Repainting an H2 SUV

[Microday]

I'm going to keep the H2 after all. I sold the Cadillac CTS-V in a matter of days after listing it, this vehicle is in hot demand.

A big reason that I was looking to sell the H2 in the first place was the color. I bought a red metallic and my wife really hates the color. Has anyone repainted the entire outside to another color? I'm thinking of going to black but not sure, don't want to waste the opportunity. How much do you think it will cost? What are the pitfalls?

I bought the adventure series and it came with alot of black parts. I want to change the brush guard to chrome and a few other items. Where is the best place to find these items? I'm looking for the best price. I will leave a post in the classified section for WTB.

thanks for you reponses.

[Microday]

I'm going to keep the H2 after all. I sold the Cadillac CTS-V in a matter of days after listing it, this vehicle is in hot demand.

A big reason that I was looking to sell the H2 in the first place was the color. I bought a red metallic and my wife really hates the color. Has anyone repainted the entire outside to another color? I'm thinking of going to black but not sure, don't want to waste the opportunity. How much do you think it will cost? What are the pitfalls?

I bought the adventure series and it came with alot of black parts. I want to change the brush guard to chrome and a few other items. Where is the best place to find these items? I'm looking for the best price. I will leave a post in the classified section for WTB.

thanks for you reponses.

[Mike & Rhonda]

Yellow only color for me.

[VernB]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">H2 Red Metallic </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I would like the red.

[W1N]

I'd definitely go for the orange, if I got the custom paint job done on mine...

http://www.autointell-news.com/News-2003/February-2003/Feb-2003-1/Hummer-H2-SUT-concept-115.JPG

[HGW]

As said here, if you are going to the trouble of painting an H2, make the color unigue. Otherwise just trade it for another in on the stock color you want. It will be cheaper than a GOOD custom paint job.

The blue H2, by VIP Customs, formally CTL Motorsposts, is a great looking H2.

It will not be cheap since you want the door jams, etc. done as well. A good body shop in your arear can give you a price for your area of the country.

[h2sin]

how about this color http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

http://www.rawconcepts.com/vehicles/hummer/windrock/oct04/helloween0003.jpg

[HUMMERcustoms.com/TAZ]

