How to MARK your Paint?

TheFrankenberry

TheFrankenberry

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Hello AGers,

I'll soon be shipping two cars back from Hawaii to the mainland. I shipped my wife's car over here without issue a few years ago, but that is far from the norm.

Typically, it is nothing but horror stories about the major marine shipper, or the other two smaller players. Cracked windshields, scratches, dents, damaged interiors, you-name-it. Though you do an inspection with them on drop-off, pick-up is done when your car has come off the boat and covered in filth. So minor damage is usually caught after the fact when you're SOL because you signed the pick-up inspection form. Or if you do catch the damage, you file a claim that they're in no hurry to process, and may or may not come of anything.

So my question for yins, what can I mark my paint with? The car must be clean for drop-off, and so it will. But I want to highlight the minor scratches, chips and dings I've acquired in the last 7 months, so it'll make the pick-up inspection easier. And I will be taking a full bottle of quick detailer and a pile of my best microfibers with me to quickly see under the filth.
 
Use one of Mike's inspection forms. Go over it with the shipper and have him/her sign off on it
 
Perhaps cover them in transport wrap. It shouldn't cost you too much if you are that concerned.
 
I was thinking of a way to wrap your paint. I have seen someone do it with painters tape when taking a long road trip lol. Pictures looked cool.
 
how about auto writer body panel markers another suggestion would be tape
 
Dip your finger in some sealant or liquid wax - circle what you need to circle via finger painting. Then, when car arrives - wash it and buff it off.

100% paint safe.
 
Flash Gordon said:
Use one of Mike's inspection forms. Go over it with the shipper and have him/her sign off on it
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That's a novel idea, but I don't think their employee inspector signing off on a form of my own would go very far. I do plan on video documenting the inspection which I will make sure is precise in its details.

spiralout462 said:
Masking tape?
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I thought of that, but didn't want something that could be so easily ripped off or moved about.

Pampered Paint said:
How about trying a Dixon white grease pencil
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That's along the lines of was thinking of. I have a white windshield marker, that I use to remind the dealership not wash my car after a service, but didn't know if it'd be paint-safe (doesn't say anything on what's left of the label).

SYMAWD said:
Perhaps cover them in transport wrap. It shouldn't cost you too much if you are that concerned.
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That would protect it, but I have a $400 car cover that would also do the job. However, it ain't allowed.

jamesboyy said:
how about auto writer body panel markers another suggestion would be tape
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BINGO! That's exactly what I need to mark off the current issues. It will make it quick and easy for the pick-up inspector and I to assess what was existing and what is new.

swanicyouth said:
Dip your finger in some sealant or liquid wax - circle what you need to circle via finger painting. Then, when car arrives - wash it and buff it off.

100% paint safe.
Click to expand...

Good idea, but not vivid enough for me - especially after the filth of the 5 week Hawaii-Pacific Ocean-Panama Canal-Caribbean Sea-Atlantic Ocean-East Coast port trip. I'm hoping a wash, Ultima Paint Guard Plus reseal, and layering of Collinite 845 will help out some (at least that's what my mind wants to think).

Thanks for the brainstorming session fellas - a lot of good ideas. And especially to JAMESBOYY for the AutoWriter pens - :dblthumb2:
 
I use a white Crayola crayon all the time (unless the car is white, then I use a colored crayon) when I want to mark something on a car as I do the walk-around.
 
Mask the entire car (obviously so it's still drivable) or use protection film.

That is your best option, if any part of the tape is removed or damaged you know it happened in their care.
 
Who are you using to ship your car? I ask because I am in the industry
 
How much more would it be to just containerize it? And put a desiccant package in there with it.
 
I shipped my cars to both Hawaii and Europe and back. From what I remember, the vehicle was containerized going to Hawaii and in a roll-on/roll-off carier going to Europe.

The only problem I had was coming back from Hawaii. Apperently they didn't turn off the headlights somewhere in transit and killed my battery. I too had heard all the horor stories (the ship that left for Europe before the one carrying my car had a fire that destroyed about 20 vehicles), but I never had any damage.

