My paint for my Corvair was $410, primer was $120, I used Dupont Chromabase and Dupont clear.

I have 180+ hours in the bodywork, prep, and blocking.

$2500 sounds good for a complete job, just make sure the flame layout is to your liking. Try to be there when the flames are taped so you can make changes if necessary. One persons flames do not appeal to all.

I personally like "seaweed" flames a-la Larry Watson...they are long and spindly and run the full length of the body.

I dislike flames that require a front-end complete color-change because it looks to me like the car is two-toned front-to-back.

The flames-over-tinted purple primer on my sled are House of Kolor "Voodoo green", shaded at the edge and pinstriped in silver. The center of the flames are filled with tattoo-styled spider webs airbrushed in white and striped in silver.

The finishing touch is a small (silver-dollar sized) spider on the rear pan wearing a top hat and smoking a cigar.

All cuts, welds, finishing, paint, and striping were done by me in my garage.