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Collision repair / matte paint work around Raleigh, NC?
Folk,
Anyone have a recommendation for collision/repair work in the Raleigh/RTP NC area? Annoyingly someone decided to gift the 2019 Wagon with a kiss from their vehicle and drive off yesterday. It looks like the PPF took the brunt, although the exposed sensor is missing paint for sure. Cary MB dealer recommends Caliber Collision, Durham MB dealer recommends their Hendrick Collision, neither of which has good reviews or gives me the warm and fuzzies when I called to schedule an appointment.
2020 E63S Wagon, 2007 335i convertible (tuned to 400hp), 2011 Audi A4 Avant
Originally Posted by jasonbrent
Folk,
Anyone have a recommendation for collision/repair work in the Raleigh/RTP NC area? Annoyingly someone decided to gift the 2019 Wagon with a kiss from their vehicle and drive off yesterday. It looks like the PPF took the brunt, although the exposed sensor is missing paint for sure. Cary MB dealer recommends Caliber Collision, Durham MB dealer recommends their Hendrick Collision, neither of which has good reviews or gives me the warm and fuzzies when I called to schedule an appointment.
So.. any recommendation is welcomed.
Thank you,
-j
Meh.
Sorry for that trouble...I am getting the selenite gray magno, and my biggest worry is exactly what you just experienced, plus some a-hole that thinks it would be fun to see what matte paint looks like when it is keyed. That is why I am also getting mine wrapped as soon as it is delivered. Is yours wrapped in XPEL Stealth? It would be interesting to see what the actual damage is when the film is removed. Can you post a pic of that if you get a chance? Nice to see to what extent the film offers protection against these kinds of scrapes.
Yes, it is supposed to be XPEL Stealth (I bought the car with 3500 miles on it so cannot 100% confirm). At first glance, it appears to be thinner than what I remember XPEL Ultimate to be on my last vehicle. Once it is pulled back, I'll try to get pictures.
I went to Hendrick Collision of Durham yesterday for an estimate and that is coming in around $4700 at the moment with them subletting XPEL Stealth being installed afterwards. The two body panels have been moved some and at a minimum need to be realigned also.
The assumption in the quote is that the front bumper and the quarter panel will need to be painted., but that is where things get interesting. The "paint guy" came out to look and does have some experience with designo mattes (as well as BMW frozen's) in repair conditions, although this will would be the first blue. *IF* I were not putting film back on it, it sounded like they would want to paint the front bumper, front quarter and the whole left side (!) to ensure 100% match. At that point I then wonder "why not the whole car?" not that I want it repainted. One of the issues with matte on a repaint is the paint age; day1 vs day175ish will have a different look to it, as they described. However, if the film is being put back on the front, they are suggesting just repainting those panels if there is underlying damage and then reapplying the film. They also said they'd want ideally 30 days of curing time before applying new film.
Their words "It will be back exactly as it is now" came across to me as "but if you ever removed the PPF you may be in for a surprise!"
The sensor housing is integrated in with the bumper that I'll add a picture of also (which is crap quality at the moment). That was unprotected by PPF and definitely is missing paint. To me, however, it looks like it is also missing *material*. If is is, then that is a whole new bumper. and they still have to see if they can get the designo brilliant blue magno (i.e., in stock in US or requires shipment from germany?). The "worst case" scenario is apparently a new bumper due to the sensor housing, a repaint of at least half of the car, reapplication of film it seems.
While the "paint guy" gave me some confidence, there were many "if" and "maybe" used which probably means I will get another opinion at least.
2020 E63S Wagon, 2007 335i convertible (tuned to 400hp), 2011 Audi A4 Avant
Originally Posted by jasonbrent
Yes, it is supposed to be XPEL Stealth (I bought the car with 3500 miles on it so cannot 100% confirm). At first glance, it appears to be thinner than what I remember XPEL Ultimate to be on my last vehicle. Once it is pulled back, I'll try to get pictures.
I went to Hendrick Collision of Durham yesterday for an estimate and that is coming in around $4700 at the moment with them subletting XPEL Stealth being installed afterwards. The two body panels have been moved some and at a minimum need to be realigned also.
The assumption in the quote is that the front bumper and the quarter panel will need to be painted., but that is where things get interesting. The "paint guy" came out to look and does have some experience with designo mattes (as well as BMW frozen's) in repair conditions, although this will would be the first blue. *IF* I were not putting film back on it, it sounded like they would want to paint the front bumper, front quarter and the whole left side (!) to ensure 100% match. At that point I then wonder "why not the whole car?" not that I want it repainted. One of the issues with matte on a repaint is the paint age; day1 vs day175ish will have a different look to it, as they described. However, if the film is being put back on the front, they are suggesting just repainting those panels if there is underlying damage and then reapplying the film. They also said they'd want ideally 30 days of curing time before applying new film.
Their words "It will be back exactly as it is now" came across to me as "but if you ever removed the PPF you may be in for a surprise!"
The sensor housing is integrated in with the bumper that I'll add a picture of also (which is crap quality at the moment). That was unprotected by PPF and definitely is missing paint. To me, however, it looks like it is also missing *material*. If is is, then that is a whole new bumper. and they still have to see if they can get the designo brilliant blue magno (i.e., in stock in US or requires shipment from germany?). The "worst case" scenario is apparently a new bumper due to the sensor housing, a repaint of at least half of the car, reapplication of film it seems.
While the "paint guy" gave me some confidence, there were many "if" and "maybe" used which probably means I will get another opinion at least.
-j
If the sensor is missing material, why can't you just unplug and replace the sensor into the existing bumper?
Sensor fits into housing. Housing is part of bumper. Housing is what is damaged. The removable part is apparently only the whiteish bit and the blue inside of it.
2020 E63S Wagon, 2007 335i convertible (tuned to 400hp), 2011 Audi A4 Avant
Originally Posted by jasonbrent
Sensor fits into housing. Housing is part of bumper. Housing is what is damaged. The removable part is apparently only the whiteish bit and the blue inside of it.
Got it...sure looks like a separate piece in the pic...must be an optical illusion!
Personally I wouldn't bother repainting if the housing is the only bit with paint damage. I would just get them to align the panels. Geta detailer to touch up the housing. and then re-PPF it. People prefer cars with original paint, and everyone is going to have a small paint chip somewhere.
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Good luck to you!
