When I took delivery on my new 2001 on Monday I discovered that some time during the prep procedure a 1/2 inch scratch was made in the drivers side door, near the lock. It was ****e in color, and appeared to be relatively minor.

The dealer made an appointment at a local Ziebart shop to get it buffed out which I went to today. While I was in inquiring about their spray-in bedliner someone was out there buffing it. I walked out to hear someone with a power buffer going at my door. Needless to say I cringed a little, but I figured he knew what he was doing.

When he finished all looked good in the bright sunlight, but when I looked at it closer and in the shade I noticed an area about 4" in diameter that had deep gouges in the clearcoat. It had the effect of making the area look dull and feel rough to the touch. I immediately called the dealer, but the Ziebart place was closed so I'll have to call them tomorrow.

What are they going to have to do to get this right?? I think it's gonna need to be buffed further, and then perhaps even shot with a little clearcoat since it's going to be awful thin. Opinions? Thanks.

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My New Baby: 2001 F-150 XLT Sport. Super Cab, Styleside, Bright Red, Dark Graphite Int., 4x4, 5.4L, 3.55, Sport pkg (LT265/70R17SL), Class III Towing pkg with Heavy Duty Cooling pkg, 4 wheel disk ABS, Overhead Console, Factory In-Dash CD, Remote Keyless Entry.

Future Mods: Running Boards, Superchip, Air Force 1, Cabin Air Filtration, Ventvisors, Ford Bug Deflector, Spray-in Bedliner, and Retrax.

2000 Polaris Sportsman 500, Camo Green, 4x4, 499cc 4-stroke, independent suspension, shaft drive, 4 wheel disc brakes, etc.

 

I'd make them get me another truck. They messed it up and I wouldn't settle for a repaint.

 

I agree with Frank. Short of that, you should insist on a visit to Pros in a real body shop......Not the kids at Ziebart........And a complete matching repaint/clearcoat to you satisfaction.
Come to think of it, all the Ford Dealers around here have their own body shop. Why didn't they use their own resources?

[This message has been edited by sundog7 (edited 05-16-2001).]

 

I went back to Ziebart at the insistance of the general manager of the place and they buffed it some more, but there are still marks in the clear coat. I am happier but it still looks odd when close up.

I'm thinking a little hand buffing might be in order, but I'm worried about thinning the clear coat too much. It doesn't appear that the paint was hurt. What I'm wondering is should I buff it out some more, or should I let the dealership send me to a real body shop? Preferably I'd like to see it buffed out then perhaps reshot with a little clear if necessary to build up what was taken down.

I'm probably just being picky though.

 

Unfortunitely, it sounds to me that the paint has been "Burned". It must be color sanded and repainted. If you're luckly, just clear, but if they burned the color, it also will have to be re-shot. IMHO, do not allow them just to buff or wax it. The pigmentation has been damaged and although you can put wax on it and it will look pretty good, within a couple of years the paint will rapidly deteriorate.



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Member: Never trust a person over 40 who drives a Chevy club
Flatheads ain't so bad!
Certified backyard mechanic I & II

 

Well, I can't say that the pigmentation has been damaged or burned I've decided to take it to a body shop of another Ford dealer and have them inspect it and give me a written recomendation that I can take back to my dealer.

Perhaps it'll be so simple they'll just go ahead and fix it on the spot, I guess one can only hope! Thanks.