the Dustin Hoffman Rainmaker $100 estimate.
I'll be giving JPS a call.
Let us know how that call goes.
If you get one with a fiberglass body, it will probably have a gelcoat finish. It doesn't need to be painted. Bring it to a boat repair shop. Some autobody shops can do the job. They can fix cracks and scratches for short money. Gelcoat costs about $50 a gallon. I will be going through that process in a few weeks should cost $300 to $400. The process is not too involved you may be able to do it yourself. Scratches and cracks can't be seen if the job is done right,
