Body work - acceptable margin of error

[Blieb]

Cliffs:

- What level of imperfection is acceptable for body shop?
- Specifically clear coat. I have noticed several small "dimples" in the clear coat.

Edit:
Since this original, mostly harmless thread was started, it's really hit the fan.

-------------------------------------

My truck was practically show room condition. Just 4 extremely small things wrong with the outside before recent hail damage. After the hail I had about $6k worth of work done on my F150.

Almost 3k just for paintless dent removal.
1k hood, 700 grille, etc, etc.

While it was there, the shop scratched one of my doors and said they would fix it.
They blended the paint and clear coated the door.

In a moment of weakness (after 2.5 weeks in shop) I took the car without doing a proper check.

I noticed a few clear coat blemishes. A hair under the clear coat, 2 noticeable bubbles/sag spots, and maybe 1/2 dozen dimples - all in the clear coat. So I brought it back and they wet-sanded and polished to get most of it out.

I can still see the dimples, but it's because I know they're there, most people cannot see them until I point them out.

I asked if I was being unreasonable and the guy said that he can respray - but no guarantees. He said to think about it and if it really makes me nuts to bring it back.

I know it's not a factory paint job ... but I have to think if this was a Porsche or Infiniti or something that they could do better.

So my question is ... what margin of error is acceptable?

 

[Midwayman]

If you don't insist on them doing it right, they won't.

 

[NutBucket]

I would expect any repair to be virtually undetectable.

 

[Blieb]

Meh - did a walk-around with a coworker and he noticed an impression in the hood. It's very subtle but large and definitely shouldn't be on a brand new hood.

Going back after work again.

 

[Black2na]

How new is your ford F150? How long have you had it? And I assume insurance work? And biggest thing there willing to do what it takes to make you happy. Way to get defects In pictures?

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Sounds like a maaco or other cheap job. What shop is it? Year of truck?




I know we have bodyshop guys here, and I'm not trying to offend anyone, but I've found that most bodyshop people in my area are very very crooked and it takes a lot of bitching to get things close to perfect even at a good shop.

 

[NutBucket]

I think that's about right. I've needed a body shop on two occasions.

First time was for a 10 year old Honda. That shop did excellent work and I didn't have to complain at all. I dropped off the car and when I came to pick it up it was perfect. Fully detailed and I couldn't tell what had been repaired.

2nd time was for my CR-Z earlier last year. It was about a year old at the time. The first time they told me to come pick it up they called as I was heading over saying they needed another day. That's OK. I come the next day and its terrible. The actual repair is fine; no waves and such but the paint is horrible. It looked like a $100 Macco repair. They went at it again and got it quite a bit closer...maybe 99%. Its only VERY slightly off.

Point being, these were both dealer affiliated shops that should do quality work without me needing to complain.

 

[Midwayman]

I know we have bodyshop guys here, and I'm not trying to offend anyone, but I've found that most bodyshop people in my area are very very crooked and it takes a lot of bitching to get things close to perfect even at a good shop.

I had a car in for repair and later when I was doing some work on it I discovered they had bungie cords hold stuff together inside the bumper and had completely removed the brake ducts and failed to replace them. Body shops are right up there with moving companies in terms of shady businesses.

 

[Blieb]

How new is your ford F150? How long have you had it? And I assume insurance work? And biggest thing there willing to do what it takes to make you happy. Way to get defects In pictures?

Sounds like a maaco or other cheap job. What shop is it? Year of truck?

2010 ... original owner, purchased 05/2010
Almost 3 years old, 39,9xx on the odo.
Truck was MINT. Gorgeous Red Candy Apple paint.
Most people think it's brand new.

Shop is affiliated with local Chevy dealership. Used to be called Champion Chevrolet Collision Center ... now it's Dale Earnhardt Jr Collision Center.

So far $5900+ worth of work related to hail damage claim.
Tomorrow evening marks 3 weeks in the shop.

