I take it in for a stone chip and the OPC destroys it - Page 3 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

So as the title says, Out on the weekend in the sunny weather in my new CGTS and a stone chip threw up from the other side of road, it flew up at pace and damaged the top of the bonnet quiet badly imo. (Down to the white). So to prevent any further corrosion I take it down to my local OPC for a quick view on what I should do. Told a light bit of 'detailing' (i.e. machine polish) and a few dabs of paint should cover the mark (size of a ball point pens tip). Let me know won't be perfect, but to the untrained eye will look good as new and protect the paint long term. Great get the car back at close of play today and given its so small I would only know where it was I think happy days. 2 hours ago, I get called back in. The chap doing the work, has slipped with his tool and 'f ked' (or in the OPC's words made a mistake) the bonnet. There is now a patch the size of a disc on the paint work down to the lacker. I'm not sure why they even thought it needed a Machine polish tbh. Told the OPC will repair free of charge etc... have to wait 5days. Thoughts, advice? The OPC principle is calling me later, as I said I wasn't happy. Worried the paint won't match up perfectly (I'm on sapphire blue)? will it impact the car long term in any way etc... For now I'm also in a basic ford fiesta they gave me for the day, I've already made the point about a loan Porsche ahead of the call back.

You should be find just make sure they blend with the wings. May be get it covered with that plastic stuff afterwards.

IMIA said: You should be find just make sure they blend with the wings. May be get it covered with that plastic stuff afterwards. I've been told the mistake is so bad, the whole bonnet needs a respray. I went and saw it with my own eyes and it is. I guess what is the probability of the newly sprayed bonnet matching the wings and bumper .....

Really, you seem set to actually benefit from this. Providing it's done correctly, and there's no reason why it shouldn't be as it's only painting/laquering, then you are going to get a permanent repair to the stone chip rather than a temporary spot repair. It's still disappointing that it happened in the first place though.

metallic never matches due to the way the flake lies

PorscheGT4 said: metallic never matches due to the way the flake lies This was my fear. Could cry. I have a very anal eye for detail. Any suggestions on what I do if not happy with the finish when they try and give it back to me?

will the bonnet polish out ? I would go that route and repaint just with clear coat as I guess they might have to polish that all away. My TTRS was scratched very bad they wanted to repaint 50% of the car, I polished it out and just added the clearcoat , looked like new. I would try any thing to avoid having to add colour paint.

PorscheGT4 said: will the bonnet polish out ? I would go that route and repaint just with clear coat as I guess they might have to polish that all away. My TTRS was scratched very bad they wanted to repaint 50% of the car, I polished it out and just added the clearcoat , looked like new. I would try any thing to avoid having to add colour paint. I did ask this at the time, as I know from what experience I have always avoid a spray at all costs. But they said no it was too bad. Hence my post, to be fair seeing it with my own eyes I would say it needs one and taking a spray feels like it will impact the car long term. Not really been in this position before. Sure I've had paint work done on models gone by, but mostly touch up, never needed a spray.

I completely understand your disappointment! Its hard at present to think of a good result for you, except that they blend the touching panels to get a better match. I can't understand how they made such a mistake in the first place, what were they doing? Machine polishing with a sanding belt!

PorscheGT4 said: metallic never matches due to the way the flake lies There has to be a way to get it to match at least to the naked eye which surely is good enough. Otherwise how does anyone manage to paint a metallic car or car panel? whether its down to accident damage, aged vehicle, front end refresh, etc. before selling. Dealers are known to have the front end refreshed before selling too.

avaF1 said: PorscheGT4 said: metallic never matches due to the way the flake lies There has to be a way to get it to match at least to the naked eye which surely is good enough. Otherwise how does anyone manage to paint a metallic car or car panel? whether its down to accident damage, aged vehicle, front end refresh, etc. before selling. Dealers are known to have the front end refreshed before selling too. Agreed. I've had panels painted on cars and I'd rather live with a slightly different fleck in the metallic paint than seeing 100 stone chips painted in, or a smart repair. I thought they'd crashed the car from the title of the thread, not smudged the paint.

Good excuse for a carbon bonnett

PorscheGT4 said: will the bonnet polish out ? I would go that route and repaint just with clear coat as I guess they might have to polish that all away. My TTRS was scratched very bad they wanted to repaint 50% of the car, I polished it out and just added the clearcoat , looked like new. I would try any thing to avoid having to add colour paint. If as Trotmant says the original chip is through the lacquer and the colour down to the white base then no way to polish out without adding colour. What was their operative trying to use a 100 grit sanding disc. Having had the bonnet done on a Laser Blue Sagaris to get rid of stone chips ( not a dissimilar blue to Sapphire although actually a Lotus colour) then if done well and properly blended then without using a paint depth guage you shouldn't be able to tell the difference between original and new paint. If you can then as it is their fault insist on either a full respray or a new car. Hope they sort it out well though.

