How I Painted a Truck for Less Than $400 in Material

I wanted to show you a slimmed down version of how I took on a 1991 S-10 full refinish with a budget of only $400 in materials.
I used:
- Limco basecoat by BASF refinish.basf.us/brands/limco/
- Euro Clear by Transtar www.tat-co.com/Products/Refin...
- Limco sealers and primers
From start to finish was around 40 hours of work. The customer paid for glass removal separate from the quoted price of $1500 in labor and $400 in paint and body material. I de-trimmed most of the truck, worked some areas, primed, sealed, then based and cleared. I didn't nib or buff on the finished clear.

[@christophermartinez2175]

I hope i can be as good as you some day. i’m only 15 but i really like everything about cars and trucks.

[@veterancollision]

Find a local independent shop, and ask how you can help. Start now. Part time, whatever you can do. I was taping cars sitting on a 5 gallon bucket before I was 9. I sprayed my first car at 15. You get better with time and practice and if you started now you’d be better than most by the time you were in your late 20’s.

[@buzzsaw6341]

Nice gun control, steady, consistant distance , parallel with surface. Been painting nearly 50 years and learned this simple stuff is key.

[@veterancollision]

Thanks! My dad has taught me alot. I’m ran more panels and messed up more times than I can count. Simple stuff takes time to perfect. Thanks for watching sir!

[@hiddenloaf2302]

This came out awesome, one piece of advice I got a while back was to do the roof before the doors, partly because of over spray, but mostly incase anything touches the door panel while you're leaning over it.

[@veterancollision]

That makes sense. I don’t mind the cab section when I have the hood off. Gives me a good break point. When I use a slow enough reducer the over spray isn’t a big issue though. I appreciate the feedback man!

[@gruponemesis]

@@veterancollision you are a bro bro...im inspired to try it out on my own

[@veterancollision]

Go for it dude!

[@danbasta3677]

I do agree. Spray paint the cab roof, and supporting backside around the back window and front supports first. Once you've put as many coats on as you wanted, and of course allowing drying time after each coat, then it's time to paint the rest of the truck. You always worry about the air hose getting in the way and causing imperfections in the paint on the cab roof, backside and front supports. When they're done and completed, your free to spray paint the rest of the truck with the same amount of coats of paint you applied on the cab roof. And of course, if this is base coat clear coat, sanding and tack ragging after each coat is necessary before the final clear coat is applied. A lot of guys out there like this base coat clear coat painting, however I see no difference between base coat clear coat as opposed to acrylic enamel and base coat clear coat doesn't last any longer than acrylic enamel paint. Base coat clear coat paint is a lot more harder and more steps are needed to get it completed than acrylic enamel. Only difference is, when base coat clear coat is totally done and it has cured after a few hours, your free to wax your vehicle whare as acrylic enamel paint jobs, you have to wait six months or more for the paint to thoughly dry out before waxing the vehicle.

[@superczech69]

I love videos like this. The internet is clogged with $10,000 to $20,000 paint jobs and that is not realistic to a common person. I had a hood release malfunction and had to find a new hood for my 01 Cummins. I found a hood for $200 and the paint shop in my neighborhood charged me $800 to paint it after I did the bodywork prep and I furnished the paint. And the work was standard at best. When I went to pay he acted like he lost money helping me out and said he was a "christian businessman".

[@veterancollision]

I appreciate the feedback! It’s hard to find good work these days, but good painters are out there for sure.

[@johnbecker5213]

you gotta watch out for those christian buissnessmen !!!!

[@steveriddell1937]

Laying the paint is the part of any paint job that will show up all the prep mistakes. From what I could understand from your wing panel dent work and prep for paint was done by the owner of the hood / Bonnet not the painter technician yes! Well if this is so and he just keyed or adhesion rubbed the panel and layed the colour on rubbing out paint defects hi filling hand blocking is prep work. Did you expect the paint to hide the unexperienced prep work mistakes. Prep work failure leads to paint looking like back yard paint work

[@graememceachren1118]

Watch out for ‘Christian Businessmen’. If you have to hide behind the Lord to conduct business, maybe you aren’t the strongest lamb in the flock.

