Paint job or Restoration???

[81ShrtBox]

I'm in a situation where I don't know if I want a nice paint job or restoration.

First off... the truck is a 1981 GMC Sierra Grande shortbed fleetside. I want it clean but dont know if I'm ready to invest in a full resto job. Had 2 dam good painters come give estimates.

The first guy is a very good and don't really take on those type of jobs anymore. But, he loves C-10's and couldn't stop looking and smiling. The only way he would take the job is if I let him do it turn key. That would be about $15k and included installing my drop kit, he's doing the whole truck. New wire harness and all. I leave with a brand new truck.

Painter number #2 is a younger fella.. small shop, puts out real nice work. He told me he will take it apart, spray the chassis, cut out all the rust, straighten all the lines. He don't want to use patch panels. He's gonna make all his panels and weld them in. Guarantees his work and quoted me $7k.

Now I'm confused... I know a job like this is time consuming and expensive. But.. I really don't want a turn key. I like to turn wrenches myself. I want to be the one installing the engine, installing the interior, and I want to fire my LS1 up for the 1st time.

I will have a few months to decide. I would like my shortbox in somebody's shop by early February. $7k or $15k

[notsolo]

It's good to have options, 15 k is not bad for a new truck. If you go with restoring it yourself, can you keep the project going in a timely manor? I am pressed for time and it takes a good deal of concentration to keep the project going. If you have a talented guy you trust to get-r-done there is a lot of merit to that. Good luck post some pic's.

[81ShrtBox]

Originally Posted by notsolo

It's good to have options, 15 k is not bad for a new truck. If you go with restoring it yourself, can you keep the project going in a timely manor? I am pressed for time and it takes a good deal of concentration to keep the project going. If you have a talented guy you trust to get-r-done there is a lot of merit to that. Good luck post some pic's.

For the $15k the 1st guy is giving it back to me like new... I wanted all new nuts and bolts and all. I will go talk with painter #2 again. $15k vs $7k

I know I can run the $7k bill up doing all the stuff the 1st is doing himself. He was giving me all new accessories. New AC, alternator, water pump, power steering, brake booster, all new rubbers and seals, brake and fuel lines, new everything.

[McCoyAZ]

For 15K you could probably buy one complete on Craigslist.

[81ShrtBox]

Not like this..

I'm painting it to match my King Ranch Dually. Interior and all. Tubbed, 22" front with 24" rears, built LS1, SLAMMED with all new suspension and 13"brakes slot and drilled.

[BigDan3131]

In either case you need a signed contract and if either wants more than a third down go elsewhere. Tearing into something, you never really know what your going to find. The 15K guy's shop might be slow right now and that's why he's eager. Once he or the other guy tear into it and find out there is way more work than he thought work will slow down on it again until the shop slacks off. If the 15K guy has it done in less than six month's he's cutting corners and that means more filler in your body, rust they scuff and spray sealer over and reusing your old bolts polished up to look like new and ebay garbage parts sold to you at full price.

Trust me, at our shop we have seen what the 7/15K gets you. We have a full frame off resto, new drivetrain, new front and rear clip and we quoted him around 75K including labor to do it. 15K is what I used to charge for a one off paintjob that would last 20 years.

[81ShrtBox]

I specified no bondo repairs. My truck is pretty tight. Just the normal cab corners and stuff. Very minimal spots. Both painters are taking it down to metal, replacing the rusted out spots not filling them. I already have my drive train, I will furnish the bumpers, front grille, wheels, and interior. But I want to put my engine in at home. I have a buddy that taught me auto repair and I want to finish the truck up with him. He's just as anal as I am so I know its going to done right.

For $75k I would fly to Vegas and buy one from Kounts Customs

[81ShrtBox]

With drive train, interior, wheels, stereo, brakes and suspension that's another $10k easy..

[81ShrtBox]

Originally Posted by BigDan3131

In either case you need a signed contract and if either wants more than a third down go elsewhere. Tearing into something, you never really know what your going to find. The 15K guy's shop might be slow right now and that's why he's eager. Once he or the other guy tear into it and find out there is way more work than he thought work will slow down on it again until the shop slacks off. If the 15K guy has it done in less than six month's he's cutting corners and that means more filler in your body, rust they scuff and spray sealer over and reusing your old bolts polished up to look like new and ebay garbage parts sold to you at full price.

Trust me, at our shop we have seen what the 7/15K gets you. We have a full frame off resto, new drivetrain, new front and rear clip and we quoted him around 75K including labor to do it. 15K is what I used to charge for a one off paintjob that would last 20 years.

Every shop around here asks for 1/2 upfront...

[81ShrtBox]

Here's a few pics of my GMC

[81ShrtBox]

Mostly surface rust except for the floor on passenger side. Truck sits straight, no noises or squeaking going down the road. AC was blowing cold for a while.. engine ran fine. I took it off the road so I could start on it.. 2hurricanes and 2home restorations later Its still sitting.

But.. I did manage to get my LS1, 4/6 suspension drop and a fresh instrument cluster. Transmission, drive shaft and brakes is next.

[turp mcspray]

For $15,000, he is going to be working for free! At some point this realization will sink in, and I think your project will turn sour. "you get what you pay for", and in this day and age, $15,000 doesn't go very far towards a brand new truck!

[81ShrtBox]

Here's a few pics of my LS1. The guy I purchased it from wasn't concerned on what his engine bay looked like. I'm adding a electric water pump, I already have dual electric fans, I will paint the block Chevy orange, change the valve covers, add Chevrolet coil covers and MSD wires. I will be adding headers and I already have single chamner race mufflers..