I didn't even get into the details.

- noticeably scratched passenger door
- left my 3rd brake light completely unscrewed and it rained, headliner got wet (yes, seriously)
- 3 days later I come back and it's still unscrewed (I can't make this up)
- EVERY time the guy says he'll call, he doesn't. I am not pestering, I wait him out and call at lunch the next day and he doesn't skip a beat.
- EVERY time I have come to pick it up when they say it is ready ... it hasn't been ready.
- clear coat bubbles/dimples
- weird water-mark where scratch was after refinishing
- now 2 large impressions on brand new hood

Last one got lucky - there's so much pollen here right now it's hard to see some of these things. I honestly haven't had it long enough to give it a good look over like I want to.

Very polite, but the quality is atrocious.

Took it home Saturday morning (did me a favor by opening so I could pick it up) - saw blemishes, didn't want to even think about it. Brought back Monday AM, got it Tuesday at lunch, back Tuesday after work.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Was the shop recommended by the insurance company in any way?

It sounds like you already gave them a couple of chances to make things right. At this point I would be either calling the insurance company to cancel the check or sitting down with whoever runs the shop to have a discussion about it.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Please leave some online reviews out there so nobody else gets stuck with this place. If you wanted a maaco quality job you'd paid for one and pocketed the extra cash. You paid for a quality job and they should deliver it.

 

[Blieb]

Spatially - Yes. Shop is member of USAA STARS program.
Oilfield - When I have the vehicle back, I'm going to write accurate reviews.

Brought it back Tuesday evening.
Shop has made no contact since accepting it again.

I called USAA this morning and said I refuse to speak to the shop at this time, except to retrieve the vehicle.

If it's not right, I refuse to take the vehicle back to that shop.

I made the USAA rep call the shop on my behalf while I waited on hold.

They said it would not be ready today as previously told. Another new hood had to be ordered, and it should be here Monday. Which basically means another 3-5 days without.

I created a contact log of all communications. I submitted it to USAA with a grievance.

I am going to contact the Florida Consumer Complaints hotline (http://www.stateofflorida.com/Portal/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=57).

The people at the shop are polite, but their ignorance, continued damage and lack of communication are deplorable.

 

[Blieb]

Over a week ago we told the shop what we wanted to do about the other car (also hail damaged).

Yesterday I called USAA to see if they had receved anything on it ... NOPE, not a lick of paperwork. USAA called the shop while I was on hold and miraculously then it was submitted.

I almost feel like someone there thinks they know me? If everyone got it this bad there's no way they'd be open.

 

[Blieb]

You can't make this stuff* up!!!

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/486015_10102896088352573_1076445492_n.jpg

Shop is closed on the weekend. I dropped by to see if they left the hood off in the rain. My keys were in the door, key fob and all ... in the pouring rain!!!!!!!!!!

I called USAA and asked if they wanted me to leave it like that. They said to take the keys. I ended up taking keys down the street to the dealership (also named Dale Earnhardt). I left the keys with the manager. He asked me to text him the picture.

 

[WilliamM2]

Probably just hoping someone would steal it, so they wouldn't have to fix all the issues.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

You can't make this shit up!!!

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/486015_10102896088352573_1076445492_n.jpg

Shop is closed on the weekend. I dropped by to see if they left the hood off in the rain. My keys were in the door, key fob and all ... in the pouring rain!!!!!!!!!!

I called USAA and asked if they wanted me to leave it like that. They said to take the keys. I ended up taking keys down the street to the dealership (also named Dale Earnhardt). I left the keys with the manager. He asked me to text him the picture.

I would've taken the vehicle. I really feel for you, I would request that USAA deny repairs at this point.

 

[halik]

Wow I would've taken it elsewhere long time ago

 

[DaTT]

Please continue to update this thread. This is a great read, unfortunately at the expense of your satisfaction. I really want to hear their excuse for leaving your car vulnerable to theft.

