First Post- Gen 1 Restore

Well,
I decided to fix the body on my Gen1 of 15 years to return to former glory., and have gone down the rabbit hole of bodywork and paint. I've done my share of prep and paint, but the world has changed to how I remember it. Pricing, though justified, makes the repairs almost not worth it to the value (unrecoverable) of the rig. The OEM is 3 stage pearl paint, and those shops get top (insurance) dollar @ $7K +, to be OEM spec and lifetime warrantee. I've checked all over, and MAACO is an option for 2 stage- Base and clear, or a local discount shop also, both near $4000- with 98% my prepping done and near all items removed!. I have a new appreciation when I see a cream puff stock Gen 1's with original paint. I'm refreshing mine to look the same on a budget and should end up nice. EBay bumper, lights etc. $2k in bodywork done, many hours labor, but now is ready to roll into a shop for smooth sand and masking. Will follow up with pictures. Can't wait.

'Money resolves most problems'.

 

Welcome from NY.
Can't wait too see the finished project.

 

Skip the maaco paint. Here's mine after 5 years.

 

I refreshed my 2000 AC not long ago and was shocked at the price to hire a shop to repaint here in Atlantic Canada. So I did all the prep work myself, set up a paint booth in the shop and sprayed a single stage. Overall, I'm happy with the result, but even more happy with the cost: about $1000 for paint and supplies.

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)!

 

Hi,
Some delay in follow up. Refer to top Thread for photo of project.

Story: I had fixed/ prepared to restore my 2002 Toyota of 15 yrs. to be 90+% ready for painting/ the booth. I pulled and prepped flares, trim, rear bumper, lights, Bedliner, mirrors, and emblems, and replace rr. door. In the discouraging and endless search of Body Paint Shops in the area would price it like they didn't want the job or would line item price everything like was some healthcare patient (double), or not even get back with a price! When I visited this one shop- Affordable Auto Paint on whim, manager Joel was able to quickly assess and estimate finishing my project (I was burning out & loosing hope) and wrote me a good quote on a premium 2 stage paint/gloss- with final prep items!.. on the spot!, and assuring on some/ any/ all final touches of prep, "We'll take care of it". !?!OK (had to be sceptical).
Man did they ever follow through and took real care with my truck and details, blocked it out, shot between cab & box, delivered it back days before promised, held the price quote w/ even some important extra work, providing a fantastic quality job and finish. It is so deep gloss shiny it was hard to get good pictures.I replaced the Eagle Eye headlights, $80 (recommend), Ebay fog lights $35, new rear bumper, newer emblems. I reassembled the whole thing and am one happy camper. All I had hoped going from being all beat up.. to be ready another 15 years. Persistence perseveres.

Color: 1J7 Toyota /Lexus sonic titanium AKA atomic silver metallic, replacing 1C7 OEM Tundra- Door jams damn near match- and truck changes color in lighting as before. All I had hoped for and more- not quite gray or silver..

 

Hello from NC that's amazing - great transformation!