If you're considering a new paint job for your truck, you're also probably wondering how much it'll cost. Maybe you’re looking to increase its resale value, or perhaps you just want your ride to look like new again. We’ve done all the research to give you a better idea of what this venture will cost you both in money and time to help set your expectations for the process.
Generally speaking, you can expect to pay anywhere from $600-$3,000 for your truck to get a fresh new paint job.
While you can certainly paint your truck at home, this article will only cover expectations for having your truck professionally repainted by an automotive paint or body shop. The reason for this is that, due to the time intensive process of painting a vehicle and the materials it requires, the vast majority of people needing this service will generally pay to have it done by a professional. Without further ado, let's get into it.
Factors that Impact Cost
One thing to keep in mind is that you won’t know for sure what your truck will cost to paint until you get an estimate from your paint shop. Given the numerous factors that play into a bid for this kind of job, most shops won’t even give an estimate until they can see the vehicle in person.
There are a few significant variables that affect the cost of a new paint job. These variables include service levels, volume of paint needed, paint color, paint quality, and the preparation work involved. Now let’s discuss how these different factors will impact the price you’ll pay for a new paint job in more detail.
Service Levels
The price range for a vehicle paint job is so wide because most paint and body shops offer different levels of service that each come with different price points. Most shops offer a basic or standard service as their cheapest option and higher quality services that cost significantly more.
While there are undoubtedly many great paint shops that do an awesome job regardless of the package, generally speaking, the higher the service, the more thorough the paint job will be.
The Paint
The price of a paint job largely depends on the color, quality, and volume of the paint you choose.
When it comes to color, price can vary significantly. Each broad color category has numerous different unique shades. One shade that’s slightly different from another might sell for as much as double the price due to its unique properties or aesthetic appeal. Check out a website that sells automotive paint to see just how varied these paint prices can be.
In reference to what we discussed earlier, given the wide variety of paint colors on the market, it makes sense that most shops won’t provide cost estimates without actually seeing your truck first.
The volume of paint needed for your particular job also plays a significant role in the pricing. For example, a Ram 3500 with the MegaCab will require a lot more paint than a smaller truck with a standard cab. The surface area of your particular truck will perhaps be the biggest factor that determines what you’ll pay for a paint job. The greater the surface area means more paint and labor are required, which brings us to the next point.
Between primer, color, and clearcoat, most trucks will require somewhere in the neighborhood of 6-7 quarts of paint. Depending on the size of the truck and paint color, some might need more or less. This is where the material cost of the job comes in.
This is important to consider because choosing a paint color that costs $25 more per quart than another could add over $150 to the job just for the paint.
Preparation Work and Labor
Another significant variable that affects the cost of a new paint job is the prep work involved. Before actually applying the new paint, depending on how thorough the paint job is, much of your vehicle’s interior — the seats, dash, console, etc. — might actually need to be removed to avoid getting paint on it and ruining it when the door jambs are painted. This is a step of the process most people don’t consider.
After that, all of the old paint has to be removed so the new paint can adhere better. It should go without saying that this is a particularly time-consuming process. Another thing to keep in mind is that this will take longer if your truck has rust spots that will also be removed.
In this case, it isn’t necessarily the materials that are the most expensive part but rather the hours of painstaking labor that it takes to make sure your truck looks like new when it comes out of the shop. Between all the different steps in the process, the total labor time is fairly extensive.
The Cost in Time
When it comes to getting your truck repainted, money isn’t the only cost to consider. As with all automotive work, the time it takes to do the work is also a big factor.
So how long can you expect it to take for your truck to get that nice new paint job? Taking into account the high volume of work the shop might have, it’ll likely take between 3 days and a week to get your truck back. Each shop’s turnaround time will vary, but this is a good time range to set your expectations.
That’s a long time to go without your truck, but don’t fret about the turnaround time being longer than you’d like, because it likely means that you’re getting quality work done.
Wondering which color to pick?
We've covered this topic in detail in a whole separate post. It might surprise you to learn that a truck's color impacts its value as well as safety! Check out the full report here: What's the best color for a pickup truck.
And the paint job isn't the only thing you can do to upgrade your favorite truck. We have more ideas for you in the post on some awesome pickup customization ideas here. Match them with these cool things to do to your truck's interior and you're all set!
It's Worth It
Having your pickup truck repainted is a great decision. If you’re looking to sell, a shiny new coat is a great investment because it will increase your truck’s resale value. A new paint job will make your truck look brand new, giving you a heightened sense of confidence and pride as a pickup truck owner.
In conclusion, we hope you’re better informed about the prospect of getting your truck repainted.