The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Cost to get painted - basic

I have a 55 3200 that I want to get a
cheap paint job so that it looks ok from
say 20 feet but not a resto by any means
What would be a fair price - body doesn't
have much rust - I'm thinking 700 to 1000
would be fair - including painting bumpers
and grill & headlight rings white and truck
black - is this way to low or to high? I'll
try to post some pictures later which I know
would be the real ticket.

Maaco, Econo???? Are there any Tech schools in your area? If so check with them as they will often paint it for free if you pay for the materials. Heck, if you're adventurerous you could paint it yourself for $50 according to this link.

depends on what kind of paint you buy and how much prep you decide to do. $1000 did not even cover the cost for the primer and paint (say nothing about the other supplies -- reducer, activator, sand paper, etc....) on my truck (PPG).

A $50 paint job will give you a good looking truck for 15-20 feet away.

I'm going to do a Rustoleum paint job some time here in the near future. It's cheap and with the right prep will look pretty good for what it is. Then some day when I get the money and won't be using the heck out of the truck, I will pay for a nice paint job. Until then, its Rustoleum for me. Do a google search for, "Rustoleum paint job"

Tell you what. The rustoleum is a waste of time. and you still spend alot for the paint. 1 can is maybe good for two square feet.

I have an idea for you. I you like millitary colors. You can buy a single stage paint that is 35.00 per gal. You will only need a gal. of paint for your truck. This stuff is cheep because it is not designed for a shine or to be smooth.

You can find many vendors selling the millitary paint. or in millitary magazines.

Rustoleum would do it. I painted a good portion of an old jeep I had that way and it did look ok at the 1o foot view but even that ran more than $50 just to get enough spray cans of the paint for coverage.

Why not just leave it in the original Patina? then when you are ready to go "for real" you don't the cost of removing the poorer quality paint?

I would look hard at the tech school route. I have always heard stories that people have done this but have never known someone that actually has done it.

I rustoleum painted my truck about 7 years ago. At that time it was a lot of different colors. I wanted it one color. I did not do much prep work like wash, wipe, or tack cloth it down. It was painted with full strength rustoleum from the can using a lot of the small rollers. At the time I wanted it covered and one color. It has not flaked or had the paint peal off. It stays outside in our Dallas, Texas heat and cold. I use it for what it is. A truck. It still looks good.

A $50 paint job will give you a good looking truck for 15-20 feet away.

Eastwood and Summitt offer single stage paint that looks pretty good.
But to have someone else do it $1000 no way.
Do it yourself with paint from Eastwood or Summitt with a cheap gun and just a little prep work you can do it for about $750

For a time, even here on the bolt, a lot of people talked about...and some used, the tractor paint from Tractor Supply. Its single stage and since your wanting a cheap paint job I'd say get a gallon of tractor paint and a cheap spray gun and have at it. I think I understand what you want.....a cheap paint job that looks decent. I think tractor supply would work great for you and with the price of a cheap spray gun, and "some" sandpaper I think $100 would give you a $1000 worth of satisfaction of what your looking for.

Take a look at my '70 work truck. It was painted with rustolium the same way in the link that mobileortho posted.
It was painted two years ago and has been outside all this time in all weather (-20 to +90) and still looks good. I just keep puting a good coat of wax on it. I couldn't afford another paint job like on the '66.
Ted.

I had a friend shoot my truck about a year ago. He charged me $500 labor, and materials ran me about $1500. It looks good at 20 feet, which was all that I was after, and to most it looks good up close, which is more than I was after. I see the defects and flaws, and payed considerably more than I was expecting, more like $500 materials. Oh, well it's done, it's presentable and sealed from the elements for a few years.

Devin

just primer it flat black.later you can get it painted when ya got the $$$.The rat rod look

I had some minor dents in 3 fenders and my paint job and body work was $2,850.00. It looks pretty good for a driver, not a show quality job.

That's why they nicknamed it BPS... Best Paint Sold.
Lotta bang, little bucks.

You can by Rustoleum in gallon cans and spray it yourself with a cheap sprayer for a lot less then buying spray cans. The single stage tractor paint would also be a good option.

Any base coat, clear coat paint job will cost you $1000 or more just for the paint and additives! Joe

macco got 199. right know had a van done by them after i did the body work everybody figured i spent 2000. on the paint job it will look as good as whats under it

That sounds like the way to go for a cheap job. I see there are single stage products being offered over the counter now at Advanced Auto as well. I see Eastwood is also selling an inexpensive auto paint in galons now as well. Much of it is under $100 a gallon.

This was my paint on my 4t6 and here begins some of the finished product. The key to the paint is what lies underneath. Preparation and cleanliness goes a long way for a nice shine and durability. I like tractor paint and have used on trailers, trucks, winter rats, and my 3rd or 4th paint job on my 17 year old daily driver that finally croaked last year with well over 200k, 240k maybe. It's not for everyone. To each his own and most importantly your choice. Have fun and good luck.
Dan

Is the Labatt optional??

There's one other parameter. How much slaving are you willing to put into this paint job. If it's simply spray it and walk away, you'll need to have a great touch with a spray gun that usually comes with experience.

Whether it's furniture or auto paint I don't mind color sanding between coats etc. Many people roll their eyes when I mention that. But it's a way to make up for your lack of experience. Sanding out orange peel, runs etc. Then some clear coat at the end. It's not for everyone..but it does give you an option.

I hope to paint my 55 chevy truck this year..It may be paint sold on ebay..lots of elbow grease..some clear and more elbow grease..But I expect it to come out respectable.

Keith

Try Sherwin WIlliams KEM SHURE or SHURE KEM, they'll know what you mean. High Gloss, High Solids, thins with xylene or Naptha, costs 30 bucks a gallon, doesn't run easy.....I painted some trailers with it, the fenders looked better than some OEM paint jobs. Rust Oleum costs as much and it isn't near as durable OR glossy. Get a qt and paint it on something, you won't be sorry. It is what I'll be using for my GMC. The down side is that the paint looks so good that bad body work might show up worse.

I like Sheridan's idea. Leave it original patina until the real paint job comes along. I have the patina look on my 53 and get many compliments on the original look.

http://community.webshots.com/user/53jimmy

you can get a good cheap one at Macco.......for about 300 bucks..

I'm just finishing up a night class(AUTO PAINT) at a local tech school. Teacher told me I buy the paint and we can paint my car. Paint cost was $350.oo That was just paint 1 gallon base coat with reducer and clear with activator. Not counting the primer,Guide coat, alot of sand paper, prep sol, tack cloths and labor. Cost of 3 - 48 hrs sections $1200.00 You dont relize the amount of time and effort that really goes into a nice job till "you been there Done That" I would diffently agree with some of the above metioned Ideas. CHEAP PAINT JOB go to MAACO Otherwise Just leave it alone, wash once in a while and start doing a little body work from time to time untill you can finally afford a nice job.
Thats my .03