Help! Body Shop "Repaired" My Car

S

SCshaySC

New member
I'll try to make a long story short...took my car to get leaky tire fixed, and they backed my car into a truck. I got 2 estimates for repair, and chose the one I wanted based on friends experience with the shop. Just got the car back Saturday, and when I walked around it and checked it, all looked good to me. I washed it Sunday night, and started to notice quite a few problems. The bumper has a place that looks like it was sanded, and then cleared. The trunk has cloudy swirl lines all over it that can't really be seen in full sun, but really show up in cloudy weather/sun down. There looks to be sanding marks under the clear on what I call the pillar between the rear door and back window. There is a possible burn at the seam of the trunk/body. My main concerns are the burn and the swirls on the trunk. I would really appreciate any opinions as to if a good detail will correct the trunk and scratches on the pillar. I will have them repair the possible burn, but would rather them not touch anything else. Hopefully pictures are to follow (first time posting them). The car is a 2007 Acura TSX Alabaster Silver. Thanks for any help! Also, I am located in Greenville area of South Carolina.



If you look to the left on this picture of the trunk you can see the swirl/smears where the reflection goes across it.

car8-28-2012211.jpg




Dark area at corner of trunk lid.

car8-28-2012203.jpg




Swirls and smears on trunk.

car8-28-2012198.jpg




Pillar scratches that can't be felt, under clear?

car8-28-2012176.jpg




Possible burn?

car8-28-2012166.jpg




Can't get a good bumper picture, but I'll just live with it.

Trunk is brand new, not a respray.
 
Most of what you show in the pictures are those which just require a little more "gentle" buffing of the sanding marks.

The shop must be a true production shop and as they rush through getting the space open, sometimes, the guy who does the sanding and buffing doesn't take the time to check his work.

In my opinion, no biggy, just some retouching with a buffer of the areas.

Grumpy
 
Thanks so much for the reply. Makes me feel better. I'll just wait and get a good detail from Michalski (he's not far away) when the paint is cured.
 
No problem, I recently did a panel repair on a vehicle and in a week, the same thing showed up, the owner was very concerned.

Took me 15 minutes to correct my rushing of the edge buffing and three weeks later, no problem.

Grumpy
 
I'd really like to see the estimate or the pictures of the car prior to the repair to give an accurate assessment.



Here are my concerns:



The left quarter has a deep chip on the edge at the trunk opening. It cannot be correct without refinishing.



There appears to be paint overspray on the left roof side molding. This tells me that they did not remove it for refinishing which isn't a proper repair.



On the upper right corner of the trunk it looks like a metallic blemish. Cannot be corrected w/o refinish and possibly blending of the rt quarter panel.



In this same location, it looks like there is a chip on the same edge. Cannot be corrected without refinishing and possibly blending of the rt quarter.



I need prior repair pictures or a detailed list of the operations that the shop did in the repair......
 
In the words of that great "Billy Joel" song, "We didn't start the fire!"

And I know what you are saying, but should the fire grow larger?

LOL

Grumpy
 
David,

I'll post the damage caused by the wreck as soon as I can. The estminate they gave me said the would repair the bumper, replace the trunk lid, and blend into the rear quarter panels. It was right at $1600.00, paid for by the shop that caused the damage in the first place. There is overspray on the roof, I need to check the sides better and see if there is some on them. I will take care of the overspray, I don't want them buffing it. The chip was not there before I took it in to be repaired. The other chip on the trunk isn't a chip, it was either dust, or a bad camera shot.
 
Here's the damage...



IMAG0081.jpg




IMAG0080.jpg




IMAG0079.jpg




The bumper was pushed in, but popped out on it's own. The black spots were caused by the wreck taking the paint off.
 
D&D Auto Detail said:
:shocked Great eyes there David.
Click to expand...



It's both a blessing and a curse!!!



Ron Ketcham said:
In the words of that great "Billy Joel" song, "We didn't start the fire!"

And I know what you are saying, but should the fire grow larger?

LOL

Grumpy
Click to expand...



It certainly should. This one needs to be put out! :flame::tribe:
 
The trunk could of shifted and chipped the edge of the left quarter and they just blended right over it?



I would love to see this one in person...



And some in process pics too...



Personally, the sanding scratches they didn't remove isn't acceptable....or abnormal. They were obviously trying to level the left quarter edge for some reason, but didn't try hard enough. If they would have polished a little better you eyes might have never spotted it. But, because they did such a poor job, it's sticking out like a sore thumb.
 
David do you agree that the smears on the trunk can be buffed out? If so, I will get them to correct the chip on the quarter panel. I might just live with the dark area. It's not very noticeable unless you are looking for it. Or if a detailer in the upsate of SC would be willing to look at it an give me an opinion that would be great. I would be willing to meet someone if they were near the area. Not many Autopia detailers in the area though.
 
Not exactly sure what's going on with the trunk? Can't tell from the pics. If it is indeed a "dark spot", I'm afraid that's "in the paint" below the clear coat.



The only way to properly correct that chip is to refinish the entire quarter panel as well as up the side of roof. There isn't a "break line". Plus, if they fix that chip, they're have to blend into the trunk and replace all the emblems again. This will also be the 3rd time that paint was applied to the left quarter which is also a no-no. They're going to need to sand a bunch down to do it to spec which could mean further blending if you want to get real technical.



To a perfectionist, this sounds like a can of wroms, but you need to weigh your options and choices. And, keep in mind the shop might even tell you to go pound sand.
 
There are a few in Charlotte if that isn't too far for you.



SCshaySC said:
David do you agree that the smears on the trunk can be buffed out? If so, I will get them to correct the chip on the quarter panel. I might just live with the dark area. It's not very noticeable unless you are looking for it. Or if a detailer in the upsate of SC would be willing to look at it an give me an opinion that would be great. I would be willing to meet someone if they were near the area. Not many Autopia detailers in the area though.
Click to expand...
 
SCshaySC said:
Thanks so much for the reply. Makes me feel better. I'll just wait and get a good detail from Michalski (he's not far away) when the paint is cured.
Click to expand...



Chris Michalski is a great guy and experienced detailer. He also does damage claims for Nationwide, I believe like Mr. Fermani does, so he also has a good eye for this sort of thing. I'm actually heading to Columbia to work with him this weekend, if you have time we might be able to look at it for you.



Nth Degree said:
There are a few in Charlotte if that isn't too far for you.
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Why go to Charlotte when Charlotte can come to you? ;)
 
As much as I hate to keep the lid on the can of wroms, lol, I think I'll leave it alone. I sure don't want it to get any worse than it already is. I will definately be looking for a detailer in a few months once the paint can be polished. Mikenap, do you come to the Greenville area for details? If not, I'll be hitting the road when the time comes. Looks like you or Chris will be my closest choices. Hope you're ready for a challenge ha ha.
 
Paint can be polished. You can't wax new paint.



SCshaySC said:
As much as I hate to keep the lid on the can of wroms, lol, I think I'll leave it alone. I sure don't want it to get any worse than it already is. I will definately be looking for a detailer in a few months once the paint can be polished. Mikenap, do you come to the Greenville area for details? If not, I'll be hitting the road when the time comes. Looks like you or Chris will be my closest choices. Hope you're ready for a challenge ha ha.
Click to expand...
 
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