Tim Brenman

Hey guys - this may be stupid.

But I've been on the lookout for my first truck. 96 F150 inline 6 with a std transmission & painted Royal Blue. I've found a few options EXCEPT that they aren't blue. I've watched ebay for several months, autotrader, cargurus, CL, FB Marketplace etc. I recently passed up a deal that was everything ... except the color on a truck that was in pretty damn good shape.

Anyway - I'm wondering if any of you have experience changing paint colors on a vehicle this old? I'm not trying to turn it into a showroom car. But I'd like something decent in that color. I'm having a hard time deciding if I'm looking at $1,500 for a paint job that changes colors - or $5K?

BLDTruth

You are looking at 5k+ to do it right, especially if it needs body work. And they almost always need some. 1500 will get you a single stage maaco paint job that will last 10-ish years.

Steve83

Put your location in your profile.

I've been looking for someone around here for a few years, and I've gotten the whole range of prices: $1700 for a cheapo that I wouldn't trust on a lawn mower, up to $15K from a guy who restores ~$100K cars. I expect to spend ~$5-8K when I finally bite the bullet.

Shagg

I got a quote for $3500 for my truck, but if you take the time to do all of the prep work yourself (remove all trim/badging and sand the paint down to the bare metal), the price can drop down to closer to $1500.

DarrinT04

The more you can do yourself the cheaper it will cost for someone do do the rest

djfllmn

iTrader: (1)

except paint work can't be done legally by a DIY in his garage. you need a properly vented spray booth with the proper filters.

Not just any one can do body work either, unless you know what you are doing, the truck will have so many waves it will make you sea sick looking at it

Steve83

Laws vary by state, county, & city. There's no law against painting a vehicle in any of the places I've ever lived.

This is a DIY paint job:


(phone app link)

It has plenty of orange-peel, and a few runs & bugs, but no waves.

DarrinT04

I know a guy who spray painted his 1990 silverado blue. It looked really good. He sold the truck last year. I'm not aware of a law here in Kentucky regarding this