I need advice from expert painters, I know there are a few lurking these boards.

I tried a new body shop for a collision I recently had. From beginning to end this has been a nightmare. For anyone easy going about truck appearances it would most likely be fine, however I am extremely particular. I have always hand washed and taken many steps to limit swirls.


The front bumper cover, left fender and rear box were painted. The fender and bumper cover were both replaced and the box was repaired. All over the painted areas are terrible swirls. The body shop told me after waiting 30 days and then waxing it the swirls will be gone. I disagree, but he told me I never painted a car before so I wouldn't know. Is he telling the truth, or was this indeed b/s?

Also some paint imperfections I would be ok with. However after I inspected it closer on my own time when I wasn't being rushed by the body shop I noticed there are dimples, dirt and other numerous paint imperfections beyond being acceptable.

The color seems to be ok. Its hard to tell as shop presented it to me in the dark and then pulled in doors at my request and then it was covered in condensation.

Bumper gaps are off. Left side is 2" to fender Right is 1" to fender. Had new left headlamp and left fog installed. Looks goofy with these new and the other right side parts dull, why wouldn`t they polish them...

I addressed my concerns with the body shop guy and got nowhere.

I am waiting for return call from my insurance appraiser, hopefully he can help me out...

Any tips advice would be cool

 

anybody???

 

go to the store, pick up a 6 pack of Whoop *** and have yourself a lil party! the swirls arnt goin anywhere, youd prolly have to color/wet sand them out. as for the gaps that means something is still bent. if it were me i would crawl up the insurance co. a** and tell them its unacceptable, and you want it re-done at another shop. you pay lots of money incase these things to happen, and your not paying for shotty work.

 

Went through a very similar ordeal myself after hitting a deer in my '08, so while I may not be a paint expert, I am all too familiar with your situation. I am also EXTREMELY particular about my truck (also hand wash, use a quality chamois, park in the far spot, no food/drink, etc.).

Back story: Body shop replaced front bumper, brackets, grille shell, got some dents out of the driver door, and repainted/blended the driver's side fender to rear door. Paint was perfect, bumper gaps were off, and the RAM and HEMI emblem were absurdly crooked. I took it back for them to pull the emblems and apply new ones, this time they were straight, but 'RAM' was an inch and half too high on the door. Then I noticed it looked like they used a screwdriver to pry the old emblems off, as they gouged the fresh paint on the door and fender where the badges were. I patiently and calmly explained that this was unacceptable and extremely unprofessional, and would like it repainted. Truck spent another 2 weeks in the shop, they repainted what they had just painted, and gave me new emblems so I could apply them.

Tips: I ended up moving the bumper myself, and got the gaps cleaned up. A bottle jack and block of wood come in handy if you dont have an extra set of hands around. Only four nuts a side and you can move the bumper around quite a bit, think they're 17mm. Took me about 30 minutes of trial and error before I was satisfied. The bumper cover has two torx bolts on each side, and allow a little adjustment there. Also, look to see if they tucked the tabs of the fenderwell liner behind the bumper and bumper cover tabs, mine weren't tucked but I was able to muscle them back in.

Bottom Line: be patient as your truck is still drive-able. Personally, I would not be ok with any paint imperfections to begin with. Demand the paint be redone. BBB and BAR would also be another course of action to consider. As far as the bumper and fog light, as it's often said: If you want it done right, do it yourself. Our standards will always be much higher than that of a common body shop, who make money on quantity of repairs performed, not quality. However, keep in mind that after a wreck a vehicle will never go back to being 100% the same as when it rolled off the assembly line.

 

Don't forget, you're the final customer, the job isn't done until you're satisfied with the results. Be on the horn with the insurance company everyday until it's repaired to your satisfaction. Let the insurance company know that body shop is trying to rip them off as well you know since they're the ones paying for it.

P.S. Don't sit and wait for the Ins. comp to call you back, remember "the squeaky wheel gets the oil" and always smile while talking on the phone with them, keep it friendly and they'll usually be more helpful.

 

All too many places get away with shoddy work for good money these days. Everybody wants to make top dollar with the least effort and expense required. Become a thorn in the side of your insurance company and get it done to your satisfaction!!!

 

Swirl marks are the unfortunate part of a repair. Some very new body shops dont require a buff after being painted. All procedures are to mask swirl marks not repair them.

 

Long story short I thought my insurance appraiser was letting me take it anywhere I liked to be repaired. However he changed his story after the fact and realized how many adjustments still needed to be corrected and then said I had to go back to the original body shop.

Looks like I may have to go back despite the dishonesty and rude communication...

Here is an idea of what I'm working with. BTW can anyone verify that an OEM 07 front bumper the painted fascia section has a edge on each DVR. & PAS. side corners? From the very edge by the tire in about 1" is the edge...

Is this part of the factory mold? I know the part I have is aftermarket, but I don't remember seeing a edge on the OEM part...

The insurance company basically is refusing to replace with anything but aftermarket.

 

The swirls look like they used a dirty wash mit after it was painted.

 

Those gaps are horrible, and the swirls are atrocious. Sorry to see that man.

Following the repair on my truck, I remember seeing that edge you have pointed out on my bumper cover as well. I wondered if it was there before and I never noticed it, or if it was a result of the re-installation (mine was not replaced, but reinstalled on the new chrome bumper). I'll take a look at it in the morning and check back.