Need help selecting a Body Shop!
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Need help selecting a Body Shop!
I hit a deer in my F250 Crew Cab, and in an attempt to not hit the driver who swerved into my lane head on, I drove off the road through thick brush. The result was body damage to the side of my truck from the deer, and brush scratches over the entire sides, front and rear. I have went to 5 body shops to get quotes. Three from friends recomendations and 2 "Preferred Shops" that my AAA Insurance provided.
The three shops that AAA suggested said that they would be required to buff out the scratches. The other three shops I went to agrred with me that even though 80-90% of the brush marks could be buffed out, the best thing to do was paint the whole truck.
After insisting to the AAA shops that they bid it to be fully painted, all of the 5 estimates came in very close in the $5500 range.
Now my concern is how do I determine who will do the best job. What type of paints and clear coats should I make sure are used. I do not want to use a shop that will use inferior products or take shortcuts.
Can you provide me with a checklist of questions that I need to have answered by the shops?
Thanks
The three shops that AAA suggested said that they would be required to buff out the scratches. The other three shops I went to agrred with me that even though 80-90% of the brush marks could be buffed out, the best thing to do was paint the whole truck.
After insisting to the AAA shops that they bid it to be fully painted, all of the 5 estimates came in very close in the $5500 range.
Now my concern is how do I determine who will do the best job. What type of paints and clear coats should I make sure are used. I do not want to use a shop that will use inferior products or take shortcuts.
Can you provide me with a checklist of questions that I need to have answered by the shops?
Thanks
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,751
Likes: 3
From: So Oregon
A shop that doesn't want to paint the whole truck is probably the best. If they can buff out most of the scratches you'll keep the factory paint, which will likely be a better paint job than what the shops can do. Factory paint is baked at a higher temperature and therefore, usually, more durable. If you don't have to repaint, it's best. If you choose to repaint, ask if they are going to do the outside, or include the door jambs, remove the interior, the door trim panels, etc. They more they remove the better coverage, but the more likely things will become loose over time. Ask if they'll remove the bed rails trim, glass, etc. If they are going to "tape" they will likely leave some paint on the trim (window trim, etc.) so you'll want to look it over more closely.
There is no way I would have a whole truck repainted unless I was selling it soon. Just my opinion, but I'd much rather have factory paint then a body shop repaint.
There is no way I would have a whole truck repainted unless I was selling it soon. Just my opinion, but I'd much rather have factory paint then a body shop repaint.
Elder User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 818
Likes: 0
From: Mobile, AL
A good all over paint job should be very invaisive, removing damn near everything. If they want to mask around things, don't let them paint your truck. BASF is still putting out good quality paint products, I prefer their Glasurit line, but their R-M line isn't half bad either. Pick the shop that has all the right answers, and uses quality products. Don't be afraid of painting your whole truck, A good shop can beat a factory job any day.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,537
Likes: 27
From: Long Beach, Ms.
Go look at their previous work. Do they have any commercial accounts? We are the body shop for the Ford, Lincoln, Mercury,Mazda,Toyota,Hyundai,Lexus and Scion dealerships here in town. We also have the Entreprise Rent a Car work. Go and see jobs in progress. A new paint job from a quality shop will out perform a factory paint job. Yes a complete paint job is invasive and will require a shop to go deep. Quality requires work. Is the shop busy with a lot of work? Or are the guys spending their time cleaning the shop up? Currently a busy shop is an uncommon thing for the most part. It means that the shop has a strong customer base that comes from having a good reputation. A lot of shops are struggling.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,751
Likes: 3
From: So Oregon
What makes a body shop paint job better than factory? Just want to know what would make one better than the other.
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You Keep What You Kill
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Huntersville, NC
I don't know who is on your short list, but I would not have True2Form do the repair work. I had a horrible experience with them when I had my Mustang GT repaired.
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Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,537
Likes: 27
From: Long Beach, Ms.
You Keep What You Kill
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,902
Likes: 2
From: Huntersville, NC
At our shop we will go as deep as necessary to reach a solid surface on which to lay a new primer coat. We then sand the primer smooth. Then we paint the color coat. That gets followed by the clear coats. Sanding between the color and clear with the clear sanded and buffed out. I watch the painters prepping cars for the painting and see that they are often able to use a razor blade to peel the factory paint off of the surfaces because the primer did not bind to the metal. Our painters are skilled workers not programmed robots. They care about the quality of work they produce. A factory paint job has three goals; Get it done as fast and as cheaply as possible at the lowest quality level the consumer will accept.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,751
Likes: 3
From: So Oregon
The factory (robot) is more consistent than most painters I've seen. The e-coat is the best protection against corrosion, and I don't know if most shops repainting a vehicle will damage the e-coat, but I also don't know they'll sand as far as they need to to get to a solid surface, then apply the proper layers as consistent as the factory paint. I also don't know of a shop that can do a complete repaint and have it baked as hot as factory.
