PLEASE HELP : What do you guys think is my best option?

[Dbone]

As I posted previously, I just took delivery of my 08 limited V8 (color Titanium Metallic Silver) and there was damage on the front left fender area.....More specifically, there is a deep scratch about a 1/2 to 3/4 inches long through the clear coat into the plastic in this area....

The dealer has given me 3 options:

1) They will just try to detail it somehow and make is look as good as they can...buffing etc...

2) They will send it to their body shop and have them fix it, either through fixing things and "blending" the paint in the affected area etc. or fixing and repainting the whole plastic fender area involved (ie in place right on the vehicle)...

3) Order me a whole new fender piece and have the body shop paint the fender off vehicle and then put it on...

I have concerns and am not quite sure what to do because I have some experience with this type of BS from my 06 Honda accord...I got rear ended by a guy who had his brakes fail...the body shop ordered a new bumper from Honda which came in primed and then they painted it and put it on the vehicle...It really didn't match the original silver that well...

Similar situation here...if they order the fender piece it will come in not painted and they will paint it...

A final option I suppose is to leave it as is...

Do you think the fact that the vehicle is brand new might contribute to a better match if they were to go ahead and paint?

Thanks for any input, particularly if anyone here has body work experience....

 

[Bookmonke]

Or have them pop one off of another 08 on the lot and be done with you, move that one to the back until the new part is painted and installed. But yes fresh paint matches much better, but I would want the part replaced.

 

[Koz]

The only option for me would have been to take a fender off a new vehicle the same color. It would have had to be done before I take delivery!

Koz

 

[toto]

In recent years I've had a couple of instances where I've had to go to a body shop after being rear-ended. Both times, I needed new plastic bumper covers, and they did exactly what you describe - paint it first, off the vehicle, and then install it. I had no issues with the color match; everything looked fine. I'm not sure if it was a factor, but the body shop I use specializes in Toyota products.

It's a new car, so I think fixing the existing part somehow is not an option.

 

[T?@\7]

The only option for me would have been to take a fender off a new vehicle the same color. It would have had to be done before I take delivery!

Koz

yes, if the options allow..... otherwise id let them fix it, and tell them that if it isnt PERFECT then hell will be raised. toyota usually does good, so lets hope so. good luck!

 

[Mike07SE]

Tell them to get you a new painted fender. You just shelled out for a new car, demand new quality! Buff job is a bandaid fix, blend job will probably something that'll rest uneasily in your mind over your new ride. If you don't like what they want to do vs. what you want, tell them the sale is off. They pretty much have you hook, line, and sinker, so they're not very likely to let you go easily.

 

[Mark86]

New fender all the way. It is a new vehicle and you want it perfect! Make sure you have everything in writing though so they can't play games.

 

[Dbone]

I never really thought of the idea of having them take one off of another silver runner on the lot...I can't see them wanting to do this but that to me would be best...factory paint and all....unless the one they take it off of was painted on-site too...LOL

Barring them doing this, based on my experience in the past with this stuff and some advice I received last night from a really good guy at a local shop ( ie that installed my tint and clear bra) I may just get it touched up as good as possible by someone that knows what they are really doing.

This guy hooked me up with the name of an auto body guy that is apparently incredible at fixing these kinds of thing well without having to all out paint it...In his experience these types of things can go from bad to worse very easily, and the next thing you know the whole fender stands out from the rest of the car...at this point the dealer will be harder to deal with and less likely to want to spend more time and money on the problem....Everything he was telling me unfortunately jived perfectly with the personal experience I had with my 06 accord so ...

Your guys' idea of trying to get one taken off of another 4Runner has some promise though in my eyes...Good idea...thanks...

Cheers
:rocker:

 

[rook]

If I understand you correctly, your fender is not damaged, but the cladding is? if that is the case, the dealer can order you a new piece and because it comes painted from the factory would be a perfect match. To me, this is the most acceptable option and I would really try to persuade the dealer to do it this way.

The second option is to repair the scratch. Talk to the body shop doing the repair, tell them you are concerned about the color match. They can do a couple of things to ensure the repair is a near perfect match like blending and checking for paint code variants.

