The vehicle was a 2015 Toyota Camry. The estimate included a replacement left quarter panel, four hours to repair the outer wheelhouse, three hours to repair the rear bumper, four hours frame set up and pull, and a labor rate of $50 per hour for body, frame and paint, and $30 for materials.

The estimates ranged from $3,900 to $4,900.

I asked the group how many included on their estimate to paint the backside of the quarter panel. One person did, and he charged a grand total of half an hour for paint and 0.3 to mask.

I showed the class a picture of the backside of the quarter panel (Fig 1) and the masking of the interior prior to the refinishing. (Fig 2)

Fig 1

Fig 2 

The estimating guide calls for 3.5 hours to paint the outside of the quarter panel. The premise for paint time assumes a new OEM part on the exterior portion of the panel.

The justification for painting the backside of the panel is twofold: the original panel was refinished on the backside, and the time in the guide is for the exterior only.

I do know why the information providers do not have a pop-up like for a hood, but you need knowledge to charge for it.

Honda recently issued a Body Repair News dealing with corrosion protection for Honda Vehicle Repair. In it, Honda states the following:

“The backside of the new replacement panels (fender, door skin, quarter panel, etc.) should be prepared and coated with 2K urethane primer surfacer/sealer for corrosion protection. This 2K urethane primer should match...