HAYDEN – Most people might expect to pay $400 to $3,000 to have a car or truck painted.

But a bicycle?

Before passing judgment on Steve Forsness’ prices, consider what’s involved.

Depending on clients’ wishes, his services may include disassembling the bike, improving its design, repairing damage, sandblasting old paint off, priming the frame, sanding it, then painting a base coat, top coat and clear coat. Premium jobs require four clear coats, each followed by sanding and buffing.

He says it’s “very common” for custom painting to cost more than the bike’s original price tag.

“An average paint job takes 10 to 20 hours,” says Forsness, owner of gForse Bikes. “A fancy one can take 65”/Correspondent Mike Guilfoil, SR. More here.

Question: How much would you pay to have your bike re-painted?