Ahoy mateys! My R-magic lip spoiler just arrived today and I'm psyched to get it on. Only thing is that it's unpainted at the moment (primered I believe). Obviously I'm going to have it painted in the near future before the install but I have never had any car parts painted.

What should I ask the painters or make sure that they do before they take my hard earned money? Which comes to money, what do you guys think is a good price on painting a spoiler (it's a lip spoiler smaller than OEM and similar in size to the Euro)? Do i need a clear coat, etc etc. Oh for those in Calgary, any recommendation on a good shop? Thanks guys.

Paint shops are variable in quality and price; ask locally (not necessarily here, since the RX-8 experience will be limited by numbers) for a recommendation, and paint is paint is paint, if expertly applied. I don't know how much credence to lend to a Mazda-approved place with the three-in-one painting being done, etc..

Most paint places will charge at least 1.5 hours of labour for the painting process and the 'set-up' required to get things primed, sanded, paint-gun loaded, etc. That is generally a fixed cost, and can be defrayed by getting others in on the paint, or getting other bits painted at the same time. It's not recommended to, say, get the scratch on the bumper done since they have to prep the bumper and the like, which takes even more set up time. How long it takes to paint a lip spoiler... hmm... not that long, I'd imagine.

If you don't get clearcoat, the paint finish will go flat and it will look out of keeping with the rest of the finish. You could get the thing done in flat-black, if that's a concern.