I know I've been kinda MIA lately, but I'm hoping you'll forgive me and help me out with something.
I'm currently putting racing stripes across the top of a Triumph Spitfire. One 3 1/2" red stripe with two 3/4" blue stripes on either side. These are offset from center about midway through the passenger side. There is not a straight line on the vehicle, so getting the wide stripe somewhat straight on the curves is kind of challenging. This includes the rear bumper and a couple of little "tricky" areas.
What would you guys charge for this? FYI: I'm doing this job for my husband's business and feel I'm giving them a deal; he, on the other hand thinks it's worth less...
-------------------- Tracie Johnson Signovations Ventura, California Posts: 444 | From: Ventura, California | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
Tracy....go to Home Depot or Lowes and look for the little lazer levels.
They can be set to throw a verticle line, horizontal line or both. They are very inexpensive.
Set it up on a step ladder so that it throws a line from the windshield to the floor exactly wher you want the left edge of the red stripe. Once you have applied the red strips using the lazer as a guide, do the same at the rear of the car.
You can eyeball the blue stripes using the red one as a guide.
When your ungrateful hubby asks how much, give him the highest price that you can say without laughing!
PS......... I remember adding racing stripes to my TR3....it was a bitch!
[ February 24, 2009, 09:04 PM: Message edited by: Si Allen ]
-------------------- Si Allen #562 La Mirada, CA. USA
(714) 521-4810
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siallen@dslextreme.com
"SignPainters do It with Longer Strokes!"
Never mess with your profile while in a drunken stupor!!!
Brushasaurus on Chat Posts: 8827 | From: La Mirada, CA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Thanks for the tip, Si. I'm having a hard time visualizing what you mean though--from the windshield to the floor--and how I'd align the hood with that. I might give it a try next time if I can figure it out.
Unfortunately it's too late this time as I finished it today. The one thing I haven't finished though is the invoice...
-------------------- Tracie Johnson Signovations Ventura, California Posts: 444 | From: Ventura, California | Registered: Nov 2005
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Material cost plus at least 50% then your time taken at your shop rates. If you don't value your time as much as it's worth you will never succeed.
OK, if you think it took you longer than it should have taken, charge accordingly. If you did it quicker than you thought it would take, raise yer rates because you are that good.
As Si said charge what you think the job is worth! If they don't choke and splutter say: "plus materials"
PS: I hand painted two 6" white stripes over my green 1275 Mini Cooper S back in the 60's .... know what yer talking SI!
PPS: Sue won't let me within a hundred yards of the new Honda VTi-S with a brush in my hand !!!!
[ February 25, 2009, 05:59 AM: Message edited by: Jon Butterworth ]
posted
Hiya Tracie, Vinyl or paint? Did you have the materials in stock or did you special order? When I did a lot of vinyl striping as a complement to truck lettering, I would start at ~$125 for some basic one color lines and go up from there. A shoot from the hip price on what you describe probably would be in the $200-$350 range. Needless to say, I don't do striping anymore. The problem around here is you have guys knocking out fairly decent vinyl striping jobs at the dealerships for $35 a car and the dealer is only charging double their cost.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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I was hoping some people would give me some "hard numbers." For the record, I told my husband I would keep it under $300, but I think the job is worth about $350 - $400. He thinks $285.00 is a lot for the job. And says that if he asked someone who didn't know better they would probably think it cost $125.
I do, as a rule, mark up materials plus time, and this one took me about 5 hours. At least one hour was spent trying to line it up, which was all "eyeballing" because there was no way to take any measurements. About 45 minutes was prep-time and the rest install. My shop rate is $65. I might have to add another 1/2 hour or so, because I still have a tricky bumper to finish.
I did an Alpine for them a couple years ago HERE which although it had much more vinyl and a logo to boot, it was almost easier to install as it was centered on the vehicle.
The instructions I recieved were, "We don't have the budget we had for the Alpine." My husband seems to think I charged almost $500. I can't even find an invoice (and I enter everything in quickbooks). I certainly don't remember getting cash, so they may have gotten that one for free. (They're checking their books) I'll post pics of this one when it's done.
And by the way, they will be getting it for $285, I just want him to know they're getting a good deal.
-------------------- Tracie Johnson Signovations Ventura, California Posts: 444 | From: Ventura, California | Registered: Nov 2005
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" We don't have the budget we had for the Alpine "
Yep, this is the reason they've come back to you and judging by the Alpine itself, they had to put big dollars into its restoration with you charging as little as possible.
Good luck
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
posted
Ha ha, Joey! Actually, the reason "they've come back to me," is cuz he's married to me, and you can't imagine the consequences if he went somewhere else!
-------------------- Tracie Johnson Signovations Ventura, California Posts: 444 | From: Ventura, California | Registered: Nov 2005
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tell him you need that Cartier necklace.....you been wanting for the last 10 years)))))))
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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I am a complete novice to pricing, however I just laid out stripes on a Shelby Mustang, 2 - 6 inch wide racing stripes, I did no painting just the "Fine line" layout and charged the shop $250.00. My hourly rate is 80-100 per hour. I also don't have a shop or any overhead so price accordingly.
-------------------- DeWayne Connot DOA Flatliners Pinstriping To Die For! Northwales, Pa dconnot@verizon.net Posts: 28 | From: Northwales, PA | Registered: Jan 2004
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