 

[Dbone]

If I understand you correctly, your fender is not damaged, but the cladding is? if that is the case, the dealer can order you a new piece and because it comes painted from the factory would be a perfect match. To me, this is the most acceptable option and I would really try to persuade the dealer to do it this way.

The second option is to repair the scratch. Talk to the body shop doing the repair, tell them you are concerned about the color match. They can do a couple of things to ensure the repair is a near perfect match like blending and checking for paint code variants.

Yes, the plasic part that runs around the top of the wheel well area...

Are you 100% sure that this part comes in already painted from the factory? I am going to have to call Toyota Canada directly and find out. The dealer is telling me that this is not the case. It would not surprise me if they were lying and plan to just paint the existing one right on the vehicle...

Cheers

 

[toto]

Plastic parts almost always need to be painted when they're body color. It would be nuts for the manufacturer to stock a bunch of different colors of the same item. When the parts only come in one color (such as black trim or the gray cladding on the 2003), then they'll be available pre-painted.

 

[J.A.]

The only thing I would do (and did something very similar) is to have them take another flare off a brand new vehicle on their lot and swap it out. If they want to get the part repainted locally, etc. let them do that to someones elses new vehicle. I would want factory paint, not aftermarket which may not match or prematurely show wear.

 

[Dbone]

Plastic parts almost always need to be painted when they're body color. It would be nuts for the manufacturer to stock a bunch of different colors of the same item. When the parts only come in one color (such as black trim or the gray cladding on the 2003), then they'll be available pre-painted.

Well, I hope you're right...up to this point I have always been left with the impression that they have never tried to mislead me or lie about anything...You know how it is with some of these car dealers though...they will lie through their teeth just to save a few dollars...

My hope is that I can maintain a relationship with them moving forward, and how they handle this situation will dictate how that goes...problems will always arise...it is how the problems get handled that matters....

I think I may test those waters and see if they would be willing to take one off of another truck...

Cheers

 

[kat]

This guy hooked me up with the name of an auto body guy that is apparently incredible at fixing these kinds of thing well without having to all out paint it...

This may work... but why would you want to have to shell out more money? The dealer should be fixing this for FREE.

 

[BTLFED]

Plastic parts almost always need to be painted when they're body color. It would be nuts for the manufacturer to stock a bunch of different colors of the same item. When the parts only come in one color (such as black trim or the gray cladding on the 2003), then they'll be available pre-painted.

Not always true. The Infiniti QX4 grill, running boards, and fender flares, and the pocket that holds the tag on the rear door all come prepainted. Those are all plastic parts. You use the VIN# and it gives you the correct part number for the prepainted part in the correct color. Mudguards come prepainted too.

I don't know about how Toyota does it though. I sell Infiniti parts. :biggrin2:

 

[Dbone]

Well as far as I can see the cat is out of the bag on this one....

Starting to feel that I am being lied to and nickel and dimed...I looked into it and definitively determined that the part comes pre-painted from the factory...

Basically at this point we have trust issues between us as far as I can see, and it will likely affect whether or not I get my vehicle serviced through them and/or purchase another vehicle from them...this is how I see it...

In any case, I have a call into my salesman about the issue...I left a very frank message on his machine so it should be interesting to see what happens from here...

Talk about a bad business decision...geez...

 

[T?@\7]

u need to go higher on the ladder than the douche salesman, i dont know who to call but damn brother get on the horn! this cant be allowed to happen

 

[BTLFED]

Wait, are you saying they are making you pay for the part?

 

[Barefoot]

I had to replace a body color door handle on Mrs B's Sienna.

The dealer ordered the part from the Toyota regional parts place because it came painted, and the dealer didn't stock every color.

I wouldn't be surprised if aftermarket parts needed to be painted and Toyota parts came in body color...

 

[ramrunner]

I worked at a body shop for 13 years before getting a government job. We painted on new cars all the time you should not have any problems if you decide to let them piant on it. Nothings as good as factory paint but as long as you keep it clean and waxed you will be fine. As far as color they have come along ways in being able to match colors, especially commom colors like on your runner. hope this helps