Due to the accident I posted about a few days ago I'll be taking my 8 into the Body Shop next week. Front fender is all screwed up and a big gash down the entire passenger side including the back fender. Is there anything I need to know going into this? I'll be taking it to the dealer for the work. Anything I should make sure they do or not do? I haven't had to get a car repaired in 15 years. I want it done right. I notices a few scuffs on the bottom "nose" or "air damn". It looks like something that might buff out but I'm not sure. How will they handle it if it can or can't be buffed out?

 

It's out of your control once it's out of your hands. Your best hope is that you've chosen a good/reputable shop.

 

and ask for a good warranty period.... lifetime

 

The only thing you can do is check it out real well when you go to pick it up.

 

YES, check out everything on the car. Even things they didn't "fix". Make sure that you have them write everything down that is still not right if they insist you take it for some reason. I have been screwed over by a shop a time or two. It is much easier to get things done in writing. The word of a repair shop means nothing.

Oh yeah...take pics of the ENTIRE car. Inside and out. Sounds like alot of craziness, but I took my miata in once for paint work, and got it back wit a ripped roof. Couldn't proof it so I got screwed.

Good Luck and I hope it all works out!

 

good advice.

 

I recently got some work done myself. I recommend you go by the place every few days to check on in. The front fender is bold on, make sure they use genuine mazda parts. They more than likely will since it is a Mazda dealer. Here's something to look for.... The front fender will show a bit of a gap if bolted on exactly as it is. There are two bolt holes on the bottom, one is notched out, the other isn't. Both need to be notched out so that the fender can be moved back about 1/8" so the two gaps will match.

If the front door can be fixed, they'll do that, if not, they should replace the outer shell. The rear door is aluminum so that is hard to work with. Depending on the extent of the gash, they may have to replace the whole door. The rear fendor quarter panel is welded on. Make sure they can match the factory weld. Also, have them repaint the whole car so that the color will match. Make them do a 4 wheel alignment to make sure it is straight.

If you have any other questions while the repairs are getting made, let me know. I'll be happy to help out. I got in an accident about a month ago. Replaced both bumpers, and most of the metal on the passenger side including the whole rear door. My first accident ever and I'm very **** retentive about the car. I went by about 2-3 times a week to check on the progress and taking pictures as they repaired it. Take before and after pictures, lots of them. It was really slow progress, but the guy working on it was a perfectionist, so it looks great! Let me know how I can help.

Good luck, I know exactly how you feel.

 

Make sure they use metallic flakes when they paint it. I know it sounds stupid but I’ve heard of people getting their car back and whoever painted it didn’t use flakes.

Bob

 

Yeah, I heard the same thing. Heard someone got their Nordic Green back without the Mica. I made sure that didn't happen.

 

Take before pictures for sure. If for no other reason just to show the limit of the damage.

Then later get someone to run a CarFax for you and see if the insurance company, police, the body shop, or someone else "ratted you out".

A woman in a CR-V hit my BMW - a very minor thing, no body parts replaced, just a rubber strip and a small section of burned paint that had to be re-done. Lucky for me I kept pictures of the before and the repair invoice (minor - $7xx bux). When I went to sell the car there was an "accident" on my CarFax. Using the receipt and the pictures I was able to assure the buyer of exactly what happened and what was fixed. Of course, that is now a "stain" on that VIN - but that is the new owner's problem (now).

Dennis

 

Another thing is to ask the body shop for a warranty against swirls in the paint job they do. That will make sure they finish off the paint correctly and lets them know that you're going to be very picky about the finish. Some shop will try to skimp on paint finish and hide it with a coat of wax. A couple of weeks later when the wax disappears, the paint defects show.

 

TRUE...my poor little Miata

 

Can I really make them repaint the entire car???? It would be sweet if I could but I just though the did the color match thing?

 

Hmmm, w/all these paint issues i'm so glad I decided to get the pre-painted mspd bumper using insurance money for the original bumper

 

You can try but most likely the insurance company is only going to pay to "blend" or fade the color into adjacent panels. If its a good shop with a experience paint man you won't be able to tell the difference if they do it properly.