Dealer dinged my car
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Joined: May 2003
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From: DFW, TX
Painting a bumer alone isnt what costs (and $250 is a good deal hookup for a painted bumper).
If your hood is all dinged up with rockchips, thats where pricing gets steep. Assume, about 300-400 per panel... ok... so the bumper and front bumper would run you 600-800. Not a bad deal. Ok... well if you paint your hood, it will not color match your fenders.
Due to the blending process, add two more panels at 600-800 total and all of a sudden you're at 1200-1600 for the entire front end.
I've worked in the car industry for the past 4 years, I know the ins and outs of most of it, a fewsh coat of paint might look nice to your eyes, but the used car manager at a given dealership will be able to see and feel that you have had your front end refinished. Thus de-valuing your car.
So instead of getting whatever for your trade, you might get 1,000 less, maybe more.
So you paid for a paint job that cost you 1,200 (lets take the low road). Well, technically it's cost you 2,200 now because thats 1,000 less you could be putting into your vehicle's equity.
-Kevin
If your hood is all dinged up with rockchips, thats where pricing gets steep. Assume, about 300-400 per panel... ok... so the bumper and front bumper would run you 600-800. Not a bad deal. Ok... well if you paint your hood, it will not color match your fenders.
Due to the blending process, add two more panels at 600-800 total and all of a sudden you're at 1200-1600 for the entire front end.
I've worked in the car industry for the past 4 years, I know the ins and outs of most of it, a fewsh coat of paint might look nice to your eyes, but the used car manager at a given dealership will be able to see and feel that you have had your front end refinished. Thus de-valuing your car.
So instead of getting whatever for your trade, you might get 1,000 less, maybe more.
So you paid for a paint job that cost you 1,200 (lets take the low road). Well, technically it's cost you 2,200 now because thats 1,000 less you could be putting into your vehicle's equity.
-Kevin
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: DFW
Originally posted by Bankheist
Painting a bumer alone isnt what costs (and $250 is a good deal hookup for a painted bumper).
If your hood is all dinged up with rockchips, thats where pricing gets steep. Assume, about 300-400 per panel... ok... so the bumper and front bumper would run you 600-800. Not a bad deal. Ok... well if you paint your hood, it will not color match your fenders.
Due to the blending process, add two more panels at 600-800 total and all of a sudden you're at 1200-1600 for the entire front end.
I've worked in the car industry for the past 4 years, I know the ins and outs of most of it, a fewsh coat of paint might look nice to your eyes, but the used car manager at a given dealership will be able to see and feel that you have had your front end refinished. Thus de-valuing your car.
So instead of getting whatever for your trade, you might get 1,000 less, maybe more.
So you paid for a paint job that cost you 1,200 (lets take the low road). Well, technically it's cost you 2,200 now because thats 1,000 less you could be putting into your vehicle's equity.
-Kevin
Painting a bumer alone isnt what costs (and $250 is a good deal hookup for a painted bumper).
If your hood is all dinged up with rockchips, thats where pricing gets steep. Assume, about 300-400 per panel... ok... so the bumper and front bumper would run you 600-800. Not a bad deal. Ok... well if you paint your hood, it will not color match your fenders.
Due to the blending process, add two more panels at 600-800 total and all of a sudden you're at 1200-1600 for the entire front end.
I've worked in the car industry for the past 4 years, I know the ins and outs of most of it, a fewsh coat of paint might look nice to your eyes, but the used car manager at a given dealership will be able to see and feel that you have had your front end refinished. Thus de-valuing your car.
So instead of getting whatever for your trade, you might get 1,000 less, maybe more.
So you paid for a paint job that cost you 1,200 (lets take the low road). Well, technically it's cost you 2,200 now because thats 1,000 less you could be putting into your vehicle's equity.
-Kevin
well i dont really plan on trading my car in ... also i couldnt justify a clear bra since i may get an aftermarket front bumper eventually .. good idea for some people just not me
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From: DFW, TX
Originally posted by ShoveIt
I mistook front-end for bumper. So how noticable would it be to just have the bumper painted? Since mine's so beat up, would it be better (in terms of the car's value) to have one ruined with rock chips or a repainted one, possibly with a clear bra?
I mistook front-end for bumper. So how noticable would it be to just have the bumper painted? Since mine's so beat up, would it be better (in terms of the car's value) to have one ruined with rock chips or a repainted one, possibly with a clear bra?
-Kevin
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From: DFW
Originally posted by Bankheist
well, repainting it, and then getting a clear bra (modern armor, the stuff i sell) would be the best option... Basically, it would be like nothing happened for the mere fact that the 3M material would cover any signs that a part of you car had been repainted. See?
-Kevin
well, repainting it, and then getting a clear bra (modern armor, the stuff i sell) would be the best option... Basically, it would be like nothing happened for the mere fact that the 3M material would cover any signs that a part of you car had been repainted. See?
-Kevin
Thread Starter
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From: Dallas Texas
Originally posted by Bankheist
Really? you'd spend $1200 to $1500 every two years? Instead of a good clean and perfect install over a quality product that costs $800? and should last at least 4 years?
lets do the math.... average of 1200 and 1500 = 1350
times that by two (2 years by 2 = 4)
4*1350 = 2700
2700>800
not to mention the 4-7 work days for someone to paint your car. as opposed to the 4 hours for a professional 3M film being installed.
