Garage Horror Story

[Black Bear]

Hi all - I just stumbled upon this site and I would like your input into a very serious situation that we find ourselves in.

I took my 2000 Corvette Convertible in for some minor servicing to a reputable GM dealer in Brampton, Ontario.

They banged up my passenger rear quarter panel and back bumper causing damage. They agreed to paint the quarter panel and the back bumper. Keep in mind that the car is four years old. When they painted the quarter panel in the back bumper, the paint did not match up with the original paint. The car is black. Body shop manager agreed it did not match up so they sent it out to a detail shop to buff the entire car. Got car back - looked better but still the paints did not match up. The back driver bumper does not match the driver's rear quarter panel. Body shop agrees to paint the quarter panel. Go to pick up car - handprint on quarter panel. They tried to buff it out - does not come out. As we are looking at this, another hand print is noticed on the rear quarter panel. Body shop agrees to paint rear driver's side quarter panel again. Go to pick car up a day later, driver's door does not match with rear quarter panel driver's side. Body shop agrees that it does not match. Can't understand. Body shop decides to paint the driver's door - still does not match - removed the car today from their premises.

Has anyone experienced such a misfortune with their Corvette? Any input/information would be greatly appreciated. Has my Corvette lost value - ie., it no longer has the original paint? Authenticity is no longer the same? Etc.?

This has been a nightmare. Any information/help would be greatly appreciated! We are located in Woodbridge, Ontario, CANADA

 

[froggy47]

Lost value - most likely, seen screwups like this - would you believe - usually. Sorry for your mess.

My 02 Sub had a dealer oil chg. Found drops in my garage. Brought it back, inspected, dye in the oil,more inspections, pulled tranny to ck rear main seal.

Bottom line the dope who changed the oil left a bunch of oil slop instead of wiping it clean!

Nice - quality dealer service.

 

[Ken]

Welcome To The Corvette Action Center Black Bear!

Gee, what a terrible way to have to introduce yourself. I hope you get the situation resolved to your satisfaction, but it's begining to sound like a complete paint job will be required. Sad news indeed.

I'm going to move your post to the C5 section where hopefully you'll get a more experienced response from owners of the newer Corvettes.

 

[78SilvAnniv]

Welcome Bear!

Welcome to Corvette Action Center.
I agree with Ken, that is a terrible way to have to introduce yourself to a Corvette Forum, but you have found a great bunch of vette enthusiasts to commiserate with!

I would have to say that if they can't get the panels they have painted to match...eventually they will wind up going all the way around the vette and you'll have a totally new paint job. Why not just tell them they need to paint it all at once so everything matches?
(and if they're leaving handprints in it, I'd send it to a reputable painter and send them the bill, too)
Heidi

 

[warren s]

A body shop owner who fixed and painted some of my older cars once told me he wont paint sections on late model Corvettes because its almost impossible to match the paint perfectly and the owners always will notice.

He also mentioned that unless the car was kept in the dark since it was new, the paint will oxidize under the clear coat, and the new paint can be a slight bit off, and adding the agents to the paint to allow the flex in the rear and front facia can also change the shade. It may take a few attempts on a small area to get an exact match

Botton line is the dealer doesnt want to take the time and is looking for a shortcut.

 

[67HEAVEN]

My painter said, just yesterday, that if there's "any" problem with the upcoming paintjob, he will NOT try to correct it. He'll paint the entire car again.

By the way, he's not trying to sell me a paintjob. This job was booked many, many months ago.

Welcome from a fellow Canuck. Sorry to hear your story.

 

[JR_Vette]

Dealerships suck. When I was younger (in 1990) I had a 1989 Cavalier Z24 that I took in for a rough idle. When I picked it up, the front end had over $2500 worth of damage. The dealer denied everything. Finally after catching them in a lie they agreed to fix it.

THEN when I had my showroom new 17K mile Ruby Red 40th Annivesary coupe, one of the other dealerships here in town managed to scratch the plexi targa top beyond repair. They had to send it off to get the plexi replaced (at their expense). Once again, they denied it, but I pointed out that I had been there only the day before to pick the car up (it wasn't fixed) and the top was fine then. They were nice after that, and took care of it.

So now, whenever I am forced to take my cars into the shop, I have the dealerships make a note of any imperfections on the paint, and sign it. I'm sick of dealerships. I have yet another leaking rear seal on my 99 and I am dreading taking it it (it's still under warranty).

I feel your pain.

 

[UB2 SLOW]

Dude that sucks. I had the same problem, but after the second try, the guy painted the whole car and charged me the original price.

paint sections on late model Corvettes because its almost impossible to match the paint perfectly and the owners always will notice.

Thats what the guy said who did mine.