Article: This [Slate Auto] Long Beach studio is designing America’s cheapest EV truck

[ElectricShitbox]

Rust-oleum makes tallboys now. Should be able to rattle can a slate with just a few of these.

 

[GaRailroader]

Remember this guy? Let’s bring him back!

“Hi, I’m Earl Scheib, and I’ll paint any car, any color for $29.95. No ups, no extras.”

Now thinking paint is a better option than a wrap. You can easily fix a scratch on a painted car; with a wrap, not as much.

Just make sure you wash it before you take it to Earl Scheib

 

[sodamo]

Remember this guy? Let’s bring him back!

“Hi, I’m Earl Scheib, and I’ll paint any car, any color for $29.95. No ups, no extras.”

Now thinking paint is a better option than a wrap. You can easily fix a scratch on a painted car; with a wrap, not as much.

Present day alternative?

 

[sodamo]

Thinking about future value, used Slate. Guessing a bad wrap could be removed, leaving the factory finish. What about a poor paint job?

 

[The Weatherman]

If it’s wrapped with a PPF and Vinyl, it will be scratch resistant and is self healing with heat. That’s not to say it’s scratch proof, but it takes a pretty good effort to scratch it beyond repair.

 

[KevinRS]

Paint on this plastic would probably have to be done just right to not scratch off much easier than on metal panels.
For better than DIY rattlecan, how much do you thing a reasonably good paint job could be done for? It's not the 80s anymore.

 

[sodamo]

A professionally done paint job, proper prep, more than DIY wrap, I’m sure.

 

[KevinRS]

A professionally done paint job, proper prep, more than DIY wrap, I’m sure.

My thinking is a pro paint job is going to cost considerably more than a pro wrap especially on a truck designed to make the wrap quick and easy.
In addition to that base cost, these plastic panels may not take paint well without extra prep, driving up the cost of the pro job.
A "cheap" diy paint job can probably be done for well under $500, but it may look blotchy, and may just flake off in areas after a short time.

 

[sodamo]

Back in the days when I was involved manufacture of Pontiac ”plastic” parts, choice and application of primer was more important than the color coat and clear coat. Slate parts designed for wrap, could be more so. While I worked the formulation side in R&D, we had a dedicated application team as I was not expected to duplicate production quality application.

 

[E90400K]

Present day alternative?

Maaco.

Know before you go...

 

[sodamo]

Maaco Pricing & Tiers
Maaco offers different paint packages, typically categorized as Basic, Preferred (mid-tier), and Premium.

• Basic: This is the most affordable option, usually a single-stage enamel paint with minimal prep work and a one-year warranty. The cost is generally $300-$900 and not recommended for a new truck or a quality color change.
• Preferred (Mid-tier): This option typically includes more prep work, a base coat/clear coat system for better finish and durability, and a multi-year warranty (often 3 to 5 years). This is the appropriate tier for a quality color change on a new small truck.
• Premium: This is their highest quality option, with enhanced prep, premium materials, and a longer warranty. Costs for this can go up to $2,800 or more, and sometimes closer to $3,900 for a truck needing body work

 

[KevinRS]

Maaco Pricing & Tiers
Maaco offers different paint packages, typically categorized as Basic, Preferred (mid-tier), and Premium.

• Basic: This is the most affordable option, usually a single-stage enamel paint with minimal prep work and a one-year warranty. The cost is generally $300-$900 and not recommended for a new truck or a quality color change.
• Preferred (Mid-tier): This option typically includes more prep work, a base coat/clear coat system for better finish and durability, and a multi-year warranty (often 3 to 5 years). This is the appropriate tier for a quality color change on a new small truck.
• Premium: This is their highest quality option, with enhanced prep, premium materials, and a longer warranty. Costs for this can go up to $2,800 or more, and sometimes closer to $3,900 for a truck needing body work

That's what I was just researching. I figure when they see that it is a truck with bare plastic panels, the price would go up more, because they have to prep and prime the panels properly.
I randomly put in a 2017 nissan frontier, trying older trucks came up wanting me to contact them.
For that truck, basic is $699, preferred is $999, Premium is $1699 as "starting at" prices.
So that old "cheap" paint job is now more like $700 mainly due to inflation.

 

[sodamo]

They charge more. To recolor/new because extra prep, door jambs etc. yes, the plastic panels will likely require a different primer and prep, hence more $$

i suspect the rattle can solution will be minimal prep at best.

 

[KevinRS]

They charge more. To recolor/new because extra prep, door jambs etc. yes, the plastic panels will likely require a different primer and prep, hence more $$

i suspect the rattle can solution will be minimal prep at best.

Exactly. Really looking at it, a Slate is probably going to end up in the Premium tier no matter what due to prep needed, and maybe more on top of that because it will need a full coat of non-standard primer.

 

[sodamo]

But we should let the paint crowd enjoy their delusion. Ignorance is bliss comes to mind and will be shown repeatedly by those insisting they will get superior results DIY