I agree with HGW and Phil.
If You paint go to something different but it will be costly to do it right. Use a skilled master of which few exsist anymore but, just a good panter could run as high as $4000 to $10,000 depending on what You want done and how right You want it to be. Cost of paint is not why it is so expensive but, it is the labor that makes up most of the cost. All this has to be done by hand especially a complete color change. i would not even do one if I could not do it right. I would not want someone asking who in the world did that and get a bum rap because it was the customers choice. Now there are plenty out there that will becuase they are looking at short term and changing business names and moving across town. Allot will shoot You a low ball but, paint will stop at door edges etc. If We just do a graphic on an existing paint We pull door panels and make graphic go all the way into the door jam and disappear behind door panel. Most cut it of at the door edge and looks cheap. We want graphic to follow rider into the car. We pull most all the interior out for a full paint change and paint enything that could have red on it. Thus allot more money. If they do it right they will remove allot of the interior to get rid of factory paint. Have You thought about the fact the engine bay is color matched to ext. That has to all be done and everythig that can be removed and then that which cannot has to be taped up. I'm chroming the metal in the inside of My engine bay all away around the engine and all the way around the outside of the engine bay where hood closes and You do not see it except at shows. It is taking us a whole week to do this just so that We do not miss covering gray where We want it covered. We are not even covering all the gray because it is just impossbible to do so without pulling engine out. So We developed a patern to blend the gray into the scheme. Think about 2 guys for a week just to get the engine bay to match the outside color change. Next if You paint, keep good records and should You sell get a carfax immediately as it will be looked at as salvaged so it can hurt the value repainting it if not documented properly. I'm intentionally putting a scare in You because it is a daunting task and expensive. You would be better trading for a new one. WE do this every day on tuner and rice rockets, as well as Hummers and I know what it takes to do it and the cost for an H2 would be ridiculous. I'm just fortunate Mine is done by My guys. But, We know not to paint the whole H2 thus We are using pearl in clear to work with gray and a patern that I will not mention because i do not know who I will be competing agianst. But We are sure it has not been seen before just like most of the other stuff We are doing. One of a kind that We built. Just to scare You more My show ride will have $100,000 in it with sponsor's money and some are here in this forum and most national companies or I would not be able to afford it. Included and the paint is going on at the same time We are making all the other goodies on it and installing. We have been working on it for 1 month now and I have driven it one day because i could not stand it anymore and have another 2 to 3 weeks to go before i take it into south Texas for a big show if We finish paint in time. If NOt I will skip and try for the next weekend if not I will skip. Our goal is HGW and WoO sprint Hummer competition in Pittsburgh. I do not care if I make another show as long as I'm ready for that one. I'm hauling My baby 15 hours to gee there so distance should not be someone's excuse for not going. Soory for the side track just wanted to promote the big show. I need some competion there. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif It really is very hard and We are not even changing colors but being very careful with the pearl and halogram in the pearl.
So paint is High.
What I recommend is taking the ride a to good techie paint shop and let them photoshop different colors and schemes and let Her set there and make choices. This way She can not be mad at You. We photoshop evey customer and even add chrome acc. on it so they can see what it looks like. The red lends itself to look good with allot of chrome.
Now all that is the hard way. Find out what colors she does like. If it is silver which would work real good with what i'm going to suggest but, many colors will work just depending on her preference. Let's take silver. You can have rig wet sanded and a heavy or light silver pearl, white pearl which is absolutely beautiful, add to clear coat and that can be photoshoped to see how much to use before doing it, but it can almost change the color without changing the color. It is easier but, make sure they go inside the door and remove kick plates and door panels so it follows the rider into the ride.
We photo shop everyone to get a good idea of what they want and help them to be happy. Like I said many colors would work here. Do not change the color of the original. To costly and the pearl and silver in clear is simplier and still title looks good with out explanation and You both get to go through the process together.
She will be very happy and love the H2.
I went through this fast but, if You want to talk more I will be glad to help. PM Me at rltazh2.
Oh they even have a halogram material that can be added to clear and it will change colors as You walk by. You do not use a rainbow holgram but, they make halogram in different shades to accent the base color of Your ride. I would say so many different varieties of holgram that You can think of. They mix several different that would look good on Your red.
Well hope I have been helpful.
In fact evryone is on holiday but, if You like et some accent colors in mind and i will have My partner do some photoshop for You just to get you started. We have pearl accents in Our data base. In fact if You waite a few weeks We had a paint company come buy and had seen Our work and asked to replace everything We got including partial used paint if We would switch to their system. So We are. Plus they are going to send what ever i need to paint My show girl and We have a holgram in mind We are not good enaough or anhyone We know of for a wide radius around but, they are thinking about sending their air b ruch guy to us to do it to be a sponsor of the girl. I will help the best We can but, I mention the change because it is going to be costlier paint but, many more choices and less waste.
Sorry for the side track i just hate to see a Forum buddie go out and spend money and hate it.
I forgot go to veilside.com/veilsideusa/aero/Hyundai/Tiburon.htm
This is a year model of Tiburon I hate, but look at how nice it is. My daughter wanted a white one and after We finished with blue pearl in the clear along with this bodykit I figured I better wait to see the finished project before cutting out any idea on a project. So if You can make a tiburon look decent i believe now after this experience you can make anything look good if not hot. Click on the pics and see the difference the Tiburon almost disappeared but, the same thing can be done with just adding to the clear coat on You red H2. It will just change the color enough that it is there but, not.
TAZ

[XM DUDE]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Mike & Rhonda:
Yellow only color for me. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
My wife wants our H3 in yellow.

[XM DUDE]

I would love to see a desert commo H2.

[h2sin]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by XM DUDE:
I would love to see a desert commo H2. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

http://photos.adventureteam.com/katemcy/DSCF0586.JPG

[h2sin]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by RLTAZH2:
Allot will shoot You a low ball but, paint will stop at door edges etc. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Nothing is worse than seeing a different color when you open the hood http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif

[MotorsportsAuthority aka Dragon]

^ exactly. for something as drastic as a completely different color, it would just make some people cringe to see a different color in the engine bay. it basically says, "i'm a cheapo who didn't care to do this right". an option you might have is to keep the red, but perhaps do a two tone (a popular thing right now). a different color on the top half of the vehicle will allow you to leave the engine red.

otherwise as everyone has stated, it would be cheaper to trade in yours for another. the cost will be close to $8000 range (price varies per area). if you're asking, why so high??? if it were to look factory here's what would happen: engine removed, all seals removed, all windows removed, all doors removed and disassembled (including door handles, to paint jams), hood removed and disassembled, and fenders removed to paint behind it. estimated time just for disassembly with 2 people: 2 days. it frustrates me when people walk in expecting us to paint their car for $500.

btw - congrats on the cts-v sale. i would love to have one. i'd take the xlr-v any day though.

