I'm getting a new driver side door (due to accident), and the bumper / hood have to be repainted as well. How do i make SURE that they use the RIGHT materials, and take all the proper steps, etc? I don't trust body shops What exactly should i look for? How do these guys usually cheat?

 

if it's a reputable shop, and you pay them the price that they deserve or ask, they should do it right. if you try to low ball them and bargain, they will skip a few steps. never bargain service.

 

Yea i would be as careful as i could try to ask as many questions as possible and mention that you really take pride in your car.

 

Word of mouth is a great tool. Independent mechanics often have great advice on the local bodyshops. Check with the BBB to see if a shop has any complaints registered against it. Ask the shop whether they are PPG or Dupont etc. certified.

Above all, post in your regional forum here and ask locals for their recommendations. Never fails!

 

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I needed my door fixed too.

#1) Make sure you see the new door from nissan. They may try to repair the door. Screw that, get a new one. They are about 250 bucks.

#2) Make sure they cut the color into the inside of the door. This means they paint the inside of your door with the outside color.

#3)Ask them to use new pins on the doors. You dont know what kind of condition your originals are.

#4)Make sure they put the foam inserts inside the door back in. Many shops will leave them out(this goes for car audio shops too). Without it, you may get rattles.

#5) Demand to have everything wetsanded and buffed. Many shops think that their final clear is good enough not to buff.

#6)Last but not least, pop the hood and look for over spray. Check your rims, front side and back. Check the interior. Just check everything. Most shops detail your car, because the realize overspray and dust gets everywhere in the body shop. Make sure the mirrors and windows move properly with no clunks or rattles. Dont leave with your car if anything is messed up. Tell them you will just pick it up tomorrow.

After everything checks out, make sure the paint is garenteed the life of the car and verfify that it is logged in their system also, just in case you loose the receipt.

 

Watch them. If you are really paranoid, offer them a stripper or two. They should get the job done.

Oh, and make sure the stripper is not a man.

 

i'll sell u my CS doors haha if you want to save some money... otherwise... there really isn't a way to MAKE SURE they do a good job besides going to a reputable shop. goodluck