Paint problem - please advise - Page 2

1stCad · #16 (**permalink**) 10-11-08, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustedElvis

20 thousand for a base coat

Outrageous but thats what some shops in NorCal are charging. Materials have gone completely through the roof. Not too many years ago I could paint a Camaro, Mustang, Corvette etc.... for under $500 dollars in materials. Just two weeks ago I bought 1/2 pt. of a stock red, 1/2 pt. of a stock blue, 1/2 pt. of clear, some reducer and hardener and paid $189. That was to custom paint, of all things a TOILET SEAT! Add material mark up and labor and you're looking at $500 for a crappy seat.

rmbcar31 · #17 (**permalink**) 10-11-08, 08:49 PM

Did you try calling Cadillac Assistance 1-800-333-4CAD and file a complaint. Try that first. They are like your free attorney.

RightTurn · #18 (**permalink**) 10-11-08, 09:02 PM

Myvet--are the spots in a small area or is the entire car covered with them? I agree with the other poster; contact your salesperson and have a heart-to-heart. Don't worry, they will make it good.

myvet · #19 (**permalink**) 11-06-08, 08:42 PM

Well, as you all suggested, I called Cadillac. They had me take it to another Cadillac dealer - about an hour from my home (different location owned by the same person). I did that, and they advised me that my car needs a COMPLETE repaint. They spoke with the rep, and he approved the repaint. The "new" dealership tried to sand an area - but the spots would not come out till it was PAST the clear coat. So, they agreed I need a complete repaint. HOWEVER, as I was talking with the body shop manager, and looking a some older cars that they just got done painting, I am not sure that I want a complete paint jog. The have to completely strip the car of all chrome, windows, sunroof, lights, etc. Then put paint, then clear-coat then re-assemble the car. They told me it will take at least 3 weeks to complete. They offered me a rental car in the meantime. I told them I would have to think about this, and wanted to talk with the factory rep myself to see what my options are. They advised me I was not allowed to talk to the factory rep, and if anything was going to be done other than them repainting the car - I had to contact my selling dealership (even though this dealership is owned by the same person). I was a little take back by this.........I have called Cadillac to let them know what happened - but they have not returned my call (2 days).

I feel right now that I need to push for a new car. My car was a BRAND NEW car when I bought it 2 months ago. It is not a 3 or 4 year old (then I think it appropriate for a repaint). I am a picky person - and I will always know it has been repainted, as I can not believe it will look "factory" new after the repaint. I feel I spend a lot of $$ to get a new CTS - - - - (This is my second CTS - I traded in a 2004 black CTS for this 2008)

Am I being stupid and selfish???? Should I just let them repaint it and live with it - however it turns out?? Or should I push for a new car (lemon law), and if need be hire a lawyer? Any advise??????

Thanks again

yatesd · #20 (**permalink**) 11-06-08, 10:40 PM

One option is to let them know you will be picky with the repaint. Enjoy the rental car, and if the repaint isn't factory perfect, push for a replacement. As long as it is a good body shop they should be able to do a really good job.

1stCad · #21 (**permalink**) 11-07-08, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yatesd

One option is to let them know you will be picky with the repaint. Enjoy the rental car, and if the repaint isn't factory perfect, push for a replacement. As long as it is a good body shop they should be able to do a really good job.

I agree, be very picky with the repaint. I would want it to be superior and not of a lesser quality or even equal quality to the original after going through all the aggravation. I would also want to see some examples of the shops work before accepting their offer. If its a good shop you could possibly drive away with a much better job then the factory. Factory paint today is much better then years ago but still not perfect. Good shops that deal in custom work will always produce far superior jobs over a robot.

If you are not comfortable with this I would insist on a new car.

Southern-Hospitality · #22 (**permalink**) 11-07-08, 02:44 AM

I would demand a new car. The salesperson said the spots would come out, they didn't he lied. They are wasting your time/money. They should not only give you a brand new car but they should be trying to ice that deal with a premium package our something.

