Repainting Whole Truck (2008 Sierra)

timmerk · March 12, 2009

Last year I dented a side box panel (outside) and had to get it replaced. While the body shop did a perfect job with the body work, paint application, stickers, etc, they messed up on the color matching of the paint. My 2008 Sierra is steel gray metallic, and I heard it was hard to match that color because of the direction of metal flakes in the paint. This really bothers me as it's my first vehicle that I purchased new.

Is it possible to remove the paint on just the replaced box panel and repaint it? Would the panel have to be removed from the truck first? I have over the rail Line-X on it, which might be a problem. Is it possible to remove the Line-X from the rail before repainting?

Are there any cons of repainting the whole truck so that it matches perfectly? Should I stay near the same color, or does it not matter? Would it be obvious that it was repainted? Should the existing paint be stripped off first (if that is even possible)?

Last but not least, what kinds of costs am I looking at with getting the existing paint removed from the whole truck and repainted?

Thanks for any input and help!

VMax2007 · March 13, 2009

Steel Gray may be hard to match, but it is certainly possible. I had my right front fender replaced when my truck had 800 miles on it (car wash incident). They removed my door trim and blended the paint into the door and hood and it matches absolutely perfectly. I had it done by a GM bodyshop.

Zembonez · March 13, 2009

Steel Gray may be hard to match, but it is certainly possible. I had my right front fender replaced when my truck had 800 miles on it (car wash incident). They removed my door trim and blended the paint into the door and hood and it matches absolutely perfectly. I had it done by a GM bodyshop.

I agree. All they need to do is refinish the bedside and blend the adjacent panels to make a perfectly invisible match. Our shop has done it thousands of times. Paint color is not an issue. I would recommend removing the over rail Line-X and then having it resprayed when the paint is done.

masonbid · March 18, 2009

When my 93 blazer was getting repainted the shop recommended not changing the color b/c of how much more work it required.

The shop did an OK job, sorta disappointed but thats neiter here nor there.

I agree with Zembonez, blend the paint and remove the LineX

Z71kris · March 18, 2009

Most people I know have been disappointed with the repaint of their vehicle...I have only had one panel on one car repainted...it looked fine to me...it wuz a furd thou, so who really cares..

VR021302 · March 18, 2009

If you want to change colors, and want it done right, you have to redo the dood jambs and everything else. Lots of work involved, and I mean tons.

EDIT: A decent body shop should of had no problem blending the paint to begin with.

jbracefan1977 · March 19, 2009

If you want to change colors, and want it done right, you have to redo the dood jambs and everything else. Lots of work involved, and I mean tons.

EDIT: A decent body shop should of had no problem blending the paint to begin with.

couldnt agree more.. just make sure you trust the shop youré going with.. wouldn't wanna be sorry later.. just my two cents

Silverado4x4 · March 19, 2009

If you want to change colors, and want it done right, you have to redo the dood jambs and everything else. Lots of work involved, and I mean tons.

EDIT: A decent body shop should of had no problem blending the paint to begin with.

100% agree, Also a color change will kill the resale value of the truck but as said any good body shop will be able to blend any color paint. I had a 93 4x4 Chevy silver met. and the dealerships body shop had to repaint the hood due to a paint defect and it was a perfect match.

Zembonez · March 19, 2009

Color changes are seriously frowned upon in the resale business. I've seen trucks and cars LOSE 3 - 5 thousand bucks when going through the auctions... The only way to do it right is to disassemble the truck and paint everything. That might be cool on a restoration job, but doing it right on a newer vehicle would cost many many thousands.

Blending the repair is the answer. The new paint will not be detectable at all if done right.

nick44 · March 19, 2009

Back when I had my blazer I let my sister borrow it twice and she back into a tractor and then rear ended my dads truck. I had her take it to the local body shop to get fixed and they pained and blended it and you could never tell! It will also be a lot cheaper that way too!

Silverado4x4 · March 19, 2009

Color changes are seriously frowned upon in the resale business. I've seen trucks and cars LOSE 3 - 5 thousand bucks when going through the auctions... The only way to do it right is to disassemble the truck and paint everything. That might be cool on a restoration job, but doing it right on a newer vehicle would cost many many thousands.

Blending the repair is the answer. The new paint will not be detectable at all if done right.

Exactly right.