Stuck with this paint color forever?

[eighty20]

Apart from the cost of repainting ($3,500?), does anyone have strong feelings on whether or not repainting/changing paint colors is legit and without significant issue down the road? I'm in a search for a TJ and wondering how much paint color really matters — if I want blue/black, should I stick with only those, or open it up to others with the plan to repaint eventually? Thanks.

Adam

 

[Fouledplugs]

Apart from the cost of repainting ($3,500?), does anyone have strong feelings on whether or not repainting/changing paint colors is legit and without significant issue down the road? I'm in a search for a TJ and wondering how much paint color really matters — if I want blue/black, should I stick with only those, or open it up to others with the plan to repaint eventually? Thanks.

Adam

Really depends on you.

What’s great about the TJ/LJ is that the tub comes off the frame fairly easily
and can be painted.

My only warning would be, if you do repaint it, find a good body man and painter, because having regret from a poor paint job would last a long while.

 

[L J]

IMO, if your TJ ever sees dirt it just doesn't make sense value-for-dollar unless you have the ability to DIY. Also, if you are doing a color change you'd have to tear the Jeep down completely to make it not look like an Earl Scheib $99 special.

I'm in a search for a TJ and wondering how much paint color really matters — if I want blue/black, should I stick with only those, or open it up to others with the plan to repaint eventually?

I'd find the best condition TJ you can for your budget, accept whatever color it is and get over it.

 

[suicideking]

You could always do a wrap. I'm considering it myself.

If you don't want a wrap, I would suggest expanding your acceptable colors. What if you find one you really like and it's not your favorite color? Are you going to pass on the perfect Jeep because it's the wrong color?

When I was looking, I had my top choices, but also had colors I would consider. Though even if I found one in my least favorite color (black), I wouldn't rule it out if it was built to my liking.

Also keep in mind that black shows the most damage/scratches. Dark colors show more than lighter.

 

[JMT]

There are certain color TJs I really like, and some I don't care for at all. It would have to be a very good deal for me to buy one that I don't care for because a repaint is expensive, especially once you have to do under the hood, door jambs, et. al.

 

[rancholago]

When I was looking I was stuck on silver or white as my fav colors for a TJ I ended up with a green one, with the condition and price, I got over it not being silver really fast. Of course like said above, its up to you. I probably would have accepted any color (except one) if the jeep was in good condition and the price was right. The green buffed out really good and it actually has really good paint. The half doors I got later were blue, but I painted those to match so im pretty happy all in all

 

[Bighammer]

I always hold out for everything I want. For example the Jeep I just bought. That includes the engine, automatic transmission, hardtop, full doors, low miles, and the color. It takes patience, a lot of searching, and of course being able to jump on it when it shows up.

I made the mistake of buying a car that was EVERYTHING I wanted, except for the color. (1970 Dart Swinger 340 tribute) It’s not my favorite color (b5 blue) and 14 years later I still haven’t pulled the trigger on a paint job $$ Paint jobs are expensive to begin with, and to change the color is extra $$$. I’d hold out, broaden your search and keep saving up for it. Don’t be in a hurry, it’ll pay off.

 

[ColoJeep]

For what it's worth, the DIY model is worth the effort, If you don't get too anal, you can get a real
decent result without spending $ 5000.00.
I painted our 4Runner two years ago with 2K PPG Urethane primer and paint for around $850.00 for supplies.
We spent 4 days sanding and masking and 2 days to spray.

 

[chuck47]

For what it's worth, the DIY model is worth the effort, If you don't get too anal, you can get a real
decent result without spending $ 5000.00.
I painted our 4Runner two years ago with 2K PPG Urethane primer and paint for around $850.00 for supplies.
We spent 4 days sanding and masking and 2 days to spray.

View attachment 294426

That paint job looks awesome, but how does it look close up? The paint on my TJ is starting to show its age, but from 10 feet it looks like a perfect 10.

Worst case, I would say 850 for a 10 foot paint job is still worth it. The problem as I see it is drawing the line of when the paint get so bad that you would rather a new less than perfect paint job over what you currently have.

 

[Moglocker]

Apart from the cost of repainting ($3,500?), does anyone have strong feelings on whether or not repainting/changing paint colors is legit and without significant issue down the road? I'm in a search for a TJ and wondering how much paint color really matters — if I want blue/black, should I stick with only those, or open it up to others with the plan to repaint eventually? Thanks.