[@irietropicals4255]

$10,000 $20,000 paint jobs on cars? Sheesh, that’s sad people are getting away with that.

[@jasonmonn8646]

I think it came out awesome. I helped out at a body shop for about a year. They would make the customer pick out their pinstripe. Then they would paint the vehicle with the base coat, pinstripe it, and then clear coat it. They said they started doing it that way because customers didn't like having to clean wax off from around the pinstripes when they detailed their vehicles. We got a lot of customers because of it. Had a guy come in with a Pontiac trans am. He was getting a complete paint job and wanted to make sure that when they did the bird on the hood that it was clear-coated over because he didn't want to clean wax off around it when detailing it.

[@veterancollision]

I like the old Trans-Am with the bird! Thanks for watching man!

[@BossPainter]

The first coat of clear is the best one to watch!

[@veterancollision]

True! I should of captured it and edited it in. My bad!

[@randabuffer6562]

Usually the first coat is a dust coat unless your using a high solids clear in my experience

[@thespraysociety3276]

An is most important coat for clear to look right

[@veterancollision]

I used to dust coat or tack coat the first with DC5300. Kind of gave the other 2 coats something to hold on to. Now a days I just spray the first and second the same, and if I want to get crazy I’ll put a 3rd on it.

[@georgeadkins2089]

Awesome video for the DIY’er. Thanks for detailed video of the different panels for base and clear. Gives me a good guide for technique.

[@veterancollision]

Thanks George! I appreciate the feedback. Let me know if I can help you in anyway. [e-mail]

[@jcervantes12000]

It's great to see these basic vintage trucks being restored it looks great thank you for posting

[@veterancollision]

Thanks Juan! I like to see the old ones get a second chance too!

[@colorbosscustomautobody8140]

Loved this video! I used to use that Transtar clear. I loved it. Switched to UPOL 2882 for my budget jobs. Shoots amazing once you know how to lay it down without running it, and it's really durable.

[@veterancollision]

I’ll check that clear out. Love trying different products. I appreciate you watching my video!

[@trevorhoward6115]

looks amazing to me! I've got a 96 ranger I'm about to attempt to paint, it'll be the first vehicle I've ever painted. cant wait to try it! Thanks for the video! subbed

[@veterancollision]

Thanks Trevor! Good luck man!

[@betotxgovernor610]

Brings back so many beautiful memories. Had an '89, '91 and '93 all that same blue. Great job.

[@veterancollision]

Thanks sir! I appreciate the feedback!

[@therealgaragegirls]

I really liked the way the tailgate turned out. The paintjob itself looked great, too.

[@veterancollision]

Thanks! That was one of my favorite parts too. I appreciate the feedback!

[@theskiviking9007]

Bravo! And thank you! Watching your movements and techniques to tackle this was just what I needed!

[@veterancollision]

Thanks for watching!

[@jamesahr2634]

Just wanted to say, out of all the videos on here about painting this is probably one of the most informative 👌. Thanks

[@veterancollision]

Thanks James! Your feedback means a lot!

[@chuckcarlini2807]

Very nice,,, been painting for 40 plus year's,, and agree 100% on everything you did, and said!😊💯👍👌

[@veterancollision]

Thanks Chuck! My Dad has been painting for a long time and I learned alot from him. I appreciate the feedback and you watching my vid.

[@reneekrueger962]

Great job. I love Square body S trucks. Had a couple back in the day and also had a couple 2wd 2dr blazers. Great trucks especially with a v8 swap

[@veterancollision]

Thanks Renee!

[@youKnowWho3311]

This was my first truck. Love the job for the money! Looks great.

[@veterancollision]

Thanks man! My brother had one for his first truck too. Same color! I appreciate you watching!

[@stevepellew8021]

What a mean az finish 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 I would be happy getting the vehicle in use an looking good 👍. ❤from New Zealand supporters ❤

[@veterancollision]

Thanks bro! I appreciate the feedback!

