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I hoped my bad luck really ended with the break-in last week.... well....
A week ago, my car got broken into at the Georgetown parking garage...
Police called... insurance notified.. I drop my car off on Monday to a Allstate recommended (one of their direct shop near my house with good reputation).
they told me it will take 5 days.. ok... got a rental and waited for last 5 days very nervously since the car is only 1 week old out of factory.
On Friday they told me my car was not ready since the car got out of paint booth that morning and paint is too soft to put window trims back in.
They told me monday afternoon. I agreed.
however I informed them that I will return the rental since I was the one paying for it and don't need it during the weekend.
I got there at 4:40 and to my surprise, they told me if I wait for 30 min, the car will be ready. I asked them that you are the one told me the paint is too soft.
they said, they they decided the paint was hard enough to finish the job.
At 5 PM, they told me my car is parked outside.
It's already too dark to inspect the paint.
They told me the paint job came out great also easier than they though.
they stated that even though the paint is called Phantom Blue Pearl, it's 2 coat system not typical 3 coat pearl.
Since they close at 5, I took the car home.
This morning...... I found out what they did to my car....
I simply couldn't believe what I was looking at.
all these seem in between paint and the clear coat. it reacts to any direct light like this.. white curvy images
Also I see finger prints and I don't even know what it is in the front fender (wheel well).
Also over 6" long scratch on the hood.
I was told from the Allstate that someone dealing with their direct shop will call me and also I need to take my car to the shop to talk to them.
I am so mad since there will be more paint spray to my brand new car.
the new paint color seems matching but the pearl particles are much bigger than the factory....
I didn't even had time to enjoy my car much but already not so thrilled about this car... this SUCKS!!
Man, sounds terrible! Good luck with the problem... at least it's just paint (although I know it's a very difficult problem to deal with correctly). Don't be mad at the car though, I'm sure you will love it for years to come!
Man, sounds terrible! Good luck with the problem... at least it's just paint (although I know it's a very difficult problem to deal with correctly). Don't be mad at the car though, I'm sure you will love it for years to come!
I am trying but whenever I see the car I got so angry... and sad.
Sorry to hear about all this, it's just rubbing salt in your wounds.
The good news is that besides the scratches in your hood, the rest of the marks are just buffer trails from a rushed compound/polish job.
They are basically swirls from not allowing the polishes to break down properly, and rushing too quickly.
Any halfway decent detailer can get those out, and depending on the depth of the hood scratches, they may be able to get those out too.
thanks for your insight. I don't have deep knowledge about polishing and buffing... I keep my car clean.. wax 2 times a year.. do just basic upkeep kind of person...
I tried today with soapy water to buff it out a bit to see it's possible for me to do.. but no avail..
I hope they can buff it out...
also those finger prints and masking tape marks( I think) do you think those can be buffed out?
The scratches I had around the window wasn't deep but they insisted it needs to be painted.
I understand that's how they make more money but this time, they have to buff it out for the one on the hood.
I just don't want to have a new car with 1/3 of car repainted.
it looks as tho; some one didnt know how to use a buffer.
I can see holograms from an amateur buff job.
I cant tell if there is any other damage. oh, it looks as if some one scratched the hood.
butt, the holograms are an easy fix, and the scratch on the hood is easy too. dont worry!
thanks.
I did some web search and now I understand the issue better.
I hope they have someone knows what to do with it.. or I might insist to take it to a detail shop and make them pay for it.
I did some web search and now I understand the issue better.
I hope they have someone knows what to do with it.. or I might insist to take it to a detail shop and make them pay for it.
inspect it tomorrow in the sun light.
research these terms:
- orange peel
- over spray
- holograms
the more informed you are; the better you have a chance at fixing this with the shop.
research these terms:
- orange peel
- over spray
- holograms
the more informed you are; the better you have a chance at fixing this with the shop.
I do know Orange peel, over spray and hologram now.. which they did all of them. compare to the factory paint, the new paint job looks pretty rough.
Again, thanks.
I do know Orange peel, over spray and hologram now.. which they did all of them. compare to the factory paint, the new paint job looks pretty rough.
Again, thanks.
Too bad you didn't live in our area, Justn is the paint/detail guy!
thanks for your insight. I don't have deep knowledge about polishing and buffing... I keep my car clean.. wax 2 times a year.. do just basic upkeep kind of person...
I tried today with soapy water to buff it out a bit to see it's possible for me to do.. but no avail..
I hope they can buff it out...
also those finger prints and masking tape marks( I think) do you think those can be buffed out?