You're not being picky at all and that's good. This is the reason GM is going under (as well as all North American brands)

If this had been a Toyota(thank god it isn't) you would have been driving off the lot with a new one they day you brought it back.

Northern SRX · #23 (**permalink**) 11-07-08, 05:04 AM

I can only chime in with what others are advising. A repaint is not a bad thing and, in your case, warranted. You can often end up with a finish that is superior to what normally comes out of the factory (depending on the shop) and, if they are removing the glass, chrome, trim, etc., you won't have the obvious paint edge from masking that would somewhat devalue the car at future resale. Just warn them you'll be picky - you might even suggest now that you want an independent expert assessing the job when it's done. Somebody from a well-reputed custom paint shop (one who doesn't need body work referred to it from that dealership would be best).

The other thing I would insist on is a suitable rental. Just for giggles, insist on a Lexus... (j/k)

cts_mark · #24 (**permalink**) 11-09-08, 06:14 PM

I would push for a new car as well. I am not sure you would get it, but I would certainly try.

Good Luck.

-Mark

fast400@me.com · #25 (**permalink**) 02-14-09, 04:57 PM

myvet: Did you get the car repainted?

Pyromaniac · #26 (**permalink**) 02-14-09, 08:54 PM

im pretty sure you can get a quality detailer to get those out for you. They took out my swirl marks, and I have water spots in my clear coat right now, but I'm not too concerned because I'm pretty sure if I call up the detailer, they'll be able to get it out. If you have a detailer that is confident they can take out the spots, tell your dealer, and have them reimburse you because even if they hire their own detailer, it's not going to be a quality one.

mike sts · #27 (**permalink**) 02-15-09, 07:37 PM

A repainted car is worth significantly less than a factory finish, get a lemon law lawyer, you will not have to pay for their services, they get paid if they win. you can probably get a cash settlement plus a paint job or sue for repurchase. If you talk to Gm customer service and keep escalating the case they may offer you some money for the trouble probably not much though. Let them buff the paint 3 times, if the same repair is made 3 times and does not work you will win your lemon law case. I would not settle for having a 2 month old car repainted without them giving some serious cash. I would want 5,000

concorso · #28 (**permalink**) 02-16-09, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pyromaniac

im pretty sure you can get a quality detailer to get those out for you. They took out my swirl marks, and I have water spots in my clear coat right now, but I'm not too concerned because I'm pretty sure if I call up the detailer, they'll be able to get it out. If you have a detailer that is confident they can take out the spots, tell your dealer, and have them reimburse you because even if they hire their own detailer, it's not going to be a quality one.

water spots are only on the surface of the clear, not underneath. In this case it certainly sounds like the spots are under the clear, in which case a detailer can do nothing....

OP. If I was in this situation, Id let them paint it. Its actually safer that they remove all trim. If that didnt turn out fine, then Id push for something more...is it possible to get brand new body panels painted from the factory? This would solve the 'factory paint job' problem...

Z71 · #29 (**permalink**) 02-16-09, 04:33 PM

I went thru something like this with a Chevy PU some years back. The truck finish was scratched in transit, dealer body shop could not match paint after 3 tries, the buffed entire truck trying to get the new paint to match with the factory but the person doing the buffing messed up the paint and they wanted to repaint it. I reluctantly agreed but lived to regret that decision. First of all they did a bad job at the repaint, over spray in places it should not have been. When I complained, dealer replaced all trim with paint on it. The a few months later the paint started peeling and it became obvious they were lousy at painting. When I complained to the SM he got mad at me and insisted I was nitpicking and he would no longer talk to me. I called the owner (knew him casually) at home and we worked out a deal (after much discussion) to replace my truck with a new one and credit me what I paid for the Silverado. This is the abbreviated version, I had to fight the dealer toe and nail for everything and all because they screwed it up in the first place. I later learned from someone who worked in the office that I was badmouthed and called every foul name by the service manager.

Never let a dealer paint anything. They may take a good line but they seldom deliver.