I have a 1968 F100 short bed that was repainted about 11 years ago and is starting to blister and rust in several places mostly around the lower part of the hood and along the bump down the side. Nothing much bigger than a dime but it appears that a few of the spots on the hood may be rusting through. I have a very reputable shop that I've dealt with for many years, and they will do a single step paint coat and repair all the rusted areas for $6K. This includes replacing the front window, and a spray in bed liner. The body is all metal with no dents or bondo anywhere. I got the truck 9 years ago and only paid $3500 for it. so with the paint Id have approximately $10K invested. So, my question is, is it worth it to have it repainted? How much value would I actually be adding? The picture is about 7 years old and doesn't show the rust that's just started in the past 3 years.

 

I’d have to say that, while it does add value, it doesn’t normally gain enough to bring back your investment.
Or I should say, it wouldn’t under normal circumstances.
Nowadays, a truck like that is worth a lot more than you paid for it. But it’s worth a lot more than you paid for it right now, before investing the additional $6000 into paint.
These days $6000 is a pretty good deal for a decent paint job. Especially with Body Work. Especially with Body Work around the windshield!
I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if, with add-ons, surprises, gotchas and “other stuff” it creeps up into the $9,000 to $10,000 range.
Luckily, you’ve been dealing with the shop for a long time and so far haven’t had any negative experiences.
With any luck it’ll stay that way.

 

Problem is there is visible rust, and rust you don't see right now, but eventually will surface. The only correct repair is to blast the entire vehicle to bare metal, then repair all rust issues. Then it will be ready for a quality paint job. If you don't want to do this type of investment, I would leave it as is.

 

Man that's a cool looking truck. Are you going back to the same color or doing a change.? This is just my two cents here, lose the fuzzy dice.

 

I am with you on the rust coming thru is only what you can see as it is a lot more once you get into it.

As for blasting the whole truck I dont see that needed other than where the seam is down the bed side where rust always shows up.
Thing is it should be blasted on the pace side where the rust is coming thru but you cant get to that area.
So the next thing is to cut the rust out and weld in new metal. From the post of what it will cost I dont know if that is what they are doing, cut out and weld in?

As for if it is worth it only you will know..
To most it is just an old pick up truck so do you think you could sell it for what the body work and paint run for?
You cant count what you bought the truck for. Take that and the years you had it for and that is what it spent each yest to have it just like a DD sitting it your drive.
Dave ----

 

idk how much value the paint and rust repair would add, but in my area that's a $12-15k truck judging just by the picture. I do think a lot of these prices are location specific though.

 

It has been 11 years since painted . I would think this is all the rust you have . You can take a magnet & use it it all over truck to find bondo/filler areas if you wish .
If rust has not shown in 11 years you probably have all showing that is going to show .
If you are inclined to , sand all the areas you see bubbling of rust , do it & look to see how bad it is . If you can get to both sides coat all areas with rust converter . Then either prime it yourself or then take it to your body man & if he is good he can color match your areas you sanded & it SHOULD save you an enormous amount of money !!!
LABOR is the most expensive part of a paint job . 95% labor 5 percent painting !!!
I have some rust convertor/primer that seems to be AMAZING STUFF , thick as gravy & has stayed on my rusty places like glue for 6 months or more out in the weather . Only thing is its $70 a quart , or some large price !!!
As for the price I think truck looks worth close to that from the outside . Inside matters............also .........ha , caint see it !!!
I hate to say this but Fords are hard to get their true worth cuz LS engines are the NEW 350's , everyone want one !!! Square Chevrolet trucks are the rage , I hate to say !!! LS 's they do SEEM to be great engines , but I am leery of PLASTIC injectors & all the plastic connectors everywhere !!!
I want turbos or a Coyote with all plastic removed & hopefully a carb or to , no injection , mayb TBI ) , & luv Fords !!! Chevs r ok !!!