[Microday]

Thanks for all the answer especially Taz. In the future I will provide add more details to my questions. I was not looking for a $500 paint job but not a 10K paint job either. For a daily driver this would be hard to justify, I would be better off to trade. I'm going to research the clear coat idea.

It sounds like I better focus on chrome.

My original plans were to keep the lower half chrome (Wheels, side steps). Keep black in the middle (Brush, door handles, tail light guards) and them the chrome on top. I now want to have chrome everywhere, brush guard, door handles, hood latches, vent covers, and tail light guards.

Thanks

[HUMMERcustoms.com/TAZ]

Cool Desert cameo. My partner and I are going to do a lifted rig with a water cameo this winter or next spring. We will put twin turbo's on it unless I get voted down on it by Our shop guys. But, the nice thing about them is they are so competitive they will try anything if we tell them they cannot do something. You know reverse psychology.


Thanks Dragon for elaborating on how tuff it is to paint a whole rig and do it right.
TAZ

[HUMMERcustoms.com/TAZ]

I suggest You ask Dragon more about the paint He knows way more than I do. He may have some ideas that would not be to bad. But, I can tell You the chrome is not going to be very cheap. It is quite expensive unless like paint You try to do it on the cheap You will get cheap. I'm replacing hood springs, d rings, taillight guards, and rear door handles because i was told it was quality and it started flaking 6 months after getting it and the guy will not stand behind it. Be careful. What someone says means nothing this day and age unless You have know them long enough to put that trust in them.
TAZ.

[Harley]

pewter's good...

K

[MotorsportsAuthority aka Dragon]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Microday:
Thanks for all the answer especially Taz. In the future I will provide add more details to my questions. I was not looking for a $500 paint job but not a 10K paint job either. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

oooops... i didn't mean that you were looking for a cheap paint job. that was more of a side note. blinging it will create a slight contrast. and hey... i never really liked red either. but it's growing on me. that could happen to her.

[KenP]

Microday: Listen to these guy on the paint if you want a great job. They started doing Tuner stuff years before the H2 and can do everything you need. Here's the site address they don't want up because it's only a front page:
http://hummercustoms.com/
Now I can get a bad e-mail from them. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif http://motorsportsauthority.com/ handles all the tuning for everything from ricers to HUMMERS while http://hummercustoms.com/ takes care of us four wheelers.

[trashguy]

what about doing two tone, i wasnt crazy about it till i saw one at the dealer.looked pretty good in person.

[Microday]

I have taken my own advise and requested quotes via gmbuypower.com for a new H2 lux. The more I think about the color the more I realize I'm not prepared to spend a lot of money and take the chance that of not being happy in the end. I go back and forth on the Red Metallic, especially after I wash and detail it. The real reason is my wife really doesn't like the color and I will continue to be reminded especially if we spend the money on new paint. If I start over with either Black or Desert Sand, colors that she likes, then I'm pretty sure I will be better off. We see what how the pricing comes back. If the difference is to high then I will spend the money on chrome and live with my wife.

Thanks for all the responses.

[HUMMERcustoms.com/TAZ]

Dragon my partner can tell You more about it. We are working with some dealers to do two tone for them. Since My Buddy? could not keep quite I'll explain a little more. Bryan has been in the tuner, rice rocket etc. business for awhile and started from stratch, He is 25. He does anything custom to a car, motorcycle, anything golf carts even, He does. He has a Toyota Celica GT that just won radical div. in Lawton, OK but he has more trophies than We can put on the showroom floor. Right now Celica is stripped bare because He decided it was time for something a little different. That with winning all the time at almost every show he went to, OK his ride. He is also putting a turbo on it so We can race when mine is finished. He is a perfectionist and that is why he is know state wide and outside the state in the tuner world. He is building a Tiburon for My daughter that looks like it should be no place but, on a road race track but, We are keeping power stock. She wants to go to SCCA school so We'll see.

