So I have some upsetting news about removing 3M chiprotectant from my S2000. I took the car to a well known local detail shop/licensed 3M applier to remove the 3M film from the front bumper, hood and side view mirrors. (It was applied to the car at the time of purchase back in 2004 and it was starting to have a slight yellowish fade to it).

The paint underneath was perfect and now has suffered 2 major paint defects.

1st day - they did about half of the car because it proved to be more difficult than expected and even though the film came off easily, the glue was being stubborn. So, they told me the rest would be finished the next day. The owner and his son (manager) did it and looked good so far.

2nd day - drop off the car expecting the same good removal process as day 1 and when I came to pick it up, I notice the defects on the passenger side. Assistant manger (1 of 2 employees who worked on it this day) comes out and says the glue was stubborn and the chipped paint was just "the name of the game" and compared it to peeling old wall paper from homes and paint chipping is a risk. He said it would be near perfect after some paint redoing. He then says I HAVE TO PAY for this and he can give me a referral to a mobile paint repair guy they use.

The defect near the fender has a linear crack as well and rippling paint next to it.


Needless to say, I am extremely upset about them not taking responsibility and their carelessness. The manager will not be in until Monday, so I have to wait to at least then to talk to this guy's supervisor.

1. Regardless of who pays, I need a very good paint shop to take care of this. Any recommendations and what are realistic expectations on how it will look?

2. Will I have to take off the bumper to get these repairs done?

3. How should I approach the manager on Monday and is it fair for me to ask them to pay for the paint with my shop of choice? What if he refuses to pay for it?

4. I still need to get the paint polished and wax to remove the rest of the residue off, which I am debating on whether for them to finish the job ($149 for wash, clay bar, polish and wax) or go to a more expensive place.

5. Should I paint first or polish/wax first to get that glue residue off?

Pictures are here:

http://s1130.photobucket.com/albums/...t=photo1-1.jpg

 

I have a 3M bra about a year old on my car. When the installer was working on the front bumper he noticed a crack in the paint. He said when it comes time for removal in 5 years or so you may have to get it repainted again the paint may peel off because of the previous cracks around the headlight area of the bumper and asked me if I would like continue with the process. I'm going to save up for a new OEM bumper and get it painted and clear bra again when that time comes for the removal, but that will be in 5-6 years as my car rarely sees the sun. OEM paint isn't the best either. My bumper paint started to have cracks when I was removing the front bumper to install a CAI.

You were present when your clear bra was installed? The installer should have mention that paint even with the clear bra if your bumper has and impact or depressions from maybe a rock that it may crack the paint regardless if the clear bra is on. When it comes time from removal its risky and will most likely peel where the cracks were located.

You could try to get him to pay a portion since they did mess up your bumper a bit. You most likely will have to take the bumper off to get it resprayed. I would get it resprayed since OEM paint isn't the greatest. Take it to a good reputable shop and they will fix it for you.

 

PM'D


sorry to hear about this.. its a like a horror movie

 

PM'd as well. Thanks for the referral. He sounds like a solid individual.

 

I sent a PM as well. While I don't know which shop you went to I would probably not feel comfortable leaving my car with a shop that doesn't appear to be interested in covering the damage.

Here is my facebook detail page for you to check out some of my work....lots of S2K experience.


http://www.facebook.com/pages/Seattl...l/121293829371

 

So I spoke with the shop's manager today and he still refuses to take responsibility for the damage saying there is no way to deem it was his fault (vs it being applied wrong by the dealership, having it been on there so long, etc). I show him the estimates for $500+ for the parts and labor to repaint and he says there is no way he is liable to pay that and those paint chips need to be just covered up with touch-up paint.

He said what he can do is clean off the rest of the glue residue and provide a "free" full car detail. Short of filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau or pursuing small claims court, this seems like the best I will get from them.

From a principal stand point, I would like to see them be held financially responsible for the repairs one way or the other, but from a practical stand point, I could have them finish their detail job, hope they do a good job, use touch up paint and just not ever return here or let anyone else fall victim to their work. The other option would be to have another detailer (NW Auto Salon) charge $300-400 for me to get a similar detail job through them. Just sucks since $400 is a lot of money and was not part of original budget for this film removal.

Open to thoughts / suggestions..

Thanks all.

 

I would personally worry about taking it back. I'm not just saying that b/c I'd like your business either. I'd walk, file a complaint w/ the BBB. How many times has this happened before with them? Who knows if people don't hold them to a high standard. I hope they don't flub the detail. Report back and let us know how it turns out.

 

Ideally, I would love to file a complaint with BBB and if that did not work, take them to small claims court. Based on principal alone, whether all the damages got paid for or not, I would love to see some corrective action taken against them. Unfortunately, I am moving out of state in 10 days and according to the BBB:

"Your complaint will be forwarded to the company within two business days. The company will be asked to respond within 14 days, and if a response is not received, a second request will be made. You will be notified of the company's response when we receive it (or notified that we received no response). Complaints are usually closed within 30 calendar days."

Therefore, unless I foot the bill for $300 to take it to someone else for their mistake and run the risk of a drawn out legal battle that is not guaranteed to be resolved in my favor, my hands seem tied at the moment.

I am taking the car back tomorrow morning and will pray that they do a good job removing the remaining glue, applying touch-up paint and providing a detail. I'll report back with hopefully acceptable results.

 

hope it works out for you. i be pissed if that happen to my car.

 

Got the car back today. They took the rest of the glue off and detailed the car. The detail job was nothing special considering they still left grooves of the front bumper, side views and windows dirty. They put 1 coat of touch-up paint and I finished off a second coat at home. Less noticeable, but still there. To think I actually paid them to do this to my bumper. They had the audacity to keep reinforcing the notion that I did not have to pay for their $149 detailing job which would have cost extra. (Yes, but instead I got a bill for a $500 repaint job)

Even when I went to go pick up the car, he gave me an additional excuse of how another reason for paint chipping was maybe the dealership repainted certain areas of the car before selling it to the owner. Yea...I have all the paperwork from the original owner and no signs of such repainting. Unbelievable how they try to escape responsibility till the very end!

So for those in the area, please, please, please DO NOT go to Karmichael Auto Salon. They have locations in Bellevue, Renton and Mukilteo and that will be the last time they will ever get business from me again. We live and we learn, next time I'll spend the extra money and take it to the right people.

Thanks for all the support and concern, much appreciated.