I have a 97 (Forest?) Green 5.4 EB Expedition and I want to have it painted black. How much would this cost me on average? I called Maaco today for a rough estimate and they said $1000 for just the outside and $1500 to strip and paint everything. Are these numbers about right?

 

$1,000 to $1,500 sounds way too cheap for a quality paint job. Ask them what they remove as opposed to what the merely tape off. I've found that most Ford dealerships are not too unreasonable and stand behind their work.

 

That sounds way too inexpensive for a quality job on a vehicle the size of ours. Especally if you are changing color and want the inside (doors, hood, hatch, etc.) done as well. I had a quote for a mid-size Mercury Topaz to be striped and repainted in the same color and that was over $3.2K and with no body work needed. I would think you are looking at about $5-6K depending on how much of the interior you want done. I wouldn't start at the Earl Shibe or MAACO type of shops but would stick with a top quality auto refinisher or dealer. Otherwise you may be back again and again before it is done right.

I don't know where you live, but black is way too hot for this part of the swamp. Spend a few trips to dealers, call speed shops, call body shops and get estimates. Then call customers and ask how they like the work. Don't go with someone who won't give you references from past customers. There are some good shops out there and a whole lot of bad ones. Good hunting.