The introduction of an aluminum body style in Ford trucks has been a significant leap in the evolution of their design and performance. In recent years, Ford made a groundbreaking move by incorporating aluminum alloy in the construction of the truck’s body panels and structure. This strategic shift has resulted in several benefits, including reduced weight and improved fuel efficiency. By utilizing aluminum, Ford has achieved a remarkable balance between strength and weight, enhancing the trucks’ overall agility without compromising on their legendary durability and toughness. This innovative approach to materials has not only reduced the trucks’ curb weight but has also contributed to better handling, braking, and acceleration, making Ford trucks a more efficient and capable choice for both work and leisure activities. The aluminum body style is a testament to Ford’s commitment to staying at the forefront of automotive engineering while delivering dependable and robust trucks to its customers.
That being said, the use of aluminum on car and truck panels changed the scope of the paintless dent repair providers. While some will immediately turn potential customers away for damage in aluminum panels, our technicians at Dent Repair Now have worked hard and honed their skill to allow for aluminum panel repairs. Aluminum moves differently than steel. It is much harder than steel and requires 70% more force/strength to move each push as opposed to steel. Some paintless dent repair technicians are intimidated by aluminum panels, and we get quite a few calls from customers and their first question is “do you work on aluminum??” The pictures below are of such a customer who was unable to find someone to work on his Ford F-350. As seen in the pictures below, the repair was successful, and our customer was extremely happy.
What exactly does this mean for you, the potential client? When you reach out to us to get an estimate whether it’s on the phone, in person, or through our website, this is information we need to know. If your vehicle is a Ford F 150 from 2014 or newer, you have an aluminum body. A repair on an aluminum panel will have a 25% – 50% markup depending on other factors involved. (The size of the damaged area, how deep the dent is, and how difficult or simple it is to get a tool behind the damage to push are the main factors which determine the percentage of markup). If your small dent or larger damage is located on the hood, there’s a good chance it’s aluminum. If you are not sure what your hood is made of, you can always grab a magnet from your refrigerator and place it on your car panel. If the magnet sticks, it’s steel. If the magnet does not stick, your panel is aluminum and going to be a more difficult repair. (Be careful when putting a magnet on your car that you do not slide it across when removing it. It can scratch your paint, and then you’ll have another thing to worry about having repaired!)! Take a minute to watch this fantastic repair on a F-150 aluminum hood on a bodyline!!
That repair was done by Gene Fetty, one of the owners of Dent Repair Now. If you’re not sure about a paintless dent repair being a possibility, we have some articles you can read about the subject. (We are the experts, after all) You may be asking yourself ” WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GET AN ESTIMATE FOR PDR?” or “WILL I BE ABLE TO SEE THE DENT AFTER IT IS REPAIRED?” Maybe you want a more in-depth explanation of “HOW DO YOU REPAIR DENTS?” Most every customer wants to know “HOW MUCH DOES PAINTLESS DENT REPAIR COST?” and how do we come up with our prices and how to charge. A one-inch dent on a driver’s door with easy access would start at $165 while that very same dent on the bottom half of an aluminum door and on a bodyline is going to start around $300. We often say dents are like snowflakes. No two are the same. Another question you may have is, “Would it be better to pay out of pocket or go through my insurance?” While that decision is entirely up to you, here are a few things to think about:
- How much is my deductible? Many times, a repair is less than your deductible.
- Will this count against me and make my insurance rates increase? Many times, damage will be covered under Comprehensive Coverage. It can cover vandalism, or damage sustained from a storm (i.e., hail, objects flying in the wind, and even acorn damage.) Comprehensive coverage may be required by your lender until your vehicle is paid in full.
- It never hurts to call your insurance company and ASK QUESTIONS.
- We get asked all the time, “Do you take (insert any insurance company name here) insurance?” The short answer to that is “YES!” We provide a service to our customers and have no preference as to how or who pays for the repair. It is important to note that we do require payment at the time of repair. If your insurance company is paying us directly, an email from them to us with payment information is sufficient.
Have you made up your mind to give us a call? We can be reached at 724-554-1756. Our hours of operation are Monday thru Friday 8:30am-5pm. You are welcome to stop at the shop, however we do recommend calling first. We’d hate for you to waste a trip if our technicians are all out on repairs and not available to you. Our address is 4699 Campbells Run Road Pitsburgh PA 15205. Another great resource for reaching out is our website. Dentrepairnow.com You can find loads of information available at your fingertips. We have our BLOG with tons of information, you can check out our Photo Gallery of before and after pictures, we’ve even put together a list of Trusted Resources to help you if we do not provide the services you need. Had a collision? Need paint? Just looking to get your car detailed? We have you covered!
