If your truck is well-built and maintained well, you can be certain that it will serve its purpose for many more years. Unfortunately, this is not the case with its body which, if exposed, will let the paint flake and peel. In addition, the bare metal body panels attract rust when the paint fails and the truck’s value depreciates. This blog will help answer your question, “how much does it cost to paint a truck and how to paint yourself or with the help of a pro?”.
Do it yourself, or have a pro paint it?
How much you want to spend on painting depends on whether you prefer to do it yourself or hire a professional painter. Naturally, expert help is more expensive, but the results should be worthy of display in a retail outlet.
DIY painting is an option if you’re equipped with the necessary materials, time, and talent. Besides being frugal, this provides you with something fun to work on.
If you want a finish worthy of being shown in a museum, it’s not a good idea to paint the truck yourself. In that case, you should bite the bullet and get some expert assistance. More than twenty coats of paint may be required to achieve the long-lasting, glossy look you want.
How much will it cost to paint a truck yourself?
Hiring a professional painter may not be worth it if the vehicle you drive is quite old. The best way to save money is to do it yourself, but for that, you should know how to sand, tape, paint, finish, and remove the windows. You could save cash, but a misstep could cause overspray, which looks unattractive.
Materials required to paint like a DIY pro
If you plan to do it yourself, it is useful to know about the major materials required beforehand.
Paint
For painting, you need paint for sure. However, there are some paint options that you can rely on.
Durabak is the right option when choosing paint. Durabak was created as a do-it-yourself solution. The cost of purchasing enough Durabak to coat your truck completely is around $300. The paint known as Durabak is not your typical paint, and because of its thicker consistency, a perfectly smooth surface isn’t necessary for painting. In addition, since Durabak is not fragile, it will not shatter and break away if your truck ever sustains a dent.
You’ll need about three quarts of paint to completely cover a truck with paint. Another paint option is to use urethane paint. In addition to lasting, it also resists fading.
Three quarts of paint costs approximately $60, or $20 per quart. Three additional quarts of clear coat will cost an additional $60 per quart.
Sandpaper
For wet sanding your truck, use sandpaper.
Paint sprayer
You can use a paint sprayer to apply paint on the truck
Masking sheets and tape
You can use masking sheets and tape to prevent paint from getting on the trim and windows.
The total cost for the above essentials, excluding paint is estimated to be around $100-$150.
There will be a corresponding increase in price for any additional equipment. Before purchasing any of this, you should determine what kind of work your truck requires. An air compressor or paint sprayer are two examples of items that you may rent.
How much will it cost for a professional to paint a truck?
If you opt for expert help, you can choose from the different levels of services available to you. Here are some of the varieties of services you can choose from:
Basic Service
This method, which consists of applying a couple of coats of paint, is the least expensive. This is because they only focus on the most obvious locations and use synthetic enamel. The typical cost of this service will run between $500 and $1,000.
Standard Service
Typical pre-painting preparations, including sanding and rust removal. Depending on the extent of the job, the price could range from $1,000 to $4,000.
Showroom Quality Service
As part of this process, the outside will be sanded down to the metal. Then they polish it up and get rid of any dings or rust. The company then adds multiple layers of premium paint. These tasks may take up to a month of your time and $20,000 of your money.
When do I need to get help from an expert?
It’s generally best to have a pro handle the painting job on your classic truck if you have specific aesthetic goals. A professional automobile painter has much more experience and knowledge and can create the desired appearance or add the finishing touches.
When should you get your truck painted?
There are no rules on how your truck needs to be painted. Painting a truck does more than give it a distinct look; it also shields the body from damage, stress, and corrosion. If your automobile has been scratched or worn down from normal use, you may consider getting a touch-up paint job rather than a full repaint.
Auto insurance will most likely pay for a new coat of paint if an accident has damaged your truck. If this is the case, the insurance company should cover the cost of repairs to your paint job.
Also read
- Guide to the Best Hybrid Pickup Trucks in Town
- What Kind of Truck Does Post Malone Have?
- Is truck insurance more expensive than insuring a car?
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