[@jmecillakennedy7102]

Awesome video and finished results.Great work..👍👍👍

[@veterancollision]

Thank you! I appreciate that!

[@billkeller3083]

Very nice for the low budget materials, excellent application. I am spraying a metallic blue that Is very transparent. Thanks fir the honest explanation of that job.

[@veterancollision]

Thanks Bill! Hope your paint work turns out nice!

[@ceesklumper]

I've painted 4 cars in my garage this past year. I get one- gallon single stage kits as a bit of extra paint is always good to have with a car for 'later' and hardly costs more than a half-gallon kit. Nice job and good video and infornation.

[@veterancollision]

Thanks sir! I appreciate it. Sounds like you’ve been spraying a while.

[@CletusEinstein]

Which single stage brand have you been using?

[@michaelerdman1345]

Very well done video. Thanks for making an instructional video without profanity. Again well done.

[@veterancollision]

Thank you sir! I appreciate you watching.

[@MrClarkisgod]

It's perfect man. I was born in 1981 and clearly remember those trucks in that color driving around town. Knew a couple of guys that had little trucks just like that in high school.

[@veterancollision]

My brother had the same truck in highschool. Loved it. Had the 4.3 and was a stick shift. Replaced the ball on the shifter with a baseball. I was born in 83 and my brother was 82. Good times indeed bro!

[@ephraim.1964]

Excellent paint color…totally amazing job!! 👏👏🙌🙌

[@veterancollision]

I love the color too! I appreciate it!

[@SignMeUpDesigns]

Nice job man! Turned out excellent!

[@veterancollision]

Thanks! Appreciate the feedback!

[@ericmark472]

The truck came out great! Love the tailgate. I have the same truck except it's a 93 and red. Thinking about changing the color but I'm not sure how much extra work it will be. Never really painted with a gun before so it's going to be an experience. Love the explaination as you go along. Gives me a bit more confidence as I get into this. Thanks for the great video!

[@veterancollision]

Eric I appreciate it! It takes time to get proficient at it, but with the right air pressure, arm movement and a constant distance from the panel you can do. Practice on an old fender or something other than your vehicle. You got this man! I appreciate the feedback for the vid!

[@ericmark472]

@@veterancollision Thank you!

[@johnnycashh7148]

Smooth hand...results were amazing. 👏 👏 👏

[@veterancollision]

Thanks man!

[@jj629ful]

I love the euro clear I painted my dakota black with matrix base coat with matrix euro clear came out perfect. Looks wet even when it's dirty.

[@veterancollision]

I agree!

[@robertjones6971]

I think this job turned out excellent! Great content and info! 🤘🤘

[@veterancollision]

Thanks Robert! I appreciate the feedback and your time checking it out.

[@robertjones6971]

I appreciate you. I'm definitely going to use your videos for prepping and painting my truck.

[@pnweezy]

Nice work. That paint came out great. Looks a lot better than some $4k paint job

[@veterancollision]

I appreciate that. It’s a lot of work making them look nice. Thanks for checking it out!

[@whipshinedetailing]

Awesome video and final product, was fun to watch!

[@veterancollision]

I really appreciate you watching! Thanks!

[@thehotwheelshunter]

Awesome video man very educational you deserve hundreds of thousands of views

[@jayinmi3706]

WHen you said you had 40+ hours into it, I was like "OK, so like $4k in labor?" I love me some square body S10's, and own one myself that will need paint, but $4-5k would be out of my budget. $1500 seems pretty reasonable. I'll check out some more of your videos, for sure. Great job!

[@veterancollision]

Thanks! It was a lot of work for a friend!

[@74keefg63]

You put way more care into your work then Maaco did on my car 💯💪🏾

[@veterancollision]

Thanks man

[@christianpuentes6579]

Really good job, truck looks amazing 👏

[@veterancollision]

I appreciate that Christian!

[@ianbestor1528]

Fantastic color, great job.

[@veterancollision]

Thanks Ian!

[@dan7462]

Wow. That metallic blue over the black sealer came out really good. Impressive.

