That question can only be answered by you. Is it worth that much to you to paint it? Maaco has cheaper alternatives. just depends on what quality outcome you prefer. Cheap or expensive.

 

You may be able to wet sand down the clear coat(hood,roof, top of the doors/bed to the body line) Then re clear it(if the base coat is salvageable). Most pro painters want a clean slate to start with that kills the budget in prep work. If you do decide to take it somewhere do some of work yourself. Take off the bumpers,grill, lights etc so that will save time/labor so they won't have to do it.

 

When I painted cars a lot of the money was disassembly. So if you do everything yourself it will save you money. Just be warned to have a good paint job, it has to be a rolling chassis so they can paint the firewall etc.

 

Only 2k? Do it! I was quoted 6k several years ago! Been thinking I may have to tackle it myself. There's really good tutorials out there and you can buy the quality 2k paint and clearcoat in spray cans.

 

Problem with painting with rattle cans is you can't get the millage up high enough.

 

Typically I price out what a truck would cost to buy already at the point where I would take it, call that Y. Then I figure out what price I could sell it as is, call that X. Then I cost out what it takes to get it to the point, call that Z.
Then its simple math.. X+Z should be less than Y. If its not, sell what you have and upgrade.

 

Then there is the nebulous value of having something that you already know what's wrong with it.... unless you buy something with a warranty, the 'replacement' vehicle is a big unknown there...... We also have 'sentimental' value...... something that is completely personal. Some folks don't get emotionally invested in their vehicles, others, they have experiences/memories wrapped in the truck, that you really can't put a value on. (like the folks that inherit it from a relative that has passed.....) For me, I do really like my truck, and I will quite likely end up putting more money into it than it will ever be worth, but, I also won't have a car payment, or expensive insurance bills every month. (and for me, that IS a major issue, being on a fixed income and all that.....) This time around, I didn't really *need* a new truck. (new to me, that is.) as my old truck was still running just fine, and drove pretty good. Not something I would want to drive to California, but, I had no real desire to go there anyway. So I could just sit back, relax, and just kinda poke at the problem. Mainly because, it wasn't a problem..... When I found one I liked, I went and looked. If I still liked it, I would make an offer. If they didn't accept the offer, that was fine. The truck I did finally get, I made an offer, (MUCH lower than their asking price) and was refused. No worries, I would just keep looking. Couple weeks later, I got a counter offer from them, that was a lot closer to what I was willing to pay. I ended up getting the truck for 3300, from an original asking price of 6K.... When I went down to get it, the seat was still adjusted to where I had left it, as were the mirrors. The radio was still on the same station. The truck was parked where I had left it..... So, at that point, I knew no one else had been to look at it. (or, at least, never took it for a drive......) They needed cash, I had it.

Since then, I have put probably 700 bucks into assorted repairs, and maintenance. Some of it actually needed doing (broken battery tray, no battery hold-down clamp) , some of it, I did just because the stock stuff was getting worn, and I wanted to improve it. (yellowed headlights, so, new housings, new bulbs, and the heavy duty harness from LMC truck.) And seat covers, because I HATE leather seats......

So, is the truck worth a 2K paint job? That is something only you can decide.

 

Me I sunk at least $10,000 into my truck and it's worth what $5,000 if I can find a sucker lol. I will never sell my truck. I will have it until I die if I can.