You might have an old bike or recently bought a second-hand bike. The color of the bike may have faded away. A new paint job or artistic paint job can give your motorcycle a cool and fancy look. It will give you a good vibe wherever you go out for a ride.
Now you may be thinking about how much it costs to paint a motorcycle and how much you have to spend from your wallet to paint a motorcycle. In this article, we find the same answers and add more inputs to paint a motorcycle.
Please read this article patiently and you will have an overall idea about painting a motorcycle.
What is an Average Cost for Getting a Motorcycle Painted?
To paint or repaint a motorcycle you may need to cost around $300 to $2,500 in 2024. It can take one hour to ten hours to paint a motorcycle in a body shop or by a professional.
The price always depends on how many colors you want to paint. Cost can vary from motorcycle to motorcycle. The cost can also vary from location to location.
The motorcycles which have more metal panels will cost you more compared to the motorcycles which have more plastic panels. An artistic paint job will cost much more compared to a normal paint job.
Different Types of Paint Jobs Cost Summary
Here is the cost summary for different types of paint jobs. It will give you a clear idea about different types of paint jobs. It is an overall cost including materials and labor costs.
| Paint Job Type | Cost Range |
| DIY Job | $50-$300 |
| Body Shop Job | $200-$1,000 |
| Professional Job | $800-$2,500 |
| Artistic Job | $2,000-$30,000 |
Professional Paint Job
You can hire a professional painter or motorcycle mechanic to paint your motorcycle. He or she can charge you around $800 to $2,500 for a paint revamp. It can cost you more depending on the professional’s fame and demand for the service.
If you want to paint the frame with a professional he or she will charge more. As it takes more time to strip all the parts down to the frame and do a powder coat paint job. They usually take one to ten hours to complete the work.
Body Shop Paint Job
For doing a single color paint job like whole black, matte black, or Flat black, an average body shop can charge you around $200 to $1,000 including the labor cost. They will charge a little more for custom paint jobs.
A high-end body shop can charge $50 to $150 per hour for labor costs. You may need to leave out the bike for a day in an ordinary body shop. Because a body shop mechanic always has a workload.
Artistic Paint Job
No matter if your motorcycle is old or new, fancy or not, an expert artistic paint job can give your bike a unique and cool look.
An artist can charge you $2,000 to $30,000 depending on the painter’s painting skill. A full motorcycle’s unique paint job will cost you more compared to painting components like a gas tank.
DIY Paint Job
If you don’t have enough budget to go to a body shop or you are comfortable with a DIY painting job, you can paint the entire bike on your own. DIY paint jobs can cost you between $50 to $300.
The cost can be a little more or a little less depending on the material cost and availability of the equipment for the painting work.
If you don’t have any previous experience you can watch many videos on the internet on this topic. Still, if you have any confusion it is better to leave the job for a professional or take it to a paint shop. A simple mistake can ruin the whole thing.
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Motorcycle’s Different Parts Painting Cost
As we mentioned earlier a full motorcycle painting job can cost you $300 to $2,500 or more. You may be wondering how much each of the parts can cost. In this section, we tried to find you the answer.
Please note that all the costs are approximated. The actual cost can be a little more or a little less.
| Motorcycle Parts | Total Cost |
| Fairing | $100-$300 |
| Side Covers | $120-$350 |
| Front Fender or Rear Fender | $150-$400 |
| Engine | $100-$500 |
| Frame | $200-$550 |
| Helmet | $250-$1,500 |
| Fuel Tank | $300-$1,600 |
Gas Tank or Fuel Tank
It is the most common type of part that people paint generally. It can cost you around $300 to $1,600 to paint a gas tank. It depends on the type of paint job and what you want to do.
You can keep the color simple or you can use paint to hide bumps or scrapes on the tank. You may think about cool flames and artistic painting. It will cost you more compared to simple single-color paint.
Fairing
It is generally made of plastic and easy to paint. It can cost you around $100 to $300 or more to paint it in a body shop.
A professional or artistic paint job will cost you more. You can do it yourself. It will cost you less. For a DIY job, you will need sandpaper, primer, and spray paint.
