Signs of bad paint job?

LaGruttaChris

New Member
Aug 18, 2017
7
0
0
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2007 335i Coupe AT Sport Pkg.
I was recently involved in a hit and run and had a substantial amount of body work done to restore it back to the way it was. I opted to not use the shop recommended by the insurance agent and instead used a reputable shop down in Long Island City. The car came back and I was extremely happy with it. In short, the front bumper and fender are brand new. However, I went down to the DIY car wash (the same one Ive gone to for the last 2 years) and as I was spraying down the front bumper I noticed about a quarter size chunk of paint came off. This was a high pressure rinse, but like I've said, I've gone to this car wash before and have never been able to wash the paint of my car. After inspecting it further, I noticed a few paint bubbles around the chip... My question is, was this a bad paint job? I uploaded a pic of the chip and surrounding area. Apparently this shop has a great reputation with BMWs in particular. I don't want to put them on blast just yet, and I am willing to give them an opportunity to make it right if it is on them.
IMG_4024 (1).JPG
 

doublespaces

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Oct 18, 2016
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2009 E93 335i
I was recently involved in a hit and run and had a substantial amount of body work done to restore it back to the way it was. I opted to not use the shop recommended by the insurance agent and instead used a reputable shop down in Long Island City. The car came back and I was extremely happy with it. In short, the front bumper and fender are brand new. However, I went down to the DIY car wash (the same one Ive gone to for the last 2 years) and as I was spraying down the front bumper I noticed about a quarter size chunk of paint came off. This was a high pressure rinse, but like I've said, I've gone to this car wash before and have never been able to wash the paint of my car. After inspecting it further, I noticed a few paint bubbles around the chip... My question is, was this a bad paint job? I uploaded a pic of the chip and surrounding area. Apparently this shop has a great reputation with BMWs in particular. I don't want to put them on blast just yet, and I am willing to give them an opportunity to make it right if it is on them.
View attachment 5194

Did you replace the bumper and did you ask them to just paint and not prep or anything like that? I'm not a paint expert but it looks like the paint got a rock chip and the pressure water got underneath and pulled it up.

Remember, factory paint is not the same as your aftermarket spray on paint. The chassis for example is dunked in a big vat, I'm not sure how the OEM panels are painted but I'd suspect its in a similar way?

EDIT: After watching this video it does appear that they spray the top coats on as well, but what you show looks almost like bare material and not a primer?

 

LaGruttaChris

New Member
Aug 18, 2017
7
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2007 335i Coupe AT Sport Pkg.
Thanks so much for your reply!...It should have been a complete job. Replacement, prep work, paint and all. My insurance covered must of it. It was over 6,000 of invoiced work.... That's what my concern was - it looks like they went cheap on the bumper and never prepped properly or used a primer. In any case, the paint looks super thin in after inspecting the chip. I also cant explain the bubbles, unless like you said the water got under it. I guess what I really want to know is, is it reasonable to demand they're responsible for fixing this? Or is this just plain bad luck and there's nothing I can really do?

If there is no wrong doing, I can only accept what is. Just want to make sure of it. Worst case scenario I can always reopen the claim if the shop gives me a hard time.
 

doublespaces

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Oct 18, 2016
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I wouldn't mention the pressure washing as you never know what they will void their warranty on and screw you out of having proper work done. I can't tell from here, but if there isn't a proper prep job done, then have the insurance adjuster determine that themselves. Just say you noticed it one day and tell your insurance company. Not sure if that is the best way but that is how I'd handle it if the shop won't fix it up. But from where I stand, seems like that shouldn't happen on a properly prepped surface though I am a paint noob.
 

Hokie_335i

Specialist
Jul 29, 2017
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North Carolina
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2009 E90 335i 6MT
It looks like it was not properly prepped before being painted or no primer was used. Some paint places offer warranty on their work and is worth looking into. I've seen this happen before on a friend's car that was cheaply repainted and it started peeling off on his hood in large chunks.
 
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LaGruttaChris

New Member
Aug 18, 2017
7
0
0
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2007 335i Coupe AT Sport Pkg.
I wouldn't mention the pressure washing as you never know what they will void their warranty on and screw you out of having proper work done. I can't tell from here, but if there isn't a proper prep job done, then have the insurance adjuster determine that themselves. Just say you noticed it one day and tell your insurance company. Not sure if that is the best way but that is how I'd handle it if the shop won't fix it up. But from where I stand, seems like that shouldn't happen on a properly prepped surface though I am a paint noob.

Thanks for all your insights - very much appreciated. I have an appointment with the shop on Monday, we'll see how this plays out. Hopefully they'll do the right thing if it was their fault.
 

