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Paint and Body Maintenance & Repair

1089 messages,  Last post on Mar 11, 2012 at 2:06 PM

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What is this discussion about? Auto Body, Paint, Coupe, Convertible, Hatchback, Truck, Sedan, Wagon, SUV, Van

Messages Page 106 of 109

#1050 of 1089 Re: "Ming" auto body process? [Mr_Shiftright] by tallman1

Aug 26, 2010 (4:51 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Aug 26, 2010 3:41 pm)
How about a special formula that can penetrate the clear coat.... super tiny molecules.

#1051 of 1089 Question on best way to repair quarterpanel 2010 Dodge Ram by rjp3526

Aug 26, 2010 (6:01 pm)

I have a very large dent in the drivers side rear quarterpanel (side panel) - since its a brand new truck, and finished in pearl-coat black paint, I thought it would be best for the body shop to replace the entire body side panel. The first shop I got an estimate at agreed, said it would be much better than drilling, pulling the dent out, filling and sanding. I really want this repair to be invisible as its a brand new truck. But today I was discussing a 2nd estimate with the body-shop manager at the Dodge dealer where I bought the truck, (he has not actually looked at the large dent yet) and surprisingly to me atleast, he said its not always best to remove the entire quarterpanel (sorry I know that may not be the correct term) - but rather, since the factory welds on the side panel to the truck bed, and its such a difficult process to cut off the entire panel, put a new one on, and reweld it perfectly, he said sometimes it makes a much better job to leave the dented panel on the truck, pull the dent, fill it, & sand it. I was very shocked to hear him say this. Can any experienced body people on this forum please give me some advice & insight on who is correct here? Is it better to cut off the entire quarterpanel, weld a new one on, prime & paint, - or as the 2nd bodyshop guy said, does it sometimes make for a much better final result if they just drill, pull & fill the large dent ? Btw, the dent is just ahead of the rear corner tail light, right smack in the middle of the panel (about where you often see the "4x4" emblems on the rear sidepanels of pickups - and its maybe 2" deep of a dent, and about 10-12" square (roughly) in size. I can email you excellent pics of the damage if you want to see them, just provide your email ID - Thanks Very Much for any advice on this - I want this truck to come out as perfect as possible, it was almost 40k new just four months ago, and it was my "dream truck" of my life - this whole thing has been very upsetting for me.

#1052 of 1089 Re: "Ming" auto body process? [tallman1] by obyone

Aug 26, 2010 (8:59 pm)

Replying to: tallman1 (Aug 26, 2010 4:51 pm)
Funny you should mention that. I got side swiped and took the car in for repair. The car has been zaino'd since day one. Couple of days later the shop owner calls me and says the the paint doesn't want to stick and what kind of wax do I use. He had sanded through the clear coat but not to the metal. Does Zaino actually penetrate through the clearcoat?
 
Told him to wash it with Dawn and it should be ok. He thought I was nuts.

#1053 of 1089 Re: Question on best way to repair quarterpanel 2010 Dodge Ram [rjp3526] by rjp3526

Aug 28, 2010 (11:32 am)

Replying to: rjp3526 (Aug 26, 2010 6:01 pm)
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#1054 of 1089 Re: "Ming" auto body process? [obyone] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Aug 29, 2010 (2:35 pm)

Replying to: obyone (Aug 26, 2010 8:59 pm)
No--- Zaino is miraculous, but it doesn't go through clear coat---at least I HOPE not...
 
the paint under the clear coat is actually relatively dull when applied at the factory---the clear coat is what gives paint its real shine.
 
You might have noticed that you don't get paint color on the rag when you buff a newish car?

#1055 of 1089 Re: "Ming" auto body process? [Mr_Shiftright] by obyone

Aug 29, 2010 (8:55 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Aug 29, 2010 2:35 pm)
I thought the body shops blend the paint and the clear so as to only shoot it once and not having to sand twice. That's after the primer of course..
 
I think he ran into problems when "blending" the paint perhaps not sanding enough to remove the zaino off the clear coat.

#1056 of 1089 Re: Question on best way to repair quarterpanel 2010 Dodge Ram [rjp3526] by bigfur

Sep 02, 2010 (2:28 pm)

Replying to: rjp3526 (Aug 26, 2010 6:01 pm)
There are ups and downs to doing it both ways. Of course to replace the box side you have to take the entire bed off the truck drill out all of the factory spot welds and try to reweld all of the box back together. The repair if done right will look more factory correct if they just pull and lightly fill the dent. After doing body work for a while it sounds like if you want the best factory look when you are done, have them pull and fill the dent. And as far as drilling, most places now use a stud welder to weld what look like little nails onto the metal and pull out the dent a little at a time with a slide hammer. I will state it is ENTIRELY up to you as to how you want the repair to be done. Pulling the dent will be faster cheaper and with a good tech and painter look great. Replacing the panel can in some instances lead to the gaps for the tailgate and things not lining up quite right. My personal opinion is when ever possible leave the factory pieces in place.

#1057 of 1089 Re: "Ming" auto body process? [tallman1] by anon3

Sep 03, 2010 (1:35 pm)

Replying to: tallman1 (Aug 26, 2010 3:38 pm)
There are few absolutes in life and few rules that always apply, but one that I follow is: "never, ever, ever take your car through a wash that has brushes or anything that makes contact with the paint." That is if you care at all about the appearance of your vehicle.
 
Those "soft cloths" and brushes collect abrasives (dirt, sand, etc) in their fibers that will without fail leave fine scratches and swirls in the top layer of paint or clear coat. It's like washing your car with a Brillo pad or steel wool. As Tallman1 mentioned, walk through a parking lot when the sun is low in the sky and the light is reflecting at an angel. You'll see the swirls and scratches, especially on dark paint. That is almost always from car washes (or in some cases, the owner has used an abrasive cleaner wax or applicator pad).
 
Just yesterday, I saw a nearly new black Porshe Panamera Turbo that had so many swirl marks that it looked like someone had washed it with a brick. That should be a crime.

#1058 of 1089 Re: "Ming" auto body process? [anon3] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Sep 03, 2010 (2:14 pm)

Replying to: anon3 (Sep 03, 2010 1:35 pm)
I hand wash my cars frequently and never wax them. Even waxing is an abrasive process. I suppose if you are going to show your car or some such, or sell it, waxing might be a good idea but I can't say my cars don't look good just the way they are. I've very careful how I wash the car, though, and never let anyone "help" me.

#1059 of 1089 Re: "Ming" auto body process? [Mr_Shiftright] by tallman1

Sep 03, 2010 (3:46 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Sep 03, 2010 2:14 pm)
Another trick I've learned is to use two buckets when washing a car. One with the soap/shampoo and one to rinse the mitt/cloth/sponge. It is amazing how dirty the rinse water can get even when the car is relatively clean.
 
If you use one bucket, all that grit goes back on the paint.

Messages Page 106 of 109

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