$700 paint job advice

[usocazy]

Ok, so I've found a super cheap paint job for my truck but I have some concerns. The major one is I don't know what I don't know about paint jobs.

My 04 Ram 2500 is my daily driver that has some clear coat failure on the roof plus some other paint flaws on the hood.

I know all paint jobs aren't created equally and paying more may mean a superior paint job. I don't need a "show truck" paint job, just looking for a respray of the original black paint job.

There is no major body work required, no rust and only minor door and bed rail dings.

The guys says that for $700 he will sand, prep and apply 2 coats of base and 3 clear coats. No, this is not Earl Scheib - just a local guy with a paint shop.

I asked about warranty and he said "normal paint warranties apply".

What pointed questions should I be asking the guy before I commit?

Thanks for your replies.



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[Detox]

Two biggest questions that come to my mind would be;

1. Product that he is using, make sure its a quality brand.

2. How much trim / Accessories is he pulling off? Is he pulling the headlights, grill etc off or just taping around them? Also is he removing the bed to get behind the cab? Make sure you understand his process and that it makes logical sense to you.

 

[NYCruiser]

He's not going to pull anything off, and just mask and spray for that price. Doesn't mean what he paints won't look good. Have you seen any of his other work? Most of the $$ in a paint job is in the prep work. You could probably come out with a very nice paint job from him if you prep it your self. Remove as much stuff that you don't want painted as possible.

 

[usocazy]

I haven't seen any of his work but plan on stopping by tomorrow after work to check things out.

I was thinking of debadging the truck and removing the rear bumper myself.

What other prep work should I do that still keeps it drivable to his shop?

Anything else I should ask him?


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[ATXHEMI]

Make sure he's going to clear coat it. There is a place here that does $299 enamel pain jobs. I believe this is a "You get what you pay for" scenario.

 

[NYCruiser]

I carefully masked job without a color change can really look fine if done right. Ask him for a couple of references and call them.

 

[usocazy]

So check on paint brand/quality, understand his process - what's done and not going to be done, get and call references.

Any type or quality of paint I should avoid? I'm assuming enamel is a poorer option?

What else? Keep em coming guys!


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[Redtruck-VA]

I recently had a hood painted by a guy who has done paint for me previously and consider him an excellent paint and body man. He told me the paint and materials alone was just over $150 for the hood. The hood was shot both sides with the top getting a solid two coats and the bottom total coverage. Top got a couple coats of clear. He charged me $300 with it installed. Typically I've found each panel such as a bed side or door and fender run about $350 each when piecing work together. I would think materials alone would run around $500, Doesn't leave much for labor, I would worry about what corners are being cut to get that price. Hope it works out for you..

 

[98hemi-ram]

^^ I agree with Redtruck-VA materials alone arent cheap. I paid $130 for urethane paint, reducer, and hardener to spray just my engine bay last year (and I sprayed the paint myself with my grandpas spray gun) Good quality paint is not cheap and even if he's using quality paint prep work is still the most important part. Without good prep work though it doesnt really matter what kind of paint he's using.

I paid $3k for the paint job on my 98 ram 4-5 years ago but my truck needed a bit more bodywork than what it sounds like yours does. I still wish I had've just spent some more and got a good paintjob since this one is falling apart already. Mine will be getting resprayed next spring my a more reputable shop that I know will do a good job.

Long story short you get what you pay for and I learned my lesson on skimping out on paint jobs. Will never do that again.

 

[usocazy]

Thanks for all the advice. Now I'm really questioning how he can paint my truck for $700 with all the prep and supplies included.

Maybe he got a good deal on a jack load of superior quality paint at a tremendous discount and he's passing along the savings to the customer.



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[usocazy]

So I wasn't able to link up with the guy today but we've arranged to meet and talk tomorrow after work.

Can you all recommend any specific questions I should ask about the actual paint he's using? How will I know if what he has is quality or garbage paint? What should I be avoiding (expect everything about a $700 paint job ) ?

 

[Redtruck-VA]

I'm not a expert, I just know what I like and spot what I don't like even faster. I'd check out his shop and ask him up front how he is painting cars so cheap. Maybe get a reference or two and give them a call.

 

[usocazy]

Yep - already plan on getting references and talking with them.

I drove by the shop just to see where it was so I wouldn't get lost trying to find it tomorrow.

Sooooo, here's where it got a bit funky - the guy works out of a storage unit! The funny thing is I wasn't too put off by that because it's a really clean, well kept establishment with other companies doing business out of there. It's in an industrial complex.

I'm willing to give a guy an opportunity to do a good job but NOT at my expense. If he doesn't have references and a portfolio of past work of some kind, I'll probably walk.

Still wondering about the right questions to ask about paint quality.

Any pointers?

 

[Redtruck-VA]

That may be one of the reasons he is cheap. Low over head. But you can bet there is no filtered clean room or baking available. EPA, no chance. If he can do a decent job under those conditions. My guess is it will be far from perfect. Probably worth about $700. lol

 

[Searay245se]

You get what you pay for.Old saying but most of the time true.

 

[MegaMouseGW]

A total of $1400 to paint and install just my new Hood. The shop I go to has a computer paint matcher and he uses the same stuff that the manufacturer uses. At $700 I would be very wary. Check out other cars he says he painted first and check out his paint. If he wont let you see the paint cans then run as fast as you can away from him.

 

[usocazy]

Wow - the closer I get to meeting this guy and hearing from you folks, the more & more wary I get on his ability to provide a "decent" paint job for $700.

Just to recap - he says he will spray 2 coats of base & 3 coats of clear.

Here are some shots of my truck:

 

[usocazy]

And some more shots:

 

[WulfGang]

Good thing you live in Tej Has and not the NE

 

[EWC88]

I have been going around getting quotes for my truck recently. Now my truck is getting both sides of the bed painted. Driver side has some scratches that have some rust on it, and other side has one spot of rust. They will be sanding both sides of bed and repainted and clear coating. As I stated I went to several Autobody shops, some being pretty known names around here. I do not know if my quote will be more because rust is involved but I was quoted from $1400 to $1600.