IAJack

I have a nice foot long scratch on my 2013 XLT Ruby Red tailgate. It is about a foot long and pretty deep to where it wont buff out or touch up.

Would it be cheaper to have it re-painted by a body shop or just get a whole new tailgate. If I get a new one do they come pre-pained for my color or would I have to have it done.

Anyone know where I can order one without paying the really crazy price that I am sure Ford will want?

Thanks

21RRF150

iTrader: (1)

New panel will need to be painted. No sheet metal has ever come pre painted. Ruby red is a Tri stage paint. Cheaper to have it fixed and painted, by a lot. I have never heard of getting a whole new panel for a scratch.


A repair will consist of about 2 hours labor to repair the scratch. Maybe an 1.5 hours to disassemble the gate. And probably 3.5 for partial paint, full clear. You're looking at a 6-10 hour repair, depending on where you live. Assuming the worst and it's 10 hours.(Over estimating) In my area at $60 per hour(out of pocket rate) it's $600.

Assuming all labor times would be the same for a new gate. They wouldn't be. They would be more actually. More paint time, and more disassemble time. No repair time. It would be $600 plus the cost of the new gate. That's $1200+ usually. May have gone down by now. So you would be looking at closer to $2000

oldwrench

If it is not through the color coat, there are many clear coat products (like a pen) that actually work quite well. Sometimes it is better to accept a small defect than pay for a much larger one.