After looking at that, if anyone is interested in a quality protection film for their Z... please contact me.
-Kevin
Really? you'd spend $1200 to $1500 every two years? Instead of a good clean and perfect install over a quality product that costs $800? and should last at least 4 years?
lets do the math.... average of 1200 and 1500 = 1350
times that by two (2 years by 2 = 4)
4*1350 = 2700
2700>800
not to mention the 4-7 work days for someone to paint your car. as opposed to the 4 hours for a professional 3M film being installed.
After looking at that, if anyone is interested in a quality protection film for their Z... please contact me.
-Kevin
Your math is way over my head...and your estimate to re-finish the bumper is way off. But anyhow...thanks for hi-jacking my thread.
BTW...I ripped the clear bra two times with the hi-pressure spray at my local car wash!?! If I bought a brand new Z...I might go ahead and get the 3M on the bumer and front of hood...then just be more careful at the carwash!
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From: DFW, TX
Originally posted by gooters
...and your estimate to re-finish the bumper is way off.
...and your estimate to re-finish the bumper is way off.
It really does cost that much to repaint a front bumper, hood (assuming it has chips) and blend both fenders to match your paint.
Thread Starter
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From: Dallas Texas
Ahhh, I see.
It was Sunmasters in Addison.
Do you think that just painting the front bumper and blending into the front of hood and fenders would look okay...if done with care?
It was Sunmasters in Addison.
Do you think that just painting the front bumper and blending into the front of hood and fenders would look okay...if done with care?
Thread Starter
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From: Dallas Texas
btw...the tear is strange, It almost looks like the paint underneath the clearbra gave way and that is what caused the bra to rip. I suppose it could have happened the other way around though. But, I digress.
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From: DFW, TX
Originally posted by gooters
Do you think that just painting the front bumper and blending into the front of hood and fenders would look okay...if done with care?
btw...the tear is strange, It almost looks like the paint underneath the clearbra gave way and that is what caused the bra to rip. I suppose it could have happened the other way around though. But, I digress.
Do you think that just painting the front bumper and blending into the front of hood and fenders would look okay...if done with care?
btw...the tear is strange, It almost looks like the paint underneath the clearbra gave way and that is what caused the bra to rip. I suppose it could have happened the other way around though. But, I digress.
So yeah, you could repaint your front bumper, but I can only assume you have chips on your hood. Whatever you do, if you do repaint, let it cure for 16 days (typical amount of time for most automitve paints to cure) and then stick something on ASAP.
There's no real good reason why your clearbra would have come off unless it was due to a crappy install. However, if a large chunk of your paint underneath is missing, then you might have another issue to take up with Nissan
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From: Dallas Texas
Met with the GM (Terry) and the body shop manager today. The verdict is that I will front $100 and they will refinish my bumper (including two scratches I did myself) and supply a rental vehicle while my car i in the shop. They said it should take one day and they will replace my clearbra if needed.
Overall, I am quite pleased with Grubb's attention to the customer. The only thing that remains to be seen is what kind of job they do...I take it in Tuesday 20 Jan in the morning.
Side note: Terry is actually a pretty cool guy, a car fan too. He builds up Zs for fun and is making a personal one for himself. He showed me, it is a LS roadster with all the Nismo goodies including the bronze rims. They also painted the calipers to match the color of his alma mater (the second best school in TX).
Overall, I am quite pleased with Grubb's attention to the customer. The only thing that remains to be seen is what kind of job they do...I take it in Tuesday 20 Jan in the morning.
Side note: Terry is actually a pretty cool guy, a car fan too. He builds up Zs for fun and is making a personal one for himself. He showed me, it is a LS roadster with all the Nismo goodies including the bronze rims. They also painted the calipers to match the color of his alma mater (the second best school in TX).
LOL!
Thread Starter
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From: Dallas Texas
Here...let an Aggie spell it out for you.
His car was LS.
LS = Lemans Sunset = Orange
His calipers matched his car
THEY WERE ORANGE! :P
His car was LS.
LS = Lemans Sunset = Orange
His calipers matched his car
THEY WERE ORANGE! :P
Last edited by gooters; Jan 17, 2004 at 07:25 AM.
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From: DFW
Originally posted by gooters
Here...let an Aggie spell it our for you.
His car was LS.
LS = Lemans Sunset = Orange
His calipers matched his car
THEY WERE ORANGE! :P
Here...let an Aggie spell it our for you.
His car was LS.
LS = Lemans Sunset = Orange
His calipers matched his car
THEY WERE ORANGE! :P
Thread Starter
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From: Dallas Texas
I dropped it off this AM. They gave me a free rental (Neon blah). But, I forgot! The paint has to cure before they replace my clear bra! 
( I really hope I dont get any chips in the interim. The body shop manager called and offered me a free bra, I was like...no thanks. Maybe I will see if I can borrow one for a month though?! I'll tell you how the work looks tomorrow or the next day.
( I really hope I dont get any chips in the interim. The body shop manager called and offered me a free bra, I was like...no thanks. Maybe I will see if I can borrow one for a month though?! I'll tell you how the work looks tomorrow or the next day.