The scratches I had around the window wasn't deep but they insisted it needs to be painted.
I understand that's how they make more money but this time, they have to buff it out for the one on the hood.
I just don't want to have a new car with 1/3 of car repainted.
Everyone has already given you great advice.
Soap and water won't remove those marks. Waxes may cover, and hide them temporarily, but they will come back as soon as they wear off.
Whatever they do, make sure they actually use a polish to remove them.
The glass cuts in the paint probably did need to be painted. Similar to egging a car, the shell/glass actually slices through the paint, and polishing won't remove that kind of damage since its gone through the paint layer.
Your hood damage looks like light scuffs/scratches that are mainly in the clear coat. Not a chance I would even talk about painting until it was polished too. I'd bet most if not all of it would come out.
but the orange peel and that scratch in the hood might be a little too much for me to handle!
Best wishes to you, OP!!
Orange peel is easy to get rid of. You need to familiarize yourself with wet sanding. Finishes look 10x better when wet sanded and polished. Its not hard, you just need to be careful and stay away from creases and edges as you can burn thru really easy. Tape them off while sanding and you will be fine. Start out with some 1000-1500 on something painted. Get a spray bottle with some soap and water in it, and spray the area and continue to do so to keep it wet and the paper lubricated, sand a little bit, stop dry the area look to see if there is any shiny spots, if so sand a little more. Repeat until done. Then start polishing.
Orange peel is easy to get rid of. You need to familiarize yourself with wet sanding. Finishes look 10x better when wet sanded and polished. Its not hard, you just need to be careful and stay away from creases and edges as you can burn thru really easy. Tape them off while sanding and you will be fine. Start out with some 1000-1500 on something painted. Get a spray bottle with some soap and water in it, and spray the area and continue to do so to keep it wet and the paper lubricated, sand a little bit, stop dry the area look to see if there is any shiny spots, if so sand a little more. Repeat until done. Then start polishing.
A bit OT but your post made me chuckle and cringe. back in late 80's, a girl I was dating drove a silver Ford Tempo and its paint was starting to fade, so I had a polisher and "helped" her out. The finish look worse but was shinier. I cut too deep is patterns all over the cars.. ended up with arching stripes
I'm going to disagree Chris. The OP doesn't have a polisher, so wouldn't be able to remove the final haze. His first experience rubbing 1000 grit sandpaper on his own brand new car is likely to induce some palpitations, and be pretty stressful. Lol
In case the OP isn't aware Chris tackles projects like converting his A/T TL to a manual transmissions without batting an eye, so keep that is mind
My other car was clipped last summer in a parking lot. Minor damage, but needed paint over a fender flare, and the rear bumper. They did a good job on the paint, but rushed everything after that, so I ended up wet sanding the whole rear quarter panel, and bumper.
One thing I didn't realize until I started was that there was decent orange peel over the whole car from the factory, and over correcting makes the area stand out as well. Took me a bit of sanding, polishing, rinsing, and repeating to get it as close to original as I could. Of course all of this came out of my own pocket as some people just suck as the OP was just reminded.
I'm going to disagree Chris. The OP doesn't have a polisher, so wouldn't be able to remove the final haze. His first experience rubbing 1000 grit sandpaper on his own brand new car is likely to induce some palpitations, and be pretty stressful. Lol
In case the OP isn't aware Chris tackles projects like converting his A/T TL to a manual transmissions without batting an eye, so keep that is mind
I think he was talking to me, since I do have a little knowledge and he even quoted me. almost teaching me on how to solve a problem.
I dont think he was instructing the OP to get to work on his brand new car without experience.
I think he was talking to me, since I do have a little knowledge and he even quoted me. almost teaching me on how to solve a problem.
I dont think he was instructing the OP to get to work on his brand new car without experience.
happy motoring!
Lol. My bad Chris. That's what I get for using by phone while watching my 3 yr old with one eye.
If you've used polishers before, and have experience, then you should be able to tackle it.
I actually went up to 3000 & 4000 grit since I didn't want to use a rotary, and it came out just fine. You just have to watch the corners, use lots of lube, and don't over correct if the factory finish has a good amount of baseline orange peel.
Neither. It was your situation that truly sucks. It's bad enough to have a break-in and damage and then have to keep on the mechs to get it back to a perfect normal.
I wouldn't pass such judgement on you, but I personally know that the car is excellent. I drive one.
Sorry to hear that. Its very disappointing when people in the car service industry do not take care of someone else's property, regardless if its a 2015 TLX or a 1995 Civic.
Hopefully you get the issues fixed soon and can finally enjoy your new car.