[@veterancollision]

Thanks Dan! I thought it came out nice too.

[@choncoconcos5912]

@dan7462 excuse my ignorance, is sealer the same as primer?

[@3sparewashers-lg3gf]

@choncoconcos5912 all sealers are primers but not all primers are sealers. Sealers are designed to prevent paint from lifting old paint or vice versa.

[@choncoconcos5912]

@@3sparewashers-lg3gf thank you.

[@JimmyMakingitwork]

Nice, truck came out great. I have a truck with "patina" I'm going to prep with wax and grease remover and clear without base. Any tips for that?

[@veterancollision]

I’ve sprayed clear over raw metal/patina before. It drinks the clear. I’d wax and grease it remove on it, make sure there’s no streaks and start with a tack coat. Then I’d hit it with 2 wet coats. Let it cure then wet sand the truck and clear it with 2 more wet coats. I appreciate you watching my vid Jimmy!

[@James-on1vy]

Check out "Sweet Patina" product line. Clearing over patina isn't exactly ideal

[@seanwingate5734]

Looks awesome. So satisfying

[@veterancollision]

Thanks Sean!

[@michaelnotigan7796]

Subscribed. What a beautiful job you've done on that S-10. Some good tips in your video when I go to spray my own Colorado in my driveway, come early fall!

[@veterancollision]

I appreciate that Michael! Thanks for the view and feedback!

[@tomholskey992]

I have been using the regular Transtar kwik clear for a few years, it lays down great, and if you have to scuff and buff it does real good. Any idea how it differs from spraying the Euro Transtar?

[@veterancollision]

Not sure. Haven’t sprayed the kwik clear. Sorry man

[@austinbradley3411]

Looks awesome. Knowledge and experience is everything I think when it comes to painting a vehicle.that Satan jet is nice what's the price on it?

[@veterancollision]

Thanks Austin! Sata’s are pricey… think I paid around $700 or so for them. It’s been a while.

[@ericsteel7643]

fell upon your video. nice work. simplicity.

[@veterancollision]

Thanks Eric! Really not a lot to it. I appreciate the feedback sir!

[@tonymeehan7859]

man, ya cant complain about that job, looks fantastic!

[@veterancollision]

Thanks Tony! I appreciate it.

[@paulpainter3065]

Nice job. I love watching these low cost paint jobs. I am planning to spray a couple of high mileage and worthless cars for the fun of it and hopefully make them just a little bit less worthless. It will be with cheap paint.

[@veterancollision]

Thanks Paul! If you’re spraying really low cost cars I’d definitely find cheap materials. Limco Base and Euroclear are lower cost than PPG, Glasurit, and other lines, but probably still too much for the super cheap car you’re talking about. Most auto paint stores sell really cheap all over kits for that application.

[@gp205]

It looks great. One question- what do you lose when you buy a cheaper clear? Is it durability, or ease of use? I've always used lower end clears so I'm wondering what i'm missing.

[@veterancollision]

Durability and UV protection are the primary benefits. The euroclear in this vid is really easy to spray. I appreciate you checking the video out!

[@rawthentic.]

Damn that’s a clean job. I really impressed.

[@veterancollision]

Thanks Donnie!

[@danbasta3677]

Beautiful blue paint job. Blue is my favorite color.

[@veterancollision]

I appreciate the feedback! Mine too.

[@DonovanLee]

Paint came out great! Would this paint job last many years since it is more affordable?

[@mikesweet5848]

Depends on a lot of things. If it lives in a garage when it's not being used it will last a lifetime. Will you wax it occasionally? Are you going to take it through the spaghetti men autowash or will you baby it? Cheap paint is fine if you plan to take care of it, and not leave it baking out in the hot southwest sun or something.

[@veterancollision]

What Mike said! Thanks for watching!

[@mitchellcrumpton3992]

​@@veterancollisionI have an old camaro I could bring you. Where are you located?

