2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Cost of a good paint job?

[dward]

These old girls are a never ending cycle. Once you start fixing them up, its hard to stop.
Since my truck is solid and only 50k mi I'm seriously considering doing a quality job with body work and paint.
The body has a few dents and dings etc, and definatly needs a paint job but overall its not bad.
I know you get what you pay for and a buddy had his Ford painted with some body work for $1300 from Maaco. It looks ok but not quality.
Another place quoted around $7k but came down to $3500 pretty quickly. They seemed experienced and explained what they would do to my satisfaction. I'm hesitant because I got the feeling they may be sheisters, from a country on the North side of the middle east. If your familiar with auto repair places in the San Fernando Valley, you know what I mean.
The last place was recommended by a guy who does a lot of diesel truck work.
He was very thorough on the inspection and was straight forward. Explained the work having to pull the bed, mouldings, bumpers etc.and would take 6-8 weeks. He wants $6500 but I feel I would rather pay him $3k more than the other shop.
I know there is a lot of time involved but whats a reasonable price for a quality job.

 

[GrantP]

If it helps, I was quoted a little over $7k to repaint my 97 from a reputable body shop.

 

[BigPapa]

A friend of mine that paints show cars told me he would paint mine for a "Super Deal" of $5500. I have not checked with any reputable body shops but I am going to guess they will be in the same neighborhood. Another friend got his painted when he was having a wreck repaired. The damage was basically the right bed side and the very rear of the cab on that side. They painted the whole truck for an additional $3000.

 

[Joe Mc]

If there's no metal work, no panels to be replaced and just a few dings 6500 is pretty solid for a quality job. Do yourself a favor and have them, or do it yourself, take the mirrors and door handles off so there's little to tape off except the glass.

 

[dward]

Thanks, I figured a good job wouldn't be the Earl Scheib price.
Agree on the handles. He would remove the handles, mirrors, bumpers, bed etc.
i just got back from Nicaragua and they use a lot of the Rhino lining on their vehicles. At least the ones that can afford to have one.

 

[DonFitzwater]

My 95 was recently molested by a big Kodiak grizzly bear and I just got it back from the body shop for a bedside and a tailgate. The insurance company paid me for the bedside, tailgate and a repaint of the two but with the age of my truck, there was no way I was going to have just those parts painted. I asked for a quote and was shocked when I heard that on top of the body shops quote of 5100.00 to fix the bear damage they would need an additional 10,000.00 to paint the remainder of the truck. I took the insurance check and had the body shop take care of the sheet metal replacement and me and a friend are going to paint it. We'll have a top notch paint job done and it will be less than 2k even factoring in paying my buddy 500 for his work.

I would think that your second estimate of 6500.00 would be more in line with reasonable and probably a good end product based on your experience with the camel jockeys.

 

[Shelby Griggs]

The biggest cost of a quality vs cheap job is the prep, both removal of parts and the surface prep, same as painting a building!

SHG

 

[DavidC]

My 95 was recently molested by a big Kodiak grizzly bear and I just got it back from the body shop for a bedside and a tailgate. The insurance company paid me for the bedside, tailgate and a repaint of the two but with the age of my truck, there was no way I was going to have just those parts painted. I asked for a quote and was shocked when I heard that on top of the body shops quote of 5100.00 to fix the bear damage they would need an additional 10,000.00 to paint the remainder of the truck. I took the insurance check and had the body shop take care of the sheet metal replacement and me and a friend are going to paint it. We'll have a top notch paint job done and it will be less than 2k even factoring in paying my buddy 500 for his work.

I would think that your second estimate of 6500.00 would be more in line with reasonable and probably a good end product based on your experience with the camel jockeys.

10K . THAT IS CRAZY. The 6500 was also what I thought but that is also a lot of coin for the junk they call paint these days.

Dave

 

[Joe Mc]

Something to consider outside of quality prep (which is key) is quality of materials used, everything from the sandpaper, filler, primer up to and including the base and clear coat. Quality products should be considered for best outcome and prep/application = longevity of end results. Remember: Nothing is cheap anymore including paint and you get what you pay for. Don't expect to get a steak for the cost of a hot dog.

 

[Wayne M.]

A whole paint job is tough to estimate around the country. I know bodywork prices are real high around here because everything here is high, but add on stuff like enviro regs in NY requiring big $ equipment, and it's worse.
I know savvy classic car guys who ship their work south for excellent/honest work at a better price.
I would pay close attention to exactly what you're getting for the $$. It would be smart to buck up for better materials and or a poly or clear coat, less plastic, etc etc. if you think they're shady- run!
it is common sense to do as much yourself as possible if that's possible, like taking trim, bumpers, small parts off yourself.

