Cost to get hardtop paint matched?

[foxwalkhq]

My Gladiator didn't come with the body color hard top, and I wanted to find out how much it costs to get the hard top paint matched.

The dealer gave me the info for their collision center/body shop and I called there and asked them and they want to do this huge thing of having me drive out there and get an official estimate. They say they can't just tell me how much it would cost to paint the top.

The dealer is like a half hour away, and I figure they should know how much they would charge to paint the top. I mean seems to me like a pretty common thing.

Anyone know ballpark figure how much it will cost? I'm trying to compare it with the cost to line-x the top. I was quoted on that

PLEASE do not reply talking about one method being better than the other etc. I am only interested in knowing the cost to paint match the hard top. Sorry for saying this but it seems like if I don't say something like this then there will be only comments about how line-x is crap or it will be hard to clean or all kinds of other stuff I've already read and not answering my question.

Thanks in advance!

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[Alans17]

Maaco quoted me about $500, but it’s Maaco ?‍

 

[j.o.y.ride]

Probably quite a bit as the black top comes textured, so that needs to be dealt with before any painting. Maybe easier (and def cheaper) to find someone to swap with.

 

[foxwalkhq]

Probably quite a bit as the black top comes textured, so that needs to be dealt with before any painting. Maybe easier (and def cheaper) to find someone to swap with.

Maybe. I just really want to know the cost to compare to getting it line-x'd. I'll do a search on marketplace but if it's an ordeal trying to get a price or find one. If I have to go to an estimate I will, just at a closer dealer / body shop but I'm not driving 30 minutes to find out just a cost.

I rented a Wrangler that had a white painted top.. and the paint was chipped on the top from repeated removal. That's why I'm thinking of color-matched line-x, because that way I can just throw the freedom panels on the ground-- don't have to worry about chipping paint or anything like that.

 

[The Crusader]

If you get it painted, have them paint the bottom side also. I painted my ceiling black and made insulated headliner panels and love it.

 

[booneja]

Not sure about painting color match, but you might want to think about wrapping it??

 

[obrianmcc]

line-X ... why? if you're going to just throw it on the ground ... why? ... sounds like you just want to spend money ... Ok, I get that

 

[foxwalkhq]

line-X ... why? if you're going to just throw it on the ground ... why? ... sounds like you just want to spend money ... Ok, I get that

You quoted me and I literally wrote it right here:

That's why I'm thinking of color-matched line-x, because that way I can just throw the freedom panels on the ground-- don't have to worry about chipping paint or anything like that.

I'm confused as how it's unclear but anyway, maybe this will help: Paint is fragile and expensive, it's a bit cumbersome to take off the freedom panels and have to worry about how to prevent them getting dinged or scratched or even chipped. Yes they have a bag, but it doesn't matter-- that bad is super super light material that's not gonna protect them in the least (I think, could be wrong)..

So if they are line-x'd then I can just take them off and put them somewhere, and it's 100% worry free that they will be damaged. And they will also be color matched.

but at the same time .. they won't be "OEM" color matched.. which is why I am trying to see how much it will cost. Also the edges of the freedom panels have some technical areas that are pretty precise and small. Look like rain gutters or something.. Seem like it might be better off just painted in those areas.

 

[ZoMojave]

Most paint and body shops won't quote prices over the phone. They have to see the job to provide you with a correct estimate, so it protects all involved.

For example, no one would want to find out that it will be hundreds more when the job is completed due to an incorrect labor or materials quote. The same goes for the body shop. They are in business to make money. A half hour drive seems reasonable for the correct information and to put your mind at ease.

Unless you have money to burn, I think that when you find out how much it will be to sand the texture, prep and paint the top, you will go another route. ??

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

Agreed that you are very unlikely to get a paint quote over the phone. But any nearby body shop can at least give you a quote to get close on price, you don’t need the dealer.

There are actually two different models of hard top, one that comes in the textured shiny black and one that is a primered smooth finish and ready for paint. It would probably be cost prohibitive to try and sand a textured top smooth for paint, you’d be better off selling it and buying a new or used paintable top. If you don’t mind the texture and just want somebody to spray it for you, I would think around $500. But the textured finish isn’t very porous, and I suspect you would have long term issues with the paint peeling. I had a TJ with a factory hard top that had been painted with LineX by a previous owner, I had to be super careful when washing because it would easily chip and peel.

 

[TigerInFL]

find a used one on FB marketplace or CL. even if it is the wrong color it will be smooth vs textured.

then find someone who does body work on the side at their house. it will save you a lot of money!

 

[Kevin_D]

…But the textured finish isn’t very porous, and I suspect you would have long term issues with the paint peeling. I had a TJ with a factory hard top that had been painted with LineX by a previous owner, I had to be super careful when washing because it would easily chip and peel.

When my black Freedom panels were rock chipped, the body shop said it would be cheaper to buy new panels than to repaint the chipped ones, due to the preparation involved.
That should give you an idea how much (properly) painting the entire hardtop would cost.
It won’t be cheap.

Kevin

 

[foxwalkhq]

Agreed that you are very unlikely to get a paint quote over the phone. But any nearby body shop can at least give you a quote to get close on price, you don’t need the dealer.

There are actually two different models of hard top, one that comes in the textured shiny black and one that is a primered smooth finish and ready for paint. It would probably be cost prohibitive to try and sand a textured top smooth for paint, you’d be better off selling it and buying a new or used paintable top. If you don’t mind the texture and just want somebody to spray it for you, I would think around $500. But the textured finish isn’t very porous, and I suspect you would have long term issues with the paint peeling. I had a TJ with a factory hard top that had been painted with LineX by a previous owner, I had to be super careful when washing because it would easily chip and peel.

I don't think mine is textured. It's smooth. The only thing is grooves in the top but the body color ones have the same.

TJ is an old model. How old was the line-x? was it bought new or? Coz now Line-X has UV resistant coatings, and high quality options.

I've always heard line-x is top of the line.

 

[foxwalkhq]

When my black Freedom panels were rock chipped, the body shop said it would be cheaper to buy new panels than to repaint the chipped ones, due to the preparation involved.
That should give you an idea how much (properly) painting the entire hardtop would cost.
It won’t be cheap.

Kevin

That sounds like someone trying to take you for a ride IMO.

 

[foxwalkhq]

TBH all this is making me think Line-X might be the best option. There ain't gonna be any rocks chipping the Line-X.

I just wish it came with body color top from the factory :/

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