Paint job on FJ40? (1 Viewer)

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Joined
Mar 29, 2012
Threads
4
Messages
15
What is ballpark cost for exterior paint job on an FJ40?
For interior and exterior?
 
There are about 50 billion different variables going into that statement.

With them doing all the work, anywhere from 2K to 20K+
 
exactly I got a quote for 200 labor hour total 40K then I had someone claim they could do it for 4000. All I want is an indication what a nice exterior, interior paint job would be so I know I am not getting hosed. Does not have to be perfect, just presentable. I was think somewhere around 5 to 8, you tell me if I am close.
 
You are in the range.
 
I'm getting an 85 4Runner painted and changing the color. They are painting everything but the engine bay below the lip. They are taking everything off to spray, and I mean everything. I delivered it without any bumpers and the interior more or less stripped. The driver's door and fender were dented and have to be replaced. I delivered the replacements although both needed a bit of body work.

They are using BASF Diamont base/clear. It's not the most expensive BASF product but it's up there. Total cost will be around $3k.

It was very difficult to find a shop that would do an all-over paint job. Most of the good shops only do collision work. These guys have a great reputation and have even had a couple of cars featured in magazines. They are real motorheads. The only problem is timing; for an all-over they want the car for several weeks so that they can do all the prep work as fill-in work between their bread and butter collision work. It's been there 5 weeks and most of the prep work is done. Hopefully it will see the inside of the spray booth next week.
 
im in the same boat... about ready to get my 1978 fj40 painted need 2 very minor rust spots cut out and replaced with metal. i had one guy tell me if i take it apart and bring it too him he;ll do it on the side a little at a time for about 10g. EHHH ill look around for more options 1st i sad. 10g for a real good job is probly ok. but if i gota do the take apart and put back to gether and waite till he gets to it... no thanks. anyone know of a good body paint guy in florida.??
 
Last edited:
I'm getting an 85 4Runner painted and changing the color. They are painting everything but the engine bay below the lip. They are taking everything off to spray, and I mean everything. I delivered it without any bumpers and the interior more or less stripped. The driver's door and fender were dented and have to be replaced. I delivered the replacements although both needed a bit of body work.

They are using BASF Diamont base/clear. It's not the most expensive BASF product but it's up there. Total cost will be around $3k.

It was very difficult to find a shop that would do an all-over paint job. Most of the good shops only do collision work. These guys have a great reputation and have even had a couple of cars featured in magazines. They are real motorheads. The only problem is timing; for an all-over they want the car for several weeks so that they can do all the prep work as fill-in work between their bread and butter collision work. It's been there 5 weeks and most of the prep work is done. Hopefully it will see the inside of the spray booth next week.

Hey war Eagle- I'm in Atlanta, not too far away and looking at a FJ40 that I'd like to get painted. 3K sounds pretty reasonable. Can you give contact info for your shop? THX!
 
If your vehicle doesn't require alot of body work and rust repair $4k isn't bad at all. Are they stripping it to bare metal? This may open up the door to some surprises you and the bodyshop couldn't see with the paint still on the tub. This will translate into more $$$ for the finished product. Make sure they let you know ASAP of any new findings which will increase the cost before allowing them to proceed. $4k can turn into $8k REAL fast when talking $80+ an hour labor rate.

Most guys do not realize the amount of money you need in just materials alone to perform a proper paintjob. You can have $500 tied up in just primer. Add base coat and clear coat you are easily at $1k for mid line materials (check to see what some of the European line paints like glassurit or Spies Hecker can cost). Then you can factor in tape, sand paper, cleaning solvents, etc. etc. You can see how in just materials it can add up quick.

Once you add labor (and how much work is needed to get it ready for paint) into the mix the sky is the limit. The best way to shop around is to find out the shops hourly rate for your kind of job. Most reputable shops which take on older model work will have a different hourly rate compared to new/collision work. These prices can vary ALOT!!
 
Last edited:
I'm new to MUD community and this is my first post. I'm in Atlanta and looking for a good body shop to take my 74 fj40 hard top and doors to that will take it down to bare metal. The fiberglass roof has no cracks just faded and paint peeling and the rain gutter is not rusted out. The side panels and rear hatch have bondo and on them from dents that were covered but not rusted out at all. I'm just looking for an honest shop that won't break the bank. Any help from anyone would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
image.jpg
 
I'm new to MUD community and this is my first post. I'm in Atlanta and looking for a good body shop to take my 74 fj40 hard top and doors to that will take it down to bare metal. The fiberglass roof has no cracks just faded and paint peeling and the rain gutter is not rusted out. The side panels and rear hatch have bondo and on them from dents that were covered but not rusted out at all. I'm just looking for an honest shop that won't break the bank. Any help from anyone would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Are you sure that lower section of the top isn't rusted out? Looks like it gets worse in the back where they are notorious for rusting out. That lip is going to need some serious dolly work to get straight.:eek: Looks like someone used a prybar to remove the top.

Anyway, I'm not from GA so I can't be of any help in terms of recommending a decent bodyshop, but I would suggest you take them apart and strip them to bare metal yourself before bringing them to the bodyshop. It's the messiest and usually the most time consuming part, but you can do it on your own for about $30-$40 for a can of chemical stripper and some laquer thinner.
 
The lip that screws the side panels to the tub are warped but not rusted out. I separated the fiber glass roof from the side panels and disassembled the rear hatch and removed all the glass. What's better sand blasting or the chemical stripper? What's a good stripper to use get it to bare metal and what's the process?
 
FJ Paint Job

I painted my 72 FJ40 about 3 years ago in my garage. Materials were about $1000 and I used PPG Concept. I like to paint but hate to do the sanding and prep. Most of the cost of a paint job is in the preparation. I found a guy that moonlights from his job in a bodyshop that had an ad on Craigslist. He did absolutely all the preparation for a fraction of the cost of a bodyshop because he has no overhead. He did excellent work and it looks today just as good as the day it was painted. So try looking for a guy like I found and check his references and take it to a body shop with a booth to be sprayed after prep. Or spend 4-10K for the same result or 10-15+K for a show car finish that you will be affraid to drive because it might get scratched. And it is possible to do a dirt free paint job in your garage if you clean it properly.
 
Allfoden, does the name Mike ring a bell? I searched Atlanta Craigslist and found an ad that mirrors what you highlighted. Please let me know.
 
TCStark

No his name is Jerry and he is in Connecticut. He did the prep in my garage so I could see exactly what was done. I paid by the hour and got an honest days work from him. Like him I am sure there are others in your area. This spring I am going to have him prepare the roof on my pig to be repainted. And after that he will do my Unimog 401.
 
Thanks! You have definitely helped me with my decision
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom