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**Nick Chapman** · Jun 20, 2008, 08:35 AM

Re: Fix the Body Shop's work?

If you try and fix it, then mess it up worse, the body shop isn't going to repair it for free. However, if you let them know now, and let them take care of it, they will do it for free.

So I guess it all comes down to your ability to repair the problem areas, and your comfort level with doing the work. If it were me, I would take care of it myself.

**onawrxhigh** · Jun 20, 2008, 08:41 AM

Re: Fix the Body Shop's work?

southpactire,

I have one question for you. Did you use your insurance or did you pay out of pocket? I ask this only for the fact that sometimes if you use your insurance recommended boby shop sometimes they are held to a higher standard sometime not. When I had insurance work done to my wrx(branch from a tree blown out during a noreaster) I noticed that the clear coat was chipping off and they repaired it 2 time free of charge. Also if they are a reputable shop they should stand by their work no questions asked. If I was you I would bring it back and ask for it to be fixed correctly as the car did not come with the paint looking like this. I would not go to them in a disrespectfull way just let them know you are unhappy and would like it fixed.

Andrew

**southpactire** · Jun 20, 2008, 08:43 AM

Re: Fix the Body Shop's work?

Nick,

I am going to let the owner know, since he's a personal friend. As a business owner, I am sure he would want to know what kind of quality his employees are sending out the door. I didn't expect a "show car finish", but I was disappointed to see these issues. My concern was if the guy who did the work tries to fix it-he might make it worse? if I can fix it myself, then I will know that I did the best job that I can do. I wouldn't go back to them and expect any kind of "free" repair. I'm not bashing the body shop, just wondering if this is something that I can tackle on my own.

Stacy

**Nick Chapman** · Jun 20, 2008, 08:55 AM

Re: Fix the Body Shop's work?

If he makes it worse, they have the tools and ability to respray it again. Do you?
Just talk with your buddy(the owner), and explain it to him. Let him have the chance to make it right.

**Mike Phillips** · Jun 20, 2008, 09:35 AM

Re: Fix the Body Shop's work?

Originally posted by southpactire View Post

There are a lot of sanding marks and one pretty large run in several areas of the car. I am not sure if I should attempt to correct this myself or take it back and have them work on it again.

The paint is less than a month old.

Stacy

Ah ha!

Now that you've attended our Car Care 101 Class, followed by our Advanced 201 class you now have a more critical eye for noticing things like leftover sanding marks in a new paint job and a paint run!

Since you're friends with the owner, (Pacific Auto Body? Did Mark paint this?), then let him know what you found but also let him know you now have a more critical eye.

Might want to ask him if his guys are using M105 for a compound and if not ask him if they have Internet access at the shop and if they do have them pull up this link so you can show him you have first hand experience with what a great product this is and maybe he'll hire you to train his guys on how to properly wet-sand, cut and buff!

Advanced Class #2 - Pictures & Comments

**seth1066** · Jun 20, 2008, 06:53 PM

Re: Fix the Body Shop's work?

If the sanding marks are in the base coat or further below in the primer, that is going to require taking it down to those marks and starting over. Is that a tape line on the lip of the tailight lens opening? This looks like a typical everyday commercial repair job.

A 1 month old 2008 Mercedes and a 1998 Chevrolet Impala with 162,000 miles on it, can both be fixed for the same $45-60 per hour repair cost that the insurance company offers to pay. Granted, there are shops out there that produce higher quality results, but they are hard to find.

**southpactire** · Jun 20, 2008, 09:35 PM

Re: Fix the Body Shop's work?

Originally posted by Mike Phillips View Post

Ah ha!

Now that you've attended our Car Care 101 Class, followed by our Advanced 201 class you now have a more critical eye for noticing things like leftover sanding marks in a new paint job and a paint run!

Since you're friends with the owner, (Pacific Auto Body? Did Mark paint this?), then let him know what you found but also let him know you now have a more critical eye.

Might want to ask him if his guys are using M105 for a compound and if not ask him if they have Internet access at the shop and if they do have them pull up this link so you can show him you have first hand experience with what a great product this is and maybe he'll hire you to train his guys on how to properly wet-sand, cut and buff!

Advanced Class #2 - Pictures & Comments

Mike,

You are right on the money about the more critical eye! Larry did not see what I was talking about last night, but the photos do show the issues. We had the paint done by one of Charlie James's employees at Albany Auto Body ( he bought out Pat Headricks a couple of years ago) Charlie now has 3 locations and a vinyl sign and race car wrap business, so he isn't as hands on as he used to be. I just wasn't sure if this was something I should try with 105 and a rotary or if I should just take it back and let them fix it. I know Charlie stands behind his work, but I also don't want to bug him if I can fix it myself.

Stacy