LaGruttaChris

New Member
Aug 18, 2017
7
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0
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2007 335i Coupe AT Sport Pkg.
It looks like it was not properly prepped before being painted or no primer was used. Some paint places offer warranty on their work and is worth looking into. I've seen this happen before on a friend's car that was cheaply repainted and it started peeling off on his hood in large chunks.
That's what I was afraid of but I am by no means an expert with paint. I know aftermarket paint jobs are no where near the same quality as from the factory, but I don't think I should be able to wash the paint off my car at car wash. Leads you to assume the paint didn't bond to the bumper properly which I guess would indicate poor prep work. This seems to be the general consensus. Thanks for your feedback!
 

camberadam

Sergeant
Feb 15, 2017
257
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Baltimore
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Tasmin Green e92
I was a body tech for a few years. From that picture it looks like it was not even scuffed. Can you see any scuffs/scratches where the paint blew off? I honestly would question the whole job & ask for the pictures. They'll have pics, most times its the only way they can get paid by insurance companies for overages. All the tech's I worked w/ had cameras in their boxes.
 

LaGruttaChris

New Member
Aug 18, 2017
7
0
0
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2007 335i Coupe AT Sport Pkg.
Let us know what happens
UPDATE: Went down to the shop yesterday to talk to them. Can't blame them, but they immediately tried saying the chip was the result of an impact - that someone hit me while I was parked. I said that didn't explain the bubbles in the paint, and in any case, paint chipping in that particular fashion, this early on, should not happen. He pushed a little harder on it, and I suggested letting the insurance company make that determination- this seemed to reel him in. He eventually agreed to re-spray the front bumper in a couple of weeks when they are less busy. He was pretty cool about it, but never admitted to any fault of the shop - as I expected. I'm just hoping they do it the right way this time around.
 

LaGruttaChris

New Member
Aug 18, 2017
7
0
0
Ride
2007 335i Coupe AT Sport Pkg.
I was a body tech for a few years. From that picture it looks like it was not even scuffed. Can you see any scuffs/scratches where the paint blew off? I honestly would question the whole job & ask for the pictures. They'll have pics, most times its the only way they can get paid by insurance companies for overages. All the tech's I worked w/ had cameras in their boxes.
Damn I wish I saw this before I went down there. I didn't even think to ask for pics. There are a couple of small rock chips around the surrounding area, but nothing that shows there was any sort of impact...I am a little concerned with the entire job. They also painted the door, fender and rear quarter panel, although they both seem to be holding up better than the bumper. The paint job is only about a month and a half old. I guess at this point I need to determine if I trust them to make this right..
 

camberadam

Sergeant
Feb 15, 2017
257
106
0
Baltimore
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Tasmin Green e92
Damn I wish I saw this before I went down there. I didn't even think to ask for pics. There are a couple of small rock chips around the surrounding area, but nothing that shows there was any sort of impact...I am a little concerned with the entire job. They also painted the door, fender and rear quarter panel, although they both seem to be holding up better than the bumper. The paint job is only about a month and a half old. I guess at this point I need to determine if I trust them to make this right..

Let your insurance company know that you are questioning the repair immediately & what you've currently negotiated. The longer the shop delays you the more likely they can blame other circumstances. Even if the shop eventually makes it right, you want it on the record (in case things go south).

As far as the other panels, take a look @ your bill & see what they charged. For example, if they charged you to R&R the door, but you can see a tape edge around the handle or the window molding you know they just wanted to collect a check. Same thing around on the quarter glass. Tape lines & over spray are usually easiest clues. Check for blends, look for where they stopped the paint. Silvers/gun metals can be tough to blend. Look at all different angles in all different light situations (lighting makes a huge diff).
 
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Jmw3607

Private
Feb 7, 2017
34
15
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08 335i e92
Def wasn't primed. I had a rear bumper that was just like this when I bought my car from a BMW dealer. They cheaped out just quickly sprayed the bumper with oem paint and didn't bother to prime the bumper itself before paint. I was rear ended in a collision and the paint on the entire bumper just waved off even in the spots where the damage wasn't evident.
 

Belisarius

New Member
May 5, 2018
1
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BMW
I was recently involved in a hit and run and had a substantial amount of body work done to restore it back to the way it was. I opted to not use the shop recommended by the insurance agent and instead used a reputable shop down in Long Island City. The car came back and I was extremely happy with it. In short, the front bumper and fender are brand new. However, I went down to the DIY car wash (the same one Ive gone to for the last 2 years) and as I was spraying down the front bumper I noticed about a quarter size chunk of paint came off. This was a high pressure rinse, but like I've said, I've gone to this car wash before and have never been able to wash the paint of my car. After inspecting it further, I noticed a few paint bubbles around the chip... My question is, was this a bad paint job? I uploaded a pic of the chip and surrounding area. Apparently this shop has a great reputation with BMWs in particular. I don't want to put them on blast just yet, and I am willing to give them an opportunity to make it right if it is on them.
View attachment 5194

Yes paint job, a scam if anything. there was recently an undercover study done in Canada and 80%of bodywork places scammed on the actual work. If done properly, at an authorized BMW place, the paint is baked on and should never come off. Insurance companies deal with this all the time- redoing jobs. Whomever should repay for it, and do it properly, or expose themselves to small claims worth 6 grand.