but sounds to high
Body work question....?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 3
From: Castro Valley California
Body work question....?
Just found a little scuff on the passenger side-bottom panel. It looks like I took something (road trash, probably metal) that scuffed that long bottom panel below the door. The scuff-marks are about 4-5 inches long and about 3-4 inches wide. 
My local Chevy body shop estimates around $740 for both the labor and parts to repair it. This sounds a little high to me? Anyone have some opinions on this? I'm surprised it can't be buffed out, although the scuff-marks are fairly deep enough.
Thanks, in advance to all.
My local Chevy body shop estimates around $740 for both the labor and parts to repair it. This sounds a little high to me? Anyone have some opinions on this? I'm surprised it can't be buffed out, although the scuff-marks are fairly deep enough.
Thanks, in advance to all.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 3
From: Castro Valley California
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 3
From: Castro Valley California
I get the feeling that the Chevy dealer is probably about $250 higher than necessary (maybe more?). It is not a very deep scuff and it sure doesn't look like they need to replace the panel (which they tell me is necessary). 
I guess my other question would be, is there another body-shop that someone could recommend in the East bay (near Hayward)?
I guess my other question would be, is there another body-shop that someone could recommend in the East bay (near Hayward)?
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,070
Likes: 160
From: Coralville Iowa
The "panel" below the door is the rocker panel. Not an easy replacement as it is bonded / glued to the frame. I'd be asking the body shop estimater EXACTLY what they are going to be doing.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 3
From: Castro Valley California
Parts=$13.00
Body Labor=$266
Paint Labor=$304
Paint Supplies=$140
-the rest is tax
Now that I look at it, it seems like maybe they are not replacing the rocker panel (as it is hard to believe this only costs $13?).
Either way, the main reason I am asking here is to get feedback and opinions on my options.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 3
From: Castro Valley California
Seems to me, I might be able to do the repair myself using this rubbing compound. Does this compound come in colors or would I have to paint it also? Not real familiar using this technique.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,070
Likes: 160
From: Coralville Iowa
Be careful about being aggressive with rubbing compund - there is the potential to go all the way through the clear coat into the color and then you WILL have a problem.
Without seeing your car it's tough to assess - but the estimate doesn't look crazy high to me. Figure out their labor rate and how many hours are going into this. Body shops are crazy expensive but you often get what you pay for.
Without seeing your car it's tough to assess - but the estimate doesn't look crazy high to me. Figure out their labor rate and how many hours are going into this. Body shops are crazy expensive but you often get what you pay for.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 3,750
Likes: 1
From: San Jose CA
If you can feel the scuff, when you rub your fingernail across it, it may be too deep to rub out.
Go to your local Auto Parts store and pick up some Meguiars Fine Cut Cleaner and some cheap cotton polish pads. Put about a quarter size drop on your pad and work it until it is dry. Fine Cut Cleaner is what they call a staged abrasive, so it starts out fairly aggressive to cleanup the scratches, and as you work it, it breaks down into a finer material. That finer material will help cleanup the surface and polish the paint. It is not putting polish on per se, just cleaning up the fine scratches.
You need to work it until it is broken down into a very fine powder and ultimately disappears, otherwise it will leave scratches behind.
If the scuff has broken through the clear coat, painting is the only choice, but this may reduce it enough to be unnoticeable.
Go to your local Auto Parts store and pick up some Meguiars Fine Cut Cleaner and some cheap cotton polish pads. Put about a quarter size drop on your pad and work it until it is dry. Fine Cut Cleaner is what they call a staged abrasive, so it starts out fairly aggressive to cleanup the scratches, and as you work it, it breaks down into a finer material. That finer material will help cleanup the surface and polish the paint. It is not putting polish on per se, just cleaning up the fine scratches.
You need to work it until it is broken down into a very fine powder and ultimately disappears, otherwise it will leave scratches behind.
If the scuff has broken through the clear coat, painting is the only choice, but this may reduce it enough to be unnoticeable.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 3
From: Castro Valley California
If you can feel the scuff, when you rub your fingernail across it, it may be too deep to rub out.
Go to your local Auto Parts store and pick up some Meguiars Fine Cut Cleaner and some cheap cotton polish pads. Put about a quarter size drop on your pad and work it until it is dry. Fine Cut Cleaner is what they call a staged abrasive, so it starts out fairly aggressive to cleanup the scratches, and as you work it, it breaks down into a finer material. That finer material will help cleanup the surface and polish the paint. It is not putting polish on per se, just cleaning up the fine scratches.
You need to work it until it is broken down into a very fine powder and ultimately disappears, otherwise it will leave scratches behind.
If the scuff has broken through the clear coat, painting is the only choice, but this may reduce it enough to be unnoticeable.
Go to your local Auto Parts store and pick up some Meguiars Fine Cut Cleaner and some cheap cotton polish pads. Put about a quarter size drop on your pad and work it until it is dry. Fine Cut Cleaner is what they call a staged abrasive, so it starts out fairly aggressive to cleanup the scratches, and as you work it, it breaks down into a finer material. That finer material will help cleanup the surface and polish the paint. It is not putting polish on per se, just cleaning up the fine scratches.
You need to work it until it is broken down into a very fine powder and ultimately disappears, otherwise it will leave scratches behind.
If the scuff has broken through the clear coat, painting is the only choice, but this may reduce it enough to be unnoticeable.