[@donhenderson5100]

Nice job!! We have a older car and are searching a repaint option. We have been told between a Maaco 800 dollars to "I dont look at anything if you don't have 12,000". There is no one doing what you do; set a budget and conversation on services. Your customers are very lucky, great job and withing realistic pricing. Where are you located?

[@veterancollision]

I’m in Charleston, SC. All over paint jobs are generally pricey because of the amount of work that goes into them. The price range on restorations is super wide. It’s really hard to find shops that don’t take long periods of time to get all overs done too, because collision work will always pay more and take less time. I appreciate the feedback!

[@kenmcleod8618]

Maaco paint jobs last about six months

[@therealsolo23]

Amazing results!!!!

[@veterancollision]

I appreciate that!

[@BOSS4R]

Nice job man I’m sure the customer was happy looks great. Also nice video coverage

[@veterancollision]

Thanks Marcus! Yes sir he was happy. I appreciate the feedback!

[@worldssickestmedia2713]

Easy recipe for a cheap paint job is 3 basic steps. 1. Having your own tools and space to work with. 2. $400 worth of materials. 3. Doing all your own labor instead of paying a shop $80+ an hour. And in the grand scheme of things. It's never cheap. And it's definitely never easy. Painting a vehicle with satisfactory results is always a sh!t ton of work and a pretty good chunk of change no matter which way you cut it.

[@veterancollision]

Nailed it! Truth.

[@mikesweet5848]

One thing holding me back from painting my '89 Cherokee is the $1000+ in materials just to get started. Going all out on this one.

[@worldssickestmedia2713]

@@mikesweet5848 oh c'mon now. You know you aren't gonna paint that piece o shat. Lol

[@mikesweet5848]

@@worldssickestmedia2713 I've painted some of the nicest XJ cherokees in the world but ok clownass lmao.

[@1twangmaster]

Nice job Brother! Thanks for the tip on the lower line Limco paint to save money. Come to think of it, I used RM Limco bascoat years ago! GOD Bless! Rob

[@veterancollision]

Thanks Rob!

[@deepcover1979]

That paint job came out awesome 👏

[@veterancollision]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@etwaroojai382]

Great job JR.

[@veterancollision]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@immanutt4442]

most excellent finish on the truck !!! ... thanks a mint for your tutorials !!!

[@veterancollision]

I appreciate the view and the feedback!

[@zacksrandomprojects9698]

Damn that looks amazing! Great job!

[@veterancollision]

Thanks man!

[@frankreyna9281]

Looks beautiful especially that color is my favorite 👍

[@veterancollision]

Thanks Frank! I appreciate the feedback.

[@dan7462]

Great job. Nice color too.

[@veterancollision]

I appreciate it Dan!

[@derrickmurphy9859]

Great job I always use iwata and devilbiss never had a sata but it looks so smooth

[@veterancollision]

Iwata sprays great too. I seal with one usually.

[@JetBomb-xx6ye]

This is amazing, guy is really good at this, didn’t need to sand down in between and no Orange peel at all master of the paint 🎨

[@veterancollision]

The right gun settings, technique, and reducer helps a ton! I appreciate the feedback!

[@benvenegas8708]

Beautiful job

[@veterancollision]

Thanks Ben!

[@strattuner]

a paint job like that,with the TLC will make this truck last another 20 years easily,good job,you overlap is perfect and it shows

[@veterancollision]

Thanks for the comment! I appreciate it!

[@AlexanderLopez-kn5bt]

Wow beautiful job and beautiful truck look 👌👌👌👌👍👍👍

[@veterancollision]

I appreciate that Alexander!

[@SuperEpiphonelespaul]

Amazing work man!

[@veterancollision]

Thanks Brian!

[@c.m.7037]

Great truck and great color!

[@veterancollision]

Thank you!

[@kylecorrow702]

Love this video bro. I like how you tell us about the cheaper paint. Keep the videos up bro

[@veterancollision]

Thanks Kyle! I appreciate it!

[@DonovanLee]

Satisfying af to watch ! Great video! Makes me wanna pick up a spray gun again!

[@veterancollision]

Thanks Donovan! Pick one up man!

