Business vs Detailinng

hernandez.art13

hernandez.art13

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Hello guys, I gave out business card to an old friend, the very second I did. He walked me to his car and started asking me a million Detailing questions (Which I did not mind at all, was very exciting) :D

I brought out my PTG and was double checking his paint condition.

I then started saying "well we need to do a small test spot, the paint still reads healthy (it was a black suv 2012)

He then asked about 1 or 2 scratches, one of them looked fixable but the the other was down to the bare metal.

How do I tell a customer that they are going to have to repaint, from a reputable painter to properly get it fixed, without sounding rude?

Thank You Very Much Guys
Art
 
"(Customer name), I can fix a good many things, but that scratch down into the paint coat or bare metal is not one of them. You'll need to have this repaired at a body shop. Keep in mind that when this defect on the (panel name) gets painted, some of the surrounding decals, trim, handles, and even windows may need to be removed at the body shop so that the paint can be matched and the surrounding panels blended since your black paint has metal flakes in it. They might be able to keep the repair within the panel, but you'll need to discuss it with them to see if that's possible. I trust (body shop estimator's name) at (body shop name). Please let them know that I referred you."
 
I just say: this scratch is too deep, I can probably make it look better but will not be able to remove it 100%. Keep it simple as possible.
 
NewNickel said:
"(Customer name), I can fix a good many things, but that scratch down into the paint coat or bare metal is not one of them. You'll need to have this repaired at a body shop. Keep in mind that when this defect on the (panel name) gets painted, some of the surrounding decals, trim, handles, and even windows may need to be removed at the body shop so that the paint can be matched and the surrounding panels blended since your black paint has metal flakes in it. They might be able to keep the repair within the panel, but you'll need to discuss it with them to see if that's possible. I trust (body shop estimator's name) at (body shop name). Please let them know that I referred you."
Click to expand...

Very nice!

I think you could even expand on that and ask the customer if they think repairing that one scratch is worth it to them. If they say it isn't, you could tell them that another option, though nowhere near as good as taking it to a body shop, is touching it up. It would at least help prevent corrosion, not to mention be considerably less expensive.

If you just so happen to do touch-up work, it could be a little more change in your pocket.
 
NewNickel said:
"(Customer name), I can fix a good many things, but that scratch down into the paint coat or bare metal is not one of them. You'll need to have this repaired at a body shop. Keep in mind that when this defect on the (panel name) gets painted, some of the surrounding decals, trim, handles, and even windows may need to be removed at the body shop so that the paint can be matched and the surrounding panels blended since your black paint has metal flakes in it. They might be able to keep the repair within the panel, but you'll need to discuss it with them to see if that's possible. I trust (body shop estimator's name) at (body shop name). Please let them know that I referred you."
Click to expand...

This was extremely helpful...

Thank you,
New Nickel
 
Normally I would apply touch up paint, to raise it hire than the CC, then add some CC, then wet sand and buff to level it out.

Just wanted to hear AG's Members thoughts,

Thank You Very Much Guys, when I see him again, I'll ask for permission if I could take pictures.

Side Note: it was at the very edge of the door, that's why I asked this question.


Art
 
Best bet. Be straight up honest with them. This scratch is not going to come out because...However I might be able to lessen the visual impact when looking at the car once the rest of the car is polished down and defect free. The edges of the scratch will be beveled down reflecting less scattered light while the defects around the deeper scratch will be gone keeping the reflected light being scattered leaving crisp, clear reflections.
It will be harder for the eye to pick up the scattered light of the deeper scratch.

I avoid touch up painting. I have to get the paint code and CC type. Order it or go to a dealership and hope what you have will be a dead on match to what's on a car now. (remember the paint on the car has changed from pollution, heat, sun exposure, chemical exposure, rain and mineral deposits. The touch paint in the bottle is new.

I'm a detailer not a body shop painter. If the scratch bothers the client that much the only way to do it right is have it cleaned, prep'd, painted and finished down by a body shop.

Refer them to a exceptional body shop. It's good to have a relationship with a body shop eventually you will need a favor and they will need one from you.
 
inDetail said:
Best bet. Be straight up honest with them. This scratch is not going to come out because...However I might be able to lessen the visual impact when looking at the car once the rest of the car is polished down and defect free. The edges of the scratch will be beveled down reflecting less scattered light while the defects around the deeper scratch will be gone keeping the reflected light being scattered leaving crisp, clear reflections.
It will be harder for the eye to pick up the scattered light of the deeper scratch.

I avoid touch up painting. I have to get the paint code and CC type. Order it or go to a dealership and hope what you have will be a dead on match to what's on a car now. (remember the paint on the car has changed from pollution, heat, sun exposure, chemical exposure, rain and mineral deposits. The touch paint in the bottle is new.

I'm a detailer not a body shop painter. If the scratch bothers the client that much the only way to do it right is have it cleaned, prep'd, painted and finished down by a body shop.

Refer them to a exceptional body shop. It's good to have a relationship with a body shop eventually you will need a favor and they will need one from you.
Click to expand...

I agree about avoiding touch up paint, I avoid it myself. I only brought it up because there are some detailers who do touch up work.
 
Hello guys, I think I would have to apply touch up paint, then CC, then wet sand and then buff, then inspect.

This sounds like a big Job and not sure if he wants it.

I'll take pictures if I have the opportunity to keep you guys updated.

Again Thank you ver much InDetail...
 
I'm always up front with my customers about scratches what I can and can not fix. I tell them to fix the deeps ones the will have to be repainted to fix them.
 
I don't know who Details his car but it had a ton of swirls, I know it was Jet Black but sheesh... (Didn't say anything btw)

He did say "The Detailer comes to my work and washes it in the back" I could have offered to wash it in the back, but decided not to take the plunge.

As far as the scratches, I'll just tell him he needs to repaint scratch A and scratch B looks repairable but will take a lot of time and skill.

It's small but it is right on the edge...
 
True...

Is it a bad idea to offer him to do a test spot for free so he could see the before and after results? (Sanding off the swirls)

Correcting Paint I can do, just learning the business side of it.

Thank You
 
The first one barely qualifies as a scratch, and the second one is more of a nick...

Anyone who hasn't seen Crocodile Dundee won't get this:

"That's not a scratch... Now this is a scratch!"
 
Yeah that's why I said scratch A looks repairable and scratch B needs repainting.

I'll talk to him to see what he wants for scratch A but he probably just thinks, it can be waxed/washed off.

What do you guys think about this approach if He does want me to attempt it.

All very lightly
1500
2000
3000

Compound with PC lightly
Polish
Seal
Wax
 
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