Bodyshop in Raleigh

2002 Maxima SE said:
I can think of two, no personal experience but heard they were very good:



Kenny Hawkins

Kenny Hawkins Homepage



True2Form (if this is the one I think it is on WestGate they had a very clean reputable place, however there are like three body shops within walking distance there so I'm not sure, will have to check)

True2Form Collision Repair Centers - Locations
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I just did an NSX this morning that was repainted from Kenny Hawkins. The owner brought it to me to take out all the swrils and scratches they put into the car after $6000 worth of body work :( The paint job was one of the better I have ever seen they just swrilled the hell out of it washing and cleaning off the dust and residue I guess.
 
zippymbr said:
I just did an NSX this morning that was repainted from Kenny Hawkins. The owner brought it to me to take out all the swrils and scratches they put into the car after $6000 worth of body work :( The paint job was one of the better I have ever seen they just swrilled the hell out of it washing and cleaning off the dust and residue I guess.
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Ages ago a friend had his front clip repainted by Kenny Hawkins. The paint on the hood and quarters was beautiful, but it looked better than the factory, so they blended. The blending was atrocious. Orange peel like I've never seen before. Just another data point...
 
abc11tv.com: Body Shop Problems



Yes not the greatest Rep now, I think they've overrun their resources. Here's my list:



Yes:

Autoshape - As Per Zippy

Cary Collision - Only Insurance work, so nothing minor such as small panels



No:

Five Star (On Capitol) - I've seen marring and bodyshop misalignment

Kenny Hawkins



Pending:

Paragon Collision (On Capitol) - Heard Good Rep from a board I frequent.

True2Form
 
I ended up going with AutoShape on Capital. I wasn't all that impressed with them per their image/ approachability about my questions and conerned. Nevertheless, I was assured the bumper cover would be removed as to avoid overspray and that they would finish the paint down to like glass. Now, I didn't believe it would come back without any marring, but they made me feel comfortable enough to entrust the work to them.



Moving on, the lady up front was appalled at my request that they not touch the rest of the vehicle during its stay there. She said, and I quote, "We use the softest polyester wash mitts" I was firm however, and reiterated my wish that they not wash it. They eventually caved despite grumblings about me having trust issues. At this point, the lady wrote on all of my documentation not to wash or touch the rest of the vehicle. As I was leaving, she even put a sign on the inside of my window. I was thinking there was about a 50/50 shot if it getting washed.



Went to pick it up after 5 days... car was out in the sun, covered in pollen and some bird droppings... No biggie. As I walked closer, I noticed they didn't touch the rest of the vehicle. No marring was visible on the rear bumper they worked on from 30 feet.. none from 20 feet, nothing from 15 feet... then I noticed some pretty fine marring.. Didn't appear to be buffer trails, just a micromarring from compound. This should polish out relatively easily given the paint they used isn't too hard.



They use Sherman Williams paint for those of you wondering. The color match is just about spot on. Cost for bumper repaint: $340. (Edge actually paid for half of it despite our (both of us) feeling that this was most likely a user error type deal. We still haven't figured out why the pad ripped.. More on my Edge experience later (very positive)



Pics to follow in Click and Brag when I get the pollen and bird residue off in a few days.



I'm going to have to go ahead and reccommend Autoshape to those of you looking to get some work done. Not cheap, but you get what you pay for.
 
I ended up having to take my wrecked truck to collision solutions in wake forest to get it fixed.



Will let everyone know how it turns out.
 
Huarache said:
I ended up going with AutoShape on Capital. I wasn't all that impressed with them per their image/ approachability about my questions and conerned. Nevertheless, I was assured the bumper cover would be removed as to avoid overspray and that they would finish the paint down to like glass. Now, I didn't believe it would come back without any marring, but they made me feel comfortable enough to entrust the work to them.



