Should I repair the paint damage on my FE?

[TheeBullhead]

Looking to get some advice on repairing some paint damage that occurred during transit on my 4-Door FE.

The damage is some chipping on the front fender, near the hood, and on the back fender near the rear door, all on the driver’s side of the vehicle. Because of the location of the paint chips, they are going to need to blend the new paint with the hood, fenders, and both doors. This will also include removing then replacing the FE badging on the fenders, hood and doors.

Because this happened during transit to my dealer, the dealer is covering the cost if the work is done by a certified Ford shop, but I really wondering if the risk of the repair quality is worth the reward of repairing some paint chips. The paint damage looks worse in the pictures than it does in real life.

I’ve only had experience with paint repair once before on another vehicle 10 years ago, performed by a dealer shop, and it was horrendous. That’s really where my concerns are coming from.

What do y’all think?

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[TheDoctor]

Absolutely get it done, especially if the dealer is covering the cost.

 

[SZairborne]

Technology has changed a bit for painting in the last 10 years. Id let the dealer take care of it. Then if something goes wrong down the road you can place blame on them. If you do it yourself, and it rusts or something happens. Its on you.

 

[Panaran]

Just my opinion, but I would never accept a brand new car with paint chips. Make Ford repair it, and if comes back shitty, make them repair it again. If they still can't make it right, lemon law it and walk away. Those paint chips severely decrease the value of an FE. Even if they don't look bad right now IRL, those chips have no clearcoat or other protection on them and will flake off and get bigger over time. I would absolutely have them fix it.

If it makes you feel any more at ease, there were two paint chips in my OBX on the lower corner of the passenger side door. Dealer repaired them and I can't even tell they were there.

 

[LagoCJ]

I agree...get it repaired and make sure that they know you will be checking it over with a microscope to make sure the paint matches perfectly and that Ford will stand behind it as if it was never repainted. Hold their feet to the fire and if its not perfect the first time...make them redo it.

 

[Squatch]

Just my opinion, but I would never accept a brand new car with paint chips. Make Ford repair it, and if comes back shitty, make them repair it again. If they still can't make it right, lemon law it and walk away. Those paint chips severely decrease the value of an FE. Even if they don't look bad right now IRL, those chips have no clearcoat or other protection on them and will flake off and get bigger over time. I would absolutely have them fix it.

If it makes you feel any more at ease, there were two paint chips in my OBX on the lower corner of the passenger side door. Dealer repaired them and I can't even tell they were there.

I mostly agree, but I'm sure it's still worth MSRP

 

[Panaran]

I mostly agree, but I'm sure it's still worth MSRP

MSRP is very devalued for an FE.

 

[schadenforduh]

 

[Squatch]

MSRP is very devalued for an FE.

To the impractical who add on the intangible and the ephemeral to a speculative price, but the FE is not a value above MSRP without the hype. It's just as ridiculous as limited edition sneakers or beanie babies. I love that Ford has almost brought the Bronco back to the masses, but we can disagree.

 

[Panaran]

To the impractical who add on the intangible and the ephemeral to a speculative price, but the FE is not a value above MSRP without the hype. It's just as ridiculous as limited edition sneakers or beanie babies. I love that Ford has almost brought the Bronco back to the masses, but we can disagree.

That all sounds fancy, but reality is there absolutely is a market for these Broncos right now where people are paying well over MSRP for them. It doesn't matter if you think it's ridiculous or not, and I'm not sure I would even disagree with you there, but premiums are being put on in demand cars in the auto industry right now, that's a fact. We've seen FE's go for $120k recently at auto auctions, and while not a typical price, the value is still much more than the MSRP. There are people that will gladly pay over MSRP for an FE right now, and OPs level of paint defects would absolutely make a difference to the value of the car.

 

[‘21OBX]

Get it fixed is my vote. I can’t really tell what color it is on my phone. The only concern I’d have if it’s a three stage or tinted clear coat color those can be tricky but any good painter can get it correct. Does it suck yuu have to go thru it? Yes but I wouldn’t accept it on my $50k plus OBX let alone a FE that I’m sure is higher priced. Have it done properly and have a vehicle you can be proud of. Not one when you show people and have to say it’s nice but look how it showed up.

 

[TheeBullhead]

Follow-up question...

So, the shop/dealer that I'm looking at to do the work, not the one paying for the work, seems to be trying to talk me out of getting it painted.

Is this just Ford looking out for Ford?

The estimator has given me a handful of reasons he wouldn't do it if it was his. The most valid seems to be concerns with getting parts in a timely manner.

 

[TheeBullhead]

Get it fixed is my vote. I can’t really tell what color it is on my phone. The only concern I’d have if it’s a three stage or tinted clear coat color those can be tricky but any good painter can get it correct. Does it suck yuu have to go thru it? Yes but I wouldn’t accept it on my $50k plus OBX let alone a FE that I’m sure is higher priced. Have it done properly and have a vehicle you can be proud of. Not one when you you people you have to say it’s nice but look how it showed up.

It's Area 51.

 

[Rednek]

they just trying to bail on making it right

 

[andrusoid]

Looking to get some advice on repairing some paint damage that occurred during transit on my 4-Door FE.

The damage is some chipping on the front fender, near the hood, and on the back fender near the rear door, all on the driver’s side of the vehicle. Because of the location of the paint chips, they are going to need to blend the new paint with the hood, fenders, and both doors. This will also include removing then replacing the FE badging on the fenders, hood and doors.

Because this happened during transit to my dealer, the dealer is covering the cost if the work is done by a certified Ford shop, but I really wondering if the risk of the repair quality is worth the reward of repairing some paint chips. The paint damage looks worse in the pictures than it does in real life.

I’ve only had experience with paint repair once before on another vehicle 10 years ago, performed by a dealer shop, and it was horrendous. That’s really where my concerns are coming from.

What do y’all think?

Just like @TheDoctor said, git'r'dun. Unless you like the rust under paint look... Frankly, I might've told them to do full sidepanel / door repaint.

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