Do you want to know how much it costs to paint a truck door? You're at the correct spot! Car painting is famously costly. It is partly due to the high cost of automotive paint and the high expense of body shop labor. We've researched and consulted experts to give you an updated estimation as of this date.
The cost to paint a truck door or any other form of the automobile varies based on the location, vehicle size and complexity, and paint quality. A professional paint job might cost anything from $300 to $1,000 or more. Unless you're reading for your vehicle for a show, you can affordably paint the door yourself.
You can paint your truck door by yourself or by hiring a professional. Both of the methods will take time and money. But which is better? Continue reading as we unveil how much it will cost if you choose to get a professional or the tools you will be purchasing if you will do it yourself. We'll also look if you can paint truck door panels and if it is worth repainting your truck.
What Determines the Cost of Painting a Truck Door?
Professional paint jobs are like many other things in life: you get what you pay for! Getting $500 work done at a discount store is possible but not guaranteed. Paintwork costs will vary depending on:
Vehicle Size
Painting a Geo Metro will cost less than painting a Cadillac Eldorado, simply because the Caddy has a larger door to paint. The larger your truck door, the more paint and additional materials you will require to execute this project.
Other Required Repairs
Suppose your truck door needs repairs such as removing exposed rust, scratches, or any damage necessary to fix before having the truck door painted. In that case, you will require an extra penny for the additional labor service if you choose to do it by a professional.
Color
Choosing a standard color like black, white, or grey saves money. A particular color, especially one used by a luxury vehicle, will cost extra. Also, remember that painting the door jambs and other areas of your car door can increase the cost.
Preferences for Quality and Paint
Your paint and quality preference will also affect the cost of painting your truck door. If you want a single coat of synthetic enamel paint, it will cost you as low as $300; this painting style may cost up to $1,000.
For example, a high-quality paint job for bodywork such as dent, rust, or damage repair may cost up to $3,500. It implies that it will cost more if you demand a professional job from experts who paint your truck door.
In addition, extras like racing stripes, metal flakes, and candy coat colors increase the cost.
How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Car Door Yourself?
Painting yourself is easy if you buy an inexpensive paint gun from Amazon or your local hardware shop.
A tiny 8-ounce can of paint readily covers a vehicle door of 6-10 square feet; thus, buying a high-quality base coat and clear coat for your car for $20 each will cost you $40 in paint based on 2021 estimates.
Depending on whether or not the door panel is previously painted, you may require a primer. Suppose you are considering painting yourself; we can assume a $100 cost for the materials. Here are some tools and equipment you will need:
Automotive Paint Sprayer
An automobile paint sprayer is HVLP (High Volume Low Pressure) gun. The instrument sprays large amounts of paint onto a vehicle swiftly and evenly.
If you already own an air compressor, you can buy an inexpensive automotive paint sprayer almost anyplace.
Click here to see High Power HVLP Spray Gun on Amazon.
Paint Masker
You may use painter's tape to protect areas from paint.
Get the job done 10x more quickly with the multi-surface painter's tape. Masking tape and film are also excellent for vehicle restoration, especially for your truck door.
Click here to see ScotchBlue Multi-Surface Painter's Tape on Amazon.
Sandpaper
Begin with 80-grit sandpaper. You may also use a paint and rust remover to grind all the paint off down to the metal. Clean off any dust with pressured air before repainting using 200-grit wet sandpaper for the best results.
Click here to see Assorted Grit Sandpaper on Amazon.
Drop Cloths
Protect the flooring and a second vehicle in the garage from overspray by covering it with drop cloths.
High-quality Paint
You'll be happier with the outcome if you use good-quality paint materials.
Razor Blade
Preparation goes quicker with a razor blade. You'll need a razor blade to cut tape and masking film during the masking step. We promise this simple method will make your experience smooth.
Spreaders for Body Filler
Before painting, smooth up any minor defects using body filler. Need professional advice? Watch these three videos and learn from Kevin Tetz to discover this trick!
Part 1: How To Use Body Filler
Part 2: How To Apply Body Filler
Part 3: Additional Tips
How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Car Door Professionally?
Taking your car to a paint shop is a wise option to keep its worth, and your insurance may even demand it. Depending on the vehicle's state and any damage, having your door painted might cost anywhere from $300 to $1,000 or higher.
A specialist may be required to remove the door before painting, adding to the labor expense. Remember to check the paint color code inside the door jamb to ensure the colors match perfectly.
Can You Paint Truck Door Panels?
Before you start painting the inside of your automobile door, consider these factors. Interior automobile door panels are made of flexible vinyl. Unless properly conditioned, these surfaces will not accept fresh paints. Regular acrylic and latex paints will ultimately fracture and peel off flexible vinyl. It will help if you have high flexibility and adhesion paint.
What Happens if You Don't Prime a Truck Before Painting?
Priming your truck door is like priming drywall that may seem optional to inexperienced painters, but it isn't. Primer and paint are two distinct materials with distinct purposes, and omitting the primer might have negative implications. Some of these effects may be visible right away, while others will take time to manifest.
Primers are the most popular undercoats used in autobody restoration. It helps smooth out feathery areas and rough surfaces before painting. Primers have various distinct features that may protect your truck's appearance, and these are things that will happen if you don't prime a car before painting:
Rust Resistance
Primers prevent rusting when they attach to sheet metal. If you choose not to apply primer when painting your truck, expect that your car's surface can get oxidized when exposed to rain. As a result, you'll also observe blotches and rough regions. The impact is magnified since blotchy spots need additional paint, which is more costly than priming.
Color and Luster Uniformity
Primers prevent paint from soaking in, leaving a lackluster surface. In the absence of a primer, the topcoat's pigment ratio is lowered, and the final color is lighter than expected or even washed out. The final surface may also be chalky and uneven.
Paint Adhesion
Primers attach the sheet metal or old paint to the fresh paint well. Without priming, the paint may flake, particularly in humid circumstances. Moreover, the absence of stickiness may make cleaning difficult months later. The paint may come off when you wash away dirt or fingerprints.
Cleaning the paint may still look filthy if the paint is light in color. You may blame the paint quality, but the fact is that not using priming created the issue.
Is It Worth Repainting a Truck?
Repainting your automobile, especially a truck, is a multi-faceted venture. You will not only get a like-new car, but you will also increase its residual or resale value. Repainting an older car increases its trade-in value.
For sale by the owner, you may also boost your asking price. You should examine if the increased trade-in value outweighs the cost of repainting for older automobiles.
A new coat of paint may alter an aging automobile. Just be sure it's a good investment. Repainting an automobile in excellent condition may cost more than the car is worth when sold.
Final Thoughts
Consider the expense of painting a vehicle before making a decision. If you pursue the professional route, get several quotations and check out the businesses' reputations. If you want to do it yourself, we highly suggest using the information here or watching more tutorial videos on YouTube to guarantee the most favorable outcomes.
If you find value in this post, you may also check the following articles to expand your knowledge:
How Much Bed Liner Does It Take To Paint A Truck? [Plus 3 Of The Best Liners]