Wrecked Lexus -need help/advice

I

imported_beachwolverine

New member
Hi all,



On Monday a fellow turned into my 2007 Lexus E350; Smokey Granite Mica which you can see in Click and Brag if you search. I was in the right lane and he tried to make a right turn into Starbucks from the center lane without looking.



I was on my way to the airport and have not looked closely, but believe it will need a new left front quarter panel. I wnat to ensure that I get the best quality paint job from the body shop. Whiled I've learned a good bit here on taking care of paint, I don't know much about the actual painting process and I want to discuss this intelligently with the repair shop to ensure they know what they are doing and will do it correctly.



Besides the obvious: color match, no holograms or other defects, what should I be asking, inisting on and checking?



1. Are there preferred primers?

2. Is there a preferred base coat - I do I know they are using quality paint?, Does this have to come from Lexus (the shop will not be the Lexus dealer)

3. Same questions as #2 on clear coat. Can clear coat be matched for hardness with the clear on the rest of the car?

4. Anything else I should be thinking of?



The more I know the better chance I have to make sure the car stays in its pristine autopia condition.



Thanks.
 
beachwolverine said:
Hi all,



On Monday a fellow turned into my 2007 Lexus E350; Smokey Granite Mica which you can see in Click and Brag if you search. I was in the right lane and he tried to make a right turn into Starbucks from the center lane without looking.



I was on my way to the airport and have not looked closely, but believe it will need a new left front quarter panel. I wnat to ensure that I get the best quality paint job from the body shop. Whiled I've learned a good bit here on taking care of paint, I don't know much about the actual painting process and I want to discuss this intelligently with the repair shop to ensure they know what they are doing and will do it correctly.



Besides the obvious: color match, no holograms or other defects, what should I be asking, inisting on and checking?



1. Are there preferred primers?

2. Is there a preferred base coat - I do I know they are using quality paint?, Does this have to come from Lexus (the shop will not be the Lexus dealer)

3. Same questions as #2 on clear coat. Can clear coat be matched for hardness with the clear on the rest of the car?

4. Anything else I should be thinking of?



The more I know the better chance I have to make sure the car stays in its pristine autopia condition.



Thanks.
Click to expand...



Honestly, don't worry about what they use. Worry about how it looks and what their warranty is.



No, the paint does not have to come from the dealer.



What I'd do is go on a local forum to you and see who the locals recommend in your area. When I had my old truck painted I went to all the local cruise nights and found the cars with the nicest paint and asked the owner who painted it. One name came up more than any other and that's who painted my truck.
 
beachwolverine said:
Hi all,



On Monday a fellow turned into my 2007 Lexus E350; Smokey Granite Mica which you can see in Click and Brag if you search. I was in the right lane and he tried to make a right turn into Starbucks from the center lane without looking.



I was on my way to the airport and have not looked closely, but believe it will need a new left front quarter panel. I wnat to ensure that I get the best quality paint job from the body shop. Whiled I've learned a good bit here on taking care of paint, I don't know much about the actual painting process and I want to discuss this intelligently with the repair shop to ensure they know what they are doing and will do it correctly.



Besides the obvious: color match, no holograms or other defects, what should I be asking, inisting on and checking?



1. Are there preferred primers?

2. Is there a preferred base coat - I do I know they are using quality paint?, Does this have to come from Lexus (the shop will not be the Lexus dealer)

3. Same questions as #2 on clear coat. Can clear coat be matched for hardness with the clear on the rest of the car?

4. Anything else I should be thinking of?



The more I know the better chance I have to make sure the car stays in its pristine autopia condition.



Thanks.
Click to expand...



Very few shops turn a car over with a hologram free finish. Express your concerns but don't be surprised if after a few washes you start to see them. If you have a DA polisher you'd be better off removing them yourself.



1. Not that I've ever seen

2. They will use what ever brand they carry (PPG, Dupont, BASF...)

3. Same as #2

4. I'd just spend some time researching the local shops looking for customer feedback and ratings. Maybe log onto a Lexus forum and ask if anyone in your area has recommendations for a good shop.



I wouldn't worry about what brand of paint they carry, it's all the same formula and a good shop should have no trouble matching it. The paint systems used in body shops are different than what is used at the factory.





EDIT: Danase beat me to it! :D
 
Flashtime said:
Don't go with the lowest estimate. Generally, the higher the quote, the better your odds.
Click to expand...



if its the other guys insurance, and the laws are similar to Texas, you get to choose your repair facility. I was just in an accident similarly, tore the front fender apart.



I went to many of body shops and just asked to walk around and see people working. I turned down 3 shops for multiple reason and then found one I liked, but of course insurance low balled me. no worries, the repair facility requested supplement, got it and is going at it.



as others have said, make sure they warranty their work, most offer lifetime warranties. also make sure its the shop YOU want, not what the insurance is telling you to do.
 
IkeRay said:
if its the other guys insurance, and the laws are similar to Texas, you get to choose your repair facility. I was just in an accident similarly, tore the front fender apart.



I went to many of body shops and just asked to walk around and see people working. I turned down 3 shops for multiple reason and then found one I liked, but of course insurance low balled me. no worries, the repair facility requested supplement, got it and is going at it.



as others have said, make sure they warranty their work, most offer lifetime warranties. also make sure its the shop YOU want, not what the insurance is telling you to do.
Click to expand...



+1!



Insurance agents are notorious for trying to get you to go to their shops. Know the laws in your state, most allow you to choose where the car goes. Labor rates should be pretty close between all the good shops.
 
RaskyR1 and Danase are correct in their answers. The most important thing is to research the bodyshop that will be doing the repairs. Almost all have to be VOC compliant now. The better shops will have proper facilities (downdraft rooms et al) and will quarantee paint match.
 
Make sure you go after the owner/insurance of the other car for diminished value. Since you car is only 3 years old, this accident WILL affect the resale value of your car in the future. Since you did not cause the accident, you shouldn't have to pay for that loss in value.



Onto the paint. There are very few body shops that can exactly reproduce a factory job. Most will be 85-95%. Most body shop jobs feature orange peel, solvent pop, and uneven spray jobs. The simple fact is that it is nearly impossible to reproduce the process the factory uses to paint their cars. I believe Lexus uses an electromagnetic paint process with baking to cure the paint. Very few body shops can replicate this. The shop will need to blend the paint/clear into the surrounding panels to make the color match, because it is nearly impossible to match paint colors 100%. The factory colors can vary by day.

Hope that helps.
 
All good points.



I would also say that the new water based paint can orange peel more than the solvent paint.
 
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