Engine
Some may want to paint their bike’s engine. You can take your motorcycle to a body shop and they can charge you around $100 to $500. If you want to do it yourself, you have to be very careful.
It will be budget-friendly but a simple mistake can ruin the whole thing. Make sure you have covered the other parts that you don’t want to paint.
Frame
Frame painting is a difficult task as you have to strip all the parts down to the frame. It takes a long time to strip down, paint and again assemble all the parts. It can cost you around $200 to $550 to do a powder coating paint on the frame.
Frame painting is difficult for a DIY job. If you don’t have any knowledge about different parts of a motorcycle and have never assembled a bike, it’s better to leave the work for a professional. You can use paint to save the frame from rust.
Front Fender or Rear Fender
Some bikes have fenders made of plastic and some have them made of metal. You can repaint or paint a front or rear fender for around $150 to $400 or more depending on many factors and variables. You can easily remove the fender and paint it on yourself in your house.
Side Covers
You can have your bike’s side cover painted for around $120 to $350. Generally, people paint different types of logos or numbers on the side covers.
Some have artistic paint on the covers. An artistic paint job will cost you more compared to plain art.
Motorcycle Helmet
A helmet comes with the rider’s safety purpose. A paint job can give it a cool look. Some countries may have restrictions on it. Make sure your country allows a paint job on helmets.
A 3D or artistic paint job can cost you around $250 to $1,500 or more depending on the shop or artist. A customized paint job will make you unique around all.
Different Cost Factors
Answer the question about how much it costs to paint a motorcycle depends on many factors. With What types of paint jobs you choose, it is always important to keep these two factors in mind.
One is material cost and another is labor cost. These two factors directly affect the total painting cost.
Material Cost
For a DIY job, you will need paint remover, dry paper or sandpaper, one pint of prime coat, one pint of base coat or color coat, and one pint of clear coat. All together can cost you on average $50 to $200 or more depending on the quality of the paint.
You can buy all the paints from an online shop or a physical shop. For a unique color, you have to search more in a physical shop. It will increase the cost. In the online shop, you will have any type of color at a cheaper price.
Labor Cost
A motorcycle paint job can take one to ten hours to complete. It will take more if one tries to paint the frame too. You can save valuable time by taking it to a professional or a body shop.
A body shop mechanic or painter can charge around $50 to $150 per hour to get the job done. The more hours it will take the more you have to pay. The cost can vary from place to place and in the present day, it can cost you even more.
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Motorcycle DIY Paint Job
Painting your bike will help you to cut the labor cost and professional costs. It is more fun, satisfying, and budget-friendly to paint your motorcycle.
To repaint a motorcycle oil tank you may need these tools.
6 Major Tools for Painting Yourself
- 80, 200 grit sandpaper.
- 2000-grit wet-and-dry sandpaper.
- Paint remover.
- Spray gun or paint gun.
- Plastic or paper.
- Masks, goggles, and gloves.
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A Complete Guide of DIY Process with 9 Easy Steps
Here is the step-by-step for painting or repainting your motorcycle. Here we take a motorcycle tank as an example. (for frame paint you have to remove all the components and follow a different process).
Step 1: Prepare the Area or Paint Booth
Prep work starts with selecting a place where dust can’t come and have enough lighting facilities. To protect the area from being mass, use plastic to cover the surrounding area and floor.
Step 2: Remove the Tank
It will be easy to paint the gas tank from the frame. It will also protect other parts from getting mass. Carefully remove all the bolts holding the tank ( for other bodywork remove it the same way).
Step 3: Paint Remove And Smooth The Surface
There are different types of paint remover in the market. You can use one of them to remove the old paint. Use 80 grit sanding paper to smooth the surface perfectly.
Patiently does the work and gives as much time as it needs. If you don’t smoot the surface properly, it will be a complete waste of money to repaint the bike.
Step 4: Clean The Surface
Small dust on the surface can be enough to make the paint waste. You can use a microfiber cloth to dampen and wipe the surface.
Step 5: Apply Body Filler And Resand The Surface
For a more smooth surface, you can use a layer of body filler over the area. Apply a layer over the surface and leave it for one hour to dry. After drying it completely resand the surface until you are satisfied with the smoothness of the surface.
