Ask a body shop anything

[IFX]

I see alot of mis-information on here when people get into accidents etc.

Ask anything you'd like to know about a body shop, hopefully I can give you the best answer I can.

A little background, dad owns a body shop down here in South Florida for about 15 years or so. I just recently got ASE certified in painting/refinishing.


Been working with pops for almost 2 years now. And i pretty much learn something new every week, if not everyday.

shoot!

[Definitive]

Great Idea.

How would one go about painting the mesh grills in the bumpers, gloss black? This would be a DIY. Dot need to know about removing the bumpers. More about the paint process and what paint I might use from a consumer store.

Thanks
D

[geneatals]

Why is it so hard to fill in the front bumper reflector holes and paint over to give us US spec bumpers that EU look...

[NYCMCBM3]

Originally Posted by geneatals

Why is it so hard to fill in the front bumper reflector holes and paint over to give us US spec bumpers that EU look...

hard for who?

[SlamMan]

How close should a body shop be able to match the paint when repainting a bumper? Particularly metallic colors like Interlagos blue.

[spoonf20c]

why does aftermarket paint chip so much easier than factory paint. taking about repainted front bumpers..

[kaykay]

Originally Posted by spoonf20c

why does aftermarket paint chip so much easier than factory paint. taking about repainted front bumpers..

Because the shop you got it painted at probably sucks and they didn't use OEM paint...

[fastrack]

Originally Posted by SlamMan

How close should a body shop be able to match the paint when repainting a bumper? Particularly metallic colors like Interlagos blue.

+1

[saeedg48]

hey - first I'd like to say thanks for this thread.

bumper replacement_they want to drive my car.

getting my front bumper replaced with the same stock bumper - no front place and no reflectors. long story short i'm not paying out of pocket. i'm getting it done at a certified BMW body shop. driving up to the body shop with my new exhaust everyone walked out to hear it.. immediately shut it off didn't want to show it off.

i made it very clear that they are NOT to drive the vehicle. the advisor there told me they have to drive it to the dealer to reset the codes after the replace the bumper -

i told them they are not to drive the vehicle and that I will bring it to the dealer after to reset the codes. I don't trust these people..

What do you think?


they said that it has something to do with the adaptive headlamps throwing a code..

[EuroCarsOnline]

Hey IFX. I have a customer in Miami who just got his M3 e93 from me. Someone backed into his rear quarter panel already (not sure which side). He's on vacation but is looking for a top-notch shop for the repair. Does your shop work mainly on BMWs or German cars? If not, can you recommend the best shop in Miami for BMW?

Thanks again for starting this thread. I started posting in the forums back in 2000 because of all the mis-information (ordering process, ED/PCD, future models, even current model year). It's a LOT better now, but it's good to see you contribute.

Regards,

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by IFX

Ask anything you'd like to know about a body shop, hopefully I can give you the best answer I can.

Here's one:

I have a dent in my rear bumper (been there for over a year FWIW). No puncture or visible cracking, just a dent. Repair? Or replace bumper? If repair, what's the process, how reliable is it, and how much will it cost?

[///My5UV]

Originally Posted by SlamMan

How close should a body shop be able to match the paint when repainting a bumper? Particularly metallic colors like Interlagos blue.

It should be perfect.
I've had repairs nearly a dozen times on different cars at a great nearby shop and every single one was perfect. The only way I can tell where there was any repair is that there isn't as much orange peel in the repaired portions, unlike the factory paint which didn't come out quite as nice :-)

[Definitive]

IFX is going to have a lot of questions to answer when he comes back to this thread...

D

[Definitive]

Where is the OP... That's my question...

D

[OC3]

lulz, indeed

[IFX]

HOLY CRAP. lol sorry for the delay guys, haven't been on since last night.

I'll give it a go now.

[IFX]

Originally Posted by SlamMan

How close should a body shop be able to match the paint when repainting a bumper? Particularly metallic colors like Interlagos blue.

