Paint options for my 2008 Tacoma

Hello forum,

I am looking to get my 2008 Tacoma painted with a decent paint job... hopefully it's okay to post in this sub forum!

Background:

The clearcoat on my hood and roof are pretty much eaten through, and there is rust on the front of my roof. I know that most of what constitutes a good paint job is in the prep work, and since I am too busy to do the prep myself, I asked lots of questions about prep work and post-paint work (such as cut + rub). The color would be matched to existing (factory blue with some metallic).

My goal budget was $5k or less for all prep work, paint, and labor.

I got three quotes yesterday and they were basically as follows:

Options:

1) Maaco - Maaco offers a single-stage Urethane-based paint job for $2,200 all in. This covers rust repair on the roof and small dent repair. I saw two examples of their single-stage paint they had done, and there were tiny pock marks in some spots, and it didn't have an outstanding mirror finish when you look at it super close, but I think it is good enough to where I would be happy with it. This comes with a 4-year warranty (which covers the paint peeling / defects but does not cover chips due to small rocks, etc.)

I asked Maaco about a dual-stage paint job, as their sign said $2,499 for dual-stage paint, but the shop manager told me that was for materials only and the actual price out the door would be about $ 8k :sigh:

2) A nice paint shop - I went to a nicer paint + body work shop that works with insurance companies, and they quoted me $7.5k to $12k for all the work. This would be a proper paint job with great prep, and separate color + clear coat applications. This is out of my price range but it was nice to get a different perspective.

3) Earl Scheib - I stopped at a local Earl Scheib shop who quoted me $1.8k to $2.5k for a dual stage paint job. This includes rust repair, dent repair, and removal of existing paint and then application of color and three layers of enamel / clear coat. This seems like the best bang for the buck since it is beyond a single-stage paint job, but it seems like Earl Scheib (and Maaco) hit jobs are really hit or miss. This one comes with a 6-year warranty.

Question:

So I was hoping someone had experience with one of the cheaper options (Maaco single stage enamel, or Earl Scheib cheap paint job). These two options are spray-in-place where they remove the trim and tape off the surrounding areas and just spray the truck as it is, whereas a nicer (and more expensive shop) would remove the panels individually, paint them, then put them back on the truck.

At this point I am leaning toward Maaco, as the manager seemed to care quite a bit and I work with someone who had their truck painted there who loved the job they did. The Earl Scheib shop seemed good, their work looked good too, but I feel that $1.8k is too cheap for a good dual-stage paint job.

Does anyone have thoughts or experience with any of these types of shops? It would be much appreciated and I will post before and after pics when the job is finished!

Thanks all

 

Is there a question here?

 

8k at Maaco. They don’t even know what a 8k paint job looks like.$2500 in materials maaco is full of shit, run away. On a high quality job almost all the cost is labor not materials especially if you not asking for some crazy $500 qt paint. Find you as nice mom and pop shop and look at some of their work. You can get a good job done for 5k but I sure the shit wouldn’t spend that kind of money at maaco.

 

2200 all in. That can’t be taking off the bed and painting the back of the cab

 

Go for 2 stage paint job not one stage. One stage won’t last and will never look great. Almost a year ago I got my truck and camper shell painted , 2 stage paint at Maaco for $2500, that included everything. It has a 5 year warranty and looks damn good. Try a different Maaco and see what they offer. It’s just not worth $6000 or more just to paint a 13 year old truck. Here are 2 pics of my new paint, they did a great job, no flaws.

 

You could always get your truck wrapped.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/vinyl-wrapped-my-taco.367211/page-5

 

Looks good. But appears they painted over the rubber mouldings between the fender flares and body. Correct if I’m wrong. But if they did they would be a flaw in my book. But then again it is a $2200 paint job. I’d put a 6k paint job on a 13 yr Tacoma knowing it probably has another 13 yrs in it. But that’s me.

 

Thought about having your truck painted with bed liner?

