$700 paint job advice

[JPT]

I would suggest doing a good quality bedliner for the lip of the bed and the entire inside. Look only to paint the rest outside of there.

I would never pay to get paint again in the bed of a truck, it will just happen again.

 

[MegaMouseGW]

I would suggest doing a good quality bedliner for the lip of the bed and the entire inside. Look only to paint the rest outside of there.

I would never pay to get paint again in the bed of a truck, it will just happen again.

Get the inside of the bed Rhino lined. Never worry about it again. Cost should be around $300, maybe a bit more depending upon the dealer. Then find a paint shop that will allow you to check things out first. Check their paint booth, see if they have a paint matching computer, check out some of the cars they have done before.
Ask if they use an oil based paint (very few shops do anymore), an acrylic, which needs no clear coat, waterbased (most OEM paint jobs are waterbased), or a 2 part epoxy paint (the most expensive but best and longest lasting) clearcoat is a must with the epoxy paint.

Acrylic paint is a bit more time consuming to get right and finish and some shops will put a clear over it. The waterbased needs a good curing booth, otherwise it will not last. Epoxy paint has its own special tools that have to be used or either it will cure too hard, or never cure.
Always ask questions and if you get any answers that you do not like, walk away.

 

[usocazy]

So I met the guy (young guy) today - he offered to come by my office instead of making the trek out to the "storage unit" since it was on his way to work. I thought that was nice but also was a bit hesitant - what might he be wanting to hide or am I just being paranoid (huh - what was that?!).

Anyway, the guy checked out my truck and I told him I would remove the rear bumper and debadge the truck myself. He said he would sand, fill, prime & paint my vehicle - as stated the body damage is almost nonexistent except for some door dings and normal scratches. He said he'd remove the rear view mirrors and tail light but mask around the headlights - he also mentioned shooting clear on the headlights to bring them back to life? Anyone ever heard of that? I guess he would use fine grit sand paper to remove the yellowing then shoot clear over it. Probably need to ask further on that.

He showed me pics of his work area - the storage unit I mentioned - and it's really large easily fitting 2-3 cars but he only works on 1 car at a time. He's currently working on a Mustang (showed me WIP pics) and will provide more pics of past work and references.

He said he's been painting for years and has painted over 20 cars alone in the location he's currently working out of.

I'm still kinda ambivalent at this point. Super excited about the price but nervous about the outcome.

Just googled where the guy said he gets his paint. I think it's from the picture below. Would anyone else be nervous about this place?


I'm still up for giving people a change though - especially if it saves me a jack load of cash!

 

[dodge dude94]

Hmmm...fella sounds like he could be doing a good job, but I'm like yourself and wary of sketchiness. I'd try and go to the place where he gets his paint from and get info from them, see what they sell.

 

[MegaMouseGW]

RUN. RUN AWAY AS FAST AS YOUR LEGS CAN CARRY YOU. Working out of a storage unit is a big question mark. It means he does not have the equipment to do the job properly. Not letting you go there is also a big problem.
Best to let him know that you are not interested, and then go find a proper autobody shop. Better to spend a bit more now than to have to have your truck redone for probably 3 to 4 times as much later. Buy cheap buy twice.

The picture of the paint store looks like an abandoned building to me also.

 

[usocazy]

So the guys says he uses Matrix Paint System. Anyone here of it?

http://www.matrixsystem.com/



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[usocazy]

Here's the guy's Craigslist posting with some pictures of the work he's done:

paint and body work

 

[usocazy]

Also - here's a link to his very simplistic Facebook page:

https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=271865376327631

 

[usocazy]

And.....just got an email message from him stating he had reservations giving me references to contact. Says "he doesn't operate like that". Like what?!?!?!?! A legitimate business!!!!!!

Yep - even more alarms are going off but the work that he displays appears to be very good, I just don't think he's a very savvy business person.

Still possibly holding out hope on a great deal on a good paint job.

 

[MegaMouseGW]

I am still not convinced that he would do a lasting job. Maaco actually might be a better choice. I have heard of the Matrix paint systems, and am not very impressed with them, nor their paint at all. 90% of all auto manufacturers use PPG paints and their systems of painting cars. PPG Automotive Refinish

That is the link to their international site.
I know for a fact that Chrysler also uses BASF automotive paints. Which the shop I used to paint my hood used. Automotive OEM Coatings : BASF Coatings GmbH

Neither are cheap at all. For a gallon of true automotive paint you will spend $100 or more. The paint for my truck (brilliant metallic black) cost $175 per gallon in acrylic.

 

[usocazy]

Thanks MegaMouseGW, you're truly providing some solid advice and counsel.

I'm in no big hurry to paint so I think I will wait on rushing my truck into his paint booth (or storage unit).

He just gave me the number to one of his references. I texted him but haven't heard anything back. He might not have his phone text enabled. I might call him later.


