Somebody please make me feel better ---UPDATE!!!!!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(auart @ Sep 29 2006, 11:09 PM) [snapback]325896[/snapback]</div>

It'll be ok, this happens a lot, and they should be able to remove it with no damage. I've helped people do this before using that clay stuff, probably a good waxing would have worked as well.

 

Oh, goodness, I'm sorry to hear about this.

Years ago I bought a metallic silver Miata. There was a small imperfection in the paint on the left quarter panel; the dealer said they'd buff it out no problem.

Well, they buffed too far and said they'd have to repaint the panel.
Unfortunately, the panel didn't quite match the trunk and drivers door when the light hit it from certain angles; something about the metallic going down in a slightly different orientation due to a difference in air pressure (don't know if this is true or not, though, but there was something amiss).

So they repainted it again, and blended into the driver side door and trunk. This time, however, the blend on the door was REALLY obvious. So they ended up painting the entire car.

The car ended up looking pretty good (but not as good as when I'd driven off the lot that fateful night) but because all that work had been done, some of the trim pieces on the outside never fit as well as before. Also, the plastic on the driver's door never went on as tightly again; it always rattled after this incident.

I suspect that in your case, they'll be able to make things right...but, in my opinion, the lesson is, don't accept the car until it's as you want it. NEVER trust the 'we'll take care of it' line.

If there's a problem, have them fix it first, THEN pay the balance due, or just walk away and find another one. It's always a bummer when you have to start messing with a brand new car (except to modify it, of course).

Worst case scenario with an unscrupulous dealer: you lose the $500 deposit. Sounds to me like that'd be a good trade to avoid all of this stress.

 

Not to worry, the overspray will come right off with some detailing clay. I used to remove overspray all the time when I was a professional detailer, its very easy and you can do it yourself.

Its almost impossible to be around a bodyshop and not catch SOME kind of overspray. Most shops clay overspray out when they trim out the car before delivery. Don't be too hard on your friend.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(filless @ Oct 2 2006, 03:11 PM) [snapback]327003[/snapback]</div>

The claybar made this possible, the "xzilion" coating did not. All these dealer applied "paint systems" are bull, they're just bulk applied polymer sealant. You could get better protection from Zaino yourself, and I don't even like Zaino. The profit margins on these systems are unreal, total cost to them is like $1.00 per car, they turn around and sell you the crap for $500-$1000. Total scam.

In fact, I'm 80% sure the coating was removed by the claybar, and it will have worn off the paint in 3 months tops.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ Sep 30 2006, 12:06 PM) [snapback]326031[/snapback]</div>

I couldn't agree more, Tony. For most circumstances, business and personal relationships are like oil and water; they don't mix well.

Best of luck

 

I'm really sorry, auart, that you had to learn these life lessons on your new car. But I'm an optimist. Now you can use the final clay-barring and polishing to become even closer to your Prius. You can make that baby glow!

I, too, recommend having a look at Zaino polish and clay-bar. They make a product to erase fine scratches and swirls, and the shine on black will be terrific! Finish working with the claybar you have, then get the Zaino and make your car really shine. Show your "friend" what a car should look like!

Good luck.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ Oct 9 2006, 10:12 PM) [snapback]330480[/snapback]</div>

Ouch! My ears..

 

Hang in there; sometimes it seems worse when you've been looking at all the problems for a while, and get to know the imperfections and where to look for them. I suspect there might have been other, smaller imperfections which you were never attuned to...but now, that's all you can see

I know this is true for me...but if you can get through the initial shock and upset, time *will* make it seem better. You'll probably also get a parking lot ding or whatever, and (if you're like me) will obsess about that instead.

It's a never ending story.

I think Bill is right; take the opportunity to get to know your car better and reclaim it for yourself! Everyone has been pawing her...now it's your turn!

Your car may not ever be perfect, but I'm hoping that the trauma will diminsh more quickly than you might suspect

My thoughts are with you!