He will tell You from what We have done to H2 so far and still have to do let's just say everyone that has been in it cannot believe it when they cannot lean forward. The first few runs before I got use to it the rig almost tore the steering wheel out of My hands twice. It concerned Me let's say as I usually do not have fear of anything. We are only about half way there on power as I picked up a tuning company as sponsor so it will get better. I was surprised when I saw the new Ultimate Hummer mag and the rig that is working to be the fastest Hummer challenge. As I sit without good tuning let's say, I'm way faster than it by a mile according to the numbers reported and so is KenP. You never know though anything is possible when they are finished and I'm finished I'll line up with Him for the fun of it even if I get waxed. I'll take any challenge.
I have old and new school drag racers working on My rig. They know ever trick in the book and if I have to change heads etc. I'll do that. Dealer said go for it I do not want a rig I sold to not be the best at anything. Warranty no problem.

Bryan builds sub boxes custom and lays carbon fiber. Not pre shaped but, He does it from sheets. I watched i would not have the patience to do it and some time He has to put it into something where He can pull a vacuum around it to make it mold to the part. He will not say anyhting on here that he does not know something about well and has the resource to show You. He just decided He wanted to help guys here and is a very humble young man. He is a Hummer nut by adoption and has actually drove mine in the last 2 months more than Me. I met Him last Year at a small show that both of Us lost to a antigue truck and car from a father and son team. Me in the truck class and He in the car class. They only had 2 div. it was for fund to raise money for a Church to build a youth center and then We found out We went to the same Church of several thousand so it is hard to get to know everyone but, it hurt to lose anyway. In Our defense the judges were real old guys and they picked what they liked for real old guys. Anyway We started talking about what He was doing and I told Him i was going to start a custom Hummer shop that did eveything to putting in an engine to stripping it out and painting pink. So We did it together with 2 different types of shops but, it amased Me how much everything is the same except everything on th H2 is just way bigger when You take it apart.

We can do almost anything electronically in either end of the business as they have mixed into one really. My rig right now is on a lift with the whole rear undercarage out and getting chromed or painted stealth. We talked to others in the show world and We were told do not buy bolt on. Chrome Your trailing arm bars etc. You get way higher scores than if You just bolt something on. They look to see how much physical work You put into it. So it will take about 2 months to finsh i hope as I have a huge show in Texas as does Bryan in late July that We both are trying for. I said I'm not rushing the only show in My sights right now is the HGW show in PITT. 8/12-13. Nothing else matters and We are going to take Our whole shop to that one. It is taking a week and next is the front and it will take a week and then the engine bay will take a week. At the same time Bryan is building a sub and amp system and We are working with a friend to build the 12" touchscreen and PC when He gets caught up. Bryan is making the center console to let the 12" fit. It is tight. having to move the traction buttons over about a 1/2" and move the cigs one on each side and 1 under the traction buttons, WE hope. BLOWNZ06 is near finfishing the HUD. He emailed Me today and has got everything going but a few things yet to figure out. I have 3 companies who are sponsors wanting to use My rig at SEMA so i do not know how to handle that yet. I do not want to make one angry. Oh well it will work out.

Dragon has kept a low profile and watched and reading to see how things work and the protocal that goes on. I hope You welcome Him as He knows things that can really be of help and if he does not He will find it out. He is a great young Man use the knowledge He has been gaining for most of His life. He is a very big Hummer fan and the whole shop is that way and now besides Dragon's car which He doesn't really let anyone touch, the shop all wants to work on the H2.
So We have added to Our ranks of Hummer lovers even though they do not have one except they all say Mine is theirs. Realy the induction and head mechanic will not let anyone work on it but him or if they are helping Him. he keeps the keys locked up and if anyone gets near it I guess he watchs it out of the corner of his eye but, they get a big chewing.

