Fender Blending question
 

I recently had my hood stripped and repainted. They blended the color into the fenders. Does anyone know how far into the fender is common practice? The reason I ask is because I have a new cracking paint spot under the clear that I never saw on my fender before.

at the shop i used to work at, we did 6-10in blend depending on the condition of the paint.

cracking spots can occur when clear coat isn't totally removed before it is reshot and/or when oil/dirt (usually from sweaty fingers) isn't properly removed prior to shooting. or it could be from a ding...could you post a pic of the spot?

Regular shot:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y29...psebc80e28.jpg


Shot with filter effect so you can see it:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y29...ps3322de83.jpg

Placement on the fender. Spot is where my thumb is.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y29...ps9f191b1e.jpg




My service rep or whatever tried saying it was probably a defect present before they blended. I shot him down and said I know every defect that was in my car before I brought it in.

Update: They brought out the painter who says he only blended that first, top inch part adjacent to the hood. They didn't go any further. So, I get told that it must have been a rock chip that was cleared over. BS! The spot was not present when I picked up the car after the repainting. There was nothing in this area before I took it in.

So, did they not do the blending process correctly by supposedly not going that far in? I need some leverage to file a chargeback and contact my insurance.

I would call corporate or someone & find out if they have a standard for painting parts. Meaning if they paint how much blend or minimum distance are they required to go?
I was told for a scratch on a door that is within 5 inches of another body panel they will have to blend the next panel 5 inches in, in Houston at a dealership.

At my shop if I was doing the good n blending into the fenders I would also just do the top edge but at the same time if that chip was there I would have fixed it since there is plenty of room to repair n blend. Is it definitely a chip I ask because with white if the panel isn't perfectly clean when blended n cleared your going to see it. From the pictures it kind of looks like a dirty finger print or smudge that wasn't cleaned and noticed and now that it's cleared it's pronounced n noticeable

Called corporate who just put me in touch with a local shop that I didn't use. There is no set standard they use, it just goes based on paint color and areas requiring the match.


So would I be able to claim that they didn't follow through with the proper cleaning procedure prior to clearing the entire thing again?

The guy told me if it spreads, they will "take care of it." To which I asked, does that mean I can come back for a quote or will it be covered under my warranty? He told me to take the painter's word as it will be covered but I have a feeling this is the beginning of a bigger battle. :shakes head:

PW is a pita to match in speaking to body shops. Having said that, this is as simple as imperfect paint job, with the flaws visible to naked eyes, and that's not acceptable, period end of story no if and buts. If imperfection was pre-existing (rock chip), ppl at the shop should've noticed, noted it, and notify you right away. So either way, demand what's rightfully yours. I hope you get it sorted out

He says "If it spreads we will take care of it..." That's a classic case of short sighted approach and just wanted to get rid of you.

I would want to say "let me crack you face and if it spreads, I'll take care of it"

And if you are sure that spot wasn't there, stick to it, don't show an ounce of doubt. Stick to your guns don't let them send you away. Good luck man

I'll be calling my insurance company when I get home and asking them to make the shop fix it. Surely they can be a mediator between us.

They have a meter that can measure the depth of your paint. Just ask your insurance company for info regarding a shop that has said device. They can tell instantly where the factory paint stops and where the repair begins. That should solve your issue with whether it was there or not.

Last time I used this tactic (fighting for factory paint defects), I was told my hood had been repainted even though it measured within factory spec. They refused to fix it so I filed an insurance claim to get all the shiz fixed. Sigh.

Called my insurance company today, they are reopening the claim and someone will be contacting me tomorrow.

I'm tired of getting shafted by companies refusing to perform work properly and then try to tell me I'm wrong.

I just realized that this picture may show that they knew about that potential chip before performing work and clearing. In that case, I should have been contacted correct?

Attachment 65804

It sure does look like it. What about the spot they marked near the side marker on the fender?

I want to say there was a hairline scratch there before I took it in, but I do need to go out and inspect that area as well. So they should have contacted me about this correct? Or by the looks of it, it seems they marked it up to have it completely redone but didn't.