Needing Paint

Bought a new 96 Tacoma about a month ago. It is the dark red color (not sure the exact name of the paint) but the clear coat is in pretty bad shape in a lot of places. I'm looking to paint it myself. I don't want to put bed liner all over the truck and I don't want to spend a fortune. I also don't want to use rattle cans. Have any of you guys painted your own trucks? Where are some good places to get paint? I'm not sure what color yet. Either desert tan, OD green or electric blue. If anybody could chime in with a good site to order paint from for a reasonable cost that would be awesome.

 

Try the local body shop suppliers...Cheap, quality, and automotive paint: pick two!

 

A cheap DIY color change paint job will look, well, you guessed it, cheap.

Actually any color change paint job that doesn't go the full bananas to do everything (underhood, pull the bed for front of bed, rear of cab) and the very complex door jambs) will always look like an ex cop car or taxi.

Nothing wrong with attempting a DIY, if you have the time, patience and place to work. But at least make it a kissing cousin to the current color, if not the same color, so you won't have 'I've been repainted' issues mentioned above.

You might try a couple of cheap paint shops for pricing. Most of them guarantee their work for a couple of years. The key to a fair looking job is the manager of the shop and the prep being done right. As much prep as you can do yourself will help the results. Like pulling bumpers, grills, lights, etc, as well as any initial sanding you are up for.

And before you dismiss bedliner completely, look at www.monstaliner.com. I'll bet there is a color real close to your OE color, and their texture is not typical.

 

@45acp just painted his truck. Looks damn nice in photos. He's also an anal retentive bastard who wouldn't do shoddy work.

I'm sure he can chime in.

Plus the Toyota terracotta paint he threw gives me an impressive boner.

 

It's Sunfire Red Pearl. God himself created the color and it is a sign of divinity and awesomeness.

Those of us who possess it are immortal.

 

Aka 3K4

Im not really a fan. Im thinking of repainting my truck. If i do ill be sure to do a write up here

I also plan to rebuild my eaten away wheel wells with fiberglass

 

I've looked into the monstaliner and have considered it. Anybody on here have any pics of a truck that's been done with monstaliner?

 

I think I've seen a couple here. But their site is filled with other customer rides, both rolled and sprayed. In all kinds of colors.

 

Whoa boy... You've angered the gods

And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers.

 

So which is it? Big G singular or small g plural?

It matters for the repaint choice.

 

Depends on how far you want to go and how well you want it done. Some suggest that you can just scuff up the current paint and throw on a new base coat and clear. Between the concern of uneven layers and the risk of incomplete scuffing/prep for the new coat to adhere to, I thought it was prudent to completely remove all the paint down to the bare metal. In that regard, Madjik is accurate with his "anal retentive bastard" remark. In the end that move was probably a mistake because it took an extremely long time to completely remove all the paint from the entire truck.

Ever since I started getting color matched spray paint mixed at Napa, I've picked up all my paint from there. Their consistency between batches is perfect.

Still working on the cut and buff, but finishing up the '81.

 

Beautimas

 

Mines done in Monstaliner...