[@alexabeyta378]

Good thing I saw you use the black sealer. I have the same blue along the belt line factory two tone on a white S-10.

[@veterancollision]

Black sealer is clutch for the blues. Coverage is way easier. Thanks for checking out the vid!

[@colinmiles9390]

Great finish brother 👊👍👌

[@veterancollision]

Thanks Colin! I appreciate it!

[@josedeavila349]

Awesome work 👏

[@veterancollision]

Thanks Jose! I appreciate the feedback.

[@sethjohnson6539]

Dude that's a great job you did !

[@veterancollision]

Thanks Seth!

[@saleen1126]

Awesome work! Blessed hands right there. Definitely subscribed! Keep it up, Thanks and God Bless!!

[@veterancollision]

I appreciate that! Thank you for the view!

[@mini_worx]

I love that color bro. Great job 👍

[@veterancollision]

Thanks dude!

[@carter4627]

Paint job looks Great man!

[@veterancollision]

Thanks Hunt! 🍻

[@Manuelvtec6]

The tailgate came out wonderful

[@veterancollision]

Thanks!

[@jamesahr2634]

Really clean paint job for money, customer should be very happy.

[@veterancollision]

Thanks! I appreciate it.

[@Lopez-xy6xr]

Great job well explained. 👍👍

[@veterancollision]

Thanks sir!

[@busyb5912]

Slick! I use allot of Transtar products painting motorcycle tins.

[@veterancollision]

Thanks! I love spraying motorcycles.

[@thatruthhurts1670]

Man you done a wonderful job I would love to have a square body like that

[@veterancollision]

Thanks for watching!

[@slackerzsincity6947]

Nice work, time and effort

[@veterancollision]

Appreciate that! Definitely a lot of work in the all overs.

[@cesarluna1050]

Great job beautiful color

[@veterancollision]

Thanks Cesar! I appreciate the positive feedback and the view.

[@truckingdayzzz4702]

Looks pretty sweet man good job

[@veterancollision]

Thanks man!

[@1280spoon]

Man this is a great video and definitely a great painter as well nice job

[@veterancollision]

Thanks Don! I appreciate that.

[@stacyvickery240]

That looks really nice !!

[@veterancollision]

Thanks Stacy!

[@imedina619]

looks amazing !

[@veterancollision]

Thanks!!

[@weirdmatter]

Love the color

[@veterancollision]

Thanks! I do too!

[@Der8cho]

Excellent gun control. You are correct about the type of paint gun. Its not the gun...its the painter and his techniques. Turned out nice!

[@veterancollision]

Thanks TJ! I appreciate you checking my work out.

[@gokusupersaiajinblue4465]

If that's the case just use a cheap hf gun, if the sata had nothing to do w it. I use both guns btw. Good job !

[@jermainepittman1409]

That is a clean paint job💯

[@veterancollision]

Thanks man!

[@AntonioMartinez-qj7is]

Great job my friend

[@veterancollision]

Thanks sir!

[@gregelliott5066]

I like it. Alot. Looked factory to me. Finished result is only as good as the prep. Have a blessed day.✌🏻🙏🏻✝️

[@veterancollision]

Thanks Greg!

[@michaelamartocci]

Awesome job

[@veterancollision]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@michaelamartocci]

Love the paint job.love the color.. best paint job ive seen on youtube.

[@veterancollision]

Thanks Michael! Feedback means a lot and I appreciate you watching.

[@tossedsalad5532]

It's a great fresh look

[@veterancollision]

Thanks👊🏼

[@mdcobra001]

Really nice work! Looks like new.

[@veterancollision]

Thanks! Came out pretty nice for an old truck.

[@sxsxsxin]

Looks awesome man, I need to get my pickup into your shop 😃

[@veterancollision]

Thanks man!

[@leesegura1260]

That’s a clean little S-10!

[@veterancollision]

Thanks Lee! Definitely came out nice!

[@monsterchoon]

Beautiful truck!

[@veterancollision]

Thank you!

[@backcountry8405]

Wow out standing love it ❤❤

[@veterancollision]

Thanks!