latest update on the bumper saga
Yes, schmaltzr that's not a stupid question because that was the first thing that I thought after I got the car home and inspected the paint job. When I took the car back to the dealer that was the very first thing that I asked.(I took the car back both the body shop manager and the painter confirmed that it was.) I was told about the 7 variances and that was the closest color to the original.
bluecoupe I tried that and here is the skinny if you or anybody else here is interested.
Well after taking the C5 to show the manager what I was talking about, the painter joined us to look at what I was talking about. With the bumper being a darker shade, the difference is not as noticeable from the front because of the way the hood catches the light & it is not so much of a problem. When you have the real difference in the 2 colors is from the side and for some reason, the side that was hit (Left) is slightly darker than the right. (The bumper is new, they showed me the old 1) The manager said that it could be blended but then it would just move the problem to a different area. I left telling the manager that I wanted to think things over before I made any decisions. The next morning I called the manager and told him that I understand that it's virtually impossible to match the paint 100%, but I feel that a closer color can be obtained that will not be such a contrast. I tell him that if the Insurance will not pay enough, that I will pay him extra $ to re-paint the bumper. I suggest that all three of us, (manager,painter & me) look over the colors and choose 1 that matches better. He tells me that he's already spent too much time talking to me about this and that he is not going to do anything else, because he feels that nothing will make me happy. He then tells me that what he will do for me is refund all the money that the insurance company gave him to paint & blend the bumper,something he has NEVER done before. (he never blended into the body) I picked up a check for $325.00 that evening. I then took the C5 to a local body shop. I explained the story to him, and when he looked at the car he saw exactly what I saw. He printed me out an estimate for $750.00. This was to take the front end apart, but not fully off and sand, blend and clear coat the paint already on the bumper. He said he would go half way up the hood and fenders and that when he was done that I wouldn't be able to see the difference. I'm calling the insurance company tomorrow and I'm letting them know about this.
Well if you made it this far, thanks for reading. If you have any thoughts or advice, I'd really appreciate it.
I've tried to search the web, but this topic is limited at best.
O yea, I'm off for 2 days and I'm checking out other body shops to see what they say also. (about blending as opposed to just re-painting the bumper)
Thanks!, Rex