J12KJR said: PorscheGT4 said: will the bonnet polish out ? I would go that route and repaint just with clear coat as I guess they might have to polish that all away. My TTRS was scratched very bad they wanted to repaint 50% of the car, I polished it out and just added the clearcoat , looked like new. I would try any thing to avoid having to add colour paint. If as Trotmant says the original chip is through the lacquer and the colour down to the white base then no way to polish out without adding colour. What was their operative trying to use a 100 grit sanding disc. Having had the bonnet done on a Laser Blue Sagaris to get rid of stone chips ( not a dissimilar blue to Sapphire although actually a Lotus colour) then if done well and properly blended then without using a paint depth guage you shouldn't be able to tell the difference between original and new paint. If you can then as it is their fault insist on either a full respray or a new car. Hope they sort it out well though. Heres hoping to that outcome. Just got off the phone with them, due an updated from the paint shop in 48hours, just went over 1hour ago ready for tomorrow. The OPC eluded to the bodyshop looking at alternatives tomorrow to a full bonnet respray, seems as if the OPC themselves realise the matching issue maybe greater than first thought. Lucky the damage they caused is to the top side of the bonnet, vs. planted straight in the middle. Either way my orgninal work is now been fixed and the bill wavered. Porsche loan available from Friday if the work not completed / not happy with their first effort. So the sleepless nights begin as I wait to see the output. Apparently the reason it went wrong was the paint on 981 GTS models is thinner than a standard 981, and the machine had not been correctly calibrated to do the GTS and so went deeper than the OPC had anticipated. Don't know if this is fob off.....but interesting none the less.

So an OPC lets someone loose on a car, any car, without checking with a gauge what depth of top coat they have available to play around with. Sounds more like someone without the knowledge, experience and expertise having a go at wet sanding. Do hope they sort it properly for you. If you know anyone who is involved in the spraying world get them to have a look at the finished job as they often pick up on the faults that us mere mortals can miss. Would also suggest giving it a few washes in quick succession once you get it back as there are polishes out there that can hide a lot of marks until the fillers in them wash/wear away. Not that an OPC would use such tactics obviously.

Trotmant said: the paint on 981 GTS models is thinner than a standard 981, and the machine had not been correctly calibrated to do the GTS

whoami said: Trotmant said: the paint on 981 GTS models is thinner than a standard 981, and the machine had not been correctly calibrated to do the GTS Utter BS.

J12KJR said: So an OPC lets someone loose on a car, any car, without checking with a gauge what depth of top coat they have available to play around with. Sounds more like someone without the knowledge, experience and expertise having a go at wet sanding. Do hope they sort it properly for you. If you know anyone who is involved in the spraying world get them to have a look at the finished job as they often pick up on the faults that us mere mortals can miss. Would also suggest giving it a few washes in quick succession once you get it back as there are polishes out there that can hide a lot of marks until the fillers in them wash/wear away. Not that an OPC would use such tactics obviously. When they called me down they took me outback to the workshop and the guy working on my car apologised, said he had been doing this 10years for Porsche. When the OPC wandered off he was the one that told me about the paint thickness re the 981. To be fair I have used my local OPC before and recognise him although never spoke to him previously. So I can say he was been there at least 3years I know of and being working on 981's etc... Either he had a bad day or was correct. TBH don't care, still gutted you take the car in for what an innocuous abc job and they f k it up.

Trotmant said: J12KJR said: So an OPC lets someone loose on a car, any car, without checking with a gauge what depth of top coat they have available to play around with. Sounds more like someone without the knowledge, experience and expertise having a go at wet sanding. Do hope they sort it properly for you. If you know anyone who is involved in the spraying world get them to have a look at the finished job as they often pick up on the faults that us mere mortals can miss. Would also suggest giving it a few washes in quick succession once you get it back as there are polishes out there that can hide a lot of marks until the fillers in them wash/wear away. Not that an OPC would use such tactics obviously. When they called me down they took me outback to the workshop and the guy working on my car apologised, said he had been doing this 10years for Porsche. When the OPC wandered off he was the one that told me about the paint thickness re the 981. To be fair I have used my local OPC before and recognise him although never spoke to him previously. So I can say he was been there at least 3years I know of and being working on 981's etc... Either he had a bad day or was correct. TBH don't care, still gutted you take the car in for what an innocuous abc job and they f k it up. Fair comment we all make mistakes however the bits about checking it carefully and washing it to make sure the likes of AutoBalm haven't been used to mask any imperfections still apply.

nsm3 said: whoami said: Trotmant said: the paint on 981 GTS models is thinner than a standard 981, and the machine had not been correctly calibrated to do the GTS Utter BS. Whaaaaat? Are they kidding?

as this is PH there are only two acceptable answers complete bare metal respray or reject the vehicle ...

nsm3 said: whoami said: Trotmant said: the paint on 981 GTS models is thinner than a standard 981, and the machine had not been correctly calibrated to do the GTS Utter BS. Brilliant, most amusing thing I've read on PH today. Good luck with the repair OP.

