Truck toppers go by many names. They are known as shells, box caps, bed caps, or even canopies. These are small housings fitted on the back of a pickup truck.
Initially, truck toppers were used to convert trucks into mini-RVs that would be equipped with beds. With a topper, you can go camping with your truck and have a safe space to sleep in.
These days, truck toppers are mainly used for utility and storage. As you can see, truck toppers provide their owners with a wide range of benefits.
If you have been using your truck topper for a while, it is bound to get old. And this can make you think about painting it.
On the other hand, if you have just bought and installed a truck topper, it may have a different color from your truck.
Painting it is one of the ways you can ensure the color of the topper matches that of the truck and achieves a uniform finish.
So, how much should you pay to have it painted?
The average cost of painting a truck topper ranges from $250 to $600. The price depends on a couple of factors, such as the size of the topper, the painter’s experience, and the quality of the paint used.
More significant toppers will cost more. And an experienced detailer will charge more for their services. However, if you consider having your topper painted, that is the amount you should budget for.
What If You Paint the Topper by Yourself?
Seeing that you can pay up to $600 for your truck topper to be painted, can leave you wondering, what if you do it yourself?
The cost of a DIY truck topper painting project will be less. You only need to pay for the tools and paint, which won’t cost more than $100.
For $100, you can buy quality paint that looks better and is more durable. If you were on a budget, with $50, you could gather all the supplies needed to paint your truck topper.
The drawback of a DIY truck topper painting project is that it requires painting skills. You also have to dedicate your time and effort—Some things that most people don’t have these days.
Why is Painting a Truck Topper So Expensive?
You can buy another used truck topper for the $600 that you can pay to paint a truck topper. So, what makes painting a truck topper so expensive?
1. Truck toppers are made using aluminum and fiberglass.
Painting over such a surface requires a lot of skill and precision. This is why detailers charge more for painting a truck topper.
2. Truck toppers are relatively big.
After installation, the canopy may look small, but it has a big surface area when measured. For such a big project, detailers will charge more.
3. If you want a decent finish, prepare yourself to part with some money.
Paint jobs are as good as the person handling the project. if a detailer is charging less than $250, chances are they are inexperienced or use inferior products.
The results of compromising on quality will lead to a not-so-good-looking finish. Plus, the paint won’t also last.
What Alternatives Are There to Painting a Truck Topper?
You can always have your truck topper painted if you have the money. Understandably, it may cost more, but with enough research, you can land a detailer who is both skilled and affordable.
It’s important to compare prices. This way, you don’t have to pay so much and still get a decent paint job on your truck shell. Besides parting with several hundred dollars, are there any alternatives I should consider?
Well, some options are more cost-effective. They include;
1. Paint the Topper Yourself
Some of these things, such as painting a truck topper, you can do all by yourself. It’s shocking how people are usually afraid of engaging in DIY painting projects.
Most people think that is hard. Others don’t have the time or interest in such. However, learning how to paint a car and its accessories is interesting and can save you a lot of money in the long run.
Painting the topper by yourself is a cost-effective alternative to having someone do it for you.
All you will need is some free time and the necessary equipment. You can buy spray paint, clear coat, and paint preparation tools such as sandpaper and filler from your nearest auto shop. The other thing you are going to require is some guidance.
Thanks to YouTube and hundreds of websites on the internet, you can learn all there is about painting a truck topper. During the research, make sure you focus on the material your topper is made of.
If it’s fiberglass, go through tutorials created for painting such surfaces. You will spend around $100 on the paint and tools with this option.
Though cost-effective, a DIY topper paint job may not have the most pleasant results. The lack of experience poses a considerable risk to the finish.
But this shouldn’t scare you from giving such a project a try. It is through these mistakes that we can learn.
2. Look for a Topper that Has a Matching Color to Your Truck
Remember when we said you could get a used topper for the same price you would pay to have one painted?
Well, if you don’t feel like spending all that money, you can look for a topper that matches the color of your truck. This is an easy way for you to avoid painting toppers.
This method is only ideal if you can get an exact color match. When shopping for toppers, make sure that you ask the seller if they have one that resembles your truck paint code.
As you may already know, there are various color shades. Your truck could be bright red, and if you get a dark red topper, the colors will contrast. Confirm the car’s VIN code before installation to be on the safe side.
3. Plasti Dip the Truck Topper
If painting the topper by yourself and searching for a topper that resembles your truck’s color seems a bit complicated, you can always spray some plasti dip.
Plasti dip is a great alternative, especially when you consider its ability to protect the topper from the elements and color-matching features. The costs are very close to that of having the topper painted.
Plasti dipping an entire topper can cost from $200 to $400.
Bigger toppers can even cost up to $600. If you buy a plasti dip kit and do it yourself, you can spend as little as $200. Plasti dip can last for three years.
Quality paint can last for much longer than that. This is an advantage you shouldn’t overlook.
4. Wrap It Up
Wrapping cars has become a widespread practice these days. It looks good and can protect the shell of your truck from the elements. However, wrapping isn’t the most cost-effective alternative to painting a truck topper.
The cost of the vinyl wrap ranges from $350 to $3000. Let’s not even get started with the cost of hiring a professional to wrap the vinyl for you.
Though it’s an alternative, wrapping is a bit costly. Unless you are in it for the aesthetics, you are better off having the topper painted.
How to Paint a Truck Topper?
At the end of the day, if you don’t want to pay someone to paint your truck topper, the best solution is to do it yourself. Painting truck toppers isn’t rocket science. Here is a quick step-by-step guide;
- 1st step – clean the surface of the topper.
If your topper has been around for a while, the surface should be filled with dirt, grime, and stains. These need to be cleaned so that paint can hold on better.
- 2nd step – apply primer.
Primer is critical when painting over truck toppers since it enables the paint to adhere to the surface. The type of primer you use should be dictated by the material of the topper. If it’s fiberglass, stick to a fiberglass primer for the best results.
- 3rd step – sand the primer.
To ensure a smoother finish, you should sand over the primer. You can use 200-grit sandpaper for optimal results. Do not sand all the primer away.
It’s important always to leave enough behind. You can spray another layer of primer and sand it once more.
- 4th step – spray a top coat and then sand it as well.
This time you should wet sand to smoothen out the surface. Clean the residue after that and spray more coats. Two more coats of paint should be enough.
- Final step – seal the paint with a clear coat.
The clear will add gloss as well as protect the paint beneath. It is advisable not to take the canopy out for a drive until the paint has cured permanently.
How Much Does a MAACO Topper Paint Job Cost?
You should pay around $300 for MAACO to paint your truck topper. But, as you may have heard, MAACO paint isn’t the most durable. It will flake and peel off in two years. You are better off paying more and letting an expert do a professional paint job.