Paint job cost?

Maaco varies from shop to shop. I got my complete truck and camper shell painted by a local Maaco shop almost 4 years ago. The truck looks awesome 4 years latter. I got their best paint job and paid only $2500 (they were having sales and discounts). I couldn’t be happier with their paint job, looks like new still today.
Not all but the vast majority of people who bad mouth Maaco do so based on second hand information and not personal experience. I’m sure some of the negative comments are true, but again I’m happy with the job they did. Here’s a couple pics of the paint job (and the truck was dirty when these were taken)

 

so Amazon is saying $150 for Durabak and these are the pics I found so far
Need to look into this one more
Looks good…

 

Durabak is a bedliner type material but in several ways is superior to Rhino or Raptor brands, particularly chip resistance in very cold weather. It also adheres a little better to some substrates. The non-textured version isn't glass smooth, it just doesn't have the "chunks" in it.

Just make sure you rough up the existong surface (60 grit wet/dry), degrease (I like Simple Green), and mask (quality blue tape) before application.

It also comes in a tintable formula but the tint (urethane tint) is obnoxiously expensive.

 

I'd probably go with straight tan

I wonder if the truck during that would need major disassembly,
or simply carefully mask things off and get to painting

 

Maaco or rattle can in your driveway? Same results.

 

Depends on how thorough you want to be, doorjambs, underneath weather seals, etc.

 

Quite a few years ago, my neighbor had a car rental business and would have the cars repainted at Maaco. They looked decent, price varied depending on if the trim was removed or taped over. I see one posting (@Sprig) of a good looking truck painted at Maaco and a lot of unsupported bashers.

 

Also, as another option: a vocational high school that has an auto body program would be a decent alternative. I had my old truck stripped and painted for the cost of the supplies and $400.00 “labor”. That was back in 2011 and the cost was 1300.00 to redo a Dodge Ram Cummins 2500 - lots of sheet metal on that pig.

Edit: here’s the $1300.00 paint job done by high school kids at the vocational school. Bed painted as well.

 

I’m unfortunately also in the repainting the truck boat. I’ve looked at multiple shops in my area and they are all very expensive. I called Maaco in a city about 45mins south of me and it was significantly less expensive. However, that company does not have a good reputation and the online reviews ranged quite a bit. I’m still unsure of what to do at this point

 

sounds like I'll be in this boat too then
and every other 2nd gen owner at some point

I think I'd be down with Durabak, probably sand>tan, smooth

only question is what's the best way to apply it
-roller vs. spray, and if roller is good enough. At the end of the day all paint is temporary
Roller would be much easier. Maybe it can level itself while wet.
Or maybe choosing Textured would lend itself to roll on application better and hide any imperfections caused by doing roll-on instead of spray

prep could be a matter of sanding, even using an electric sander
dust mask or respirator
wiping with chemical prep, air dry
then on go the coats

-if sunlight, maybe set up a temporary carport awning

truck would likely be down for a few days at least

I don't know if quick and dirty is good enough. In other words, masking, and rolling it on.
Versus all of that in-depth shit like part removal, AKA:
-removing door panels, in order to paint door jambs, so it's less obvious color has been changed when door is open (who cares)
-removing various strips and seals (hopefully this is not necessary and can simply be carefully masked off)

it might not be possible to do one section at a time separately (hood, roof, etc.) as I believe starting the job, paint gets mixed with hardener, at that point giving a certain window of time to apply it before it solidifies

I know at minimum if I go with Durabak, I'll have to read all the info on their site regarding how much is needed, what specifically is needed, and how to do it
Sanding is probably no joke either.
1. you don't want to do it wrong and create low spots
2. it may take more creativity and tooling to sand into nooks and crannies
3. very small rust is starting to form on my truck where the clear faded (maybe yours too); I've heard this requires a chemical treatment product be used first, before any actual paintwork

 

I had a shop in escondido paint my hood, bumper, strip and paint the camper shell, grill, and fender flare all for like 1700 or so

 

That’s a good deal!
Up here it’s a rip off….like everything else.
How long did they keep your truck?

 

Now that I think about it

I should paint my shell smooth white…
Why?
-it’s simple. Possibly drop it off somewhere to do.
-keeps its resellablity; white is more universal onto any color Taco, than tan
-it would give good contrast to tan
-better heat rejection
-would match white roof

but DIY sounds like a pain
Possibly having to remove all the windows
I took out my side windows to put mosquito net and that was a pain

if only I was a retired old grandpa with a house, yard, garage, time, and grandson Helper

just saw this on FB, man said he used Porch Paint… not bad

 

If you’re down in the San Diego area…just save up and take your truck to where Anthony took his. From what I’ve seen, he keeps his truck pretty clean so…I’m betting whoever painted his did a good job.

 

Take it south of the border. I’ve done that before with satisfactory results. I don’t own show cars/trucks/bikes, so only the paint nazis would notice and IDGAF. You can bring them whatever paint you want them to use. Most paint outside on a clear calm day but I know a guy in Rosarito with an actual booth

 

Not too long. I think it was def less than a week

they def did a lot of work

 

OP how old is your truck and how many miles? I ask because if it’s old and high mileage it doesn’t make a lot of sense to spend on a paint job more than the truck is worth. Something to think about when deciding how much $$$$ you want to spend.

 

08 170k mile
Engine looks new inside
I ain’t sellin, but these days book probably would say it’s $18k maybe more

Market is insane. People asking $15k for 1st gens that were $6k

but to agree, dropping thousands on making paint switch from faded to shiny would hurt.
like there is no “feel good” like you get with other money put into a truck that makes it more capable and improved

I just don’t know if ignoring the fade is bad

A random painter who quoted me $3500 said if ignored, it will rust, grow deeper, and spread like cancer that’s hard to remove
I feel like he’s exaggerating to try and sell work
Plenty of vehicles have been driving around, faded, for a while, without issue, despite not looking the best

 

Here was my full paint job estimate from Maaco

 

Mine started at the roof, and then the hood, and top of the fenders and fender flares. The clear coat may be failing on the whole truck and I would honestly wait it out and save up the dough for a reshoot should it need it
My clear coat took 2 years to catch to with the roof, even though I kept it cleaned, waxed and used clay bar every 9 months for a good clean

some paint jobs from the factory just suck