Adam

What color is it?

 

[psrivats]

Color is a funny thing. It is one of the things that evoke an emotional response, subconsciously or otherwise.

I wanted a green jeep. Any of the dark greens that the TJs came with would have been OK, by my favorite was "Beryl green" in the later years. I cannot do yellow. White was a no go since I knew it would get dirty. I also am not a fan of modern heavily metallic paints in general, just from preference. Some of the TJ era colors are quite nice. I quite like the dark blue that @Midnight LJR has, and the impact orange color is favorite for many on the forum. I don't know the exact name of the paint shade but I also like one of the reds that came on the TJs. I cannot stand most of the bright or the metallic shades in the newer jeeps (and most newer vehicles in general). Some of the classic shades of blue/grey that modern German cars come with are quite nice. ICON 4x4 does some nice colors on their FJ* builds but they are very spendy to get it done really well.

Looking for a used vehicle, color does limit vehicle choice esp. for older vehicles that haven't been made in 15 years. I realized VERY early on in my search that the frame/body shape and engine/drivetrain condition was far more important compared to color. I ended up with a black jeep that ticked all boxes except for color. I was "meh" about black, neither strong like or dislike at the time.

The black color grew on me a lot over time, and funny now, I really like black vehicles with just very small hint of chrome. Black vehicles are aplenty on the road, and no matter how much you clean, every spec of dirt will show. Even though it is black, there is no mistaking my jeep in a parking lot or the road since there is nothing else like it.

I think irrespective of color, your jeep is what you make of it.

 

[TheBoogieman]

What you pay for a Jeep is much more important than the color. I could care less about the color if it's a good deal. I've had white, khaki, desert sand, patriot blue, gunmetal blue. red, black, moss green.

 

[someguysjeep]

when you find the right 1 the color becomes background and all you see is your sexy new toy.

i wasn't lookin for khaki, even considered paintin it, but now, hell no, i love it, it's my favorite color. it just grew on me.

 

[Claybirdd]

when you find the right 1 the color becomes background and all you see is your sexy new toy.

i wasn't lookin for khaki, even considered paintin it, but now, hell no, i love it, it's my favorite color. it just grew on me.

Our khaki jeeps hide mud pretty good too.

 

[someguysjeep]

i never noticed a khaki tj b4 ever, until i rolled in to see this 1.

but still the color was not the choice......................... is was rust free with 81k on the dial, and minimal mods. it just happened to be khaki.

the ones you don't want are the orange 1's.....................like when the frames all orange and bubbly.

 

[Claybirdd]

I too just wanted a solid rig to build on. Chili pepper red would have been nice, but I'm loving the khaki. A while back someone did a poll on favorite factory color. Khaki won by a pretty big margin.

 

[John Cooper]

Color didn't matter to me, mine is black, condition is what mattered.

 

[Matt888]

Color is just icing on the cake, condition is what mattered to me, I actually am glad I didn’t get the color I wanted and I have a little clear coat peel. If it is to nice of paint I would not want to take it off-road. I have been down that road with a Baja bug and 4runner I built too nice And didn’t want to scratch them up so I didn’t use them for what I built them to do.

 

[Mudflat]

You could always do a wrap. I'm considering it myself.

If you don't want a wrap, I would suggest expanding your acceptable colors. What if you find one you really like and it's not your favorite color? Are you going to pass on the perfect Jeep because it's the wrong color?

When I was looking, I had my top choices, but also had colors I would consider. Though even if I found one in my least favorite color (black), I wouldn't rule it out if it was built to my liking.

Also keep in mind that black shows the most damage/scratches. Dark colors show more than lighter.

I’ve heard that the wraps scratch pretty easily. I’m not sure this matters much because I’ve also heard that they only last a few years & have to be replaced anyway. I suppose you could get graphics on a wrap that wouldn’t show scratches so badly; you know … sort of pre-scratched.

 

[MikekiM]

Echoing others....

My priority was solid rig, lowest miles I could find and no rust. Would have loved white, yellow or orange. Black was my least favorite.
II found a solid rust free jeep with 56k.. in black. I overpaid for it. I still don't love the black but I love everything else about it. I'll make the best of it.