I am doing a lot of research on new trucks and I am very impressed with the F-150 but I am curious if you guys have any concerns about future paint problems with the new aluminium body. Aluminium is a difficult material to properly paint as you guys know and also just where the steel touches the aluminium causes corrosion.

Just curios what your guys thoughts are.

Thanks

 

The trucking industry has been using aluminum for years to make hoods and sleepers and for the most part there are no issues. Eventually the paint will start popping off but this is after many years and hundred of thousands of miles of hard use.

As for mixing aluminum and steel, as long as there is a barrier in between you'll be fine. Something as simple as duct tape will protect from galvanic corrosion, paint will also protect the areas.

 

F150 hoods have been aluminum since 1997, so paint shouldn't be a problem. Body work may be more difficult if you get any damage.

 

I"d say this is going to really help smaller paint and repair shops learn about aluminum. Keep in mind this is the best selling vehicle in North America, so within a couple of years, every shadtree mechanic on the continent will have had a few of them to work on.

I have zero concerns about the quality or durability of the factory paint job.

 

Aluminum has been used on airplanes for decades & maybe not quite so long on automobiles. I'm not aware of any special concerns. In fact, it might be better than steel in many respects.

 

I have a lot of experience with paint & body work on my 2015 Ruby Red Lariat super cab F150, unfortunately. My truck went though hell a few weeks ago. A 10 minute "hail storm" here in SW Arkansas. I am suppose to pick up my truck tomorrow 5/25/15 in Hot Springs. My truck had 16 large dents and broken windshield. I'll post some photos when I get the truck home. Milkyway

 

Really sorry about your experience there milkyway. Do you know if they were just using filler, or if they were replacing parts?

 

I DON'T KNOW YET. I'LL TELL YOU WHEN I PICK UP MY TRUCK LATER THIS WEEK. JK

 

It may be difficult to tell. In the old days, you could use a magnet to determine if there is filler between the paint and the metal. Since aluminum is not magnetic, I'm not sure how you would tell anymore. Perhaps a "tap" test, or if the dents were on the hood, you might be able to inspect the backside of the sheet metal?