7 Things to Know Before Bringing Your Truck to a Paint & Body Shop

When your rig’s seen one too many highway miles, endured a rough scrape, or simply needs a facelift, taking it to a paint and body shop seems like a no-brainer. But hold up, before you turn the key and cruise over to a shop, there are a few crucial things you ought to know. Let’s break down what every truck owner in Dallas-Fort Worth should keep in mind before rolling into a paint and body shop.

1. Not All Body Shops Are Built the Same

Sure, any shop can slap on a fresh coat of paint. But when you’re dealing with heavy-duty trucks, experience matters. These aren’t your average passenger vehicles. They’re bigger, bulkier, and come with specialized body materials and coatings. Always ask if the shop has experience with Class 7 or Class 8 trucks, and whether they’ve worked on similar makes and models before.

Plus, don’t be shy—request to see before-and-after photos or even talk to previous clients. A quality paint and body shop should be proud to show off its work.

2. Prep Work is Half the Battle

You might think painting starts with a spray gun, but it really starts with prep work. And that’s where quality diverges fast. A rushed job might skip proper sanding, filler application, or rust repair. The result? Your “new” paint starts flaking off after a few rainstorms.

A thorough prep job includes:

• Stripping or sanding down old paint
• Filling in dents or surface damage
• Addressing rust with inhibitors or panel replacement
• Applying multiple layers of primer

Ask the shop how they handle these steps. If they gloss over the details, your truck’s finish won’t last.

3. Understand the Paint Type Being Used

There’s a world of difference between acrylic enamel, urethane, and polyurethane paints. For heavy-duty use, durability is king. You want a paint that can withstand:

• Sun exposure in the Texas heat
• Harsh road grime
• Pressure washing and degreasers

Many pros opt for urethane-based paints on heavy trucks because of their long-term resilience and resistance to chipping. Make sure the shop is using a paint that fits your truck’s workload—not just your budget.

4. Factory Colors vs Custom Colors

Looking to restore your original OEM look? Or want to go bold with a custom metallic finish? Either way, color matching is a skill, not a guessing game.

Reputable shops use spectrophotometers or OEM paint codes to get an exact match. But keep in mind: older trucks may have faded paint, so perfect matching may still require blending surrounding panels. If you’re going the custom route, ask to see paint samples in different lighting. What looks “cool blue” indoors may look purple in full sunlight.

5. Frame and Structural Damage Must Be Addressed First

Cosmetics are one thing, but if you’ve got underlying frame or body alignment issues, no amount of paint will make up for it. Trucks that have been in collisions often suffer from:

• Bent frame rails
• Twisted cabs
• Misaligned doors or hoods

Before you invest in a full-body repaint, get a thorough frame inspection. Most reputable truck body shops will have frame straightening equipment or refer you to a shop that does. Without it, you risk uneven wear on suspension components—and your new paint cracking at stress points.

6. Ask About Downtime and Turnaround

Your truck is your livelihood. You don’t want it sitting in a lot for weeks while the shop “gets around to it.” A reliable shop will give you:

• A clear timeline from prep to completion
• Updates during the process
• A guaranteed pickup date

Be wary of vague answers or “we’ll call you” language. And don’t forget—larger paint jobs (especially full-body) may take 7–10 business days or more, depending on parts availability, paint cure times, and shop backlog.

7. Warranties and Aftercare Matter

Your fresh coat might look amazing today, but what about 6 months from now? Will the paint peel? Will the body filler shrink and crack?

Quality paint and body shops offer warranties, usually covering paint adhesion and finish quality for 1–5 years. Make sure to ask what’s included, and get it in writing.

Aftercare also plays a role in longevity. Ask:

• How soon can you wash the truck?
• When is waxing safe?
• What cleaners are safe for the finish?

Improper aftercare can void warranties and prematurely age your new finish.

Bring In Your Truck With Confidence

Before heading to a paint and body shop in Dallas-Fort Worth, arm yourself with knowledge. Ask the right questions, expect transparency, and never settle for vague answers. Your heavy-duty truck is more than a vehicle—it’s your business on wheels. Treat it like the investment it is.

Got a truck that needs a new look or body repairs? House of Colour is up to the task. When you’re ready to transform your truck the right way, make the call that puts quality first.

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