Automobile Painting Classes

Q. I saw the question from the person who was looking for a legitimate place to learn the art of automobile painting. There is an institute (Name Withheld) that will teach painting, custom painting, etc, but you must also sign up for their auto collision and refinishing course. Unfortunately, I learned that these courses would cost me $28,000 as quoted to me by the institute representative. I thought that was FAR too high, and will pursue your advised method of practicing and learning by trial and error, picking up pointers from people I meet, or technical books you can buy at the painter supply shops. W. G.

A. In the February, 2005 issue, I answered a question from R. G. about classes that teach automobile painting. I told him, “This might sound oversimplified, but if you can learn to spray paint anything, you can learn to paint automobiles. I asked a friend who has a body shop where he learned to paint. He told me he learned by trial and error, from experience and by practicing. However, it wouldn’t be fair not to mention that his father was in the business and probably taught him.” I also told him he should look at local trade schools, community colleges and correspondence schools to see if they teach spray painting.

I agree that spending $28,000.00 to learn to paint automobiles is far too high. However, my point of reference is $10.00 a credit hour at Duquesne University in the early 1950s.