I plan to have my truck repainted w/original colors. I need advice on selecting a body shop that will do the best work etc.. My truck will need to have some (just a little) rust removed and the windshield gasket leaks water into the cab? Any advice is welcome!

 

Well first off, rust can often be worse then it appears when you get into it and start doing the job, and can possibly be a lot of labor. Some shops don't even take rust work unless they are slow. Shop around and get estimates from a few shops and find one that you feel comfortable with. The biggest place isn't always the best. Some of the smaller shops may need the work more and want to do a good job and have a good reputation. But there are a few hacks out there big and small. Check over some of the work they've done. They should be willing to show you some of their completed work. Certifications from I car or the paint companys like ppg or dupont shows they invest in training to keep up on the proper repair procedures and use of products. Also ask around and see if anyone you know has brought their car to any shops near you and what kind of work they performed and how the work stood up over time. Find out if they were happy or not. The top lines of paint like deltron and chromabase are very good, and if they are used right and the car prepped well they will last a very long time. In fact many places will offer a lifetime warrenty against paint fading and peeling, but they won't offer a warrenty against rust coming back. I know your vehicle probably isn't insurance work, but if it is, don't let your insurance company steer you to their preferred shops. They get work done cheaper from shops that are in their direct repair program and you have the right to have repairs done at your choice of shops. They can not tell you where to get your vehicle repaired.