 

I've been thinking more about what you're going through, since I've just gotten the windshield replaced after a bit of stupidity on my part. And now, of course, I'm searching for anything that wasn't done right (and finding things that probably weren't right in the first place that I never noticed until thinking that something might be wrong and looking so closely)...

I hope everyone doesn't mind (too much) but I have a few more thoughts about the trauma of damage to our fair Prii (please consider this fair warning to move onto a less verbose reply if you're so inclined).

Of course, in your specific case, I haven't actually seen for myself what happened, so it's possible that what I'm thinking doesn't apply quite so much. And I'm in NO WAY mitigating the responsibility of the body shop or the seriousness of their error.

But I'm hoping that this little tale is more of an example.

In *my* case, I'd like to share something which I went through right after picking up Buzz with the lowered suspension.

A bit of background: my car is now about two months old, and right after I bought it, I had the TRD suspension installed, which lowers the ride height. Anyhow, I was leaving the dealer's lot and did my best to be careful about scraping the front end, but of course it just touched the pavement anyway.

Naturally, as soon as I got home, I rushed out of the car to assess the damage (or, hopefully, confirm that there wasn't any). In all honesty, the scrape was fortunately fairly minor, and didn't seem to damage any of the front end pieces, fasteners, etc.

But...

In the process of getting down on my hands and knees and shining a spotlight on the underside of the car, I had the opportunity to notice that the bottom of the front fascia, where (on the '06) it meets that little black lower plastic spoiler/strip, was somewhat wavy.

FYI, my car is white, and there's a lot of contrast at the edge where the two meet. And one piece is hard plastic, the other flexible. So it's not that surprising that any imperfections would be noticable, if one wanted to look for them.

Anyhow, once I'd figured out the best angles to fully reveal the degree of waviness, it became *lots* easier to see from other angles, too. Soon I found myself parking the car so I could have the best view of the front end to see how bad it looked...(!!!)

My point is not to confirm that I have manifold issues (just ask the battery of psychotherapists catering exclusively to me 24/7/365), but that sometimes, once you notice a flaw, it has a way of making itself worse.

That's not to say that your car shouldn't look new when it is new, but my hope is that your concern is manifesting itself in a heightened awareness of the 'wrong' at the expense of what's 'right.' I know that this must seem terribly frustrating, but, as I said, try to get through it. And do think about spending a little alone time...just you, the car, and a claybar. You CAN make it yours again!!!

Well, have to go...I have an "appointment."
[smile]

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(auart @ Sep 29 2006, 11:09 PM) [snapback]325896[/snapback]</div>

Probably curl up in a ball and cry, if you must know.

I'm so sorry to hear about the incident but am relieved that it is getting better.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(auart @ Oct 12 2006, 10:45 PM) [snapback]332091[/snapback]</div>

Zaino is great stuff. I've been using it for 7 years now. If you ordered ZPC is may make the surface a bit better but I'd take it to a GOOD professional detailer to get the issue resolved. 90% is surface prep and the last 10% is product. Zaino is good but its not magic and in some cases will make blemishes appear worse. A good detailer may even be able to fix up the run on the hood. The fisheyes will be there to stay though. Check autopia.org to find a good detailer in your area or post up for some better advice.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(auart @ Oct 12 2006, 09:45 PM) [snapback]332091[/snapback]</div>

Oh, gosh, really...you were on my mind, and just wanted to share my random thoughts. I'm so glad I might have helped, and I do appreciate your saying so.
[smile]

 

I'm sorry I wasn't able to get back to you until now, I'm not on here everyday.

Yikes, it sounds like this guy's shop isn't stellar. Fisheyes and runs are inexcusable with modern bodywork techologies. I'd demand a refund.

As for the swirls and scratches, you probably should take it to a COMPETENT detailer. I say COMPETENT because as with body shops most detailers aren't. They will need to use a machine polisher to prep the paint, unless you want to devote the time towards learning how to do that you may as well have a professional do that.

If you insist on using Zaino, you have to be sure 99% of the surface blemishes are gone, because you can't use any rich polishes to hide defects in the paint when using Zaino.

Good luck!