Ballpark cost of repainting truck?

[GO 4LO]

Anybody know a ballpark cost to repaint a truck a different color? I'm looking at an ugly truck that I'll need to replace a couple body panels on, and I figure while I'm repainting it, I might as well get the color I want (go to black instead of the red/white combo it is now).

I would be going to a flatbed so I'd only need the cab and frontend painted, not the bed.

Chris

 

[y-knot]

It is like everything else now days, it all depends on how far you are willing to go. For the super cheap O paint job, Maco will charge about 600-700 dollars. I think it would be a waste of money, unless your just looking for a year or so with the truck. You mentioned you were looking for a cheap truck, so maybe you are also looking for a cheap paint job, it would seem to be reasonable. The paint it self is not the expensive part, although good paint cost more then average paint, the labor to do all the prep work is the big issue. For detailed re-finishing, they remove all the glass, door handles,lights,marker lights,name plates, decals and so on, that all takes time to do, and replace. Some of this could be done by yourself, I recently had mine painted and I removed a few things like the front bumper and lights. Most body shops are in the $ 40. 00 per hour range, so it adds up. Many times it is also cheaper to replace damaged body panels rather then repair them, examples would be the hood, door skins.

It really boils down to what you want, and what you are willing to spend. The color change will add to the bill, to do things right, all the door sills,fender tops, door jams and cab back will need to be painted. My truck, a '97 dually was in very good shape, I had a few hail spots on the roof and hood, I replaced the hood, and they fixed the few areas on the roof. I also re-painted it the same color which was black. My only comment to the guy's was I wanted it done right, and I expected the finish to be at least factory equivalent. I was given an estimate and they stayed pretty true to it, I also had them remove all the nameplates and decals with the understanding that I would re-install them. Everything totaled to just over $5,000. 00, I am happy and would do it again. I could have spent less by going elsewhere or doing less, but I am also aware that I could have spent much more. I found the balance that suited me, it looks better then the day I picked it up from the dealer. I have owned my truck since new,I ordered it, and plan on keeping it around for some time to come.

 

[GO 4LO]

Thanks for the info, y-knot. You're right - I am looking to stay pretty cheap, but don't want to go so cheap that it will be peeling within a year. Do you think the price would be lower if I got it painted the same tone of red as is already on the truck (so only the white strip was changed color)?

Also, seeing as you're pretty local - can you recommend any good shops?

Thanks again!

Chris

 

[todt061458]

Ok all well and good. But what if you wanted to paint a 2001 with some good imron or better paint with a little flake in it and some pearl? I was thinking a deep dark black cherry red. any suggestions? The truck has rusting doors right and left and will be replaced by my dealer And the pickup bed was hit last night by a soccer mom driving a school bus. ( no one hurt just my truck) so I might as well re paint the whole truck with a better paint than dodge sprays on. suggestions?

 

[y-knot]

Yes the cost goes down it if is the same color, there just isn'e as much to paint, less time = less money.



Yes Imron is a very good paint, it got it's start when the jet age came about. At the time they had no reasorue for paint that would hold up to the abuse of flying 36,000' and 550 mph. At first it was only available in a few colors, then in the late 50's early 60's the hot rodders caught on to it's tough traits. From there it expanded into what it is today, a widely used and tough paint that last. Almost every aircraft and fire truck is painted with it, it is tough. I painted a few dragsters and sand rails with it, as well as a few trailers, it does last. I have even painted exhaust manifolds and headers with it, it works better then anything else I have tried. The down side is it is very expensive, and the fummes are deadly (probly why I am so goffy now). My best paint job to date was a rail that I layed 3 base coats of silver metalitc and 6 coats of deep blue candy over it, then applied another two coats of clear. It was beatifull, and sparkled like crazy in the sun.

I suppose you could go that route, I didn't when I had mine painted because it's not a show truck and the standard base coat/clear coat worked just fine. If you do go with Imron, I would say expect to add around $2,000 to the budget. Shops that would use Imron and the paint itself will cost extra, also they will want to do some addittional body work as a prep. Like I said earlier, it's all about what you want and how much you are willing to spend??

Rusted body pannels take time to fix, and that is money- so the more rust the more moolaa. I would leave the inside of the bed alone, after the paint job, take it to get a spary-on bed liner. You can also shop around on the web for replacement parts, I got my hood and all nameplates that way, you should save about 20-25% that way. What ever you do, make sure you and the body shop are on the same page. When they go thru the estimate, go over each area of the truck and explain exactly what you want and expect to be done.



This is my hood and what the paint looks like after prep,paint ,wet sanding twice and clear coated. Good luck with yours

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[EBottema]

doing a good paint job on a truck would cost you around 2500 dollars. Save some money and remove moldings, headlights and other stuff yourself



erik

 

[mcoleman]

2500. 00 to 3000. 00 for good around here. 1000. 00 to 1500. 00 for cheap.

 

[RHARVEY]

My 97 goes in next week FINALLY... . to get the same color job. They are going to pull all the old paint off and fix all the little dents,the side molding is coming off and so is the badges,bumpers. . etc. The paint job will be gaurenteed(sp?) for 6 years. Since he is a friend of the family. . its going to cost 2k instead of 3k that this much work would normally cost.

The only bad side of this whole thing is that I will be without my truck for 2 weeks or more. .



Rick

 

[EBottema]

Most body shops offer a lifetime paint warranty. 6 years kind of sounds cheesy.

 

[y-knot]

Lifetime warranty on paint... ..... I don't think so. Dodge will only give you 5-years on a new truck, I can not see someone giving more then that on a old, rusted, or dented truck that already is in need of a paint job. You would have to be an idiot to offer such a warranty, that of know you will be out of business in a few years. The truth is most dealership body shops will offer the best warranties, these cover materials and workmanship and are generally three years at most. Also they are on a pro-rated bases, so don't think you will get anything for free. Maco, the cheapest paint source around these parts, offers a one year warranty, that the paint will not peal or crack, after that you are on your own.

 

[EBottema]

Originally posted by y-knot

Lifetime warranty on paint... ..... I don't think so.

All the body shops in the Los Angeles area that are good and do any work for insurance companies offer lifetime warranty of paint. That covers peeling cracking fading chipping. If i go and get my truck repainted after my lawsuit with dodge, the guy said paint is covered for life, however its gonna run about 3500 for white... erik