Opinion needed: Repaint vs. Swapping Hoods

[Curt NA]

Not sure which catagory this should be in, but here goes:



I bought my ST used last year. To make a long story short, I paid more attention to trying to make sure the mechanicals were in good running order than checking the finish of the paint on the hood.



I own a Meguiar's DA polisher and have spent a lot of time keeping the paint on my other two cars (purchased new) with a finish that is better than new. Unfortunately, the hood of my ST is in less stellar condition. I've reached the limits of my DA polisher with Megs #83 and have been told a rotary will not help things.



The folks on the Meguiar's Forum seem to agree that a repaint is necessary. My ST is an '01, so I don't think it's worth spending a large amount of money on repainting the hood. However, I figure if I can maybe find a good used ST hood (in Island Blue), maybe I can just swap it in. What do you think? How much would a used hood cost, assuming the hood is in good condition?

 

[troy malone]

there was an issue with the paint on the 01's with darker paint.. black and blue... had something to do with the primer.. there was even a tsb about how to prep to repaint.. if memeory serves me correctly you had to strip to bare metal,, the primer has to be removed..



troy

 

[Curt NA]

Interesting! Unfortunately, I'm guessing the Ford dealer that I bought the truck from would charge me an arm and a leg for the repaint...

 

[2]

Curt, go to a body shop, it will probably be cheaper. I can't imagine just the hood being that pricey.

 

[EddieS'04]

Island blue is so rare. Even if you found a hood, you might run into the same issue of paint qaulity.

 

[Dingo]

If you were closer, I'd paint it.

 

[Michael Cacioppo]

Curt, if you decide to go with a repaint maybe you should consider modifying the hood with a hood scoop or scoops. Usually the limiting factor on hood moods is the repaint cost. You can have a shop put on a scoop that will add a custom look to your truck.

 

[Don Donaldson]

or you could go "All out" and get a classic shaker hood scoop for your trac. Get that pesky "when in neutral rev limiter" taken out and watch as the scoop "shakes" to the pedal.



-jk



...It would be awesome though.

 

[Curt NA]

Thanks for the advise, everyone. I'll have to bring it in for a repaint estimate.

 

[Scott Heckler]

Curt - I have a black '01 with the same issue. I think the quote I was looking at was just over $300.

 

[Gypsy me]

go to 2 or 3 shops for estimates... one of them is going to give you a really good deal



It should not be over 300, I would think.

 

[Richard L]

Islandblue was not that common of a color and was on during the Job1's Feb 2000 thru June 2000. Your odds of finding an island blue hood in good condition is going to be very rare.



For about $200-$300, a good paint showp can repaint your hood and match it perfectly to your fenders, even if the color has faded a bit over the years.. You would pay that much for a used replacement hood even with your hood as a trade.. Nope it's not worth it. Just get the existing hood repainted.



...Rich