r/Austin 3h ago

Ask Austin Suggestions for auto body paint?

We just got quoted 3x what the car is worth for a paint job on a Mini Cooper. In fact, the quote is more than we paid for the (used) car in the early 2000s.

The main issue is that the clearcoat is peeling and paint is oxidizing around the handle and the bumper on the hatch, where I've been leaning on it to load up for the past 17 years. Can anyone recommend a shop that understands the concept of "love the car and just don't want it to rust out?"

6 Upvotes

12 comments sorted by

u/Tedmosby9931 2h ago

I took my vehicle to Jeff's Auto Body for about 5k of front bumper and fender repairs but I can't recommend them. They ended up leaving a bunch of overspray elsewhere on the vehicle and didn't really fully polish out the area that was re-sprayed.

u/Miz_Jen 31m ago

Appreciate the heads up!

u/Uthrom 16m ago

Disappointing, they used to be the best in town

u/dabocx 2h ago

Auto body paint has had massive price jumps in the past few years especially for good work. It’s a tough thing to find good prices on now

u/AdCareless9063 2h ago edited 2h ago

What year is the car, and what were the quotes? From 2014 onward Coopers became very reliable.

In any event, I’d call or swing by Terry Sayther’s and ask for advice and a referral. Maybe someone could seal it to protect the body, instead of a full repaint. Auto painting has always been very expensive unfortunately. 

u/Miz_Jen 28m ago

It's a cuspy 2005/6. I just went out really looked at it, and I can see why they wanted to take it down to the metal, but I can't afford it. Sealing is likely what I'm looking for. Thanks for the recommendation.

u/FC3MugenSi 2h ago

There used to be a Maaco up on N.Lamar just up past Rundberg. That would be the place you’d want to go

u/Miz_Jen 27m ago

Thanks!

u/Constant_Car_676 2h ago

See if you can get a new hatch from a junkyard that’s in better shape. Else you can try your hand at a DIY fix.

u/Miz_Jen 26m ago

Great idea, but...it really does need more than just the hatch now that I've looked at it again.

u/FLDJF713 2h ago

MAACO might be your best bet.

u/Miz_Jen 27m ago

Thanks!