Should be fine - I had a metallic blue Boxster that was resprayed in a few areas - I didn't even know until the guy inspecting told me that opc's tend to respray as a matter of course for approved used to get rid of stone chips. Couldn't tell. Also had a red cayman which OPC resprayed for me twice for different reasons. Granted it's not metallic, but colour match was perfect.

nsm3 said: whoami said: Trotmant said: the paint on 981 GTS models is thinner than a standard 981, and the machine had not been correctly calibrated to do the GTS Utter BS. Must say....that has to be BS. I am sure they the approved Porsche bodyshop will do a great job on it.

It's a shame but would not be worried,if repair done ok. Have you any idea how many brand new cars have bits painted once they have got transported over.

Why TF didn't you fix it with a bottle of touch up and a pin..?

Trotmant said: The chap doing the work, has slipped with his tool and 'f ked' You did that on purpose, didn't you? Trotmant said: There is now a patch the size of a disc on the paint work down to the lacker. You do know the lacquer sits on top of the paint, don't you? PS...lacker...

mph1977 said: as this is PH there are only two acceptable answers complete bare metal respray or reject the vehicle ... I'm glad someone else attended my school, where we were taught about the sales of good act, customer service and other good subjects...

mybrainhurts said: Trotmant said: The chap doing the work, has slipped with his tool and 'f ked' You did that on purpose, didn't you? Trotmant said: There is now a patch the size of a disc on the paint work down to the lacker. You do know the lacquer sits on top of the paint, don't you? PS...lacker... Yes Yes... keyboard rage! The salcasitc point I was trying to make was there is none of the 'lacker' left and he gone halfway into the paint and primer I'm glad I've made a few peoples day an easier read. Somehow makes me feel better at whats happened. Either that or cry. Edited by Trotmant on Monday 9th March 20:33

I had such a bad experience with BMW and my new E89 Z4 a few years ago it has totally put me off metallic cars, which is why my CGTS is flat white, It started with a bit of dirt in the paint on the bonnet and roof, no problem they said. Instead of trying to buff the problem they resprayed the bonnet and rear of the roof in what can only be described as a different colour. Over the next few months they tried to correct it by spraying more panels, but they kept telling me how difficult it was to match silver paint. BMW took the car back to their main 'in centre' and as a GOGW repainted the whole car! So a new car with a non factory paint finish with just so many defects it was a joke. In the end it was sold back to them and I got most of my money back. I hope you do better and that when the inevitable happens to me nobody tells me its impossible to match white.

Meh try harder. Our Landrover dealership all but wrote our freelander off when it was in for a service- took a tight turn round a pillar too quickly and took the front wing and door off. So they fixed it and I'll never deal with them again. I am sure the bonnet will be fine. Pretty standard to re spray front bumpers and bonnets for resale at OPC,

squirejo said: Meh try harder. Our Landrover dealership all but wrote our freelander off when it was in for a service- took a tight turn round a pillar too quickly and took the front wing and door off. So they fixed it and I'll never deal with them again. I am sure the bonnet will be fine. Pretty standard to re spray front bumpers and bonnets for resale at OPC, +1 let them spray. All will be fine I am sure. But lesson learned. Primum non nocere. Next time you get a tiny stone chip leave well alone / use a pin and some touch up.

The theme here seems to be dealer body shops. I've used a small independent for years and he's superb. Silver matching, no problem at all.

Wet sanded with 2000 W & D and then polished too hard and for too long with G3 or G4 with the polisher turned up to 150,000,000 rpm = Straight through the laquer. I'd want : 1. A new car. 2. A loan car whilst you're waiting for your new car (this needs to nothing less than a 918) 2. Free fuel and servicing for life. 3. A night with their hottest receptionist (and her sister). 4. The dealer principle to apologise on national radio, on the hour, every hour for time immemorial. 5. Free coffee and as many of those rather nice caramel biscuits (which are a t t to unwrap, especially without breaking or getting crumbs down your front) for life. N.B (1 needs to be either a Cayman GT4 or a 991 GT3 RS, you should also have the right to order either car in a PTS colour for delivery immediately) There can be no negotiation on the above, and any attempt to get you to settle for anything less, I'd really stamp my feet bally hard. Of course if all the above fails, I'd just get them to respray the bonnet as they do with every second hand car they intend to retail if it's stonechipped .....

