BMW with very very thin paint on the boot

[rapport25]

Hi guys I have just recenlty finished detailing a Bmw 330 Ci and the boot was very very thin. The car was measuring around 160 all over but the boot was as low as 48-60 so I did the best I could and used dc01 nothing more aggressive than that on the boot and I used swirlX and Ultimate Compound on the rest.

The car looks fantastic but the boot is full of scratches and swirls.

The customer was aware of this and asked If I could try something else on the car. I refused and said paint that thin means only one thing a respray.
I knocked a little of the price but he does not seem happy and neither am I. Did i do the right thing?

[Murr1525]

Re: BMW with very very thin paint on the boot

Its always best not to work on things you aren't comfortable with.

But if he knew before you started that the trunk couldnt have much done, then cant complain too much.

[rapport25]

Re: BMW with very very thin paint on the boot

Its always best not to work on things you aren't comfortable with.

But if he knew before you started that the trunk couldnt have much done, then cant complain too much.

Thats what I think

I explain to all my customers that as soon as i have checked the paint depths I will contact them If I find very thin paint.

In places there were spots where the clear coat was starting to fail.
Only visible with a swirl light brinkmann dual xennon.

I like 100% customer satisfaction and this was not. But whats the point in damaging his car?.

As soon as he arrived to pick up his car the first thing he asked was show me the boot. Out came my brinkmann and he was not impressed. Kinda taken the shine off the whole car .

I have suggested a good bodyshop but they would want around the same to respray as I have charged for detailing.

I hope I dont get this again!!!!

I'm always happy with the work I produce and this one goes down as the worst not happy!!!!

[gmck]

Re: BMW with very very thin paint on the boot

Rappy,

You did the right thing.

It is not your fault that the vehicle has thin paint on the boot. Personally I wouldn't have reduced the price as I think some people would read that as though you accept it as being your fault, when clearly it was not.

Another alternative would have been to refuse to even do anything with the boot lid.

Ask the customer how the scratches got there in the first place. Boot lids are for keeping the rain out, they are not storage areas for your brief case or your groceries. There is only one way the boot lid has got to be that thin - it has been heavily detailed previously in its lifetime.

However why not compromise? If the customer wants to take the chance then remove the scratches and swirls from the boot. If you go through the clear coat then so be it and the customer has the boot repainted.

they would want around the same to respray as I have charged for detailing

That is not relevant. Two totally different processes. I think anyone would agree that what you pay for a quality repaint of the boot is going to be expensive. However repainting a boot lid is about as simple as it gets.

Life ain't perfect, so no point getting unhappy about something you can't control.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: BMW with very very thin paint on the boot

I agree, with the others. You worked with what you felt comfortable. You did the best you could. Wise decision.

[rapport25]

Re: BMW with very very thin paint on the boot

Thanks guys . Dont feel so bad today. It could of been worse no paint depth gauge and respay of the boot at my expense. Now that would be my fault.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: BMW with very very thin paint on the boot

We all like a challenge and take pride in overcoming them, but sometimes you just have to step back and admit that something can not be done. In this case that something had zero to do with your ability as a detailer, and you made the right call.

[rapport25]

Re: BMW with very very thin paint on the boot

I have a lot of faith in my skills and tools and now my judgement .. Just curious do others use a paint depth gauge? And what is the general rule of thumb paint below 80 is a big no no in my book.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: BMW with very very thin paint on the boot

I have a lot of faith in my skills and tools and now my judgement .. Just curious do others use a paint depth gauge? And what is the general rule of thumb paint below 80 is a big no no in my book.

We generally measure paint thickness in mils (thousandths of an inch) here in the Colonies so your cutoff measurement of 80 microns equates to 3.15 mils. We expect a factory paint job to be on the order of 5.5 to 6 mils, on par with your reading of 160 on the rest of the car. From that reading one can safely assume 2 mils (50 microns) of clear. If you were only seeing 48 to 60 microns of total film build on the boot then you did the right thing by stepping back. Something is definitely not right with the paint on that panel and it is not up to you to determine what that is. At least not by using a buffer to figure it out!

We once had a car in the garage here at Meguiar's where the trunk (boot) was giving readings as low as 2.6 mils. We decided not to touch it, either.

All in all, good call.

[rapport25]

Re: BMW with very very thin paint on the boot

We generally measure paint thickness in mils (thousandths of an inch) here in the Colonies so your cutoff measurement of 80 microns equates to 3.15 mils. We expect a factory paint job to be on the order of 5.5 to 6 mils, on par with your reading of 160 on the rest of the car. From that reading one can safely assume 2 mils (50 microns) of clear. If you were only seeing 48 to 60 microns of total film build on the boot then you did the right thing by stepping back. Something is definitely not right with the paint on that panel and it is not up to you to determine what that is. At least not by using a buffer to figure it out!

We once had a car in the garage here at Meguiar's where the trunk (boot) was giving readings as low as 2.6 mils. We decided not to touch it, either.

All in all, good call.

Would you believe it the bmw driver has gained me 3 more jobs .

He was out Friday afternoon at the local golf course and many of his golf buddies commented on his car .

All he did was moan . They asked for my details and I have 3 new customers .

Each had said how we was moaning but they did not agree with him one bit .

They has asked more about my processes and I showed them some of my tools and products. They all asked what is this Meguiars stuff that you have, My reply the best plain and simple .

I will be paying each on a visit next week. As they were all in one of guys company cars.
Once again a big thanks guys. Love this forum. Which brings to a question what new products will we be seeing soon Michael?

[rapport25]

Re: BMW with very very thin paint on the boot

[Michael Stoops]

Re: BMW with very very thin paint on the boot

Good news travels fast apparently, even if your customer still isn't thrilled with the situation on the boot. Obviously his friends understand what's what and probably also respect the fact that you know your limitations and you have the ability to recognize when a situation is truly extreme. That probably also tells them that you are a real professional and tell the truth about what's going on with a finish. That's huge!

As for your question about what new products you'll be seeing soon, well....

See that little count down timer at the top of the page??? Keep an eye on that.

[rapport25]

Re: BMW with very very thin paint on the boot

Good news travels fast apparently, even if your customer still isn't thrilled with the situation on the boot. Obviously his friends understand what's what and probably also respect the fact that you know your limitations and you have the ability to recognize when a situation is truly extreme. That probably also tells them that you are a real professional and tell the truth about what's going on with a finish. That's huge!

As for your question about what new products you'll be seeing soon, well....

See that little count down timer at the top of the page??? Keep an eye on that.

Thanks Michael for the comments .

As for new products cant wait!!!! Please dont ignore me

Loving the timer