I don't do body work, never have, probably never will.

However I've had dozens of cars painted by several body shops over the years...

This is how it was explained to me...

It takes approximately 3 days to take one panel from bare metal to finished paint...
That includes prepping the metal, epoxy prime, filler work, sanding, priming, block sanding, final prime, guide coat, final blocking, paint, clear coat, denibbing, polishing.
That is approximatey 24 hrs labour.

NOW: Most cars have 8-10 panels...2 fenders, 2 doors, 2 quarters, hood, trunk, roof, valances.

Simple math: 8 X 24 = 192 / 10 X 24 = 240

In other words the average car takes 200hrs - 250hrs

Now, if you're thinking that I'm still high...notice I didn't count the engine compartment, door and trunk jambs, trunk floor, any special attention to sound deadener, etc...etc...AND I haven't even considered doing anything to the bottom of the car....

I stand by my estimate of 500 hrs