Clear Coat Sanded Through by Bodyshop!

[the_invisible]

Re: Etching or Wetsanded Through Clear Coat?? Picture Below.

I guess I will. I don't want to waste any more time showing them the damage, and then drive back another date for the repaint.

I have wetsanded many times on different panels to remove scratches, and something like this has never ever occured to me. They must have sanded ALOT of clear coat out just to remove those adhesive spots spilled on the body. This is ridiculous. The bodyshop would have saved us a lot of time by simplying repainting the affected area. This is outrageous. Mark, how would you react if this occurs to you??? I am not mad enough to the point where I want to swear or give the guy who did this a wedgie... but I am just MAD!!!

[the_invisible]

Re: Clear Coat Sanded Through by Bodyshop!

Just gave the bodyshop a call 2 minutes ago and explained everything to him, briefly. The manager sounded disbelieving, saying that clear coats don't simply fall off by wetsanding. I then explained to him that the clear coat was obviously polished through.

He told me that he would look at it, and then decide further from there. I told the manager that I don't want to drive 60 miles simply to have him "look" at the car, leave hom, and then drive back again on a later date for the actual repair.

He then asked me what color my car is, and then offered me a courtesy car for tomorrow. Offering me a courtesy car may be an indication that he is willing to repaint the hood. However, he did say that he has to "see" the car first before deciding what to do.

With such minimal loss of clear coat, do you think he will deny repair? What has crossed my mind is that I rub the area with UC (using M105 is expensive lol) to increase the damage, thereby inducing him to repaint the hood.

What also concerns me is that due to the unwillingness to repair my vehicle, the manager may ask an inexperienced painter to work on my car, doing a hack job... The hood is where all ugly things show up... orange peel , sanding marks... etc. I am concerned. .

Remember this is one of the most reputable bodyshops in the area, run by a huge corporation that owns various dealers. Yet they managed to ruin my hood by refusing to take the right course of action to repair my car initially.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Clear Coat Sanded Through by Bodyshop!

Even though the area doesn't look too terrible in your pictures, not much time has passed since this sanding/polishing process has taken place. In time, however, the edges will start to show as the clear coat fails in this area. It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when.

Whether the clear was compromised due to the solvent and/or sanding used by the body shop or by the etching caused by the product accidentally deposited on it is really immaterial - you contracted someone to do work on one portion of your vehicle and in the process they damaged another area. If the initial damage was not too severe, then perhaps with a more gentle approach an acceptable repair could have been achieved. But if that initial spill managed to etch clear through (no pun intended) the clear coat, then the damage was already done. Bottom line - you have two related companies who are involved in the damage and repair of your vehicle. At this point it appears the damage has not been repaired in an acceptable manner - ie, the "repair" is ultimately going to cause another issue, and a pretty severe issue at that, down the road. They need to make this right by you.

[the_invisible]

Re: Clear Coat Sanded Through by Bodyshop!

Yup, it should be obvious that missing clear coat on a painted surface will eventually spread and create oxidation and discoloration.

What concerns me is that the bodyshop manager may make excuses, such as by claiming that there's no clear coat missing, the missing clear coat was not of their making, the damage is too minimal to have the entire hood repainted, etc etc.

What also concerns me is that when they agree to repair the hood due to the pressure I give them, they may do the repair quickly and compromise quality. They may take my car out for joy rides. Orange peel and sanding marks are among my concerns of the repair. Am I thinking too much? I am quite paranoid. I have never had any good experience with the quality of services these days.


Here's the bodyshop website. They are an authorized repair shop for our province's auto insurance company. This bodyshop also performs body repairs for its many sister dealers.

http://www.morreyauto.com/bodyshop.php

While many bodyshops in my region are thriving, this one is not getting a lot of customers lately. In the last few times I approached them, they were only working a couple of cars in their huge facility.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Clear Coat Sanded Through by Bodyshop!

Your concerns are certainly valid, but you did mention this shop being one of the most reputable bodyshops in the area. Give them a chance to make good. Everybody can make a mistake or have an issue from time to time, but how a company (or person) responds to that problem is what really sets them apart.

Are you thinking too much, are you a bit paranoid? Perhaps, but better a little bit of that than just blindly trusting someone. Talk to them about it calmly, and show them that you're able to get color transfer with even a very light application of something. Demonstrate for them using a clean, fresh white terry cloth towel and a white paint cleaner. Do a spot where you know the clear is good, and then again over the effected area. If you can easily demonstrate color transfer, you can easily prove the clear is gone from that spot. Even a halfway reputable shop will understand the ramifications of that.

[Ryan L.]

