The classic Jeep Wrangler is not only a sight to behold but also an agile offroader. However, the paint job of your Wrangler might get fades and scratches here and there after withstanding harsh terrains for a long time. You need to repaint the Wrangler to keep it pristine.
But how much does it cost to paint a Jeep Wrangler? Painting a Jeep Wrangler yourself will cost only a few hundred dollars. Regardless of that, if you go through a high-end painting process, the cost can rise up to five thousand dollars.
Let’s discuss every aspect of painting a Jeep Wrangler to estimate the cost.
Why Should You Paint a Jeep Wrangler?
Wrangler is one of the highest-sold models of Jeep across the world. It is known for its offroading capabilities. Being outdoors most of its lifetime poses threats like dents or scratches on the body that damage the paint of the vehicle. Here is why you need to repaint your Wrangler.
- Damages expose the bare metal surface of the vehicle. As a result, they are more prone to rust and corrosion. Covering the surface in paint protects them from rust or corrosion.
- Painting the car shows that you actually care about the car. Rushing outdoors with a stripped Jeep might not be good for your personality.
- Buying a new Wrangler is quite expensive compared to repainting the old car. Hence, you can save a lot of money by painting the car.
- Getting rid of the same boring color for years can be possible by painting the car. And you can do some cool customizations to elevate the look of the vehicle.
- If you want to sell your old Wrangler, painting the car will increase its value to a great extent.
How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Jeep Wrangler?
The total cost to paint a Wrangler will depend on the car model, trim packages, paint quality, tools used, and so on. We will try to give you a rough estimation of how much it takes to paint a Jeep Wrangler, both by yourself and by a professional painter.
Cost of painting a Jeep Wrangler by yourself
The first thing you need to figure out is the surface area of the Jeep. Depending on the model and trim packages of the car, the surface area might vary a bit. But it will roughly be 100 square feet that you need to cover with the paint.
And remember, you need to apply at least three layers of paint to give the car its new look. So, you need to calculate the price of the paint required for the job.
Check the paint packaging to figure out how much surface area one paint can cover. And do simple math to know how many cans of spray paint you will need for painting the car.
The total cost of paints can be $200-300, depending on the quality. Plus, you need to use sandpapers, solvents, polishes, or other necessary tools. In total, the cost of painting a Jeep Wrangler by yourself will be within $500.
Cost of painting a Jeep Wrangler using a spray gun
If you have a bit of expertise in using spray guns, painting the Wrangler will be much easier. You just need to select the right paint that goes with the gun. Prepare the car surface by sanding it and load the paint sprayer with your desired paint.
Spray the vehicle with a steady hand to avoid blotches. The cost of painting your vehicle in this process won’t exceed $1000.
Cost of painting a Jeep Wrangler by a professional
You can hire an expert professional to get your Wrangler painted if you aren’t confident enough to handle the job. In that case, you need to spend a lot of money on the labor charge.
Moreover, the rate of a professional painter might vary depending on your region and how far the painter needs to travel to get your job done.
Therefore, if we estimate the rate to be $50 for an hour, painting the car might require somewhere between 20 and 30 hours. So, the labor charge will be $1000 to $1500.
On top of that, you should also calculate the price of the paint and other accessories. In total, painting a Jeep Wrangler by a professional would cost you $2000-2500.
Cost of painting a Jeep Wrangler in a high-end shop
Seasoned paint shops use the latest technology to paint your car. And it costs a lot to get your vehicle painted in these shops. They usually remove almost all the trims and expose the metal carcass of the car.
After cleaning the car as far as possible, they use multiple coats of high-tech paint on the car to make it last longer. And finally, they use a clear coat to give the shine you desire. Such paint shops might also use high levels of rust and corrosion protection.
Likewise, taking your Wrangler to a paint shop will set you back at least $4000-5000. In some cases, it might cost you more, depending on how many customizations you want.
Is There Any Alternative to Painting a Jeep Wrangler?
Yes, there is. In fact, this is a very fun way of changing the appearance of your Jeep Wrangler without going through the messy painting process. It is called vinyl wrapping, where you use the vinyl of your choice to cover the surface of the car and give it a completely new look.
The biggest benefit of wrapping your Wrangler in vinyl is its low cost. You can buy vinyl wraps in square feet, so you don’t need to spend more than you need. And applying these wraps is very easy. Whether you do it yourself or call a professional for help, it will cost only a few hundred dollars.
Besides, removing vinyl wraps is also extremely easy. If the wrap gets old or you don’t like the appearance anymore, you can remove the vinyl anytime and apply a new one to revive the look of the car.
How Much Time Does It Take to Paint a Jeep Wrangler?
The required time for painting a Jeep Wrangler might vary depending on whether you paint the car, get it painted by a professional, or hand over the car to a paint shop.
If you paint the car yourself, it will require about 30 to 40 hours of work to complete the paint job. Things like masking non-metal areas, cleaning the vehicle, etc., will take more time as you aren’t an expert in doing these.
However, if you hire a professional to paint the car, it will take about 20 to 30 hours to get the job done. Professionals are highly familiar with the process and have built speed over time. So, they will handle things quite fast. Still, the car will require some time between coats.
On the other hand, when you send the car to a paint shop for new paint, it might take somewhere between two and seven days, depending on the serial.
If the paint isn’t that busy, they will deliver the newly painted car within two days. But if they have more jobs in hand, it might take up to seven days to get your car painted.
Tips for Painting a Jeep Wrangler
Following these tips will make painting your Wrangler much easier and more cost-effective. Check them out.
- Whether you paint on your own or hire someone, buy all the necessary items yourself. Buy in bulk and look for discounts to cut costs.
- Calculate the surface area carefully to keep from overbuying materials.
- Always keep some extra material in hand to avoid buying items in small quantities.
- Carefully mask the parts you don’t want to paint so that they don’t get messy while painting.
Also Read: How Many Miles Will A Jeep Wrangler Last
FAQs
Let’s take a look at the answers to some frequently asked questions.
Q: Is it better to wrap or paint a Jeep Wrangler?
If you don’t go for a high-end paint that lasts long, wrapping the vehicle in vinyl will be a much better option.
Q: Can you take a repainted car through a carwash?
Whether you paint the car with a paint spray or get it painted by a professional, you can take the vehicle through an automated car wash, but it is always better to hand wash the car.
Q: Does repainting a Jeep Wrangler affect insurance?
No, your car insurance policies won’t change based on what color the vehicle is.
Conclusion
The Jeep Wrangler is a competent car frequently used in rough terrains. From damages caused by gravel or stone chips to scrubbings with trees, anything can happen there to destroy the paint of your Jeep. Even if that’s not the case, the paint will fade away after a few years.
However, before you repaint the car, know how much it costs to paint a Jeep Wrangler. It will give you an overall idea of what you will need to paint the car and how much it will cost in various methods.
Hello there, this is Thomas Byrd. I am a professional car mechanic who leads a team of junior mechanics in a repair and restoration shop. In the beginning, I used to work for a jeep service center as a basic worker. From there I keep learning, changed my job 2 times and now I am a professional who leads a group of mechanics. Though a have expertise in the jeep, I know very well about all types of cars. To share my knowledge and skills with others I have created this blog website. Whenever I get free time from work I give my time to my blog.