Neighbour dispute (fence paint on my car)

[TigerS6]

Right Chaps, thoughts on this (also being treated as a bit of a vent).

Been away for work for a couple of weeks, got back last friday.
As part of the weekend ritual I washed our white car (2012 Evoque with 1800 miles on it).

As soon as I did the bonnet I spotted spots of paint. Initial thoughts were that my immediate neighbour (A) had been spraying his bumper... so I asked him about it. He told me, that actually it's red fence paint from the neighbour (B) 2 doors down and it's all over his car too.

OK, so I've got (or had!!!) a good neighbour relationship with this chap (B) so showed him the spots and mentioned that it needs to be sorted. I said I'd get a quote for a detail (clay, machine polish and wax), neighbour (B) seemed OK with this.
I took it to a local recommended guy and after testing the paint, and removing a sample area, he said it needs the slightly coarser clay, and therefore a fine machine and final wax.
Got the quote through... £390.
Now I thought this was a little steep, but seemingly this isn't far off the going rate for a 'paint correction'.

Well, I took it round to the neighbour (B) today and instead of speaking to him, his girlfried did all of the talking (and staring), annoyingly this was compounded by the wife of my immediate neighbour (A) coming into the mix saying they weren't getting theirs done (old Focus and Audi), and it wasn't their fault etc etc.
Anyway, a lot of to's and fro's of the girlfriend asking me what I wanted, and "how dare I show up and just present a bill". I said that I appreciate it wasn't intentional, and this is what house insurance is for.
It ended with her saying they were not going to pay.

So thats where we were until about 20 mins ago, when my immediate neighbour (A) turned up on my door in my face, and straight in with the "Whats this about a £400 bill", other than the fact it's nothing to do with him, I explained it was a quote, the conversation then turned to (somehow) his wife and what she said, and the fact that "she's pregnant incase you didn't notice", well this had nothing to do with them anyway, and that is completely irrelevant (as my wife pointed out).

Now the frustration/anger filled rant is over, I shall apologise for the poor paragraphing and grammar! and really ask where to go now?

In the space of about an hour neighbour relationships are ruined, and quite frankly I don't trust them.
What do we do next?! I am going to log it with the police, purely in case any thing happens there will be a log of it.

[Defcon5]

Small claims court?

[dingg]

politely tell neighbour A to fk off

speak to neighbour B on his own(NO GF IN ATTENDANCE) tell him what you expect (try to get another 2 quotes for the work, that should show him you're not taking the piss) - its a new car ffs

job done

[Digger]

It really is not at all difficult to clay your own car. A bit of practise prior and i reckon you might get a significant amount off . . . possibly.

[Efbe]

Did she take in the quote?

if so, then just wait. If not, then photocopy it, post it through the letterbox, give the bloke a chance to see it, and offer for them to get an alternative quote.

[TPS]

dingg said:

politely tell neighbour A to fk off

This.
I would not bother with the police either.

[Burrito]

"coarser clay"? I think you've been strung a line.

I'd imagine a pretty basic £90 odd machine polish would clear the spots. Why not try that first before spunking £300 on it.

[Digger]

Stick a post up on detailing world as someone might know a trick or two of removing spots of fence paint.

[7db]

Couple more quotes -- fulfil your obligation to minimise your loss.

[lookatmypussy]

Evoque haters eh? Hmmmm......!

[highflyer]

dingg yeah good move, digger why should you spend time and money clay whatever your own car, after somebody else has fcked it up ?
get a couple of other quotes tell B that he will have to correct the damage or you will take it to small claims court, as neighbour relations are now bo11ocked you have nothing to loose and tell A to butt out !!

[highflyer]

as its a new car get a quote from the dealer as well

[Digger]

While I agree with your point of view for the sake of £10-15 and perhaps less than an hour's worth of your time it might just be worth it if it lessens the potential for increased tensions with neighbours, one of whom appears to be irrational?

Just suggesting.

eta that i have clayed my own cars, admittedly embedded road grime which i am sure is very different to removing paint off lacquer.

Edited by Digger on Friday 20th July 20:43

[Olivera]

TigerS6 said:

...
I am going to log it with the police, purely in case any thing happens there will be a log of it.

Log what with the police and why!?

[Red Devil]

dingg said:

politely tell neighbour A to fk off

speak to neighbour B on his own(NO GF IN ATTENDANCE) tell him what you expect (try to get another 2 quotes for the work, that should show him you're not taking the piss) - its a new car ffs

job done

^^This^^

Neighbour A and wife are clearly jealous of your MY12 Evoque. Neighbour B doesn't wear the trousers in his household.

Whether he meant to cause damage to your and neighbour A's cars is neither here nor there. Nor is the fact that Neighbour A is choosing not to take it further, Neighbour B needs to man up and take responsibility for his actions. Just as despicable as those who damage other people's vehicles in car parks and leave no note.

[TigerS6]

Olivera said:

Log what with the police and why!?

Log the fact both neighbours turned up on my door step in my face. - Wanted it logged purely in case it escalates into something more serious there is an 'instance' of when it started.
I don't think we're done here yet!

But I will go get a couple more quotes, but I can only image how that is going to go down with them! lol

Interesting comment re: the coarser clay, a quick google and some random website tells me "Auto Finesse Clay is a chunky fine-grade" and "3M Cleaner Clay comprises a mid-grade".

[TigerS6]

Digger said:

While I agree with your point of view for the sake of £10-15 and perhaps less than an hour's worth of your time it might just be worth it if it lessens the potential for increased tensions with neighbours, one of whom appears to be irrational?

I agree to a degree, but I think we're beyond this option now... plus, as mentioned before I shouldn't have to
The issue with claying is that the coarser grade clays can cause marring in the paint, hence the fine machine polish and wax afterwards.

[Digger]

Try some Auto Glym Tar Remover. Worked well with dried-on pigeon poop and a soft damp cloth. Is it the whole side or just a small area on the bonnet?

Edited by Digger on Friday 20th July 20:59

[Efbe]

TigerS6 said:

agree to a degree, but I think we're beyond this option now... plus, as mentioned before I shouldn't have to
The issue with claying is that the coarser grade clays can cause marring in the paint, hence the fine machine polish and wax afterwards.

I'm not sure why people are being so nice about the neighbours.

What would you do in their position? Personally I would have gone and got the quotes myself if I got paint on someone elses car. I would have been mortified.

So fk them. Get another quote, present it to them, and see what they do. Small claims court?!?, Judge Judy?!?

[Jasandjules]

Sorry I am a little confused as to the problem here. Someone damaged your car by spraying paint over it. They need to fix it.