I recently had a car bumper repainted at a body shop. They are trying to convince me that the slight shade difference in the color is normal and unavoidable. Is this correct? I am currently having them repaint it.
There is a color code on most driver’s door pillar that is the manufacturer’s color code of that specific vehicle. It gives the base mix of colors used to achieve that specific color. I used an auto paint shop for my supplies and would request a color match, realizing that I can never get an absolute, exact match. I would bring a piece of the vehicle with me…the gas filler cover, the broken replaced item or in some cases, the entire vehicle so my paint source has a reference color to match any sun fading. Many paint supply shops use the latest computer scanning technology to color match. If they used a computer to match the color, I wouldn't use that supply shop. Have you ever tried to color match an interior paint at one of the big box hardware stores? Its close, but not on the money! Its not any better with the paint shops. I always used a shop that would have someone who could mix by eye. He would use the same paint code and mix ratio, but he could adjust the tint for any fading. Amazingly accurate, but willing to remix another batch if it came out slightly imperfect after shooting paint. So Miguel, at One Stop Paint Supplies in Riverside, CA, thanks for making me look so good!My reflection in a 65 Mustang fender.The type of paint used also affects the quality or accuracy of the color match. I have found that using an oil based paint offered the best and most accurate eye color matching. More specifically, every paint shop I used to color match a water based paint would always use their computer matching software. So, inevitably, I would use an oil based paint when I was repairing a panel or a bumper cover to get the most accurate color match.Blending the new paint by overspraying into the neighboring panels helps in disguising any color variations. Unfortunately, your repair shop’s attention to customer service appears to be lacking. To add insult, color variation is highly subjective.If you fail at any resolution with your collision shop, you might find help through your local Bureau of Automotive Repair office. An honest Yelp review can also assist in motivating your chosen shop to address your concerns. But ultimately, you might be forced to locate a reputable shop to remedy your problem.
How do I write a letter of explanation about an auto body shop who I feel sold my car illegally?
Question: How do I write a letter of explanation about an auto body shop who I feel sold my car illegally?First things first: They either had the legal authority to sell the vehicle, or they did not. There are no “feelings” about this matter.If you signed an agreement that you would pay for the work that they did and then you did not pay them, they could have filed for a mechanic’s lien on your vehicle and THEN sold it to collect the outstanding balance that you owed them. However, that’s a lengthy process which would have taken several months at minimum, and would have required that they notify you in writing before they did it. If they did so, then they have followed the laws of your state and you have no recourse.If they sold your vehicle without an agreement to do so, or without filing a lien, then they have broken multiple criminal laws, and that could result in a police investigation and possible arrests. Those would actually be illegal acts and that would require you to file a police report, and then the authorities investigating the matter. Is that what you are claiming is what happened, questioner?What you need to do is to consult with an attorney about the matter. Bring a copy of the contract that you signed, and relate the details of what occurred to him or her. Don���t lie and don’t exaggerate; just relate the facts of the matter as you remember them. They will listen to what you have told them and then they will advise of your options, if any.Not certain to whom you want to “write a letter” and why you think that it would even be necessary. If they had a contract with you and you violated it, then they can file for a lien and take possession of the vehicle. If they didn’t, then they have committed multiple offenses and the police need to become involved. Either way writing a letter would be a waste of time and effort as it would do nothing to alter the situation.
What is the best way to fix deep car body scratches?
Short answer: Pay a dent/scratch repair service a few bucks OR spend $200 at your local body shop for some paint polishing/wet sanding.Long answer:1. Don't even bother with the "touch-up" paint bottle your dealership gave you. That stuff is worthless...unless you're an artist or you've got the perfect type of paint damage, that stuff always end up looking terrible.2. Paint scratches and chips can be air-brushed quickly and cheaply. This isn't a "permanent" solution, but it's good enough to cover up paint damage for a while.This is the process that most of the paint and dent repair companies use, but like I said it doesn't last forever (figure a year or two at the very max). However, for $50-$100 you can have a whole bunch of scratches and paint chips touched up. Tip: This is great when you're looking to sell or trade your car...your local dealership used car manager can probably recommend someone who does decent work cheaply.3. Damaged paint can be polished and/or wet-sanded by an expert and look very, very good. The key is experience - you don't want to tackle this type of project unless you're willing to live with the results of an amateur attempt.For $100-$200, most body shops will polish your vehicle's paint and it will look brand new when they're all done. They'll also do some wet-sanding on the deep scratches and smooth out a lot of damage.4. Finally, sometimes deep scratches can't be repaired using easy or cheap methods. If this is the case, hire a quality body shop to paint your car. Make sure that they intend to blend and re-clear.This won't be cheap ($500+), but it will fix all sorts of problems. Your insurance company may cover the repairs here as well.5. If you're not able to spend any money, you can buy a cheap scratch repair kit at your local auto parts store or online. These kits aren't permanent (and don't always work), but when they do you'll be impressed.Just don't be surprised if your scratch re-appears after a few washes.
