car wash ate my car pretty much.

 

so the front door of a auto car wash ate my car... i KNEW not to go thru them.. long story short things are looking up.. Co. says they will pay to have it fixed. going to get hood and roof repainted and antenna fixed...feels like i have dodged a bullet. hope it all goes well..

so.. i have black stripes on a pw/b .. they will be taken off to repaint the hood. any suggestions on different stripes .. considering going no stripes but i am also thinking about doing something different..

 

Well it sounds like you've already taken the right steps so far by notifying your insurance company. It's very lucky that they have video which will make things go much easier. I'd say its a safe bet based on the description of the accident that you'll need to repaint the roof (and check the alignment of the sunroof). I'd find a reputable shop that you like and get an estimate from them as to how much damage they find. Also, remember that you should be able to go to the shop of your choice for the repair, and not relegated to where Shell's ins. co. wants you to go.

 

 

No pix? No details? Why the tease? What really happened?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOP86SLPBaQ

 

OG, I was going to pm you but this will do!

I can explain more in detail later but I have a few questions if you don't mind.

I am having a large part of my hood and the entire roof repainted. It's PW/B.

It's getting done at the place that repairs MINI & bmw.

1.How should I go about taking care of the new black roof ( i have sunroof so it's not huge )??

2.How long should I wait until polishing waxing the hood & PW parts?

I have Prima Swirl, Amigo & Finish. I don't have any experience with pc's or orbitals but am considering that and ur towels I saw in another thread. I don't have a pc atm.

I saw the PW you did recently and would really appreciate the advice on both subjects.

I am dropping the car off tomorrow morning and it's supposed to be in for 5 or more days..getting rings painted too. hoping to apply some clear vinyl over the rings.. we'll see how that gos. I'm too chicken to try and joeymod the xenons.

There were scratches thru the clearcoat down the middle of the hood and down both sides of the paint on the roof. it also bent the antenna way back. it had a cool look to it at 45 degrees

I wish I had the footage from the car wash cam. It happened on Sunday and on Monday a man called and said they would pay for it in full and I got the check within 3 days of giving him the estimate. There was no body damage other than right under the antenna area. The spoiler is being done too. Wish me luck, I'm praying it looks great when it's finished!

,I had only washed by hand for months but finally broke down and tried an auto wash because it was so dirty. Never again that is for sure. Good times

,,It's an 06 and the rest of the pw paint looks real good when clean. I have used clay bar and wax on it twice last summer. Previous owner did not do much with it from what I can tell. The car is dirty so pictures don't do it justice atm.

 

1.)Black shows every mistake you make, so learn to treat it right. Everytime you abrade it, whether it's with a wash mitt, a towel, or your bare hands, you have a chance of marring it or adding swirls. Pay attention and use good technique and you can greatly minimize instilling swirls in the paint. The other day I got lazy after washing my car and noticed some areas on the door that I missed, and instead of spraying some QD and wiping it, I wiped it with a MF towel against my better judgement, and immediately left trails of towel scratches and marring. Don't be lazy, lol.

2.)You can polish the same day the car comes back, though I would wait a few days. Don't wax for 30 to 60 days. The paint needs to breathe while it cures.

 

The Co. is Performance Collision Center in Indy. They are going to paint/install new HL rings and washers AND repair two major rock chips for an extra $107! Winning!!! haha

 

One additional question.

Would you EVER recommend using a California Duster? Parents gave me one for Christmas and it seems like a great way to mar the black roof. Thanks again.

I am considering installing a hanging tarp in my garage to cover the new paint. I am OCD'ed and I don't even have the car back yet

 

Sure! For my wheels, lol. Seriously though....if you want fine scratches in your paint, then use a duster. I know there are people that swear their dusters don't cause swirls and scratches but it comes down to them not knowing what to look for. I got a MINI owner friend that's super **** and he uses a duster and swears by it, and his finish really isn't all that great, lol..not quite swirl city, but close.

Feather dusters are fine and if you believe the marketing, they don't scratch paint...the first time you use them. But collect enough dust on them that can't be shaken off, and the dust starts to scratch..though the duster itself may not be, lol.

Richard

 

I am SO sorry about your poor car. B**tards!

I had so much damage done to my previous cars, even at full service washes, and also by the idiots who climb in and out of them to vacuum, that I swore my MINI would never see the inside of a car wash. Then, I found out that my (now previous) service place, MINI North Scottsdale, put my car through a car wash. They used to wash by hand. The last time they had the car, they broke out my top brake light plate and didn't think I'd notice I guess. I went back the next day and had them replace it. Wow.

I hope you get your repair work done quickly and it all looks really good.

PJ

 

Hummer,Thanks! I hope it turns out great. I'll post a pic!

Richard, Thanks again! Looks like I have a California duster for sale

 

So I had a look at the car last Friday and the new paint had swirls all over it!! The manager sent it to a place called Jimmy Buffits in town and today I saw it again and it was looking GOOOOD! Had a couple imperfections fixed while I waited and now have the nicest car I have ever owned by far.. pics to follow! loving the painted rings and the paint looks glorious!!!

 

Looking for paint help? I would definitely recommend Performance Collision Center in INdy. They are the MINI/BMW repair shop I guess. The buffing was done by a place called "Jimmy Buffits" at 96th and Michigan area in Indy and they are definitely good at what they do! So happy to find an accomplished detailer in town! So relieved, so happy mmmmmmmmmmmm hahahahaha.

 

So glad that it all worked out!

On a paint note, I finally got sick of looking at the road rash on my lower bonnet and front bumper from all the grit on the roads out here in AZ. Ordered a fix-it kit from Dr. ColorChip. They seem to have a good rep and a different application technique, so we'll see.

Congrats again and may your baby never see another scratch!

 

Octane Guy, could you give a heads up on what I can use to clean the new paint until the 60 days is up?

I will buy whatever it is u recommend from your shop. Could you leave a link also? Thanks so much for all your advice!!!!!

I am planning on buying a pc from you if that is still the recommended way to polish.. probably wait tell later this summer on that though.

 

Headlight rings look great! You can use just about anything except a wax or polish that seals. So don't use Epic, Banana Gloss, Hydro, Zaino, etc... You can use an abrasive polish such as Prima Swirl just fine. You should also be able to use any car wash soap. Some might argue that you shouldn't use a polymer soap, but since they don't do much other than beautify the paint, I don't think you have to worry about it. The primary concern is sealing the paint so it cannot outgas the solvents as it cures. Polymer soaps won't replace waxing your car for sure.

So Prima Mystique (soap)
http://showcarsupplies.com/shopexd.asp?id=91&bc=no

Prima Slick (quick detailer)
http://showcarsupplies.com/shopexd.asp?id=104&bc=no

Lambswool Wash mitt
http://showcarsupplies.com/shopexd.asp?id=110&bc=no

Dirt Guard in bucket
http://showcarsupplies.com/shopexd.asp?id=65&bc=no

If there is any overspray then some clay will be needed
http://showcarsupplies.com/shopexd.asp?id=116&bc=no

Hope that helps. PM or email me if you need more suggestions.