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Old Apr 16, 2009 | 07:38 PM
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My Polo Green '91 was rear ended last week. I thought the original paint was in terrific shape after all the work I had put into it (clay bars / lots of Maguires / grit compound etc...). Well, the new rear bumper is on and painted...just like BRAND NEW. Unfortunately, it looks like a brand new pair of blue jeans next to a well worn and faded blue shirt. They are the same color, but the rest of the rear end is a washed out version of the bumper now.

I just bought a 2007 ZO6 and was planning on selling my C4. Any suggestions regarding polishes (do those colored ones work?) to restore more of the color to the back half of the car and at least get them closer to the same shade???

Thanks!
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Old Apr 16, 2009 | 08:56 PM
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Take your car to a painter or detailer that knows how to properly machine buff your paint. If your paint is still salvage able. Good luck!

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Old Apr 16, 2009 | 09:11 PM
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when they painted the bumper they didnt blend the paint into the rest of the car.
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Old Apr 16, 2009 | 10:13 PM
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The body shop did what's called a "Butt" match, which is the improper way to do the repair.

Color matching the new paint color and "Blending" the paint onto the rear deck and quarter panels would've made the repair match the existing paint.

Last edited by GKK; Apr 16, 2009 at 10:15 PM.
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Old Apr 16, 2009 | 10:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Nowhere Man
when they painted the bumper they didnt blend the paint into the rest of the car.
I know
The body shop was the Chevrolet dealer

SOF Vette
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Old Apr 17, 2009 | 12:01 PM
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So I spoke with the shop manager today, showed him the car....
"Well sir, if we blend the bumper to the deck and quarterpanels, then the doors will look off, and we'll have to do the doors, then the front will look off, if we do those, the hood will....." you get the idea
So, I called USAA back and they said they are going to send out a "regional adjustment inspector" out to see my car and make a decision / recommendation.
So for now, it is a wait and see I guess....

SOF Vette
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Old Apr 17, 2009 | 01:13 PM
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Originally Posted by SOF Vette
So I spoke with the shop manager today, showed him the car....
"Well sir, if we blend the bumper to the deck and quarterpanels, then the doors will look off, and we'll have to do the doors, then the front will look off, if we do those, the hood will....." you get the idea
So, I called USAA back and they said they are going to send out a "regional adjustment inspector" out to see my car and make a decision / recommendation.
So for now, it is a wait and see I guess....

SOF Vette
Sounds like the Shop manager doesnt understand the meaning of "Blend", and/or doesnt want to re do the Job and hopes you'll just go away
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Old Apr 17, 2009 | 03:43 PM
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Originally Posted by DaveT91
Sounds like the Shop manager doesnt understand the meaning of "Blend", and/or doesnt want to re do the Job and hopes you'll just go away
That's what the USAA Regional Claims manager said. He is sending out a supervisor to assess the repair work and has suspended payment to the dealership until is is made right.
USAA has always done right by me. They are a little more expensive, and I know some have had different experiences than my own. But they have yet to let us down.

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Old Apr 17, 2009 | 05:03 PM
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Seriously my thoughts are the body shop didn't do the job right. They tried to cut corners and now don't want to put in the extra work to do the job they should've done in the first place.

I've had a front bumper and rear bumper replaced and repainted on another one of our cars and you couldn't tell that they were ever replaced. Even though they were repainted they matched the rest of the car.

At least your insurance company will get their attention and make them do the job correctly. Good for you and them.

Let us know how it works out.
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Old Apr 17, 2009 | 05:30 PM
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I agree with DaveT91, The shop manager doesn't understand how blending is done.

The new paint (which should be color matched as close to the original paint on the body now, not the paint code) is blended (faded) gradually onto the quarter panels and top deck areas to about 1/4-1/3 of the panel.

Then, the entire quarter panel, bumper and rear deck areas are cleared, color sanded and buffed. Also, the bumper cover should be painted with a 1/8" gap between panels so, the paint and clear won't fill in the joint and crack later on. After the clear is dry, the bumper cover can be secured permanently.
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