Scraped Car on Parking Garage Cement Pole :S HELP!?
alternatively you can use polishing compound to clean off the area -lightly sand-get color match paint from dealership -in liquid with brush if small area or in small spray can-tape off area and make multiple passes with spray can-very lightly sand with 1500 grit sand paper to blend and then polish the car--small price for paint and goodies and your elbow grease
I just scraped against a yellow pole and my car has a yellow streak, is there any way to get if off?
you can use a mild buffing compound on it and rub it out,thats the only way to remove it ,its either that or take it to body shop and they will do the same thing to it,it might be better to let them do it this way they can blend the buffed area back on on it,and it wont show up any at all,any parts store will have the compoud you need if you decide to do it your self,good luck on it.
How much do car scratches affect selling price of used cars?
Those scratches would probably only affect the value of the vehicle a couple of hundred dollars or so. How exactly it would affect the value depends on the depth of them. If they are completely through the color layer, a good detail guy could still likely heat up the paint with a buffing wheel and cover them up. Worst case scenario is that someone will have to touch them up with touch-up paint. It looks like it is more likely that the scratches are in the clearcoat, so a detailer could use an abrasive compound and buff it down to hide the scratches.If you were to turn this in to insurance, not only would you have a claim on your insurance history, but the cost of the repair would probably be under the amount of your deductible. A body shop would probably try to paint the panel rather than do touch-up/buffing, and paintwork de-values the vehicle more than the scratches. We in the automotive industry use paint meters to see if a vehicle has been painted, so there is no paint work that is so good that we would not know it when it comes time to trade or sell the vehicle.I recommend finding a very good detail shop and seeing if someone can buff them out or touch them up.
Can a repair shop repair a car without written consent?
Yes a repair shop can do repairs to a vehicle without the owner's permission. The problems arise when it comes time to settle the payment. As others have stated there are too many local jurisdictions that may have laws governing repair shops to give one all encompassing answer. Generally when you take your vehicle to a repair shop a work order is generated describing what is to be done and you will be asked to sign it authorizing the work to be done. Now this is were things get tricky, a lot, if not most repair shops don't give you a copy of the work order at that time. As an example, you take your car to the shop and ask to have the steering checked. The service advisor writes “check steering” on the work order & you sign it authorizing that to be done but don't take your copy out. Now I am not saying repair shops are dishonest, most are good reputable places to do business but there are some bad ones. So after you leave your car at the shop suppose an unscrupulous service advisor changes “check steering” to check and repair steering, Then when you come to pick up your car you are presented with a $800 or more bill for ball joints tie rods & wheel alignment. You say but I only wanted you to check the steering. They show you the work order that states check and repair steering, with your signature on it and you don't have a copy that states otherwise. Yes you could sue the shop, you may win or you may loose, either way if you're not a lawyer it's not worth hiring one for a small amount of money. So you see permission works both ways. That's why most reputable repair shops take great pains in keeping the customer informed & getting the owner's authorisation before doing repairs. Hope this answers your question
Can I get sued for leaving my car at an auto repair shop?
I got into an accident last september, and took the car to an auto repair shop. The amount it would cost to fix the car was about 2.5x times what the car was worth at the time. So my mom just bought me another car. I owe very little money on the car that got into an accident. Since getting a new car, I totally forgot I had left the car in the shop, they recently called and asked what we were doing with the car. I want to know if I can get sued for leaving the unrepaired car at the auto repair shop.?
If your car frame is bent, is it totaled?
The decision by an insurance company to "total" the car means they've decided the repair costs usually exceed the value of the car and/or the repairs they do will not return the repaired vehicle to you with no defect that would affect the operation of the vehicle - because if that occurs they have liability on that count.You have the choice to take their settlement offer required by the salvage value (i.e. you take the money, they keep the car for disposal under a salvage title) or keep the car (again under a salvage title) and do the repairs. If you make that choice be aware that any resale price by you after that will be much lower; folks don't like buying cars that have been repaired without a guarantee of normal and correct operation.Car frame repairs are not uncommon, but they are a result of an accident that obviously was more than a simple fender bender. Factory car dealers typically either won't offer a trade-in on such cars or will discount their offer considerably. Even private party owners are wary of cars that have had a car frame repair. Independent dealers? Depends on what their offer is, and whether they disclose prior repairs or sell the car with the usual "as-is" disclaimer.If your vehicle has been damaged - by your fault or another - and a car frame repair is required, think hard about a settlement offer by your insurance company - or the other - for anything but the fair market value of car. Insurance companies don't always make equitable offers to claimants - preparation, consulting an attorney or an independent damage appraiser are all steps you should consider if this is your problem.Please be aware this is an informational reply and is not specific legal advice.