Ford F-150/F-250: How to Find a Good Auto Paint Shop

This article applies to the Ford F-150 (2004-2014) and F-250 Super Duty (2005-2014).

As we all know, when paint is scratched off the surface of a vehicle, rust forms almost immediately and corrosion begins to eat the metal and weaken its structural integrity. So, unless you maintain the paint on your Ford F-150 or F-250 Super Duty continually, you could literally be driving around in a pile of rust if you get too many unrepaired scratches on it.

Step 1 - Be prepared and make a budget

You’re going to have to set a budget for prep work, which includes sanding and masking, and then if you need bodywork on top of that, you’re going to have to add more numbers to it. Then, the paint, depending on the type and color you choose, could be a substantial amount, along with the overall labor, which would include the prep time, bodywork, actual painting and buffing and polishing. These numbers add up fast.

Painting costs can total between $3,500 and $7,000 and in some cases much higher. Many auto body and paint shops charge $60 to $65 per hour for labor and the whole job could take up to 4 weeks to complete. It could take more than 100 hours to finish.

Cost is the first thing you need to be aware of when deciding to get the job done and quality is another important factor. Since this is a job for professionals who have many years of experience, you need to choose the right shop for your truck.

Step 2 - Finding the right shop

The first and most popular way to find a good paint shop is the old stand-by: word of mouth. Family, friends, or colleagues will tell you what they paid, how they liked the job, and if the paint shop was honest or not. If you don’t know anyone who has gotten his or her truck or car repainted, then the internet is the place to go. You can scour the truck forums or simply go to Google or Yelp to look for paint shops in your area. Read reviews and note what they say about the quality of the paint, the looks of the paint, how long it lasted, and the customer service of that shop..

Related Discussion