How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Truck? Price Breakdown by Type and Quality

At Pungbrother Enterprise, we often get questions about repainting trucks. As a full-service workshop in Masai, Johor (serving Johor Bahru, Pasir Gudang, and beyond), we handle vehicles of all sizes – “from small sedan… to a light truck”. The cost of painting a truck depends on many factors, so in this guide we break down what drives the price. We explain how truck size and condition, paint materials, and labour all come into play. (For context, note that living costs in Kuala Lumpur are about 20% higher than in Johor Bahru, so prices in KL shops tend to be a bit higher than around JB.) Below we outline the key cost factors, give sample price ranges by truck type, and explain how paint quality affects the final bill.

Factors Affecting Truck Painting Costs

Painting a truck involves more than just a coat of new paint. The major cost factors include:

• Vehicle Size & Surface Area: Larger trucks simply require more paint and labour. Each door, panel, bumper and the cab roof is a “panel” that must be prepped and sprayed. Professional shops typically charge RM250–RM1,000 per panel (depending on paint and prep). A pickup truck might have 6–8 such panels, so even a basic respray can easily run a few thousand ringgit. An 18-wheel lorry has far more surface, which multiplies labor and paint costs.

• Condition & Repair Work: If the truck has dents, scratches or rust, extra steps are needed. We must strip old paint, sand the metal, apply body filler and primer to fix damage. Each repair step adds labour and materials. A “neat job” with proper prep takes longer (and costs more) than a quick overspray.

• Paint Type & Quality: The kind of paint system chosen has a big impact. Basic single-stage enamel or lacquer is cheaper; high-end 2K urethane or polyurethane costs more. Premium paint brands (like DuPont/Sikkens/Nippon) and special finishes (metallic, pearl, or matte) require extra coats. For example, one industry analysis notes that a basic full-car respray using Nippon or similar mid-tier paints can start around IDR4 million (~RM1.2k), whereas a respray with top brands like Sikkens or Spies Hecker jumps to IDR6.5–9 million (~RM2–3k). That illustrates how 1.5–2× higher paint quality roughly doubles per-panel cost.

• Labour and Location: Labour rates vary by region and shop type. Work in Kuala Lumpur, for example, is generally pricier than in Johor. As a JB workshop, our base labour cost is a bit lower than equivalent KL shops. Also, authorized dealer bodyshops (like Toyota’s Auto2000) often charge higher rates than an independent workshop. (By one account, an official dealer in Indonesia might charge ~IDR700k per panel, vs ~IDR300-450k at a local body shop.)

• Additional Services: Extras like full headlight/taillight re-spray, rim painting, undercoating or protective clear coatings also add to the total. For example, adding a ceramic or extra hard clear coat can tack on hundreds of ringgit for better durability. Similarly, prepping a multi-colour design or striping involves more masking work.

In short, we evaluate each truck individually. At Pungbrother, we inspect the vehicle to quote for paint job complexity and materials. As noted on our site, “Our team has the expertise and tools to handle” light trucks and SUVs. We factor in all of the above when preparing your estimate.

Price Ranges by Truck Type

While every job is unique, we can give rough price ranges to use as a guide. These ranges assume a full-body respray (single color) with quality materials; they exclude major collision repairs or custom graphics. Here is how prices generally scale with truck size:

• Light Trucks / Small Pickups: These include compact or 1-ton pickups (e.g. Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi Triton, Ford Ranger) and small vans. They have a body roughly the size of a mid-size car or slightly larger. Expect a full repaint to start around RM2,000–3,000 for standard paint. (For reference, a Honda Civic sedan was advertised at RM2,550 for a full respray.) If a workshop is running a promotion, you might even see prices as low as ~RM1,400–1,500 for basic paint jobs, but note those are often for the smallest vehicles. In practice, a small pickup with a quality paint will typically be at the higher end of that range.

• Medium Trucks / Vans: Larger pickups (double-cabs with longer beds), medium box trucks or 3-ton lorries fall here. They have significantly more area to cover and sometimes panels that are harder to remove. These jobs often run in the RM3,000–6,000 range. A large delivery van or trailer may be several metres long, so the extra work can easily push the price upward. Many medium truck jobs also require professional spray booths tall enough to enclose the vehicle, which few roadside shops have. As a result, medium truck resprays are typically handled at specialized bodyshops, adding overhead.