Moving on, the lady up front was appalled at my request that they not touch the rest of the vehicle during its stay there. She said, and I quote, "We use the softest polyester wash mitts" I was firm however, and reiterated my wish that they not wash it. They eventually caved despite grumblings about me having trust issues. At this point, the lady wrote on all of my documentation not to wash or touch the rest of the vehicle. As I was leaving, she even put a sign on the inside of my window. I was thinking there was about a 50/50 shot if it getting washed.



Went to pick it up after 5 days... car was out in the sun, covered in pollen and some bird droppings... No biggie. As I walked closer, I noticed they didn't touch the rest of the vehicle. No marring was visible on the rear bumper they worked on from 30 feet.. none from 20 feet, nothing from 15 feet... then I noticed some pretty fine marring.. Didn't appear to be buffer trails, just a micromarring from compound. This should polish out relatively easily given the paint they used isn't too hard.



They use Sherman Williams paint for those of you wondering. The color match is just about spot on. Cost for bumper repaint: $340. (Edge actually paid for half of it despite our (both of us) feeling that this was most likely a user error type deal. We still haven't figured out why the pad ripped.. More on my Edge experience later (very positive)



Pics to follow in Click and Brag when I get the pollen and bird residue off in a few days.



I'm going to have to go ahead and reccommend Autoshape to those of you looking to get some work done. Not cheap, but you get what you pay for.
Click to expand...



I am glad it worked out OK. If you can't get the marring out with the PC give me a ring.
 
Brandon1 said:
I ended up having to take my wrecked truck to collision solutions in wake forest to get it fixed.



Will let everyone know how it turns out.
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I hope it all goes well. I feel soo bad that your pride and joy got wrecked. Take lots of Pics for us!
 
Oh I will, there will be plenty of before and after.



The body guy looked at the truck as was like "is this what you were crying about?" (i know him personally so we kidd around)? I was like uh, yeah. He said this is going to be such a piece of cake and it will look 100% normal.



I wonder if I can get him to "mess" up my front floor matts so I can get new ones?:chuckle:
 
Huarache said:
Brandon, good luck with the repairs.



Zippy, you don't have a paint thickness gauge do you?
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Nope, sorry dude those things are just too darn expensive :shocked I am spending too much on my other obsession right now.
 
Any other suggestions or comments on local body shops in Raleigh?



The front end on my Maxima is beat/blasted from 7 years of travels. The Nissan paint of this era is just horrible. To top it off, I scraped the bottom of the front bumper leaving my driveway a few weeks back.



I'm considering ordering a new bumper, taking it to be painted, then putting it on myself.
 
I had a good experience with Fosters behind westgate chrysler/dodge/jeep. He called when my truck was finished and said he had to wash it and I could come pick it up. I told him I'd take care of that part and he was very understanding.
 
Wow, bring back some memories.:)



I haven't been in Raleigh in six years, but Cary Collision used to do good work. My friend Clint (can't think of his last name) was a really good painter. His shop was west of the airport. There was another shop out in Apex that my good friend recommended. I can't remember the name. My friend owns Quality Auto Glass. Give him a call and he will steer you to a good shop. He does a lot of R & Rs for body shops, so he knows who is good and who is BS.



P.S. - If you need a good dentist, then look up one of my best friends Charles Ferzli over in Cary. After hearing how it seems every dentist will run you through the ringer for every dime, I won't trust anyone but Charles.
 
I am also looking for a body shop in the Raleigh Area, more specifically Chapel Hill area, but I can drive to Raleigh if it is necessary.

Hit and run on my dads S2000 :mad: :mad: :mad:



Here are pictures:

HPIM0855.jpg


HPIM0854.jpg


HPIM0853.jpg




Any shops more towards Chapel Hill area? or is it worth the 30-45 min drive to Raleigh?
 
Did you call my friend at Quality Auto Glass? I think his number is 919-280-5142. It has been so long since I have been in the Triangle that my recommendations are no longer current. I will probably give him a call when I come to Raleigh in the next month or so. I am in desperate need of getting my teeth worked on. That is what I get for neglecting them.:)
 
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