Getting Door Repainted Questions

[mxman]

Someone backed into my Jeep last summer and I had someone locally attempt to fix the problem. The driver's side door had a warp in it that they managed to get out ok without repainting. The reason they didn't repaint is because they were afriad of not getting the paint to match. So now I have a warp in door and when you look at your reflection and it looks like a carnival mirror.

Below the door guard is where most damage was and so the whole lower pannel of Jeep got painted. They used some kind of sander that left tiny little "o" circles and the paint has runs on each ends and there is two "dull" spots that wont polish/wax shiny so Im guessing they didn't clear coat it right.

I am not going back to these guys. I am going to a different car painter that I hear is very good.

What questions should I ask him to make sure he does a good job?

What kind of process should I make sure he goes through?

What questions do I ask to make sure they do it right?

What should I do to prep the vehicle before I let them have it? Clay and clean or more? Thanks guys. I just don't want a messup like the last people did.

[dick]

I just had a fender repaired on my 98 Expedition (white). They painted the whole fender and blended it into the door also. I absolutly can't tell where it was repaired or painted. They have a cumputer paint mixing system. I don't know the name of it though. There shop is spotlessly clean so there is no dust in the air etc.
I'd ask how they will prep it for paint.

Also how they match the paint. That is whether they go to a paint store or mix it on the spot.

Also check on the guarantee. This shop gives you a written warranty on the repairs and paint.

[gb387]

Also check on the guarantee. This shop gives you a written warranty on the repairs and paint.

This is a big one for me... many of the dealers around where I live have a guarantee: as long as you own the car the they will fix any problem with their work.

One thing that drives me nuts is a line where they taped the area off. Like on the edge of a door or hood. Its nowhere anyone can see just looking at the outside of the vehicle but anyone buying the car in the future who knows where too look will find it. I had one of my trucks back two or three times untill the blended the paint better on the edge of my hood and on the fender where it meets the hood. I duno... maybe I am crazy but just something that I look for!

[mxman]

Thanks for the info on mixing and matching but how about the physical process of removing a warp in the top portion of the door and revoming a haze in the bottom portion? Just what should I make sure will be done in terms of saning and prepping then to the mixing then to actual application of paint. Any tips or a proper procedure would help a lot!! Thanks.

[detailthis]

You just need to make sure you take your car some where with a good reputation and that offers some sort of warranty. As far as the sanding marks, the guy was probably to lazy to wet sand them. Good Luck

[Slats]

Yeah, I'm no expert on paint, but as far as the little circles and flaws in the clearcoat go, I'd try wet sanding. Wet sanding with a really fine paper and then going over it with a buffer should make those flaws dissapear. As far as the dull spot, it sounds like you need more clearcoat over that area, but be sure to tell whoever paints it that you tried waxing, b/c the wax will need to be removed.

Slats

[atclew]

Re: Getting Door Repainted Questions

Originally posted by mxman
What questions should I ask him to make sure he does a good job?

What kind of process should I make sure he goes through?

What questions do I ask to make sure they do it right?

What should I do to prep the vehicle before I let them have it? Clay and clean or more? Thanks guys. I just don't want a messup like the last people did.

You really should not have to do much of anything to "prep" your vehicle/door panel, a competent body shop will do that and don't expect you to do so anyway.

The only questions I can think of to ask are, is will they let the paint dry and get it's initial curing while still off of the vehicle, (assuming they are taking the door off) or will they let it cure on the vehicle? May want to ask which brand of paint they will be using. (Side note: My father painted cars for years, and anyone with an eye for detail and excellence (as alot of us are/or are developing in this 'community') will notice a difference in paint brands). You truly get what you pay for in paint brands, and let NO ONE tell you otherwise, I've seen the difference myself.

As someone mentioned before, check out the overall condition of the shop. A clean shop is most likely a reputable one. Most shops nowadays do have a computer that will color-match your vehicles finish in it's current condition, (for long-term fading, etc.) and not the factory color that the vehicle was sold to you with.

If you are just having the section of the door repaired/repainted that was damaged, I would highly recommend checking references of the shop. If not done absolutely right, that sort of "section" work can be spotted a mile away by a trained eye. If you are comfortable with the reputation of the shop, then by all means let them do only what is necesary. If not, I would have them refinish/repair the entire door. I had a section (lower half) of my left front fender refinished a few years back, and at quick glance looked fine. But on closer inspection, the results were obvious.

Lastly, (and 'thank gawd' some of you are saying). Do check the guarantee and satisfaction policy! Although a reputable bodyman will call you to say he needs more time in the rare event it is not right the first time it comes out. The last thing a shop wants to do, si to re-do a job. When your vehicle is ready for you, inspect the finish compared to the other panels of the body from all sides as you would check for swirls marks or paint deificiencies before prepping your vehicle for detailing. Take your time in doing so, it will be worth it.

If you've gotten this far, thanks!

[detailthis]

the sanding marks, from their electric sander, need to be wet sanded by hand before they paint it.

[atclew]

Originally posted by detailthis
the sanding marks, from their electric sander, need to be wet sanded by hand before they paint it.

Almost sounds like they put "fisheye" in the finish, I know that's not what it is. But, to me it really sounds like the finish needs to be sanded down completely.