 

[buntster]

Also have a serious look at the shop environment before you choose a painter. Not only is the quality of the materials (sandpaper, tape, etc.) often forgotten or missed, but the overall shop environment matters more than you can imagine.

I'm not just talking about a clean paint booth either. How are the floors in the shop? Do they clean/sweep/wash the floors regularly? Would you feel comfortable walking through the shop wearing your Sunday best? If not, steer clear, based on my personal experience.

I had a '67 Buick painted a couple of years ago at a mid-level body shop (a Franchise we've all heard of). The intent was for a "protection" paint job, not show quality, and I intended to paint again after restoration work...so I didn't expect perfection.

What I got was sloppy prep (the only place the paint really came out well was the sections I had prepped myself with old-school rattle can primer), but what REALLY disappointed me (and serves as the basis of my warning) is the sanding dust in every single mechanism, nook and cranny of the car. This shop apparently doesn't use much in the way of ventilation/air quality control outside the paint booth, and didn't take the time to mask the windows and seals before doing serious sanding prep.

Two years later, I'm still cleaning sanding dust and residues out of the car. To top it off, they obviously did some welding/grinding too close to my car, and I now have pitted windows from the slag...

Please, look over the shop and the work environment and consider the possibilities. I realize a '67 resto/mod project has different considerations (and air gaps) than a modern pickup, but be aware of the implications of parking for 4-6 weeks in a shop where 20 other cars are being prepped, sanded, primed, and worked over.

 

[Liecha]

A buddy of mine had his '94 linexed (cab) after he received a quote for 7K for just the cab. Linex guy quoted 1500 and the bill was 1200. Could not be more happier with the result. He had the logos just covered over so they are black. We removed the bed before having it done and just put it back on after the job (4 bolts). He hit, ran his gooseneck coupler (on trailer) along the side of his cab and has sideswiped a caravan trying to avoid an accident. In both cases the damage has been Very Minimal. In the case of the coupler, dented the door slightly and pulled back about two inches of liner where the coupler caught the front door seam after scraping along the front fender. Second incident, there were paint marks from the caravan.

Paint looks a lot better but is very expensive. We were also told here by the paint shops that the regulations and taxes in the past years have made everything real expensive for the shops.

~Liecha

 

[fmj]

Just finished getting my '01 repainted back to stock white. Cost was $6200 cash, here's what was done. There was no body work to speak of. The paint was "spider webbed" all over truck and peeling. Completely sanded, prep, trim removed/replaced, removed windshield (replaced with new one), rear window removed/replaced, bed removed, bumpers removed, and completely painted cab, bed. Along with that I have a rolltop and Pullrite 5th wheel hitch which they removed and replaced upon completition of painting. Paint job looks great and has a "lifetime warantee" which as long as it last for another 10 years I'll be happy. I was taken back by the estimates, but then I remember painting my wifes little '30 5 window. Granted paint shops get a better pricing for paint than I did, but paint (base coat/clear coat}, primer, sealer, sanding material, etc. cost me about $3000 and that was a small car. Hope this gives you some more info to help make decision.

 

[DonFitzwater]

Just finished getting my '01 repainted back to stock white. Cost was $6200 cash, here's what was done. There was no body work to speak of. The paint was "spider webbed" all over truck and peeling. Completely sanded, prep, trim removed/replaced, removed windshield (replaced with new one), rear window removed/replaced, bed removed, bumpers removed, and completely painted cab, bed. Along with that I have a rolltop and Pullrite 5th wheel hitch which they removed and replaced upon completition of painting. Paint job looks great and has a "lifetime warantee" which as long as it last for another 10 years I'll be happy. I was taken back by the estimates, but then I remember painting my wifes little '30 5 window. Granted paint shops get a better pricing for paint than I did, but paint (base coat/clear coat}, primer, sealer, sanding material, etc. cost me about $3000 and that was a small car. Hope this gives you some more info to help make decision.

Yes, paint is a major cost now a days. I wanted to use Chromabase but it would have been almost 3000.00 for the works to do the whole job. I ended up getting Napa Crossfire and it was only 1k. I hope it lasts!

 

[Texis]

Starts at $2000 and goes to $10,000. Paint jobs will be all over the map. The larger, commercial shops will be high, as will the specialty shops. GET LOTS OF ESTIMATES.
I found a local (small) shop that cost me $4000. I'm happy, they did a good job. Had a couple of shops tell me $8,000-$10,000... but really didn't want to fool with it. I will say they sanded with the windows down!!! Took hours to get the interior clean LOL, so not so professional in the manner they took care of the truck.

Good luck.