Bodyshop Help Please

[ruzman]

I'll try to be short.
There's building work next door and the workmen have used an angle grinder to cut up the driveway and aimed the spray from the grinder straight at the side of my SL55. The side now looks look it has done 100,000 motorway miles sideways.
The car is 14 years old, bought 5 months ago as a long term investment - but it is a very pleasant drive too.
The builders insurance should pay but what to do?

1. Chip repair? Seems like it will always be spotty?
2. Full sand and repaint of the side panels?
3. 'Blow over' - what of the divots?

Add to each of those - what about the colour match now and as it fades over 10 years; and what about corrosion problems each option may present in the future.

I thought - take it to the specialists - Mercedes at Brooklands. Their answer is option 2. But when questioned about anti-corrosion and long term colour match they would only provide a one year warranty.

I'm obviously pretty pissed as I just want the car the way it was 3 weeks ago with perfect original paint that will last at least another 10 years.

Are there any bodyshops out there that will provide a long term warranty for colour match and anti-corrosion? (Surrey area)

Thanks in advance.

[anonymous-user]

Ask for full respray? Unlikely but worth a go.

[ZX10R NIN]

Take it to a good bodyshop they'll deal with the builders insurance company, if you want some extra work done then you can also get it done at the same time.

[anonymous-user]

ruzman said:

I'll try to be short.
There's building work next door and the workmen have used an angle grinder to cut up the driveway and aimed the spray from the grinder straight at the side of my SL55. The side now looks look it has done 100,000 motorway miles sideways.
The car is 14 years old, bought 5 months ago as a long term investment - but it is a very pleasant drive too.
The builders insurance should pay but what to do?

1. Chip repair? Seems like it will always be spotty?
2. Full sand and repaint of the side panels?
3. 'Blow over' - what of the divots?

Add to each of those - what about the colour match now and as it fades over 10 years; and what about corrosion problems each option may present in the future.

I thought - take it to the specialists - Mercedes at Brooklands. Their answer is option 2. But when questioned about anti-corrosion and long term colour match they would only provide a one year warranty.

I'm obviously pretty pissed as I just want the car the way it was 3 weeks ago with perfect original paint that will last at least another 10 years.

Are there any bodyshops out there that will provide a long term warranty for colour match and anti-corrosion? (Surrey area)

Thanks in advance.

Feel for you, but think you will have to go option 2 and get the best guarantee you can. To be honest if your car hasn't had paint then the rear arches will be getting close to needing treatment anyway and if the body shop is worth its salt their work will still be good when the original paint starts to go in terms of corrosion.

I would simply select the best bodyshop you can and take it from there. I know that sounds less than positive, but think it's the best you will get sadly.

[clarkey]

I'd be surprised if it needs a repaint - a wet sand and a polish by an (expensive) expert would probably make it look better than a repaint by an average bodyshop.

[HustleRussell]

I would expect prep and respray of affected panels. What is the market value of a 15 year old, 100,000 mile SL55? Presumably if the repairers quote for a respray of the side of the car it could edge it towards 'beyond economical repair'?

[anonymous-user]

HustleRussell said:

I would expect prep and respray of affected panels. What is the market value of a 15 year old, 100,000 mile SL55? Presumably if the repairers quote for a respray of the side of the car it could edge it towards 'beyond economical repair'?

If it's a nice example it'll be worth £15K so not sure what bodyshops you visit where it would be beyond economical repair?

[ruzman]

sleepera6 said:

Ask for full respray? Unlikely but worth a go.

Yes I've thought that too. At least it would match and fade in the same way. Still worried that they won't warranty against corrosion for more than a year, when it comes from the factory with 30.

[Mr GrimNasty]

The hot disc debris will have welded itself into the paint surface, as most of the debris is steel, it starts to rust after a while, so you'll get lots of tiny rust streaks appearing.

Only way to sort it is a thorough rub down and a proper respray.

[HustleRussell]

cb1965 said:

HustleRussell said:

I would expect prep and respray of affected panels. What is the market value of a 15 year old, 100,000 mile SL55? Presumably if the repairers quote for a respray of the side of the car it could edge it towards 'beyond economical repair'?

If it's a nice example it'll be worth £15K so not sure what bodyshops you visit where it would be beyond economical repair?

This is why I asked what the market value was (because I don't know). No need to be an arse about it.

[Thermobaric]

Not sure what their warranty is but you could try Mulgari in Bracknell.

https://mulgari.com/

[anonymous-user]

Nasty little sods, they could have knocked on the door and given you a chance to move it.

I would also talk to a detailer and see what they say.

[ruzman]

cb1965 said:

If it's a nice example it'll be worth £15K so not sure what bodyshops you visit where it would be beyond economical repair?

Spot on to the £ 😀.

Although I hope it will be worth more in 10-15 years.

[ruzman]

Mr GrimNasty said:

The hot disc debris will have welded itself into the paint surface, as most of the debris is steel, it starts to rust after a while, so you'll get lots of tiny rust streaks appearing.

Only way to sort it is a thorough rub down and a proper respray.

That Mr is a very good thought. Not one I had had.

[TallPaul]

ruzman said:

Mr GrimNasty said:

The hot disc debris will have welded itself into the paint surface, as most of the debris is steel, it starts to rust after a while, so you'll get lots of tiny rust streaks appearing.

Only way to sort it is a thorough rub down and a proper respray.

That Mr is a very good thought. Not one I had had.

This is exactly what will have happened. You could get it clayed, sanded and polished but it'll never lift out all the particles and soon you'll see rust spots. Let your insurers deal with the builders insurers and get it sanded & painted. Quickly.

[paintman]

TallPaul said:

ruzman said:

Mr GrimNasty said:

The hot disc debris will have welded itself into the paint surface, as most of the debris is steel, it starts to rust after a while, so you'll get lots of tiny rust streaks appearing.

Only way to sort it is a thorough rub down and a proper respray.

That Mr is a very good thought. Not one I had had.

This is exactly what will have happened. You could get it clayed, sanded and polished but it'll never lift out all the particles and soon you'll see rust spots. Let your insurers deal with the builders insurers and get it sanded & painted. Quickly.

^^^This.
Amazing how much damage it will cause.
I'd suggest you have a good look at the glass on that side as well as metal sparks will melt into and stick to the glass.

Edited by paintman on Friday 21st July 19:37

[exgtt]

What bloody utter morons, allowing the st to spray onto your car. Obviously not much going on between the ears.

[ruzman]

exgtt said:

What bloody utter morons, allowing the st to spray onto your car. Obviously not much going on between the ears.

Yes. The longer part of the story is that 2 days before they had not finished the work. So I dropped them an email asking whem they would come back to finish it and I'd move the car!
In addition my wife was in all day. So just one knock.
A mate said when the council do similar they have a sheet or two of 8x4 with foam on one side to protect any cars.

[ZX10R NIN]

ruzman said:

Yes I've thought that too. At least it would match and fade in the same way. Still worried that they won't warranty against corrosion for more than a year, when it comes from the factory with 30.

A good bodyshop will blend it in & you'll probably struggle to see it, as was said earlier while it's in you should get the rear arches treated while it's in.

[ruzman]

Thermobaric said:

Not sure what their warranty is but you could try Mulgari in Bracknell.

https://mulgari.com/

Thanks! They look good. Detailing too so may have that different point of view.