• Heavy Trucks / Lorries: Full-size lorries (4-wheel or 6-wheel commercial trucks, container trucks, etc.) are the largest category. These often exceed RM5,000 and can reach the high end (depending on size and options). Painting a full-size cargo truck is labor-intensive: ladders or scaffolding, extra masking of chassis parts, and possibly splitting the job between “cab” and “cargo” sections. At this scale, every extra coat or repair adds up. Many workshops don’t list standard pricing for these, preferring to quote each job after inspection. (When customers ask, we advise they budget significantly more for heavy trucks, especially if color matching or complex livery is involved.)

These figures are approximate and can vary by location. In JB and other cities we serve, our prices tend to be towards the lower side of these ranges. In Kuala Lumpur or Penang, you might see rates 10–20% higher for comparable work. But we aim to keep costs fair and transparent. For example, our own pricing for a small truck paint job often aligns with market rates in Johor – typically below what a KL dealer would charge.

Quality and Paint Options

The type and quality of paint you choose will significantly affect the cost (and look) of the job. Here are the main options:

• Basic vs Premium Paint: Standard economy paint (often an acrylic lacquer or entry-level polyurethane) costs less. Premium paints (such as Nippon’s higher grades, DuPont, Sikkens, or other European brands) are more expensive but provide a richer gloss and durability. As one industry source notes, using top brands can raise the cost by 1.5–2× per panel. In concrete terms, a “full-body with Nippon paint” might start around IDR4 million (~RM1.2k), whereas the same job with Spies Hecker/Sikkens starts at IDR6.5–9 million (~RM2–3k). (Premium paints are also typically paired with extra clear coats and multiple sanding steps, all of which add labor.) We at Pungbrother generally use high-quality 2K paints and clear coats as standard, but we’ll always explain options – for example, using a top-tier brand or adding a factory-grade hardener will raise the quote accordingly.

• Single-Stage vs Two-Stage: A single-stage paint system mixes color and clear into one layer. It’s faster and cheaper but less durable than a two-stage system (basecoat + separate clearcoat). Most modern resprays use a two-stage 2K system: an automotive base color coat followed by several layers of clear. The extra clearcoat layers improve shine and protection, but they also increase material usage and curing time. In cost terms, expect a two-stage job to run about 20–30% more than a quick single-stage job, though single-stage is rarely offered for trucks today.

• Color and Finish: Solid colors (plain red, blue, etc.) are least expensive. Special finishes – metallic, pearlescent, or matte – require additional coats and careful mixing. Metallic and pearl finishes add tiny metal flakes or mica that must be applied evenly, often doubling or tripling the paint usage. For example, adding a metallic finish to a truck might tack on RM500–1,000 to the total compared to solid paint. Matte (flat) finishes require special primers and sealers to avoid streaks. We inform customers up front that custom colors or effects can significantly bump up the price.

• Add-Ons and Protections: Beyond basic paint, trucks may get optional protective treatments. Some clients request a polyurea bedliner or underbody coating after paint, or ceramic coatings over the paint for extra UV/chip resistance. These are extra services (not usually included in a standard quote) and can add several hundred ringgit. They’re worth it if you want long-term protection, but we make sure customers understand these are optional.

• Labour Quality and Warranty: Finally, ask about the shop’s workmanship warranty. Pungbrother stands behind our paint jobs with a warranty (typically 1–3 years on paint delamination). A shop that offers guarantees is likely doing more thorough work. We make it clear that a very low quote (e.g. RM800 for a car) probably skips proper prep or uses thin coats. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. We emphasize quality materials and skilled application to avoid uneven color or early peeling.

In summary, higher-quality paint and finishes cost more up front but give a better, longer-lasting result. Budget-conscious customers can opt for standard paints and simpler colors, while those seeking show-room shine might choose premium brands and multi-stage coatings. Either way, we’ll outline the cost difference so you can make an informed decision.

Getting the Best Value When Painting Your Truck

Repainting a truck is a significant investment, but it can make an old vehicle look brand-new. The final price depends on truck size, condition, and chosen paint system. In Malaysia today, you should generally expect a light pickup truck to cost on the order of RM2,000–4,000 for a full respray with good-quality paint, medium commercial trucks around RM3,000–6,000, and large lorries well over RM5,000, especially if premium materials are used. These figures match promotions we’ve seen (e.g. full-car resprays from ~RM2,250) and the per-panel rates quoted by many shops.

We hope this breakdown helps you understand the pricing. As Pungbrother Enterprise, we pride ourselves on transparent, fair pricing and quality work. If you’re considering a truck paint job, bring your vehicle in or contact us for a personalized quote. We’ll inspect your truck, discuss paint options, and give you a detailed estimate – no surprises. Whether you’re in Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur or elsewhere in Malaysia, we’re here to help refresh your truck’s look with the right balance of cost and quality.