Street Dreams Detail - Porsche 997 Turbo Meteor Gray

[neomatrix]

Ng. here`s my experience...



Ok here in Vegas, I found out that the Lexus, Jaguar and MBenz Dealer all bring their cars for body repair and painting to one shop. I always wanted to get my Lexus hood repainted due to stonechips and minor scratches so I brought it last week just to check the cost. I was given a quote of $376 ( my hood doesn`t have any dent) . I thought the price was cheap. The only thing is they are not listed as an I-Car certified when I checked the site. However, when I went there, I saw a lot of exotic cars including Porsches, MBenz and Jags and they all look good. It looks like a big time operation since they have several buildings in the lot where they do body repair in one and painting in another.



Anyway, I also went to an I-Car certified place (didn`t know it then) who worked on my Honda when it was in an accident. They were recommended by my insurance company at that time and I was happy with their previous work. I was told this time that they will have to blend/finish the left and right fenders of my Lexus and the costs is about $650-$700. I did tell the appraiser that if that`s the case I would have the small ding (paint came off) repaired on one of the fenders. Anyway, I am looking at the estimate sheet now and the left ( where the ding is ) says refinish and the right fender says blend. I don`t know exatly what the difference between the two but I would guess refinish meant to repaint the panel.



After this visit, I called the non-Icar certified place and asked about the need to blend the fenders. They told me that the finish is good still ( 3 years old) and since my paint is black and non-metallic, I don`t really need it. What do you think Ron?

[vettefan67]

I`m not Ron so I can`t answer for the rest of it but here`s his opinion on blending, found on the first page of this thread.

<blockquote class=`ipsBlockquote` >

<em class=`bbc`>Originally posted by Ron Ketcham [/i]
<strong class=`bbc`>There are shops that will tell you they can blend in on a high solid clear.

Yes, it can be done, but you will see in a short time, at most in most cases a year, exactly where the blend line is.

I must have looked at 20 vehicles during my last trip where I was asked to diagnois what the problem was on vehicles.

In all the cases, the concern was the result of a shop attempting to blend on OEM high solid clears.


Ketch

[/b]</blockquote>

[Ron Ketcham]

It will look fine for a few months, but as time progresses, the blended area will show and no polishing etc will make it right.



That is the facts.



I know some shops will tell you different, but they are attempting to get work by quoting a lesser price, since it takes more material (very expensive) to do a full panel than a small blend.



To blend is easy, quick, down and dirty.



To refinish a panel is work, more material etc.



Ketch

[neomatrix]

Ron,



I guess my question didn`t come out clear. One shop says that I could get away with just painting the hood and the other says I would need to paint the hood and blend the left and right fenders. The first one says that since my paint is till ok and the car is black and non-metallic, then I do not have to do anything to the fenders. What do you think of this?



BTW, my 3 year old paint seems fine but I just want to get the hood painted due to stone chips and minor scratches.

[Ron Ketcham]

Didn`t understand, thought that all you wished to have refinished was the hood.



What are they saying, they are going to "blend" the fenders where you have nicks?



You work it out, you got the basic knowledge, have done what you feel is the right process.



Ketch:up

[JonB]

Son`s Accord came out beautiful! But there was one spot on the mirror (that I had tried to fix myself) that wasn`t really quite right. The guy took one look and said he can`t let the car go out like that, so it`s being repainted right now and should be ready by 3 PM. I hope I don`t miss the UPS guy! My Blackfire is on its way...



I am very pleased with the outcome of the repair, but I just don`t understand quality control. It seems like just about any time I do ANYTHING (not just car repair), it just isn`t right the first time! Why is that? How hard is it to have things inspected properly? Did they think that I would just miss it? It was fairly minor, but it should have been perfect, the first time. Maybe if there were money penalties for having to recorrect a problem that should not have passed inspection....



Anyways, the clearcoat looks like it has just been Zaino`d. I guess I will have to wait the 30 days before resealing it but it looks great as is.



H

[Langley Interior Car Kare]

lets get some pics for the after shots...please... i hear u about quality control....i always assumed that after all the work is done that their would be a guy who`s job it is to go over every completed car...with a fresh set of eyes...but i think that kind of shop is far and few between...i think after all the big work is done they get a flunky do just go over it quickly with some oily Qd`er...to cover it all up....and most people just concentrate on the area that was busted up...not the whole car.....most places(not all) will take the chance because most people(not autopians) arent gonna say anything if the job is 80% done right....they`ll take it....these are the same people with bird crap on their hood for a month....so if he gets away with it then he does...if u say something than he says...no problem just leave it a litttle longer....no loss for them....anyway....cant wait for your Bf pics...good luck dood...:up

[Street Dreams]

Full correction 2 day detail. An abridged writeup..

After prep finish under halogens





After correction



50/50









After all the correction I rinsed the car down to remove the dusting

Leveled paint beading, no LSP ... hmm I could just call it a day right now :giggle:



Interior received full detail as well, not in bad shape to begin with



Engine cleaned and dressed



Menzerna powerlock having quality bonding time



Finished





Cowl dressed for matte finish










It was raining a bit but grabbed a few shots outside before the final wipedown












Total time: 20hrs

[imported_Indy YZF]

Awesome job, the Menzerna works great on that color. I wish my garage looked that organize :biggrin:

[Old Pirate]

Great work as always David, glad to see it here at TID. Looks awesome:clap:

[michakaveli]

Nice Job Dave! The reflections are immaculate! :clap:

[bigpoppa]

What a stunning car! If I could get any 997 in the world, it would be one just like that. Perfect color combo, proper manual transmission, and flawless paint.

Great work!

[Max405]

What a stunning car! If I could get any 997 in the world, it would be one just like that. Perfect color combo, proper manual transmission, and flawless paint.

I agree. The Meteor grey always looks good on the classic lines of the 911. It turns heads everywhere. I love the way the Menzerna makes it shine. Dave, are you willing to say its the best LSP for that particular color?
-Joe D

[Deep Gloss]

Fine work from you as always David.

Lovely CC to work on.....

[BIOLINK]

:clap: Solid as always! :clap:

I really like that car. My favorite color.