We had a paint company come to Bryan and ask if they could be His paint company because of the perfection Bryan reqires and it is just the way the shop guys are also. Anyway they are taking everything full or empty and all the equip. and bringing theres. They are most likely going to be a sponsor on my or Our show H2 since Bryan has now adopted it as His also. There is some High dollar paint We need so Bryan figures He will get it out of them easily.
Well I just wanted to explain a little more what My Buddy tossed out there.
WE have two sites for custom work so that You can get number to call.
HUMMERcustoms.com and MotorSportsAuthority.com
HC is a front page and being built but, gives an idea of what We do and a number for advice etc. and the MSA site is up and runs although We are having it rebuilt because it cannot hold the 6000 plus parts We have for tuner cars etc.

So if We can be of help We will be proud to.
WE will and repeat WILL NOT step into Jason turf. WE get business without trying to even think about doing anything in His area. I'm getting My first Sport Star H2 rebuild of a 2006 in August and then it will be Katie bar the door, I hope. If Jason does not have something You need We will have Our site up as soon as possible but, only if Jason does not have it. I know what He has and doesn't. My counter guy will have a list and I do not need business enough to take Jason. I admire and appreciate what He has done for Us. There are many guys here who builds things and We do the same. We believe if You can think of it We will find some way to build it. We have as good a force induction mechanic as I have seen anywhere. He is designing the turbo system for the Colorado in His spare time. I just hope We can hang on to Him and He does not get hired away. Well We have lot's of Pics of things We have done and if You out of curiousity would like to see PM Bryan and We can get them to You.
Call if You have questions about something or looking for something You are having a hard time finding.
Thanks Everyone and welcome Dragon He is very good people.
TAZ

[HUMMERcustoms.com/TAZ]

Dragon can give You more advice on painting issue, really. PM Him.
But, if Your wife likes Desert Sand that color can be added to clear to bring the 2 colors together. Remember Dragon can take Your color and play with it and at least help You look at different things. You can add as much or as little flake to the clear as You want. Then You have a custom paint job that most likely no one else has. It can be decided on before paint is ever mixed, no cost to You for Us to help. WE are not saying let Us do it just We want to help You. Once We help You figure the color problem most any good painter, which all You have to do is ask around, Dragon will have the formula already figured and You tell a good painter here is My idea and here is how I want it mixed etc. and what the brand of paint used to figure formula, there is a difference, You have to find a painter who is not prideful and willing to take suggestions. In fact You can have Him paint it on a larger piece of metal like a hood that most likely He has laying around. Tell Him You want it sprayed onto Your red He most llikely has something very close in stock. He may want money to cover paint He buys but, He can get it in small amounts. If He has a good relationship He may get it free just by telling them He is trying something for a customer and need to test. I guess alot of it is if You want new do that and do not let anyone talk You out of it. If You cannot get a good deal on trade there are ways to make the red look great I promise. But, the main thing is Your happiness and that can be tested without ever shooting a drop of paint on Your rig. Test paint something with Your wife their. There are allot of body guys who are very nice and proud of their work. If it takes a little extra to make sure the customer is going to be happy He will gladly do it. Like We tell Our customers We want You happy cause the bad news travels faster than good news. We wish Our customers would go out and rave about the work We did for them but, for some reason the happy people just keep quiet but, unhappy scream it.

I wish We were near where We could help You figure it out. PM Dragon if You want or call the office at 501-327-MODS and ask for Bryan. We have a Ryan He takes care of counter and ordering and shipping. So be sure and say Bryan clearly
We are in Conway, Arkansas just 45 minutes from the international and yes We do have an international airport.
After thinking about two tone the desert sand could be used on top part for the 2 tone. It can be adjusted in shade of paint.
WEll just like to help but, do what makes the family happy. let Dragon know if We can help You decide by testing ideas. Even make arrangements to email Him a Pic of Your ride and He canload it to play with and email ideas back.
IN fact the dealers are 2 toning Desert sand with a darker color on top and I do not see why it would not work with the red on bottom and desert on top.
TAZ



<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Microday:
I have taken my own advise and requested quotes via gmbuypower.com for a new H2 lux. The more I think about the color the more I realize I'm not prepared to spend a lot of money and take the chance that of not being happy in the end. I go back and forth on the Red Metallic, especially after I wash and detail it. The real reason is my wife really doesn't like the color and I will continue to be reminded especially if we spend the money on new paint. If I start over with either Black or Desert Sand, colors that she likes, then I'm pretty sure I will be better off. We see what how the pricing comes back. If the difference is to high then I will spend the money on chrome and live with my wife.

Thanks for all the responses. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>