My old E-150 is in need of new paint. There is some minor rust spots where the paint was applied thin on the roof, and in the roof drip rails where the putty is cracking there is rust under the putty that is worse.

I've always hated the color and want a color change. When I was a kid I wet sanded my first two cars for painting and so I thought I would do the sanding on this myself, pull the bumpers, ect. With the color change comes the need to paint the door jambs and doors.

I haven't gotten any estimates yet. Not sure where I should go. Just wondering what it might cost. Would a clear coat be much more expensive?

 

What year is your E150?

How much do you really want to spend on this project?

 

Varies wildly. I have sent vehicles in for a 2 layer paint job (paint, clear) for as low as 400 (rinse, wax strip, paint, clear). jobs that cheap typically look okay for a few months, overspray like hell, and closer than 5 feet have a lot of 'orangepeel.' My last van paint job (my 4x4 E-Superduty project) was delivered as a stripped cab and door panels on a welded together rotisserie. I did some minor body work, sanding, filling, primer and they did a 4 part paint job with wet sanding between layers and a final wetsand/buff. It cost 4100 dollars.

 

Thanks. My E-150 is a 1979 short wheel base, little over 100K miles, 4.9L with a manual overdrive.

Given the cost of replacing it with some other truck I think it's probably worth repainting, but I'm still unsure of what I'm willing to invest in it, maybe up to 3K.

 

This is a tough call for me even though I once owned a body shop. The labor involved to do a full color change correctly, so that it doesn't start flaking or peeling off within a short time afterwards. $3K sounds like a lot but in today's world at best that'd get you a discounted Maaco job, one where they'd mask around things like door handles, locks, tail/park/headlights, windshield moldings---this list could go on a long while. To do this right you'd want to paint the van much like the factory does, completely unassembled or in your case anything bolted or riveted on is removed first. In the end you'll probably not be satisfied with the result.

Maybe consider adding some accent stripes, whether vinyl or painted, something to lessen the existing color. This isn't as exciting as a brand new color but it would be more affordable and still give you a fresh new look.

Lots of downsides to this IMHO-------just showing another angle to this. Hope its not too much of a downer!

 

Way back in the '70s I wet sanded my first two cars and helped my dad repaint them in entirely different colors. We masked off everything and then he sprayed the paint on at a shop he worked at. Those cars looked great for all the years I had them. I think it was enamel paint. Don't know what's used now a days.

 

Maybe try plastidip? Ive seen it on some of my friends cars at school... Looks good with a couple layers of clear coat, if you get it just right it will look like a legit paint job..