question for you experienced Tundra owners

Hi everyone. New here and about to purchase my first (and soon to be lifelong obsession with) Tundra.

I wanted to know if anyone has any experience painting their trucks? In Canada, the Cavalry Blue is only available on the 18 TRD Pro 4runner/Tacos. I want it on the Tundra - like in the States. I went to a couple different dealers here and some said they could order it, others said they couldn't. Turns out they can't order it and would need to be painted by the dealer (or someone else) if I want it done.

I've never done a full paint on a new vehicle before. Any negatives I'm not thinking about?

Thanks!

 

Why not just purchase one from the states.... @lostfox1 just posted his beautiful Calvary Blue truck recently purchased.

 

The negatives are:

Very expensive to do right (more than you think)
Prone to mistakes
Nobody wants to buy a repainted vehicle
Takes a long time
Very expensive
Did I mention it's very expensive?

 

Probably cheaper to buy one in the US and drive it back home.

 

I actually used to work at the border so I know how easy it is to import a vehicle but here's why I won't be importing a Tundra:

let's say all in cost of the truck is $45k.

In Canadian that is approximately $60k.

When I hit the border I pay taxes on the Canadian Value (whatever their rate is on the conversion) which will be approximately another $6k to $7k.

I lose the warranty.

I still have to have it inspected and do any modifications the province requires before I'm able to insure it - usually just day time running lights on the newer ones.

Long story short - I'm spending about $10k more than if I buy it up here and paint it as the dealer is willing to work on the price and we have a cash incentive.

Important part of that is - that is $10k I can't use on mods, and the mod list is long

 

Welcome from OK. Good luck with your hunt!

 

Thank you!

 

Maybe a full vehicle wrap would be cheaper.

 

Nobody wanting to buy it would be a negative - but I might just pass it down to my son if I need a new one.

Still really annoyed we don't get the same factory colours. We always get the crap end up here some how.

 

probably. but isn't that worse?

There's a brand new 17 Pro halfway across the country and I'm thinking I need to just fly out there and drive it back - but it's white

 

I say wrap it.

 

Wow, looking at Canadian MSRP on a Platinum it's about $61k CAD which is 46k USD.

Are you saying Canadian dealers will discount another 7-10k CAD below MSRP? If so, that's cheap as hell.

 

If you repaint the engine bay won't match, that always bugs me. I've got no idea what a paint job would cost but I'm pretty sure you can wrap it for less. The wrap has the added benefits of being removable, repairable, and added protection. If I were in your shoes, I'd probably wrap it. BTW, the coolest color I've seen is Blazing Blue with a satin clear wrap on top.

 

right now there is a $6k cash incentive and they will wiggle more if you are having more work done on it before it leaves the lot

 

I would learn to love a different color. Second would be to wrap it. It's cheaper, easier, looks good and repairable. I would guess a good quality paint job would be 10k. Remember you are painting door jams, under the hood, and if done right, the firewall which means an engine pull.

So, white is beautiful,

And so are a lot of other colors...

 

I'll research wraps this week and see what they'd cost.

 

The dealer quoted me $6k, but would start discounting it and the other things I want. And would do everything but the engine pull....I wonder how much it would be to pull it out

 

My vote is for wrap. I would not recommend painting a brand new vehicle.
Or live with a different color and use the paint/wrap budget to personalize it in other ways (wheels, bumpers, lifts etc.)

 

Learn to like another color, it is just a color. That is a lot of mod money!

 

6k is a pretty good price for a complete paint job if done right. Especially with the exchange rate, but I would rather find another color and save the 6k for mods. That would do a lot of stuff to the truck, wheels, lift, bed cover, whatever you want to do.

 

It would just cancel out the cash incentive they have going on. which is why they offered more discounts on the lift/wheels/etc etc

I've just emailed three dealers in WA, OR and CA to see how much wiggle room they'd have on a cash purchase. Maybe I can make the import happen and if not then I guess I have to learn to love another colour - uggggh haha

 

I sent off emails to 3 local wrap companies here to see what they say...thanks!

 

Recommend you get a black truck if you wrap, that way the engine bay doesn't look off with a color change.

 

Thanks!

I'll ask them about the engine compartment. I know the price they quoted me was including doors/inside etc