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[ATXHEMI]

A guy I worked with painted cars on the side. Out of a storage unit. He did some bad ass work. So it can be done. But his were much more than $700.

 

[usocazy]

So the reference I was given answered my texts but was very short in his responses. "Good work, cheap price". When I asked if he would email me pics of the work done on his truck the dialog ended. No response from the reference after that.

Again, lots of signs that maybe I should avoid this guy.


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[Crescent1101]

I would play it safe and avoid this guy! I do basic work out of my storage unit but not paint unless it is track fairings or temporary repair on a friends bike.

 

[MegaMouseGW]

So the reference I was given answered my texts but was very short in his responses. "Good work, cheap price". When I asked if he would email me pics of the work done on his truck the dialog ended. No response from the reference after that.

Again, lots of signs that maybe I should avoid this guy.


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Just that reference not giving good answers also can be a big red stop sign. Was it a friend?? or just someone he might have paid to say what he did??
As I said in an earlier post look around for a shop that specializes in paint and bodywork with a full paint booth. Too much can go wrong when painting it is not funny. Even Maaco has closed in paint booths.
When looking for a paint shop to trust these are things youw ant to look for:

Cars in various stages of repairs and painting. There are normally 3 or 4 cars outside either waiting for pickup or having been just dropped off. A full enclosed paint booth. That keeps dust, bugs, and other things off the vehicle that could ruin a paint job. Their business license. No reputable shop can do business without one. A BBB endorsement, not required but if they have one then they can be trusted. Pictures of the vehicles they have painted. All shops that do a lot of business will have a wall with a dozen or more pictures of their work. Most painters are proud of their work and want to show it off.
I am picky on who touches my truck (even with almost 100k miles on it I still take it to the dealer for service). I always have a list of questions that I will ask before letting someone touch it. The only work I did myself was to install a K&N air filter and some lights.

 

[Redtruck-VA]

Just that reference not giving good answers also can be a big red stop sign. Was it a friend?? or just someone he might have paid to say what he did??
As I said in an earlier post look around for a shop that specializes in paint and bodywork with a full paint booth. Too much can go wrong when painting it is not funny. Even Maaco has closed in paint booths.
When looking for a paint shop to trust these are things youw ant to look for:

Cars in various stages of repairs and painting. There are normally 3 or 4 cars outside either waiting for pickup or having been just dropped off. A full enclosed paint booth. That keeps dust, bugs, and other things off the vehicle that could ruin a paint job. Their business license. No reputable shop can do business without one. A BBB endorsement, not required but if they have one then they can be trusted. Pictures of the vehicles they have painted. All shops that do a lot of business will have a wall with a dozen or more pictures of their work. Most painters are proud of their work and want to show it off.
I am picky on who touches my truck (even with almost 100k miles on it I still take it to the dealer for service). I always have a list of questions that I will ask before letting someone touch it. The only work I did myself was to install a K&N air filter and some lights.

MegaMouseGW, you have an interesting truck in your signature. please post up your build and pictures, so we all can benefit from what you have done.

 

[MegaMouseGW]

MegaMouseGW, you have an interesting truck in your signature. please post up your build and pictures, so we all can benefit from what you have done.

I wont go into specifics in this post (don't want to highjack it) but my truck started out with the 4.7l until that scattered on my with just500 miles on it. There are some pics here somewhere of it that I posted some time ago. Pretty much it is a SLT 1500 short wheelbase, regular cab, with a pull out motor from a viper. Dealership did the install. Got the unlimited mileage warrantee on the motor and tranny so that is why the dealership is the only ones that work on it. Ill take some new ones of my truck when the rain stops and I have had time to wax it. Want it too look nice when posting here.

 

[Redtruck-VA]

I wont go into specifics in this post (don't want to highjack it) but my truck started out with the 4.7l until that scattered on my with just500 miles on it. There are some pics here somewhere of it that I posted some time ago. Pretty much it is a SLT 1500 short wheelbase, regular cab, with a pull out motor from a viper. Dealership did the install. Got the unlimited mileage warrantee on the motor and tranny so that is why the dealership is the only ones that work on it. Ill take some new ones of my truck when the rain stops and I have had time to wax it. Want it too look nice when posting here.

A half ton Viper has to be a good time, looking forward to seeing it. Sorry to the OP for the jack..

 

[usocazy]

No problem guys, it was an interesting sidestep of this discussion.

Back on topic:
I don't think Maaco could even get close to $700 for what the guy said he would do. My truck is a daily driver that gets me to/from work, it'll never be a show truck. I was thinking of putting Line-X or Rhino-liner in the bed so that should cover any bed flaws that might exist after a low quality paint job.

Still weighing my options.


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[MegaMouseGW]

Get the Rhino or Line-x done first. Take care of that and save up for the rest. As I said earlier at elast where I live it costs $350 to have a truck bed Rhino lined. Most definitely worth it.