Why would you want to do this?
For several reasons. First, the color we want is not available on the 2018 JLU. Second, we want total durability. The cost to change the color at a reputable body shop or dealer is in the neighborhood of 10-12K. Line-X has quoted in the ballpark of 4-6K. We could wrap it, but the cost for that is about 4K and the warranty is only 3 years. Plus, those are basically heat-shrink stickers that will not hold up in an off-road environment. Additionally, we live in MN where the crap that is put on the roads in the winter months (6 months out of the year) is VERY destructive to the vehicle.
LOL!! And here I was feeling a bit frustrated that my new JL cost a whole $20k more than my full loaded JK Rubicon Unlimited did back in 2007. I guess, what's another $4-6k when you're already shelling out over $50k especially when you can't get the color you really want. While rust belt concerns are legitimate, I've never really seen it be as much of an issue on the body - of course, everything underneath is a different story. At least, that's what I found on the JK I bought from Buffalo, NY.
I know it sounds a bit pricey, but as you stated, the cost of this vehicle is...well...high. And you are correct, what is an additional 4-6K investment on a vehicle that we want to last us into retirement? I am just wondering if it is an investment worthy of the cost. Or, do we just stay with the ordered color and live with it? Is it as durable as what I have seen on the "net"?
I would stick with what you got, then down the road if it's still what you want, go for it. You have fresh paint on a brand new vehicle.. scratch it up first before a re-paint.
For several reasons. First, the color we want is not available on the 2018 JLU. Second, we want total durability. The cost to change the color at a reputable body shop or dealer is in the neighborhood of 10-12K. Line-X has quoted in the ballpark of 4-6K. We could wrap it, but the cost for that is about 4K and the warranty is only 3 years. Plus, those are basically heat-shrink stickers that will not hold up in an off-road environment. Additionally, we live in MN where the crap that is put on the roads in the winter months (6 months out of the year) is VERY destructive to the vehicle.
Are you bedlining your frame too? Crazy thought, but have you tried to, I don’t know, wash your vehicle in the winter? Bedlining the outside of a $50k vehicle when it’s brand new because you are scared of road salt is about the dumbest thing I’ve heard. Buy a beater truck for $2500 and keep the JL off the road and you’ll still have $1500 in the bank.
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The bigger issue is that we want a different color that is not an option offered from the factory.
Taste and styling aside, that's your call, have you ever seen a bed lined Wrangler? The line-x being porous is a nightmare to clean. My one friend has a jeep done like this, it is a nitemare to get the dirt out of the linex. You cannot just wash it with a sponge as all the dirt is trapped in the crevices. You have you literally scrub it with a firm brush and even then it doesn't come totally clean. For road salt I would think it would trap it in the crevices and cause more issues.
If color is your main concern, order a black one and have them respray the outside. For 4-6k you can have a very well done paint job. If you get black there is no need to spray inside of engine compartment etc. It would be harder and more expensive to respray the interior esp the matching sport bar etc. You could leave that black if you have a hard top as you'd never see it. But whoever quoted you 20k I'd never talk to again. I know hot rod shops here that do show car quality paint jobs on classic cars that don't charge 20k to do a bare steel chassis.
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Sure. 20k?Jeep should allow custom color orders from the factory.
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Even a beat up, pinstriped paint job looks better then a Line-x'd one. It will look "ok" at first... but then it will dull, get chalky and dirty..... I say no way. Seeing your Jeep Covered in dirt sitting in the driveway is Cool.... then giving it a good wash and admiring the Shine until the next trip, is do Dam satisfying. With Line-X it will always look kinda dirty.
Real linex (talking about the brand, not the general term thrown around for bed liner) gets clearcoated if it is an exterior part, which doesn't dull or get chalky. It's basically a UV protector and adds a bit of shine, which also makes black blacker and colors pop.