Slippydiff said: Wet sanded with 2000 W & D and then polished too hard and for too long with G3 or G4 with the polisher turned up to 150,000,000 rpm = Straight through the laquer. I'd want : 1. A new car. 2. A loan car whilst you're waiting for your new car (this needs to nothing less than a 918) 2. Free fuel and servicing for life. 3. A night with their hottest receptionist (and her sister). 4. The dealer principle to apologise on national radio, on the hour, every hour for time immemorial. 5. Free coffee and as many of those rather nice caramel biscuits (which are a t t to unwrap, especially without breaking or getting crumbs down your front) for life. N.B (1 needs to be either a Cayman GT4 or a 991 GT3 RS, you should also have the right to order either car in a PTS colour for delivery immediately) There can be no negotiation on the above, and any attempt to get you to settle for anything less, I'd really stamp my feet bally hard. Of course if all the above fails, I'd just get them to respray the bonnet as they do with every second hand car they intend to retail if it's stonechipped ..... Option 3 sounds a treat, not sold on a GT4 quite yet, looks like a serious bit of kit. Perhaps to hardcore for me. Won't deny looks an amazing car. A free PTS with a delivery time on steroids would be priceless. I've always wanted to do that but can never wait that long for a car. To be fair the Mexico blue GTS posted earlier today looks like the pic of the bunch

Which body shop is doing the work?

Slippydiff said: Wet sanded with 2000 W & D and then polished too hard and for too long with G3 or G4 with the polisher turned up to 150,000,000 rpm = Straight through the laquer. I'd want : 1. A new car. 2. A loan car whilst you're waiting for your new car (this needs to nothing less than a 918) 2. Free fuel and servicing for life. 3. A night with their hottest receptionist (and her sister). 4. The dealer principle to apologise on national radio, on the hour, every hour for time immemorial. 5. Free coffee and as many of those rather nice caramel biscuits (which are a t t to unwrap, especially without breaking or getting crumbs down your front) for life. N.B (1 needs to be either a Cayman GT4 or a 991 GT3 RS, you should also have the right to order either car in a PTS colour for delivery immediately) There can be no negotiation on the above, and any attempt to get you to settle for anything less, I'd really stamp my feet bally hard. Of course if all the above fails, I'd just get them to respray the bonnet as they do with every second hand car they intend to retail if it's stonechipped ..... Not good enough. Surely in (5) they should unwrap the biscuits for you and place them on a silver tray in front of you!

iandc said: Slippydiff said: Wet sanded with 2000 W & D and then polished too hard and for too long with G3 or G4 with the polisher turned up to 150,000,000 rpm = Straight through the laquer. I'd want : 1. A new car. 2. A loan car whilst you're waiting for your new car (this needs to nothing less than a 918) 2. Free fuel and servicing for life. 3. A night with their hottest receptionist (and her sister). 4. The dealer principle to apologise on national radio, on the hour, every hour for time immemorial. 5. Free coffee and as many of those rather nice caramel biscuits (which are a t t to unwrap, especially without breaking or getting crumbs down your front) for life. N.B (1 needs to be either a Cayman GT4 or a 991 GT3 RS, you should also have the right to order either car in a PTS colour for delivery immediately) There can be no negotiation on the above, and any attempt to get you to settle for anything less, I'd really stamp my feet bally hard. Of course if all the above fails, I'd just get them to respray the bonnet as they do with every second hand car they intend to retail if it's stonechipped ..... Not good enough. Surely in (5) they should unwrap the biscuits for you and place them on a silver tray in front of you! And have someone on permanent standby in case a fly appears from nowhere.

The paint job will be fine, that is unless the painter is used to applying Crown paint or the likes but somehow I doubt it. A few years back my pearl black Scirocco had to have a door painted I was s tting myself about the match but it was perfect I really thought I would see something but no...local VW dealer paint shop too, very impressive.

mph1977 said: as this is PH there are only two acceptable answers complete bare metal respray or reject the vehicle ...

stevod said: Which body shop is doing the work?

IMIA said: stevod said: Which body shop is doing the work? You would think so! I have her back now Ended up with a respray of the bonnet, they threw in a free protective wax all over the car as compensation, and of course was all completed free of charge. Finish wise I popped down before the wax was applied, took the car into direct sunlight and to be fair you couldn’t tell the difference. So I guess that’s it.

good stuff Trotmant said: PorscheGT4 said: metallic never matches due to the way the flake lies This was my fear. also good to see such comments/fears didnt emerge