Step 6: Apply Epoxy Primer (2 coats)
Mix the primer with the hardener and put it into the paint sprayer. Read the instructions given on the packet and choose the recommended hardener.
Slowly move the spray gun and apply one coat. Done overspray in any area. Let it dry for a while. Then again apply another coat.
Step 7: Smooth the Surface
Use a 2000-grit wet-and-dry sanding paper to smooth the surface again. Two coats of primer can leave a powdery texture on the surface.
Step 8: Apply the New Paint
Clean the used spraying gun properly to apply the new paint. Before applying the paint you have to soften the paint with thinner for a nice finish. All the instructions are written on the packaging. Now it’s time to paint the surface.
Apply three layers of paint and leave it dry properly after applying each layer. Use a 2000-grit wet-and-dry sandpaper again to smooth the surface and before applying the final coat wipe the area with a clean rag.
Step 9: Apply Clear Coat or Plain Coat
Again wash the spraying gun before applying the plain coat. You can again use the 2000-grit wet-and-dry sandpaper to smooth the surface before applying the final coat of plain coat lacquer.
Let it chill according to the recommended time. Still, If you are not satisfied with the work, you can resend the area with 2000-grit wet-and-dry sandpaper and apply the final touch of clear coat lacquer.
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7 Practices that Increase the Overall Painting Cost
It’s always your choice of You. There are several reasons which may increase the overall cost. Here are a few of them.
- Selecting a high-end body shop.
- Choosing an artistic paint job.
- Applying multiple colors or designs.
- Using premium quality color.
- Not trying a DIY job.
- Applying unnecessary coats.
- Adding decals over the paint.
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6 Tips for Save Money on Motorcycle Painting
Money is a big factor nowadays. Saving a dollar is a huge help. We’ve put together a list of how to save money.
- Choosing a DIY job. It can save the whole labor cost.
- Choose a single-color painting design.
- If you have any older spray cans left in the house, you can use them.
- If you don’t know the DIY job, you can prepare the components for painting. It will reduce the working time and ultimately save your money.
- Buying materials from the online shop. It will slightly save the search cost.
- Try to keep it simple.
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When to Repaint My Motorcycle
We always love fresh and new. The pleasure of owning a cool motorcycle is incomparable. If you see one, make sure to paint it.
- If your motorcycle color is not up to date.
- If you want to have a new look.
- Dent or damage on the surface.
- Rust or scratch on the gas tank.
- A new painting job can add extra value.
Related: How Much Does it Cost to Paint Brake Calipers?
Time to Answer Some Frequently Asked Questions on Motorcycle Painting (FAQs)
Is it cheaper to wrap or paint a motorcycle?
Wrapping a motorcycle is cheaper compared to painting a motorcycle. A regular paint job can cost you $300 to $2,500 and a custom or artistic paint job can cost up to $30,000 depending on the artist and paint quality. But a high-end vinyl wrap job can cost you around $1,500 to $4,000.
Is it hard to repaint a motorcycle?
A repaint motorcycle job is not that hard. If you have all the related materials and previous experience in painting you can complete the job on your own. But it will take more time and patience to complete it. Make sure you are ok with that.
How much is a custom motorcycle paint job?
Exceptional custom paint jobs cost way more compared to regular or single-color paint jobs. A custom paint job can cost you up to $30,000. The more details and colors you will add the more it will increase the cost.
How much does it cost to paint a Harley Davidson?
A regular paint job on a Harley Davidson can cost around $1,000 to $2,500 or depend on the quality and the type of paint job. A custom or artistic paint job can even more and go up to $30,000 or more.
Which paint is best for the motorcycle frames?
Engine acrylic aerosol paint is the best suite for a spray paint job on the motorcycle frame. It is easy to spray. It gives a smooth finish and is more durable compared to other paints.
Should I clear coat my motorcycle frame?
You can apply one or two layers of clear coat on the newly powder coating motorcycle frame. It protects the color from being damaged and makes it more long-lasting. Make the surface smooth and clean before applying the paint and clear coat.
Can I spray paint my motorcycle?
Yes, you can spray paint on your motorcycle. It is not that difficult though. If you don’t have any previous experience you can google it or watch videos over the internet to know about the step-by-step process.
