HD Wrench-
That must be for a serious concours full-on paint job- ie remove every panel, strip both sides, ecthing prime, prime, seal, paint, color sand, paint, color sand, paint, color sand, clear, scuff, clear, scuff, buff, buff, buff, undercoat wheelwells, cab, etc... plus replacement fasteners, moldings etc...
That is a lot of work.
There must be some place that'll do less work for less money? Surely someone would scuff your existing paint, prime it and paint it for less than 15 - 18 K.
If not, maybe you can save some money by doing some of the work yourself?
Have you read the tech tips posted here on bodywork/paint?
I've heard from some body shop owners that they don't take on to may full re-paints because they can make lots more money doing insurance jobs. They say re-paints earn them less money somehow. I'm guessing they bill the labor on other work by the 'book' (standard time list) and mark up replacement parts. So, they may bill 3 hours for 1 hours work. With a repaint, 1 hour is 1 hour.
This may sound crazy, but have you thought about taking your truck to Mexico to get it painted? I know some folks who take their cars across the border for body work and paint, and they have been very happy with the work they've gotten out of Chihuahua and Cd. Juarez.
