Paint repair question.

[ZeroZeta]

Hi all. I have a question for anyone that does their own body work or who has experience with having paint work done.

I have been getting estimates for a minor repair.

The damage was the result of dodging a blown tractor trailer tire. I swerved to avoid the tire fragments but part of it appears to have gone under my right front tire and was ejected out of the wheel well, causing a couple of scratches on the side as it left.

(I didn't notice it till long after the incident because I was too busy celebrating the fact that my front end was fine)

The tire left a pretty deep scratch in a few areas but no damage to the panel itself.

I hit it up using the best of my touch up skills but the paint dried slightly lighter than the rest of the panel. The reason it doesn't look like a chip is that I had already tried to blend it in using the factory touch up paint. So I ended up with a discolored blob when I probably should have used Dr. Color chip. - live and learn.

I wanted to get it looking better and am getting estimates anywhere from a $200-$500 plus. I have been told by multiple shops that it was necessary to repaint the entire fender. This would also result in additional cost for replacing the clear bra on the front of the fender so another $40-$100 for that.

A few estimates broke out labor costs for removing the front bumper, headlight, and fender itself.

I know you get what you pay for and have no problem paying for quality work but at the same time am having a hard time rationalizing why it is necessary to remove the panel for something I thought could be resolved with a few rounds of sanding, and some diluted paint through a spray gun/airbrush to blend it in. (I could be making a major assumption though - I admittedly am not as knowledgeable about body repair as I would like to be)

The biggest spot itself is around 1 inch.

The paint color is Gun Metallic (KAD) and this is apparently part of why it can't be spot fixed as it is nearly impossible to blend correctly due to the metallic paint (which is what I have been told)

I wanted to get input from others as to whether or not it sounded like I was being told the truth or if the repair work required was so insignificant that the body shops were trying to turn this into a bigger project in order to make it worth their time.

If so I wish they would just be upfront about it - I have other stuff I want to get painted anyway.

You can see the lighter spots in the attached pic.

Thanks in advance for your input! - Zero

[/Angelo350Z/]

I would personally pay extra and get the whole fender painted. This eliminates the need to mask the headlight, hood, door, wheel, etc. FWIW, I had my entire driver's door repaired and painted with all the mouldings, seals, and interior door panel removed for exactly $350. After 6 months, the paint is still immaculate.

[ZeroZeta]

Ah. Thanks Angelo. I didn't consider that maybe how the shops are choosing to handle this is likely part of the reason for the wide range in estimates. They are removing the fender at the high end and possibly masking at the lower end.

I am also toying with the idea of leaving it as it is for a while and when my budget allows dropping off some vented fenders to get painted. My logic being that if we are pulling off and repainting panels might as well replace it with something a little cooler.

[/Angelo350Z/]

No problem ZeroZeta. What fenders do you plan on getting? Like you said, you can always leave it the way it is for now, and just take it to the shop when you receive your fenders. Hell, while you're at it, might as well get a lip, skirts, or whatever body pieces you like .

[ZeroZeta]

I was looking at the more common single vented fender (not sure who the original manufacturer is though)

After a little thought I decided to move forward with my repair. The new fender will come later.

Not sure about others here but having a blemish (albeit very minor) on my beloved car was bugging the hell out of me. I could almost feel it when I was driving. Its worth the cash to get the zit removed and have a clean complexion again. ha ha.

Will be back to showroom condition next week! woot.