Thank you guys.
with all your advises, I inspected the car more carefully today.
this is what I found.
Lots of over spray, scratches where they pry-out panels, scratches on door trim, masking tape residue etc.
the paint bulge at the edge of the front passenger door really concerns me the most though
A bit OT but your post made me chuckle and cringe. back in late 80's, a girl I was dating drove a silver Ford Tempo and its paint was starting to fade, so I had a polisher and "helped" her out. The finish look worse but was shinier. I cut too deep is patterns all over the cars.. ended up with arching stripes
Very smooth - you know how to impress the ladies!!
With today's Dual Action buffers it's very nearly impossible to damage paint on a (modern) car.
This is why I always hate having to bring my cars into service or for any type of work. Because no matter how careful I ask them to be, there is always a chance of the car having more/new issues than when I brought it in..
I'm in the nova are and your mishaps have me concerned i may just take it to a carmax and see what they might offer after everything is said and done an consider starting anew. Do definitely keep up with the updates.
Having had a panel of my CTS-V repainted during the summer, I feel your pain, OP. Do what I had to do--go back, repeatedly, if necessary, and demand (nicely) that it be done right. I have learned that sometimes, it's hard to see these defects under flurorescent light and you must review them under natural light.
You have Allstate, and they guarantee a good job. Hold them to it (nicely).
I'm now just waiting out winter, then my blue baby will get a proper, professional, high-grade paint correction and detailing.
this morning I met with the foreman (forewoman) and a shop manager.
I showed them the area in the pictures and let them know I have other options i can consider to resolve this situation. (since they are Allstate direct shop with satisfaction guarantee... , they have to redo the job till I am satisfied or more likely to the acceptable level).
By the contract, I can bring it to other shops to do corrective work and Allstate will charge the original shop.
I did let them know I already contacted Allstate for the issue I have with the shop.
To avoid any further conflict and headaches between parties involved, I decided to give them one more chance. they agreed to sand the paint down to base coat and respray both doors. Also buff-out scratches and other blemishes.
Still I let them know that if they cannot do a proper job, I will go to other shops to finish.
Since I had full window tinting done on early Saturday morning (not knowing all these issues), also all these happened because (not completely but to some degree) they rushed job to finish before last Friday, I insisted to proceed with work on next Monday even though they told me they can finish it by this Wednesday.
I know for sure they will rush to finish again since they are paying for my rental this time and they don't open from Thursday to Sunday.
Thanks to you guys and this forum, I was organized and prepared.
I really hope they do an acceptable job next week.
Having had a panel of my CTS-V repainted during the summer, I feel your pain, OP. Do what I had to do--go back, repeatedly, if necessary, and demand (nicely) that it be done right. I have learned that sometimes, it's hard to see these defects under flurorescent light and you must review them under natural light.
You have Allstate, and they guarantee a good job. Hold them to it (nicely).
I'm now just waiting out winter, then my blue baby will get a proper, professional, high-grade paint correction and detailing.
Thanks neuronbob..
You are absolutely right about be nice to them.
It's not easy but yelling at them do any good for anyone.
They know what went wrong and they have their obligation.
Last time I had an issue with Allstate's other direct shop (My CLK need to get a new hood and bumper), they totally screwed it up but second round, they did much better job.
It seem to me that It's not what they don't know what they are doing... they just don't want to do since they don't care much.
At least they are forced to do better, they do mostly...That's all I looking for... haha...
I'm in the nova are and your mishaps have me concerned i may just take it to a carmax and see what they might offer after everything is said and done an consider starting anew. Do definitely keep up with the updates.
Baelim,
You might see me driving around Annandale with NICE hologram on my passenger door..
I did think about that option. However, I specifically chose TLX for reliability, safety and cheaper repair/maintenance cost since I will hand it down to my daughter in 4 years..
My point is that I am trying to keep the car nice and clean enough so she can get a very reliable her first "new to me car". After that It will be banged up pretty fast..
That's about as sloppy a paint repair as I've seen. Allstate needs to know their preferred repair shop sucks. Your insurance is required to return your car to its condition prior to the damage, so if they have to paint it three times it's on their dime.
PITA, I know, but rest assured it will be made right.
if you mess with it and don't get it perfect they may blame you or implicate you. Make them fix it or take it to another body shop to fix it. Make your insurance make them if possible. Good luck. I would ask who the dealer recommends.
i may just take it to a carmax and see what they might offer after everything is said and done an consider starting anew. Do definitely keep up with the updates.
, they have to redo the job till I am satisfied or more likely to the acceptable level).
