What would YOU do?

After 12 years, the paint on top of my 07 Tacoma is starting to fail. The clear is basically gone and rust is taking its place. The front bumper and hood is also starting to fade. I have almost 150k on the clock and the truck is in good condition overall. My question is which route would you go? Option 1: paint the hood, top, and bumper. Option 2: paint the entire truck. Option 3: get the truck wrapped. Option 4: leave it alone and sell. I understand there’s a huge price difference in all three of these alternatives, but the price isn’t necessarily a huge concern. Do you think it’s worth investing the money into an older vehicle and if so, which option? I love the truck as it was my first vehicle, but I’m questioning does the cost exceed the benefit? It’s also my daily! Thank you!

 

I'd keep it, a good paint job is still cheaper than a new truck.

 

I’d wrap it and roll on

 

Let it fade to a natural patina

 

Hey, I’ve seen a whole truck done in bed liner. Just saying. seriously, I’d probably just drive it into the ground like it is.

 

Bed liner would be badass, but I feel like it would kill mpg’s as it weighs so much. The majority of the paint is still in decent shape, so I’d hate to bedline it all anyway. I just hate seeing the rust every time I wash it

 

I’d just have to make sure my tetanus shots are up to date!

 

Like my sex ed teacher said, wrap it up.

 

I'd buy a cheap Napa spray gun and the paint and repaint it myself. Watch some youtube videos. It's not that hard to do. It is hard to do it well, but it's a horizontal surface that most people won't see up close.
You could probably do it for around $200.

 

Id say who cares what it looks like as long as it runs well. Get rid of that rust and let it be. Keep driving it! Ive got a 1995, it was red now more pinkish but its got 240,000 and runs great. Im not changing anything and I drive it with pride

 

You could always do what I did with a Scout (baby blue with a rainbow sticker down both sides) and paint it camo....

 

https://youtu.be/vaHYzAFxZQU

 

I have a body shop guy who does all my paint work for a really good deal. The painting would be performed by him as I don’t have the time right now sadly

 

Option 1. It’s the UV that kills the water base clear.

 

I would vinyl wrap it.

 

Paint jobs vary widely in price depending on who does it and you usually get what you pay for.

That said, the way Tacomas hold their value, if you've got a body shop buddy who can hook you up, it's probably a worthwhile investment, especially if it brings you a few more years of satisfaction.

 

Paint properly taken care of will outlast a properly taken care of wrap and Raptor will easily outlast both and will outlast plastii dip as well. If you go with plasti dip you will need a minimum of 3 gallons for the entire truck as per plasti dip.

 

I would spend the money for rust removal and quality paint job if and only if you garage the truck. I wouldn't wrap it, that only hides the rust. Other than that, just keep driving it.

 

TW bedliner guru @kuffer14 .