Re: Clear Coat Sanded Through by Bodyshop!

What also concerns me is that when they agree to repair the hood due to the pressure I give them, they may do the repair quickly and compromise quality. They may take my car out for joy rides. Orange peel and sanding marks are among my concerns of the repair. Am I thinking too much? I am quite paranoid. I have never had any good experience with the quality of services these days.

You have the right to not accept the job if they do re-do it. They might get a little mad (probably really mad) but it's something you have the right to.

If they are attatched to a dealership, I highly doubt they're going to take your car for joyrides and purposely do a bad job. Chances are the actual person that repaints the hood, if they do, won't even know it's a redo. They get invoices that say paint the hood silver or what ever needs to be done.

I wouldn't worry as much as you are. Take things and stride and see what happens.

Ryan

[the_invisible]

Re: Clear Coat Sanded Through by Bodyshop!

Thanks Michael and Ryan. I understand that I am kind of being irrational. With my kids grown up, I find that I am more attached to my cars than anything else. When it comes to my precious belongings, I can get quite paranoid... with my house being the exception of course.

Demonstrating the paint transfer to the manager using a white cotton cloth and a cleaner sounds like a a brilliant idea. I will do that.

And you are right, the painter (often contracted by the bodyshop) simply gets paid for the job he performs. He wouldn't know it's a redo. Also, the fact that they offered me a courtesy car last time during the wetsanding process, and that they are offering me a courtesy car tomorrow, is a testement to their committment to making their customers happy.

I will head down tomorrow and see how things go from there.

[the_invisible]

Re: Clear Coat Sanded Through by Bodyshop!

heading out to the bodyshop NOW.

I am anxious to hear what they will say...!!!

[ninobrn99]

Re: Clear Coat Sanded Through by Bodyshop!

so are we

[the_invisible]

Re: Clear Coat Sanded Through by Bodyshop!

Just got back from the clear coat. Talked to the manager. I offered to show him the paint transfer by using a white cloth and ScratchX 2.0 to rub the area. The painter was also asked to look at the defect. They both agreed that the area was sanded through, and have agreed to repaint the hood at the corporation's expense.

One interesting thing to note is that the bodyshop has completely denied any responsibility for the clear coat burn-through. Instead, they are blaming that the clear coat burn-through is the aftermath of proper repair of damages caused by the Windshield replacement. The bodyshop would not pay a dime for the wetsanding damage they have done, and has asked the Autoglass department to pay for all the damages. So far, they have earned $200 from the Autoglass Department for the initial wetsanding, and they are now charging the Autoglass Department another $600 for repainting the hood, as a result of the damage they did.

In the end, the bodyshop has lost nothing. The Autoglass Department is shelling out way more money than they have earned from repairing the damage. Ironic, isn't it? I hope this teaches the glass repairer that taking 15min to mask surrounding area is worth the time.


So far, this issue is resolved to a certain extent. Now, what I am worrying is that the repaint of the hood would not be perfect. I am concerned that there will be harsh sanding marks throughout the hood from removing the paint. The painter says that he will use 800 grit dry sandpaper to remove the old paint. 800 grit is the industry standard for removing paint, the painter says. I hope 800 grit sandpaper wouldn;t cause any sanding marks on the hood after it is painted. Orange peel is also something I am extremely worried about. Until I get my car back in immaculate condition, I will continue to have sleepless nights.

[ninobrn99]

Re: Clear Coat Sanded Through by Bodyshop!

If it isn't costing them money, why dont they do it right and reprimer, paint, and do a couple extra coats of clear

[the_invisible]

Re: Clear Coat Sanded Through by Bodyshop!

lol I wish... The bodyshop belongs to a corporation, and they still want to go for the most cost-effective route. I don't know. I will see how it goes.

[Paul S]

Re: Clear Coat Sanded Through by Bodyshop!

It wouldn't hurt to talk to the painter and slip him an extra $20.00 for a second shot of clear while painting the hood. Just and old fashioned idea .

Paul S

[SHYNEMAN123]

Re: Clear Coat Sanded Through by Bodyshop!

Well for some bad news A Body shop can only bake at around 165 deg f the factory bakes at 300 - 400 deg f which means with a factory finish you will have a harder and more durable finish. With a body shop repaint you can expect more chips , stains and blemishes the hood will now take more time to maintain.

Good Luck

Ps ask for the extra coat of clear it will give you more to work with to get it where you want it.

[ninobrn99]

Re: Clear Coat Sanded Through by Bodyshop!

Ps ask for the extra coat of clear it will give you more to work with to get it where you want it.

exactly!