Z needs help
 

So one of the previous owners weren't paying attention and broke the passenger side view mirror, then cut off the connector from the mirror for some stupid reason, expoxied the mirror back onto the housing, and it caused a pretty big paint scratch.

http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/4...62214small.jpg

The dealer quoted $307 to repaint that single panel.

I figure I can just tape off the area around it, sand the scratch down, primer, paint, and clear coat. Similar to what some people do when their front bumpers get curbed.

Am I missing something or should I just let the dealer handle it?

Find an independent body shop you trust and get another quote?

I'd check with a couple of reputable body shops. If you don't know any, a good one will be happy to give you a quote and show you pictures of their previous work.

What part of KY?

I'm in Louisville. Reason I wanted the dealer to do it is because of resale value. I recently learned that non-factory painted stuff makes a big difference in resale.

Maybe I just went to a crappy body shop because the appraisers who knew which panels were painted knew because the paint line from the tape was still there.

I might just go the DIY route. $50 and a weekend vs a few hundred without a car during the weekdays. The Z is my DD so I could only bring it in on the weekend, when most shops are closed coincidentally.

You talking about the a-pillar cover (red) right? They are prepainted plastic piece you can buy from one of the Nissan dealers here. It just snaps onto the car.

As for the mirror base I would spot bondo sand and shoot it with matte black paint. :)

Btw that mirror is easy to remove off the car. You will need to remove the door panel and a few screws but should take no more than 5min. :)

Yes it is, but problem is, the guy quoted me $400 something for the part.

The mirror base looks weird based on the angle. It's actually the bondo or epoxy that needs to be sanded down and painted. And yeah, I watched the mechanic put the mirror back on after he brought it to me just so I could see how to do it. You're right, it is so easy; just pop off a cover and unscrew 3 nuts.

Oh I see.... hummmm... check around if there are local spot touchup places. Some of them are mobile and can do it on the spot. It will only cost a fraction of a true bodyshop repair.

As for the mirror base, yah download the service manual from this site if needed and just fix it yourself. :) as you said there are only 3 nuts holding the mirror.

For sure I'm a DIY kinda guy.

Can anyone with experience answer this for me: when I apply the clear coat, let it dry, and remove the tape, I understand there will be a thin raised line. I guess I would have to wet sand to get rid of that line?

And lol I was so paranoid of rust I went and got some clear nail polish to cover it since it's raining right now. Having had a Honda will do that to you :rofl2:

Yah talk to junkman in the detailing forum to see wat grit he recommends for that clearcoat 'step.' I think 3000 grit wetsand. Btw, no need to clear either the apillar cover (plastic) or the mirror base for rust prevention....the door has drain holes at the bottom and not unusual to have water go inside the door under normal use. Water will drip out the bottom. :)

you will regret trying to paint it yourself (unless you are not picky at all about paint quality), and then you will pay someone to repaint it for you.

You talk from experience, phunk? :D;)

Oh, the scratch looked deep enough that I could see the primer and I don't want to take chances. Honda paranoia ;)

If I could get it like this (but obviously on my A pillar):

Buellwinkle - Bumper Painting

Then I don't have a problem.

Paint, primer, clearcoat, etc already ordered. I will report back with results.

hahaha, plastic rusts in your neck of the woods, huh? :tup:

humm... my Fit's missing paint in the rear quarter wheel arch from sidewall rubbing it... salty winter x2 still no rust. :p my winter beater.

DOH! I forgot it was plastic. After talking to my buddy who does body work, he suggests just taking off the whole A-pillar and painting the whole thing since according to him the tape marks would still show. Now to figure out how to pop the dang thing off.