Scratched + Dented Tailgate

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Oct 14, 2008 | 09:59 PM

#16

metal83

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Quote:

Originally Posted by bridge

If it were me I'd take a stab at fixing it myself.

1. You will have to drill some holes to pull those dents out...
2. Then a few more holes to hold the bondo...
3. Then sand 'er down...
4. Apply bondo
5. More sanding
6. Paint to match
7. Stand back and judge your less than satisfactory work
8. Call around to the salvage yards looking for a matching tail gate

I've tried my hand at body work...didn't take long to realize I've got insurance for a reason. What's your deductible?

My deductible is $500, i actually passed up on an offer to have it lowered down at $250 for a little extra each month about a month ago. I was trying to save money at the time but now i'm kicking myself for it.

I'm definetly going to take care of this one way or another though, whether it be finding a good shop, buying a new tailgate, or possibly taking a crack at it myself, then buying a new tailgate lol. There is no way i can deal with seeing this every time i walk behind my truck, no way!!!

I'm generally always very careful with my vehicles, and i'm well aware that it's possible some sort of accident whether it be big or small may happen again. But spending the money to fix it is definetly worth it for me, because even if i dont see it, i know it's there and it bothers me. Especially when i put time, effort, and money into making the truck look how i want. It's my baby!!! lol.

Thanks guys for all your suggestions, opinions, and support. Glad to know others feel the same way about their trucks as i do about mine...

Oct 14, 2008 | 10:12 PM

#17

bridge

Sick 'n Tired

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 2,969

Likes: 47

From: League City, TX

Here you go. It's easy to paint over white!
eBay Motors: 2004-2008 White Ford F150 Tailgate (item 160291782620 end time Oct-15-08 15:39:06 PDT)

This one looks like your color...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2004-...QQcmdZViewItem

Oct 14, 2008 | 10:17 PM

#18

metal83

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Quote:

Originally Posted by tylus

to OP: post up some pics when you get your tailgate fixed. and the cost. I ran across a white tailgate on eBay this morning for $75...so maybe you can find a junkyard one for fairly cheap

Wow, $75.....that is pretty cheap. I'll have to seriously look into all my options before i make a move. If i can find a tailgate that cheap or cheap enough, i'd most definetly go that route, and then just have it painted to match. I do have a couple junkyards around here i can check as well, i've been meaning to go check them out because i want to replace my rear bumper, but dont want to pay the outrageous price at the dealership for one. My first step though will be to go around and get estimates, just so i can see what different auto body shops will say (about the tailgate).

A guy at work made a suggestion as well, he was talking about getting some sort of black panel to cover that whole bottom area of the tailgate, considering i have a lot of black on my truck already. All though i'm not sure how that would work, what to use, or how it would look.

Regardless of what i end up doing, i'll definetly post some pics and how much it cost.

Oct 14, 2008 | 10:20 PM

#19

metal83

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Junior User

Joined: Aug 2008

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Quote:

Originally Posted by bridge

Here you go. It's easy to paint over white!
eBay Motors: 2004-2008 White Ford F150 Tailgate (item 160291782620 end time Oct-15-08 15:39:06 PDT)

This one looks like your color...
eBay Motors: 2004-2008 Ford F-150 Tailgate (item 130262552937 end time Oct-21-08 11:55:10 PDT)

Wow, big price differences on those two. But it's good to know it's possible to get one so cheap!

Oct 14, 2008 | 10:28 PM

#20

powerz69

Senior User

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 183

Likes: 0

From: Alberta

I had , or kinda still have a dent same lower portion as yours, but paint was not affected. I watched a bunch of videos on you tube on paintless dent repair. I took the tailgate off put it long ways in back of box painted side up. Took some handle prybars entered the hole on the side near the bottom and pryed the metal up till 95% gone. I can now live with mine.

Oct 14, 2008 | 10:33 PM

#21

bridge

Sick 'n Tired

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 2,969

Likes: 47

From: League City, TX

That's the great thing about white, scratches dents and other imperfections don't stand out as much. My Wife's '06 Expy is white and she has dents (backed into a boulder...and she has the reverse sensors), scratches (backed into someones brush guard), and works retail at a mall (more door dings than you can shake a stick at). If your more than 5 ft from the car you can't see any of them. My rig could have a drop of water on it and it resembles a crater forming.

Oct 14, 2008 | 11:05 PM

#22

metal83

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Quote:

Originally Posted by bridge

Haha...My gf has a black Fusion, she tends to like to back into things once in a while. She ended up backing into my neighbors red Taurus a few weeks ago, and now has a nice license plate indent in her bumper that you can see a mile away. I should of talked her into buying a white car..lol

Oct 14, 2008 | 11:09 PM

#23

metal83

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Quote:

Originally Posted by powerz69

Well it's nice to know it worked out for you, for the most part. Gives me another option to try if estimates i get are too high.

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Oct 14, 2008 | 11:21 PM

#24

powerz69

Senior User

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 183

Likes: 0

From: Alberta

Quote:

Originally Posted by bridge

That's the great thing about white, scratches dents and other imperfections don't stand out as much.

HA HA I heard a saying not to long ago from a guy in an autobody shop.
"If it's not right, paint it white" It's funny cause alot of trucks have a white repaint on the outside, but other color on inside door jams from auction. White is also the cheapest (color).

Oct 14, 2008 | 11:42 PM

#25

Tylus

MMNC (SS)(Ret)

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 11,594

Likes: 144

From: SE Georgia

Quote:

Originally Posted by metal83

A guy at work made a suggestion as well, he was talking about getting some sort of black panel to cover that whole bottom area of the tailgate, considering i have a lot of black on my truck already. All though i'm not sure how that would work, what to use, or how it would look.

The Roush...or is it Saleen...anyways, 1 of those versions of the F-150 has a black plastic panel that covers the lower portion of the tailgate. it looks alot like the old 92-96 Chrome piece that you could get on the F series and Bronco

edit: nevermind, on the Saleen F-150 the plastic piece is too high I think