The new engine has..
.598/.595 Comp Roller
Comp Springs, Locks, Retainers and Pushrods
Ported and Polished heads
Edelbrock/MSD Ignition box
Performer RPM Air Gap Intake

I will be installing new gaskets and oilpump before it goes in for safe measure along with new alternator and starter. His stuff is dirty. I hate that. He also painted the aluminum heads. Ill clean that off too.

[BigDan3131]

For the price of an electric water pump you could buy almost three Edelbrock pumps and in case you were wondering the electric pump is over $800.00 by itself and say you buy a ready to run Be Cool setup its another $1200.00 easy.

If I were you I would do everything you can yourself first then after everything is in and its in running and driving shape then move on to paint and body. Seeing how you have that King Ranch you can afford the remaining stuff you need and my best guess including wheels and tires would be a minimum of $16K

[Musclerodz]

I would not paint that truck for 15k, let alone build the entire truck for 15k. The labor bill would exceed 15k by itself. The 2 pics you posted is just the start of the problems, where there is rust, there is even more you have not seen.

[81ShrtBox]

Originally Posted by Musclerodz

I would not paint that truck for 15k, let alone build the entire truck for 15k. The labor bill would exceed 15k by itself. The 2 pics you posted is just the start of the problems, where there is rust, there is even more you have not seen.

the truck isnt as bad as the pics may seem to show.. both guys have looked at it. I'm getting it done. The floor is rusted out in the corner. On the passenger side it follows the seam. Both guys showed me what all needs to be cut out and replaced. It wasnt as much as i thought. Panels are cheap..

we dont have snow.. no salt to rot the bottom.


dont know where you are from.. but around here not many people spending that much on paint. Most jobs are $3 to $5k. $7k is what he quoted me to do the job... and he gave me a run down of the material list.

[81ShrtBox]

Originally Posted by BigDan3131

For the price of an electric water pump you could buy almost three Edelbrock pumps and in case you were wondering the electric pump is over $800.00 by itself and say you buy a ready to run Be Cool setup its another $1200.00 easy.

If I were you I would do everything you can yourself first then after everything is in and its in running and driving shape then move on to paint and body. Seeing how you have that King Ranch you can afford the remaining stuff you need and my best guess including wheels and tires would be a minimum of $16K

found a few in the $300-$500 range already..
http://www.texas-speed.com/p-2963-me...FVRk7AodDhcAuw

[Musclerodz]

Originally Posted by 81ShrtBox

the truck isnt as bad as the pics may seem to show.. both guys have looked at it. I'm getting it done. The floor is rusted out in the corner. On the passenger side it follows the seam. Both guys showed me what all needs to be cut out and replaced. It wasnt as much as i thought. Panels are cheap..

we dont have snow.. no salt to rot the bottom.


dont know where you are from.. but around here not many people spending that much on paint. Most jobs are $3 to $5k. $7k is what he quoted me to do the job... and he gave me a run down of the material list.

I am in OK, but that does not matter considering what they are charging. Material cost are what they are in any state, and he still has to put food on his table. No matter how you added it up, he will be working for free before it is over with and there will be issue with either quality, getting it back in a timely manner, or both.

[81ShrtBox]

Originally Posted by Musclerodz

I am in OK, but that does not matter considering what they are charging. Material cost are what they are in any state, and he still has to put food on his table. No matter how you added it up, he will be working for free before it is over with and there will be issue with either quality, getting it back in a timely manner, or both.

Don't want to come off as disrespectful bro.. but one guy is someone I went to high school with. He just finished all the work on his C10. The other just finished one for his brother that sold at Cruising the Coast. So contrary to your beliefs they both know exactly what it will cost. Maybe its just cost of what the job is worth to you. Everybody isn't charging as much as you are. He quoted "House of Color" primer and Dupont Paint for $7k because he's had excellent results with the combo and will warranty the job. The guy that quoted $15k uses all "House of Color" and said he made sure the estimate was padded enough to cover the job.

You don't have to justify your prices to me.. your too expensive for me.

[81ShrtBox]

I'm not rushing either guy. I made that clear with them. The truck has sat for 2yrs as is so it don't matter how long the job takes. I understand quick insurance jobs pay the bills. If mine gets put to the side for a while I'm fine with that. We discussed it all. I have run my own business before.

[Musclerodz]

Originally Posted by 81ShrtBox

Don't want to come off as disrespectful bro.. but one guy is someone I went to high school with. He just finished all the work on his C10. The other just finished one for his brother that sold at Cruising the Coast. So contrary to your beliefs they both know exactly what it will cost. Maybe its just cost of what the job is worth to you. Everybody isn't charging as much as you are. He quoted "House of Color" primer and Dupont Paint for $7k because he's had excellent results with the combo and will warranty the job. The guy that quoted $15k uses all "House of Color" and said he made sure the estimate was padded enough to cover the job.

You don't have to justify your prices to me.. your too expensive for me.

No problem, if your happy with that persons work and willing to do it for the price quoted, go for it. In the end that is all that matters that both parties are happy. HOK products are good, I use them regularly here.

[81ShrtBox]

I really tried to not offend you bro. I had guys that wouldn't take the job. I Will post pics.

[81ShrtBox]

Originally Posted by Musclerodz

No problem, if your happy with that persons work and willing to do it for the price quoted, go for it. In the end that is all that matters that both parties are happy. HOK products are good, I use them regularly here.

I see why your prices are what they are.. that Camaro on your page is mindblowing. That paint job is awesome