 

The original post was much different until he edited it.

 

Paint is cheap (ppg good). Skill and technique of the painter is not. Make sure they have proper filters on the paint gun air, proper paint booth with dust filters, and look at their paint mix booth (unless the buy the paint ready to apply from paint vendor).

Check how they prep the vehicle.

I would look at a couple of small shops and check their work area and work.

 

Talk to the shop about process details, then make your decision.

Will they remove the body panels then prep, prime paint?
Do they mask off without panel removal? This is when door jambs, engine bay and other areas have the original color and exterior has the new color.
How many coats of primer, paint, clear do they use?
Do they sand between coats?
What brand paint are they using? PPG is common, lower quality. Sherwin-Williams is expensive, very high quality.
What type of paint? 2K Urethane, lacquer, enamel......
How is the paint cured? Air, heat.
Paint booth or painted in the driveway?
Warranty? What is covered?

A complete paint job is very detailed with panel removal, masking, prep, sand, prime, sand, paint, sand, clear, sand..........reassembly.

 

Thanks everybody for your replies, the info is very helpful and much appreciated.

I am going to go on a mission tomorrow to visit at least four local shops and see if I can find a two-stage paint job for a little bit higher money, and I will ask them some of the questions you guys posted.

Any other posts are more than welcome! I will post pictures of this beast once I choose a shop and you guys can tell me if you like the paint job

Thanks again, have a good weekend

 

Is that truck in your profile pic painted with bed liner? I’m in the same situation as OP. Silver mica is completely shot on the roof and hood, so much so it is very scratched up

 

I would not go anywhere near a Macco. Your best bet is to find a painter who does some side work. Could get a fairly good job done for $5k and I would buy the supplies myself to ensure they don’t cut corners.

 

Yup! Bought tintable raptor liner off Amazon, got some quick sand toner from a local auto body paint shop and sprayed it on. Truck used to be blue, took two coats but looks brand new two years later. Definitely recommend!

 

Looks sick!! Got any more pics? I don’t have the best place to spray but I’ve read roll on is also a viable option (?)

 

Prices will vary in different regions of the country. I had a local reputable shop quote me $3800 to paint my 2007 the same color. I have some peeling paint and minor surface rust where the paint has peeled.

 

If you have an eye for detail and care about quality then stay away from Maaco and Earl Schieb. They’ll look fine from 15’ but close up you’ll start finding flaws. If you had the time to do the disassembly, prep and reassembly yourself then I’d trust them to do the spraying. We did that with a race car we put together and it turned out pretty well.

If you don’t care about quality then go for it, many are happy with the results. Personally I’d never do with one of those cheap options.

Sounds odd but your best option may be to sell your truck and buy a better condition one. A truck with damage like yours isn’t going to be $8k cheaper than one that doesn’t need that same paint work. 99% of the time it’s more expensive to fix paint damage than it is to buy a car that simply doesn’t have the damage.

 

Every time I look at the pics of this truck and its MAACO paint job, two things come to mind.

1) From 10-15 feet away, it looks pretty darn good.

2) Up close though, you'll find all of the usual signs of a cheap paint job. As has already been mentioned, they didn't mask the fender flares properly. But that's just a symptom of poor masking everywhere else. MAACO (and all other quickie spray places) mask things instead of removing them. What this means is that around headlights, taillights, emblems, grills, textured black trim (like on the bed rails), and around bumpers (just to name a few), there will be ample evidence that the vehicle has been painted - and not very well. No thank you.

 

Hi everybody,

I found a great local shop that will do all the prep, rust repair, and good paint for 6k. I am very happy with that price. They showed me work they had done and were very proud of their work.

I put my truck in the shop about 2 weeks ago and it should be ready pretty soon. I will post before and after pics when it is done, I am very much looking forward to seeing my baby with sexy new paint and upgraded headlights!

Thanks again all who responded, have a good rest of your weekend.