Hear is the deal... I got some fender flares for my truck.

I want to get them painted to match my two tone DSG color.
Paint code = CX

I made some calls and even stopped by some body shops.
I don't know that much about paint or what it really cost to paint something like this.

I've been priced $460 all the way up to $830! What B.S. is that!?

Tell me please it doesn't cost this much just to get fender flares painted...

Any painters in TULSA, OK area? LOL?

I may not understand all that goes into getting them painted, but it seems high for some reason.

 

Ive been told around $160-250 to paint. For $800 go get a paint gun and compresser and do it yourself. I priced out Fords black paint at $80 and was going to have my friend paint it.

 

I'm sure if you take them of and prep them yourself that price will come way down.

Those getting out under 300 probably start with ptm.

 

Take them off ... ? Prep them? Huh?

The fender flares are aftermarket NOT oem.

I thought they were PTM... so I gotta sand them even though they are smooth? Just doesn't make sense...

 

My bad. I assumed you wanted to paint your Fx4 flares.:o

That seems high to lay down some paint.

 

Yeah I know.

I am thinking about changing my profession to a fender flare painter.

Seriously though... painters must be making a lot of money now days.

 

a decent auto body painter should be making about 100k a year....

there is tons of labor in painting thats where the cost comes from if the flares are plastic which i assume they are they need to yes first sand them even though they are ready to paint, then they need to use special flex primers, and then paint it so id say around 100-150 for half way decent supplies

 

I've seen better than pro looking results coming from a rattle can done by folks with a little bit of practice, and a HOT garage...

Seriously. To DIY, you would need the following supplies.

#1. Rubbing alcohol
#2. Tack cloth, or lint free micro fiber.
#3. 300 grit or finer sanding sponge.
#4. Distilled water.
#5. Duplicolor Adhesion Promoter. (Flexible plastic primer).
#6. Duplicolor color coat for your paint code.
#7. Duplicolor clear coat.
#8. Hot garage.
#9. Trash can, bench, or whatever to rest flares on to cure.

Oh yeah, the flares themselves.

Step #1.
Rub the flares down fully with rubbing alcohol and the tack cloth. You want to remove any lubricants, sealants, and that sort of crap that may be left on the flare in the manufacturing process.

Step #2.
Lightly sand the flares down using a wet sanding sponge. Rinse the flare and let dry.

Step #3.
Spray per can instructions, the adhesion promoter. Put flares in garage and allow to cure at least 24 hours. Repeat to insure complete coverage of the flares.

Step #4.
Spray per can instructions with color coat, allow to dry, and LIGHTLY wet sand between coats. Depending on how light your coats are, 4-8 coats will do the job. You want a smooth blemish free finish. Wet sand last coat lightly, and rinse / allow to dry.

Step #5. Spray per can instructions with clear coat, same as with primer and color coat. 2-4 coats of clear is fine. Allow this stage to cure in the hot garage at least 5 days prior to assembly.

Step #6. Assemble flares onto the truck. DO NOT USE HARSH ABRASIVES OR WAXES FOR AT LEAST A MONTH!

Now you know why pro painters take so long, and cost so much.

DIY isn't hard to do, just time consuming.

 

Very nice write up dbhost. I thank ya for that.
I am thinking about it... and may do the DIY.

But the time thing is the key... I may not have the time for it.

 

Understood. Time is one of the key factors in a quality job. Don't cut corners. Do it right the first time, you won't regret it.

 

I added the lariat flares to my FX4 and i think i paid $125..Might have been $175 for them to be painted ...Dont remember. They were black and i had them painted true blue

 

that's high... i paid 75 to get mine painted. what kind of aftermarket flares did you get? i got them $100 ones off ebay with the tape and they're horrible

 

Anyone know a decent shop in Denver area that doesn't charge an arm and a leg. I just got a quote of appx $580 not installed and $780-800+ installed they said at least 2hours prep work for each flare. Also I was wondering how hard it is to remove old FX4 flares and install Bushwacker extend a fender flares?

 

paint costs are outrageous because of the EPA. there is big penalties in cost because of the "environmental" hazards. Last I priced black, a quart was $175 here in Washington state. My paint booth will be up in a couple months.. I will paint them for a fair price if anyone is in western Washington.

 

[QUOTE=FoMoCoFan17]I'm sure if you take them of and prep them yourself that price will come way down./QUOTE]

Many shops will not paint vehicles or parts that someone else preps. My brother has a shop and I asked him why. He said if he does it and the prep is not good and the job looks bad or peels, it reflects on him. When someone asks the owner who did the painting, he tells them which shop did it. He doesn't explain who did the prop work or what he paid. The price should be in the neighborhood of $200 unless it is one of the expensive colors. My brother has paid over $300 for 1/2 pint for certain colors (there is no logical connection that we can see)