If you’re considering a new paint job for your truck for a newer, fresher look, or you may be looking to increase its resale value, you may also want to know how much it costs to paint a truck.
Of course, the cost varies greatly depending on how big your truck is, the type of paint you use, and whether you’re repairing it or do-it-yourself. The good news is that we’ve done all the research to give you a better idea of how much money and time the project will cost you, so you can set your expectations and budget upfront.
How much does it cost to paint a truck? Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere between $600 and $4,000 if you want a sturdier paint and a more intricate design, or even a little more, in order to get a satisfying paint job for your beloved truck.
This detailed guide to car painting will give you an estimate of two options, professional service or a DIY project in your own garage.
The cost of painting a truck depends on several factors. (Image source: Macamp)
How Much Does It Cost To Paint A Truck: DIY Projects
If you’re driving an old truck, it probably doesn’t make sense to hire a professional painter. To reduce costs, it’s wise to consider doing it yourself.
It’s not that hard if you choose to do it yourself, and the amount of paint your truck needs is the determining factor in the cost of a DIY paint job.
Between primers, colors, and varnishes, most trucks require around 6-7 quarts of paint. Depending on the size of the truck and the color of the paint, some may require more or less.
It’s important to consider this because choosing a paint color that costs $25 more per quart can add more than $150 to the job just by painting it. In general, you can pay up to $600 for a DIY paint job on a truck.
Having to buy two colors of paint may cost you more than one color. (Image source: f150forum)
What you need is readily available:
- Paint (or Durabak for maximum protection)
- Primer
- Masking tape
- Foam brush
- Sandpaper
- Paint trays
- Mineral water
How much does it cost to paint a truck: professional services
While it will certainly be a lot cheaper to do it yourself, you may think that you are not good at this convenient job and want to opt for a professional service.
How much does it cost to paint a truck with a professional service? It depends on the level of service. If you choose to go the professional route, you can get a number of different levels of service.
There are 3 levels of professional services. (Image source: CarandDriver)
A Detailed Guide to Car Painting: Essential Services
This involves several coats of paint and is the cheapest option. You may have to pay between $500 and $1,000 for the most basic services.
This service uses synthetic enamel, a type of paint that can mask removable trim and parts but may not be able to cover the area inside the door and hood. Professionals will only work with visible areas.
You get what you pay for, and don’t expect this paint job to last that long after being exposed to harsh outdoor environments.
Also, opting for a basic paint service, despite its wide price range, can also lead to painting on unwanted areas and rough masked edges.
Standard service
This usually involves sanding and removing any rust before starting the paint job. The paint used is also of higher quality and often has a brand identity.
You may have to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000, depending on the amount of work required to prepare the truck before painting.
High-quality service in the exhibition hall
If you want a little more, your best bet is Standard. This includes grinding the body to bare metal. Then, remove any dents and rust.
After that, the shop is coated with high-quality paint in 20-24 layers of paint and 6-8 layers of varnish. Some showroom-quality packages include spray paint and multi-tone metallic finishes.
These projects can take up to a month and cost up to $20,000.
What affects service pricing?
Preparation and labor
In addition to the amount of paint required, another important variable that affects the cost of a new paint job is the preparation involved. Depending on how thoroughly the paint job is, much of your vehicle’s interior may actually need to be removed before actually applying new paint to avoid damaging it when it is applied and the door frame is painted.
This includes the seats, dashboard, and console. This is a process step that most people don’t consider.
Then, all of the old paint must be removed so that the new paint adheres better for a smooth, durable finish, which is a particularly time-consuming process.
Also, if your truck has rust spots that also need to be removed, the process will take longer. So, if you have been doing proper maintenance for your precious vehicle, then you can do just that.
The two-tone paint job design is very popular because it has a fresh yet somewhat retro look. (Image source: AR15)
How much does it cost to paint a truck? Unless you live in a place like Southeast Asia, the material will not be the most expensive part, but the time of hard work. The total labor time involved in painting a truck is considerable.
A Detailed Guide To Car Painting: How Long Does It Take To Paint A Truck?
While we’re doing this, note that depending on the type of service, it will take about 40 to 80 hours to get this job done.
However, there are other necessary stages that may require additional time for the actual color coating. For example, if there is a large dent that needs to be dealt with, then work at least 6 hours a day, which adds about three to five days.
If you’re getting showroom quality or custom paint jobs, especially with complex designs, the project may last a month or even longer, as these services tend to take care of the tiniest details on your large transporter.
