Mine was completly dissasembled then painted,looks really nice with alot of attention to detail, like no over spray all metal parts cleaned and redone. this is something you wont get from the downtown shops that are into crash repair,which is the quick easy repair.

Mine was painted in a two car garage with a home made paint booth, (love duct tape and plastic). Bottom line...it wont be cheap,but you wont lose your investment.

 

Don't give up the ship.  The more prep work you can do yourself, the lower the $8-10K figure will go.

 

 

FWIW:  I painted both my cars ten-twelve years ago.  Both are five footers and neither has a show quality paint job, but my only expenses were paint, materials, and my time.  I shot both with the original acrylic lacquer which, depending on local air quality laws, may or may not be available in your area these days.

 

I am not advocating you do the same, but it's something to think about.