Paint ideas for ubiquitous white ...

[Palani4Ford]

Hi, fellow Ford dogs Rant and question ... In the never ending quest of corporate America -- yes, Ford's included in my criticism here -- to streamline and cut costs wherever possible, I don't think it's a reach to suspect that the reason one sees our beloved and ubiquitous F-150's (97-2003 models) dot the roads of this country with similarly bland and limited colored one tone paint schemes is simply a cost cutting move on the part of Ford. It simply costs a manufacturer such as Ford more time, thus money, to offer more color choices to a consumer, much less, two tone paint schemes. Perhaps I'm dating myself by all this, but remember those things ? Remember the days when one could order a vehicle ( paint scheme for this example ) a la carte without having to buy some over-priced and over-hyped pre-packaged, or a top-of-the-line model, such as the Harley Davidson model ? Is the patriarch of Ford back at the helm telling America that one can have any colored F-150 as long as it's white, along with being limited to only three or four interior boring color trims ? Okay, I'll stop the bitching and move to the question ... Question: I own a regular cab -- REGULAR CAB -- long bed 2001 F-150 XLT, which is, ta-daaaaah, all white in color with a tan interior. I'd like to break that white blank slate up, but, BUT, somehow preserving a factory look to it if possible. In other words, are there any after-market applications ( graphics ) that break up my boring white canvas, but without giving it that cheap after-market look ? Yes, I know I can paint a one foot wide tan or gray border along the bottom as some have from the factory, but I'd like a little more excitement to it. Here in San Diego, where it seems every other vehicle is a white extended cab F-150, I've seen a couple of local owners break the blandness by, one, giving their truck a "Starsky and Hutch" theme, and two, another owner who gave his F-150 a Boss 302 applique over the hood running along the sides. Hey, both themes worked, I tell ya. I guess they were bored of that same ubiquitous all white look also. Any ideas, or web sites that might offer any products or ideas ? Thanks in advance. "Palani" I wonder if any southern California Ford dealers offer their own look to break the blandness, and yet still maintain a factory look to it ?

[Cloim]

Not long ago, while driving down the highway, I noticed the "color" of traffic. Grey.

It shocked me for some reason. But sure enough, most vehicles fit the profile. White, black, grey, every so often something blue, red, green, or yellow, but mostly grey.

Then I read a chart of colors for new vehicles. #1 for cars is 'silver' (shiny grey), followed by white. #1 for trucks is white, followed by silver.

Profanity Removed???

I'm not saying white, or shiny grey, are bad colors, but #1? I don't think people are ordering those colors. They go to the car lot, and that's what's available *now*.

See what you started??? Now I'm ranting

I've seen various pinstripe decals that might be interesting. I was considering a barbed wire design for my bronco, but it needs a lot more work before I get to that stage (if I ever get to that stage )

decalzone.com has a wide selection of options, but I can't vouch for the quality as I've never used them. Might give you some ideas though.

[UglyF250]

Do a two tone paint job for yourself. Keep the base white, do silver along the sides and give her a nice thin dark red pinstripe for the transition between the silver and the white.

You won't stand out a whole lot, but it sure would look nice.

Just a suggestion.

[Scooter29]

Many more suggestions to follow....
Lately, with the NASCAR fad, I've seen some unusual Checkered Flag treatments. Some done in R, W & B. But some of the more unusal ones, silver to black, or like the Starsky & Hutch stripes, it went from the silver and as it gets larger the darker it got. NICE.
Had a set of Bassett wheels on it and the Goodyear Eagle NASCAR yellow letter tires on it.
Sometimes, but don't tell the wife, I go down to the Barnes & Noble, grab a cup and look at custom car and paint books! I hope the ideas and pics start rolling in!!!

[fisher_of_man]

I'm with you guys all the way....I used to give my dad heck about his trucks......he always drove beige, tan, or champaigne....you know they were all just plain on light brown to me....i tried to get him into something more lively and then what happened....I inherited the tan ford ranger, bought my first truck(white), traded it in for red( had 2 of them) and now here I am back at white....I don't understand it....would have slapped myself several years ago before haveing a white truck again, but here I am! I think its all about supply and demand.....they supply white trucks, we demand one now....therefore we get a white truck! what a system!

[Palani4Ford]

Thank you all for your suggestions. You guys brought up points/suggestions I didn't even consider.

Ugly -- The only thing with going with the silver paint stripe, is that the interior is tan. It would work with a blue interior, though.

Cloim hit the nail on the head with his observation of the grey haze out there. Yes, enough of the grey, particularly on those Hondas -- What up wit dat ?!

Fisher -- you said it better than I could. IT IS about supply and demand. As long as the F-150 remains the best selling vehicle, they are not going to change anything to liven our roads up. ( Grumble, grumble...Corporate America. Sheesh!)

Thanks, once again, and I'll look up those sites!

Palani