I think it is impossible to give an estimate untill the frame is hand and the paint is stripped to see the condition of the bare metal. Before that, all that can be given is a ballpark estimate. Maybe Cyclart would be better served to quote a price to a emailer or caller in a general low to absolute high range, but they could not be expected to give a firm quote over the phone without seeing the product. I have had many frames restored/repainted in the last 10 years by many different painters around the country, and there ALWAYS suprises when the old paint is stripped that no one could have predicted without seeing it bare.
Any business that wants to stay in business, has to charge for these things. Labor is expensive. Rent, electricity and insurance, among the many other expenses that a business occurs day to day is expensive, and really eats up the bottom line profits. Throw complying with the EPA into the mix, and we see why paint costs are so high.
As far as a one price paints all price, I don't think I would want to be the guy with a fairly new frame without any issues paying for a paint job that has overhead built into it to account for the old rusty frame that has dents and heavy pitting.
I have never used Cyclart for paint, but they do an AWESOME job restoring saddles, and the price they quoted was the price I paid.
Scott McCaskey
Dalwaorthington Gardens, TX