Just got a new front bumper, am I being to picky?

[Fahrenheit]

So had some damage done to my front end in a parking lot. Insurance was gonna cover it and they wanted me to go to a place called Sterling. I didn't really know of another body shop so I went with them. So 4 days later I get my car back. I went to pick it up when it was dark out (5:30pm) which was a mistake, couldn't get a good look at it. I figured it be alright though. The next day I go give it a look, tons of orange peel and a few runs. Little pissed off but figured it wasn't bad enough to make me wanna go back. Now while I was looking at it I kept thinking something was off about it, I didn't figure it out till I looked trough some old pics of my car. They painted the front bumper lip thing black. Here's a pic of what i'm talking about.


Now tell me, am I being to picky? I called em up and they said drop by Monday and they will check it out but what can they even do at this point? Do the replacement parts come with that part flat grey like the factory?

[matt5112]

Replacement won't come painted at all.

They painted it one colour to save time/money and hoped you wouldn't notice, or perhaps they didn't notice.

Is the arrowhead stuck on top of the bumper or is it countersunk like the stock bumpers?

That's the easiest way to tell if its an aftermarket or GM bumper.

The paint alone would be reason to find a new shop.

If they will let someone leave their shop with that poor of a paint job, they're not going to fix it any better, nor do you really want them to paint the lower section for you.

[REDCRAPGP]

You have every right to be picky you pay the insurance company every month for a reason and a deductible. I would let them fix it and make sure it's to 100% of you liking if not choose a different bodyshop. Like Matt they painted it one color to cost cost and labor unless you wanted it like that they need to get you a new oem bumper and start all over. Orange peel isn't bad to remove if you wetsand but why would you want to go through that work when it should of been done already.

[stealthee]

Insurance is there to make your car whole again. The car is supposed to be the same or better when you get it back.

The only problem I see you having is not going over it before you took possession of it back. Insurance, and the shop, may see that as acceptance of the work.

[Scottydoggs]

kinda hard for the shop to say that "you made the paint run, or added orange peal" plus im sure hes got pics showing the original colors on the bumper cover.

i'd complain before to much time passes. after all the customer is always right. and they could loose work from the ins co. if they cant paint and install a bumper cover properly.

[hockeybawler]

I would take it back, they messed up pretty damn bad if you can see paint run

[Fahrenheit]

Thanks guys, I did call em. I'm gonna take it back tomorrow. It's just gonna be a pain in the ass dropping the car off again and using other peoples cars while the figure out whats up. Also they told me on the phone they use waster based paint, how does that stuff hold up?

[Scottydoggs]

its the new paint. its been used in CA for years, and is being used more and more in the rest of the country. its environmentally friendly.

if done right you should not be able to tell.

[volatile]

Look at it this way, your insurance is probably going to go up from that accident which means a higher deductible from the insurance company fixing the car. Do you want to be paying a higher deductible from mediocre repair work? I wouldn't. Their are waaay to many orange peels especially on the bumper. The paint job looks like a amateur did it from their home garage. You have every right to take it back. And if they refuse to fix it I would notify the insurance company as I'm pretty sure they don't like paying out claims for shady looking work. Water based paint is required in California.

[Logan541]

Bottom line if you are not happy and every time you look at its gonna aggravate you then you should bring it back, you paid for a service

[GRAFIX]

I would get that fixed! Looks like a poor paint job to me.

As far as the front fascia being black, I don't think it looks bad if done right. I actually had my front and back fascia painted black (Professionally).

[Tony Mendez]

I wouldn't settle for any work you have to question. A professional paint job should look like a professional paint job. You pay your premiums and should accept nothing less than a quality repair be provided by the shop your insurance company suggested. Remember, the insurance company is in business to turn a profit. Many times insurance providers will seek out the best deal which doesn't always mean the best quality or workmanship.

[volatile]

That whole thing sounds shady. The body shop should go over in detail the work they did and show you everything they repaired to make sure the customer is happy. Them not doing so in a lighted garage (since it was getting dark out), seems odd to me. When I got my car repaired thats' what they did and I am glad they did cause they got white paint specks on my passenger window and I would of drove back.

[Fahrenheit]

Well I dropped it off at 9am, just got a call that's its finished now. Don't know how much they could of done in 2 hours but i'm gonna check it out.

[Scottydoggs]

sounds like a wet sanding and a buffing if it only took 2 hours to fix up. what about the bottom not being the right color?

[Fahrenheit]

Just checked it out, looks pretty good now. They buffed the paint smooth so no more runs or orange peel. They painted the bottom this metallic grey, while not stock looking (and all i wanted was a stock look) it looks pretty good. Only problem I see now is a grey spot on the inside lip of the front license plate holder. Ill fix that my self at some point with some touch up paint. Ill post pics later