How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Jeep Wrangler?

Your vehicle is one of the major financial investments that you make in a lifetime. Many people actually say they pay more for their vehicles than they did for their first homes. The paint on your Jeep Wrangler makes it attractive, makes it unique, and protects it from damages caused by being exposed to Mother Nature 24/7.

Right now, people are finding it hard to locate new vehicles. The dealerships are having a difficult time getting them from the manufacturers, and manufacturers are having a difficult time getting them from the manufacturers, and manufacturers are having a difficult time getting the parts to make the vehicles.

The supply shortage has many people looking at options like painting their existing jeep to give it a fresh look instead of trading it in on a new one. Paint jobs can be expensive but they are not as expensive as getting a new one.

Hire a Pro Painter For Your Jeep

Car painter prepare body part
Basic Paint JobShowroom Quality
Dealership$ 800Up to $10,000
Paint & Body Shop$600Up to $10,000
Independent Painter$400Up to $10,000

Benefits of Hiring a Pro to Paint Your Jeep Wrangler

  • The finish on the car will likely be better
  • The pro already has the tools needed to do the work
  • They have a place to paint the car that will protect it from bugs or dirt particles while it is drying
  • The resale value of the vehicle will increase

Related: How Much Does a Paint Job Cost on a Truck?

What The Pros do that Many DIY Paint Jobs Skip?

There are some things that a professional painter does when they paint a vehicle that many DIY enthusiasts skip. These things may seem minor, or they may seem irrelevant, but they do make a difference in the finish.

  • Remove the interior door panels and components. A pro who is doing a showroom quality paint job will remove the jeep wrangler interior, even the dash, seats, and door panels so they can completely paint everything without damaging anything that does not need to be painted.
  • They run a sander over the entire body of the jeep wrangler, even when there is no visible rough spots or existing paint. The sanding helps the primer to adhere completely and it also removes rough patches that might show up once the jeep wrangler is painted.
  • Polish the chrome before putting it back on the jeep wrangler. Shiny chrome trim and accents help to make the paint job on the vehicle look even better.
  • Use manufacturer-approved paints.
  • Remove all trim and hardware before they paint.
  • Allow the paint to cure completely between each application to ensure a flawless appearance.

DIY Cost Estimate to Paint Your Jeep Wrangler

Painting your own jeep wrangler can be done with a sprayer like the pros use or you can even do this using aerosol-style paint cans. Many people paint their own vehicles each year, and a lot of people enjoy the challenge of creating a custom paint job.

If you paint your own vehicle the materials will only cost a few hundred dollars. Then you also have to consider the cost of the tools required to do the work, and you should consider how valuable your time is. Most people forget to consider that their own time is valuable.

Low CostAverage CostHigh Cost
Primer$25$50$100
Activator$20$35$70
Paint$35$75$200
Clear Coat$40$60$125

Tools Needed to Paint a Jeep Wrangler

Tool TypeRentPurchase Outright
Sander$60 a day$110
Spray Paint Gun$100 a day$200 – $500
Air Compressor$75 a day$125 – $350

Miscellaneous Items Needed

  • Eye protection goggles – $10
  • Face shield or mask – $10
  • Paint remover or mineral spirits to clean up tools – $25
  • Painter’s tape – $12
  • Clean dry clothes – just use old pieces of towel or old sheets

Important Things to Consider Before Painting Your Jeep

Things to Consider Before Painting Your Jeep

Before you rush out to paint your Jeep Wrangler you should consider a few things.

  1. You have to have an area prepared to paint the vehicle in. The area must be sealed so that dirt, dust, bugs, and contaminants are kept off of the vehicle. It must also be a well-ventilated area that the vehicle can stay in while the paint dries.
  2. You have to use a primer that has a rust inhibitor in it when you paint a vehicle. Rust and corrosion are two of the biggest concerns for jeep wrangler bodies and the primer you apply before your paint will seal the metal so that rust and corrosion cannot damage the material.
  3. You have to pull all dents, sand all rough spots, and fill cracks and scrapes with a body filler prior to applying the paint.
  4. Always apply more than one coat of paint so you get thin coats that dry quickly. The multiple coatings let you get total coverage.
  5. Do not paint an entire jeep wrangler when you can simply use touch-up paint to repair a scratch.
  6. A clear coat creates the shine and a layer of protection for the paint. If you really want your vehicle to look professionally painted you will need to apply several layers of clear coat.
  7. This is not going to be a one-day or even a one-weekend project for most people. Make certain you can do without the jeep wrangler for a period of 7 to 10 days before you start the project. This is also true if you take the jeep wrangler to a professional to get it painted.

Recommended Article>> How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Car a Different Color?

Benefits of DIY Jeep Wrangler Painting

  • You do not have to pay the labor rates of a professional painter so it costs less
  • You get the pride of doing the job yourself
  • You do not have to wait for a body shop to have time to paint your jeep you can paint on your own schedule
  • Adds value to the jeep

Pro Tips That Will Save You Money

  • Remove the trim, bumpers, and other things yourself instead of having the body shop do this. The body shop employee makes between $25 and $75 an hour so each thing they have to do increases the number of hours they have to charge for
  • Do not take your jeep in during the busiest season. Wait until the fall or very early winter. If it is really cold outside many shops cannot paint because of a lack of heat and paint needs to be applied when the temp is above 450
  • Red is one of the most expensive paint colors
  • Choose a paint that is not endorsed by the manufacturer and you will find a lower price. Companies that make strictly for dealers charge more for their products.
  • Get several price quotes from different paint and body specialist. You will be surprised at the differences in the monetary amounts.
  • Do not choose the cheapest bid unless you know the person and have seen their work. It costs more to get a bad paint job corrected than it does to hire a good painter the first time.
  • Scratches and small imperfections are fixable with small containers of paint called touch-up paint. You can get an exact color match from your dealer.

FAQs

Can I Paint My Jeep Wrangler with Spray Cans?

It is possible to paint a vehicle like a Jeep Wrangler using spray cans. You must make sure that the paint you are using is created specifically for use on automobiles or the finish will not last and will not look as good as you want it to.

Do I Need a License to Buy Automotive Paint Supplies?

A license is not required to purchase automotive paints and supplies. You can find these items through the dealerships and at most automotive parts and supply stores. Proper disposal of the paints and containers the paints come in are regulated and you should check with your local part automotive part stores to find out where to dispose of these containers.

How Long Does It Take to Paint a Jeep Wrangler?

The average amount of time spent painting a Jeep Wrangler is between 10 and 40 hours. This does not include the amount of time it takes to prepare the vehicle or the amount of time it takes to prepare the work area.

Do I Have to Notify the Department of Motor Vehicles about the Change in Color on My Car?

No the color of your car does not have to be reported. When the VIN number of the vehicle is running the original color will show, but it is not illegal to paint the car another color.

Final Thoughts

Painting your Jeep Wrangler is a major project. You can do this work for yourself, and there are many people who enjoy doing this kind of work, but it is also okay to hire a professional to do the painting for you. You decide what works best for your budget and your needs.

Enjoy the way your car looks with the fresh coat of paint!

You May Also Like>>
1. How Much Does it Cost to Paint a Car Door?
2. How Much Does it Cost to Paint a Bumper?

by Joshua George
I’m Joshua George, a professional painter and I have been working for more than 14 years. My experiences are in the interior and exterior painting, but in the last 2 years, I have been working more on the exterior of houses and buildings! All over these years, I developed agility and skill in using the spray machine. That is my talent.In addition, I started Painters Mag with the aim to provide you with expert, unbiased responses to all of your painting-related inquiries.

Leave a Comment