 

[Black2na]

I would've taken the vehicle. I really feel for you, I would request that USAA deny repairs at this point.

This at this point. clearly the shop is not at all worth while and there employees clearly not up to the task of being professional. you really need to have the car pulled from it and taken else were and easily DO NOT bring your 2nd car to that shop have it repaired else were! this is just silly! at first i thought you may have been being excessively anal. but now im 100% sure this shop is just doing subpar Shit work

 

[boomhower]

That sucks. My wife was in an accident last month. The other guys insurance wanted me to take it to a local dealership. I took it and had them do an estimate to appease them. Then I took it my body shop. They came in at 25% higher. Insurance company simply said OK and wrote them a check. The first dealership wasn't going to replace any of the support structure under the bumper. My body shop rocks. They have rebuilt a couple of our cars at work and did a really good job. I use them for exclusively.

 

[Blieb]

at first i thought you may have been being excessively anal. but now im 100% sure this shop is just doing subpar Shit work

Well - I'm definitely OCD attention to detail. That's part of why I started the thread originally - to see if I had unreasonable expectations. But the shenanigans are almost surreal.

After this weekend, Dale Earnhardt Jr Collision Center called me Monday and left a message. Quick 2 second apology for the keys in the rain ... new hood received and in good condition ... said it should be ready later in the afternoon Tuesday (today).

USAA called my wife this afternoon and told her they instructed the shop to contact them first and only after a thorough quality check had been performed. They told her that if there is anything wrong this time we can take it elsewhere.

I haven't heard from anyone at the shop today. Tomorrow is 1 full month (minus a few hours) that they have had the truck. All for some dents from hail.

Unbelievable.

There is no way they are ever going to see another vehicle from me. Ever. No way.

Will keep this thread updated ...

 

[Blieb]

3/27 Update - Dale Earnhardt Jr Collision Center guy called and left a message at around 3:30 that they were putting the finishing touches on it and he would call when vehicle was ready. As always, very polite and direct.

5:15 Dale Earnhardt Jr Collision Center calls and says they got the new hood on, but now it has "waves". Said they are having someone from Ford and a Paintless Dent Removal tech come check it out in the morning 3/28.

Haven't heard anything this morning yet.

I'm basically feeling defeated. Yesterday marked 1 month since I dropped it off the first time. I've had the vehicle in my posession less than 48 hours total since then.

Debating on pulling it out of there no matter what and taking it somewhere else.

At some point USAA needs to step up to the plate and take a swing. USAA is great, but I'm starting to feel like they're quietly guiding from the sidelines.

 

[Blieb]

What a day!

First of all - got the truck back. Everything looks a LOT better. A few super small things that I can live with.
- Couple dimples still, but nothing like before - maybe 4 total now - vs 4 within a square inch before.
- One spot that looks like rough clear coat, I think it will buff out (after 90 day paint cure).
- Couple tiny marks on the headliner - nothing compared to the water marks previously mentioned.

------------------------
I was surprised because today I called USAA and they said the shop said it should be ready tomorrow - and USAA said I had to wait before they could do anything.

Then I called back later (what they said ate away at me)- I was told that they actually ordered 3 hoods and they all had a dent. But the 4th hood finally came in good, and they would have it to me today. That didn't make any sense because there's no way a new hood came in today and got painted and finished.

Also - last night I submitted a contact form on the Hendrick Automotive Group website (partners with Dale Earnhardt Jr) and politely expressed my concerns and troubles. Today the GM of the dealership called and said corporate sent him the email - he wanted to talk and assured me everything would be addressed and this would never happen again. He said the truck should be ready tomorrow. I called back, but we haven't connected yet.

So all in all, a month and a day later ... got it back ... I looked at it for a long time ... glad to have it home.

Now my attention can shift to the other car (not fixing, either totaling or keeping dented) and our house (roof & gutters being replaced).