If you are shipping this for the government, they will go over every inch of the exterior and mark EVERYTHING, to include every stone chip if you have them. Coming back from Europe they even documented some of the deeper RIDS and some etching from bug strikes.
 
aim4squirrels said:
Big balloon tires and drive it there yourself.
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An airlift would be the best. Reminds me of Operation Dumbo Drop.

Coach Steve said:
I use a white Crayola crayon all the time (unless the car is white, then I use a colored crayon) when I want to mark something on a car as I do the walk-around.
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I'm going to have to go out and try that tonight! Interested to see how durable it is.

Scott@IncrediblyDetailed said:
Mask the entire car (obviously so it's still drivable) or use protection film.

That is your best option, if any part of the tape is removed or damaged you know it happened in their care.
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Sounds ideal, like those old Enterprise car rental commercials, but it's a no-go. The exterior has to be thoroughly cleaned, and the inspector able to assess the condition of the vehicle.

BlackRam said:
Who are you using to ship your car? I ask because I am in the industry
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One via the military, so that'll be Matson - all the way around to the East Coast in rack frames on an unsealed deck. The other car will be on my own dime. Horizon Lines ships autos in a sealed container. Pasha ships autos in a dedicated vehicle/rollon-rolloff ship, completely sealed from the elements and ventilated. Prices are the same, but Pasha is also the only one that ships to the San Diego port.

Desertnate said:
I shipped my cars to both Hawaii and Europe and back. From what I remember, the vehicle was containerized going to Hawaii and in a roll-on/roll-off carier going to Europe.

The only problem I had was coming back from Hawaii. Apperently they didn't turn off the headlights somewhere in transit and killed my battery. I too had heard all the horor stories (the ship that left for Europe before the one carrying my car had a fire that destroyed about 20 vehicles), but I never had any damage.

If you are shipping this for the government, they will go over every inch of the exterior and mark EVERYTHING, to include every stone chip if you have them. Coming back from Europe they even documented some of the deeper RIDS and some etching from bug strikes.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, Matson nearly has a monopoly on the maritime shipping routes in Hawaii, but luckily there's now two competitors that are better. I fear a dead battery - in my Challenger I'd have to fold down the rear seats to crawl in the trunk and open the emergency release to get to the battery! I was there when our one vehicle was shipped over, but on pickup there were no inspection markings - only notations on the form.
 
TheFrankenberry said:
Hello AGers,

And I will be taking a full bottle of quick detailer and a pile of my best microfibers with me to quickly see under the filth.

That's a novel idea, but I don't think their employee inspector signing off on a form of my own would go very far. I do plan on video documenting the inspection which I will make sure is precise in its details.
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Take a 5 gallon bucket with a couple dozen towels in it, with 3 gallons of ONR water in it. Lowes sells lids for their buckets and I can take them with liquid in them anywhere I want to go. Grab those puppies and slap them everywhere. Start at the top and work down and you'll have the ENTIRE thing done in far less time, (with far less damage) than trying to go over it with ONLY QD spray. Oh, and why not carry a bottle of ONRWW at QD strength with ya.

As far as the inspection form, THEY have one, why can't you? Remember, you don't work for them, THEY work for YOU! Take the form with you, go over what you've marked when you drop the car, have two copies, give one to the shipper at point of departure, telling him that you'll have that copy when it arrives. Explain that it's not to do anything but PROTECT HIM (of course) because you already know of a few "minor" areas and just wanted to let them know you are aware of them. Nothing like looking out for them... what a nice guy you are. :D

If you use detailing/automotive grade masking tape you won't have to worry about tape residue that won't come off. Although I use delicate surface tape on most of our jobs, except when there is heavy compounding to do because it's so thin it's easy to buff through it. Honestly..... I don't know if "detailer/automotive grade" tape is any easier on the surface or not, (and use both) but no sense in testing it. :dunno:

I would however ABSOLUTELY mark it all with tape spots, then take photos of the entire thing. Print a sheet of photos and tape it inside the windshield. Put it on the inspection sheet as well.

Do this as a BARE MINIMUM!

Best thing is get a lead on transport wrap. Google is your friend there, looks like 24" x 200' is the standard, and in the $75 range. Easily enough to cover the entire thing.
 
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