I don't know what E -Côte is but the best way to protect metal is to paint it. Your already talking about it, so just paint it. The best part of painting is in the prep work to make it stick. After that who cares what it looks like or what color it is as long as it's close.

Ahh! All the more reason to paint it.

Last edited by HudginJ3 (3/22/2020 6:36 PM)

I have heard reports of the e-coat peeling off in a big sheet if the metal was not prepped properly before application. Some people don't trust it at all and they remove it completely before prime/paint.

Daze, here in Michigan where they use salt and who know what else.
Many “beaters with heaters” run around without anything but the e-coating on it for years.
I’m sure if you just do some good prep work and get some paint to closely match or contrast, you’ll be fine.

Guess it just depends on much money ya want to spend on it.
I understand where ya coming from too with this question.

Last edited by Nos681 (3/22/2020 7:27 PM)

Leave it in e-cote as a daily reminder she wrecked your truck....

Last edited by josh-kebob (3/22/2020 7:43 PM)

Had the same scenario with my daughter’s 2003 Focus I bought brand new for her when she left for college. After a year, the only panel without a dent was the roof. Then, a Dallas tornado knocked down the carport it was parked under and dented the roof as well.

I put an aftermarket e-coated hood on her silver car. Left unpainted as a reminder to her.  It was rusty looking after a year, but woukd still close and latch, so I did not care.  That was in sunny Texas. 

My advice would be buy a gallon of similar color acrylic enamel, scuff the entire car, and shoot it all at once.  I did a 70 Mustang convertible that I had in that fashion. When I bought it, it was green with a blue hood and driver door.  I did a one day paint job on it, painted red with a scuff job, 400 grit.
No jamb paint.  I got so many comments on that “nice car”, and drove it to work for three years like that.  Thevkeybis to spend a little money on cheap paint and the least amount of time possible doing the work.

And have her help, of course.

Daze wrote:

I called a local shop that I know and trust and they can prep and shoot the fenders and hood for $650 + materials.  I may just go that rout.  Then the paint will match and I don't have to worry about it.  The insurance check will cover the paint and the parts and I will still have about 1/3 left over

Yabutt...what lesson will you have taught the girl with all that trouble and expense?  Just sayin'.

BB1

And then you will have a mechanic helper for the rest of time.