Ok, this depends. It's not just about the color, it's about the technician as well.

The work is only as good as the tech can apply it.
As for color matching, go outside and take a look at your bumper (In direct sunlight) Look real close, and tell me if you see a slight color difference

If a bumper is being repaired and refinished (lets' say a spot repair) than color would only be applied to the area in which the repair is primed. So the entire bumper doesn't necessarily need to receive new coats of color ( which could mismatch it with the rest of the entire body, even more than it already is)

Hope that answered your question, if not.. please lmk.

[IFX]

Originally Posted by spoonf20c

why does aftermarket paint chip so much easier than factory paint. taking about repainted front bumpers..

Well, they say that aftermarket clear used in body shops is much more hard when cured. (I've read this) I can't confirm though, I've never tested paint thickness with OEM clear vs Aftermarket.

[IFX]

Originally Posted by kaykay

Because the shop you got it painted at probably sucks and they didn't use OEM paint...

Ok, no need for silly comments. Can i ask you a question?

What, and where would one be able to find OEM paint?


And no, BMW does not "make it's own paint"

[IFX]

Originally Posted by saeedg48

hey - first I'd like to say thanks for this thread.

bumper replacement_they want to drive my car.

getting my front bumper replaced with the same stock bumper - no front place and no reflectors. long story short i'm not paying out of pocket. i'm getting it done at a certified BMW body shop. driving up to the body shop with my new exhaust everyone walked out to hear it.. immediately shut it off didn't want to show it off.

i made it very clear that they are NOT to drive the vehicle. the advisor there told me they have to drive it to the dealer to reset the codes after the replace the bumper -

i told them they are not to drive the vehicle and that I will bring it to the dealer after to reset the codes. I don't trust these people..

What do you think?


they said that it has something to do with the adaptive headlamps throwing a code..

Well, with all these sensors these days, he may be right about re-setting this and re-setting that. I don't believe they should have to drive it though. (Don't hold me to it)

But than again, if they are just replacing the bumper, all the sensors, plugs and switches should still remain the same. In which case all they would have to do is, un-plug and re-connect when putting bumper assembly back together.


And honestly man, if you don't trust them. Don't take it to them. Try and find an independent shop where you can actually have a 1-on-1 with the owner and talk about things. Lots of people do that with my dad and I, they come by and check out progress etc. It pretty re-assuring to customers when they can inter-act and check out the progress their car makes from body work all the way to the paint booth.

[IFX]

Originally Posted by EuroCarsOnline

Hey IFX. I have a customer in Miami who just got his M3 e93 from me. Someone backed into his rear quarter panel already (not sure which side). He's on vacation but is looking for a top-notch shop for the repair. Does your shop work mainly on BMWs or German cars? If not, can you recommend the best shop in Miami for BMW?

Thanks again for starting this thread. I started posting in the forums back in 2000 because of all the mis-information (ordering process, ED/PCD, future models, even current model year). It's a LOT better now, but it's good to see you contribute.

Regards,

We work on everything. We don't "specialize" in any particular vehicle make.
I don't want to say body work is the same for every vehicle, (because it isn't) but getting the lines of a car straight is either right or wrong.

We are in Fort Lauderdale, which is kind of a hike from Miami for him. I honestly don't know any shops in that area though, sorry

[IFX]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Here's one:

I have a dent in my rear bumper (been there for over a year FWIW). No puncture or visible cracking, just a dent. Repair? Or replace bumper? If repair, what's the process, how reliable is it, and how much will it cost?

How big is the dent? From what you're saying, there is no need to replace it.

It could definitely be repaired.

We would repair the dented area, (body filler etc)
Prime
Sand primer
Prep off the entire bumper
Paint

Reliability depends on numerous things, and it's different depending on who does the job. So can't really give you a definitive answer.

Cost is also depends on the shop you take it to.