Scratches on Hardtop: Advice?

[PBocciardi]

Well, my yellow T-Bird just got his first scratches when a light fixture in the garage fell onto the hardtop. :( There are two or three long (16") surface scratches, plus one small divot (about 1 cm). My local body shop says that to do a good job that they can absolutely guarantee, they must remove the back window and porthole and re-paint the entire hardtop -- for $1,350! Or they can re-paint the hardtop without removing the windows for $800. Or they can just try to fix the scratches for $400. And they don't use Ford paint (I don't know whether that makes a difference or not). My insurance deductibles are high, so I really don't want to go that route. And I've never dealt with anything like this before, so I'm very naive. I had no idea they would have to re-paint the entire hardtop. Is there a cheaper, but still effective, way to go about fixing this? Will Ford do it, or do they just work on mechanical issues? Does it matter if the shop doesn't use Ford paint? Any advice would be so appreciated. What would you all do?

[Gobird]

Re: Scratches on Hardtop: Advice?

Paula, As far as I know there is nothing like a Ford paint. It's either made by PPG or Dupont. If it were me I would go with the "Fix the Scratch". If they know what their doing it can be blended in that you shouldn't even notice it. I have had a couple body repairs done to mine over the years and this is what was done. No one can pick out the repair.

[00mustng]

Re: Scratches on Hardtop: Advice?

....the shop should take the paint code and order the correct paint for your car....why would they do anything else? Maybe get a couple more quotes as well?

[Black Bird]

Re: Scratches on Hardtop: Advice?

Well, my yellow T-Bird just got his first scratches when a light fixture in the garage fell onto the hardtop. :( There are two or three long (16") surface scratches, plus one small divot (about 1 cm). My local body shop says that to do a good job that they can absolutely guarantee, they must remove the back window and porthole and re-paint the entire hardtop -- for $1,350! Or they can re-paint the hardtop without removing the windows for $800. Or they can just try to fix the scratches for $400. And they don't use Ford paint (I don't know whether that makes a difference or not). My insurance deductibles are high, so I really don't want to go that route. And I've never dealt with anything like this before, so I'm very naive. I had no idea they would have to re-paint the entire hardtop. Is there a cheaper, but still effective, way to go about fixing this? Will Ford do it, or do they just work on mechanical issues? Does it matter if the shop doesn't use Ford paint? Any advice would be so appreciated. What would you all do?

I do not understand why they are sooooooo high in price. I had a whole top repainted a completely different color for $500 1 1/2 years ago here in the KC area and that included them removing the back glass, port hole glass. Top had scratches on it also and all came out beautifully. Guess the difference is where you are located, West coast or mid west. Bunny Lou

[steelblue5505]

Re: Scratches on Hardtop: Advice?

Because it is the San Francisco Bay area. Everything cost way too much. All for being able to have..... "left my heart in San Francisco"

[merlot4]

Re: Scratches on Hardtop: Advice?

I agree with Spence, unless you demand perfection, a good detailer can blend things very well. One suggestion is to go to a high end dealership and ask who their used car detailer is; their inventory has to look as upmarket as the brand suggests. As has also been suggested, go to more than one shop for an estimate. Last, I'm sorry you had to experience this!

[SixPac]

Re: Scratches on Hardtop: Advice?

I'm with that bunny on this. All glass removed (about 3 -4 years ago), porthole chrome removed, and inside liner removed by a very good paint shop. $500 plus a little bit of change for taxes. Of course, this was in the South.

[qruml23]

Re: Scratches on Hardtop: Advice?

As I can see, some people have already paintet their hardtop. It is not my case because it sits im my garage. I have never used it since I bought my car from the previous owner who died. I do not expect to use it. It is not a requirement in Canada. I do not know why I have it but it was coming with the car when I bought it. The sun is not the same here. So, it is not very useful here. The soft top is enough during the summer unless that others members are providing others information contradicting myself. It might be for a cosmetic purpose only. It is not a must or essential.

[00mustng]

Re: Scratches on Hardtop: Advice?

.....Alain....you need to enjoy your 'Bird with the hard top on as well ....like owning two different cars....because you can and our climate allows it!

[qruml23]

Re: Scratches on Hardtop: Advice?

.....Alain....you need to enjoy your 'Bird with the hard top on as well ....like owning two different cars....because you can and our climate allows it!

Maybe, I will try it this summer for the first time. I will see.

Thanks,
Alain

[JAB02LHS]

Re: Scratches on Hardtop: Advice?

Maybe, I will try it this summer for the first time. I will see.

Thanks,
Alain

Try it in the Spring and Fall when most of the time it is too cold for top down driving, not the summer.

It's like owning two different cars and there is nothing better than the feeling of the first drive of the season with the top off and the first drive of the season with the top on.
You will be amazed at the increase in attention the top gets you!

[dartguy699]

Re: Scratches on Hardtop: Advice?

the reason repairs are so expensive is because the paint is very high due to petroleum used in it. you will be shocked at the cost of a quart of color not to mention the clearcoat. as far as ford paint,they do not sell ford brand but any quality paint will be great as long as it is not a cheap enamel etc. urethane is what i use and the performance is great and any competent shop should get a color match.
jim

[Rondor]

Re: Scratches on Hardtop: Advice?

Yellow is one of the more difficult colors to match but I would give it a try. Labor to re-paint whole top right is quite expensive. This is not a Fact O-Bake job

[tri5ford]

Re: Scratches on Hardtop: Advice?

Alain,
I agree with Martin. I'm in Minnesota, not much different than Canada, and the hard top is a plus in the fall and spring. I had put the TBird to sleep, with the hard top off, convt top up, last Nov, but the winter has been mild so I put the hard top back on and have driven it several times. It really is like having 2 TBirds.

Gary

[Randall]

Re: Scratches on Hardtop: Advice?

If it were mine I would try a small amount of scratch remover if it is surface... I have had good luck in using it...After the remover a good coat of wax..... Good luck!!!!!!