JAYDEE23 wrote:file insurance claim
take it to top shop in area (supposedly)
Insurance pays out $4500 for repairs ??
OK, I work as manager at 'the' top collision repair in DC area.
$4500 isn't out of line for the repair you list. Wondering which insurance company you filed with and were you referred to one of their direct repair shops or did you choose the shop yourself? Was there any supplemental estimates requested by the shop or approved by your insurance?
You'd know if you took to the 'supposedly top shop in area' by what makes of cars were prevelant on their lot, all high-end cars or a mix of high-end and econo cars.
JAYDEE23 wrote:get my car yesterday..orange peel everywhere..im friggin pissed..
drop it off again..wet sanded for 8+ hrs more supposedly
still minor to moderate orange in places
Never had a comeback for refinish that involved 8 hours wet-sanding. Only job I can think of in recent history with that many hours wetsanding was Aston Martin that got totally spooged on by tree sap.
JAYDEE23 wrote:so its going back again monday..here is my question...do i make keep wetsanding till i get factory finish over the whole car? i would assume so but i would like anyone that works in a body shop to chime in please
Without seeing in person or decent photos, difficult to say but you don't want to keep wet-sanding till you have no more clear-coat or buffing tillyou get squirls either.
JAYDEE23 wrote:car loks good no doubt but in bright sunlight from an angle my car does not have that smooth factory shine..
Now you are mentioning shine. You sure you have any clear-coat left? My guess is that first you had orange-peel, now you need more clear-coat.
Regarding have a 'factory finish', yes any shop with decent painters is no different than the painters who painted you car at the factory. Just like, with very few exceptions, there is no such thing as factory paint.
PXLpainter wrote:You have every right to have the car look showroom new. Even if that means they have to buff out the entire car to match the higher-quality paint on the repaired spot(s). That's what they're paid for - that's what you should expect in return.
BS. You filed an insurance claim, the insurance company wrote an estimate authorizing the shop to provide the repairs listed, nothing more. Never has an insurance company paid to buff an entire car because you have an existing crappy finish on your car. Instead, if its obvious your finish is going to be better due to non-related scatches or prior damage, they will add betterment for you to pay in addition to your deductable. In rare instances when something cannot be fixed properly, an insurance company may pay a 'beauty allowance'.
PXLpainter wrote:Keep going back until its right - or threaten to report them for insurance fraud - that'll get their attention!
Keep going back till you are satisfied but obvously there is no insurance fraud and mentioning such would make you look like an idiot. Just state and point out your concerns and ask for them to address them. Most shops and insurance companies have both guarantee and warranties (except rust) on their work and most parts. Bring it to your insurance companies attention if you aren't satisfied and they may send you to another shop and provide a supplemental estimate. We re-repair other shop's work for insurance companies a couple times every month.