So I'm considering getting my dad's 99 F150 sometime this summer and the truck is in good shape for it's year. My dad got it new in 99 so I know every paint blemish on it and most can be buffed out. There is a small nickel size paint chip where some kids shot it with a BB and the paint chipped off. I'd like to get that painted and then have the entire rest of the truck wet sanded and then buffed to former beauty. How much should I be expecting to pay for this? I know I can just go get some quotes, I just want to know what to expect as a fair price so I know if they are trying to rip me off. Thanks!

 

I couldn't quote you on paint chip repair, but as far as wet-sanding, and polishing goes, you've got some options. Personally, I would NEVER wet-sand a Ford with single-stage paint. Too much work. Detailers now days will simply cut-polish the truck first, then apply a mild polish/wax afterwards. Cut-polishing is just like wet sanding, but quicker, and yields better results.

For a large pickup, with a cut-polish/wax treatment, I would charge in the $250 - $350 range depending on the condition of the vehicle.

 

I would say 4-500. Wetsanding isnt something that goes fast. Very slow tedious process. It also depends on how many coats of polish,glaze, wax/sealent they do. If they are going to sand the car, heavy duty compound followed by a scratch remover or a fine cut compound and than a glaze I wouldnt pay more than 350. if they are going to claybar it, sand it, HD compound, light compound, polish/glaze, wax, sealent than its another story. Than i would go up to 450,500.
So you have to figure out how much work one shop is going to do compared to the next.

 

Ok, that's what I figured. Also, did Ford really use single stage paint on their 97+ F-150s? I always thought it was a bc/cc setup.

 

Most auto manufacturers use single stage paint now days. Only the higher-end vehicles are bc/cc. Jaguar, Mercedez-Benz, etc...

 

Dadic,

You are wrong.. Base coat/clear coat has been around since the late 70-80's or so and some manufactured vehicles longer than that. The major switch was from enamel based paint to urethane due to VOC's, issues with the GM vehicles at the Van Nuys, CA plant and some Dodge/Chrysler products

The 1997 Ford is base coat/clear coat, a simple test to confirm is take some 2000 grit sandpaper on a damaged panel and lightly sand. If the residue is whitish and you put some spit or water to it and it goes clear, then the panel is clear coated. If you add some liquid to the color and the residue is the same color as the paint it is single stage.