Got sucked into this one kinda, how do I do spot repair?

Bill1234

Bill1234

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Family has friends that has two kids with medical issues so they are always a bit tight on money. They recently had a smaller car accident and were told the repairs were high. They then thought of a way to reduce but not totally fix the damage. My neighbor blurts out maybe so and so (me) can fix it. Now, I like doing things for people and teaching them when and where their knowledge is lacking but A. Definitely not getting paid for this, B. I have not even seen if this is able to even be repaired, and C. Hopefully im not being taken advantage of.

So I was told, there would be paint transfer and scratches. People think buffing can be done instantly and the car looks like new in seconds which unfortunately it cant. So ill have to wash, clay the area and then see if it needs buffing. Im unfamiliar with wet sanding as I have not had to do it. However, has anyone done more like accident spot repair and can give me a few tips? If its so bad that a repaint is needed, ill pass on it but its kinda like an odd situation im in now.
 
Bill, if its out of your skill level, just let them know. No shame in that.
 
Politely refuse. The families situation, while unfortunate for them, is no reason for you to stress and feel any type of guilt.

If this was something you could easily tackle without much hassle, I'm sure you would Bill.

But detailing skill and collision repair are two completely different worlds.

Don't get sucked in to this one. Oh, and take your neighbor aside and politely tell him it was wrong of him/her to offer your services without talking to you first.
 
PaulMys said:
Politely refuse. The families situation, while unfortunate for them, is no reason for you to stress and feel any type of guilt.

If this was something you could easily tackle without much hassle, I'm sure you would Bill.

But detailing skill and collision repair are two completely different worlds.

Don't get sucked in to this one. Oh, and take your neighbor aside and politely tell him it was wrong of him/her to offer your services without talking to you first.
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I have not seen the car at all so its like I dont know if I can even correct their issue with a DA and pads,etc. Might be down to bare metal and at that point, I can do dr colorchip but thats probably useless. I understand I have hobbies but I feel it was slightly wrong to offer me a chance while not even getting some time to look at it. Id honestly want to do it but not mess it up more.

I personally just think it would be better to ask oh can you even fix this or am I better off to go somewhere else?
 
Exactly.

And my reply was from (unfortunately) experience. Not detailing, but mechanical. When I first moved into my house, the neighbors all found out I was a mechanic. Every boat, car, lawnmower, or chainsaw that was acting up was always "HEY, ask Paul!"

I learned very quickly that the "neighborly handy man" gets old quick. They start expecting you to fix everything. For free.

Like you said, you don't mind helping out. But you have to draw a line sometimes. I had to. Not that it's pleasant, but I think this is your chance to do likewise.
 
I can attest to what Paul says. Family does the same thing. Pretty much everyone who knows you fix things start thinking you will automatically take time away from your own life to convenience theirs at the drop of a hat.
 
Take a look at it...if it's beyond your level, just say so. Having been in the body shop business, I've found that minor accidents are seldom minor.
 
I think right now im going to look at it and not touch it. At some point ill see if it can be corrected or needs repaint
 
I have a neighbor who does the same thing and I've told him to ask me first if I want to look at so-and-so's accident damage or parking lot rub/transfer, don't just tell them Paul can probably fix that. I've told him, in funny yet convincing ways, I do this for a business and don't do things for free. He still calls me to look at his and his wife's damage to their cars and it happens a LOT!

If you have the time I would probably take a look at it for them if for nothing more than maybe being better at evaluating what they're looking at. My first question is always "are you thinking of claiming it on your insurance?". If yes, I wouldn't touch a thing. If no, then you can maybe consider (silently) what you might do to clean it up. Or suggest what they might want to do.

I have removed a lot of simple transfer scratches and made customers happy with the results however I don't do bodywork! I've also had some of those who then didn't pursue body shop work after I cleaned up minor scuffs and things like that. They get it assessed and then ask me to clean it up before they bring it in for repair and decided they can live with it after I've done some "magic". They saved their deductable but still paid me something for their little mishap or fender bender.
 
I'd use it as a test panel to learn how to wetsand. You can't make it (much) worse so why not see what happens? If you burn the clear, so what? That part of the car already needs to be repaired in a body shop anyway, so what's the harm in playing around with it?
 
Understanding that it isn't right for someone to offer up your services without asking you first, however being a parent with a child with medical issues and understanding the financial stress and worry these parents most likely have, I would look it over and assess it at the least. If its is just cosmetic and you can help them out for sure they would be eternally grateful to you, I know I would. If it is beyond your capabilities then they should except that. Also remember that even if you don't get it perfect, most people are satisfied and not as detailed oriented as us detailers. You might be able to just reduce some of the paint transfer and scratches to get it acceptable enough that they are happy
 
I cant even tell you how many times people have shown things to me and ive looked at them and said "No way, its way too deep and way out of my league." i then follow up with "Thats body repair" or "That needs to be sanded and repainted and im not a painter". Not once has anyone ever given me crap. They have always said "no problem" and "thank you for letting me know". But i always try to recommend a good body shop that i know as well.
 
Nothing can be done until you actually see the damage. If you can help them then do so, if not then decline. Pretty simple.
 
PaulMys said:
Exactly.

And my reply was from (unfortunately) experience. Not detailing, but mechanical. When I first moved into my house, the neighbors all found out I was a mechanic. Every boat, car, lawnmower, or chainsaw that was acting up was always "HEY, ask Paul!"

I learned very quickly that the "neighborly handy man" gets old quick. They start expecting you to fix everything. For free.

Like you said, you don't mind helping out. But you have to draw a line sometimes. I had to. Not that it's pleasant, but I think this is your chance to do likewise.
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My dad is like that. His next door neighbor is a mechanic and my dad is constantly imposing on him for help or tools, which is needed because my dad doesn't maintain his car or equipment at all. He was the same way with his computer, which he used to futz with constantly and would call me when he broke it. Once I stopped fixing it (with the excuse that I just didn't remember how to work on that OS anymore) and he had to pay the Geek Squad to fix it, he suddenly stopped breaking it on a monthly basis.

But in the case with the OP's neighbor, keep in mind that the car is obviously drivable and that it's not your fault that they don't have insurance that covers the damage. So I wouldn't introduce more stress in my life to make their life nicer. I'd suggest A) making them go through a little effort to ask you for help, and B) if it looks like you might be able to help, tell them it will be a week or two before you can get to it. Sometimes just taking some time to cool off will let the sting of being volunteered wear off and you'll be happier to help, assuming they are appreciative.
 
ledger64 said:
Understanding that it isn't right for someone to offer up your services without asking you first, however being a parent with a child with medical issues and understanding the financial stress and worry these parents most likely have, I would look it over and assess it at the least. If its is just cosmetic and you can help them out for sure they would be eternally grateful to you, I know I would. If it is beyond your capabilities then they should except that. Also remember that even if you don't get it perfect, most people are satisfied and not as detailed oriented as us detailers. You might be able to just reduce some of the paint transfer and scratches to get it acceptable enough that they are happy
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This is where its a dilemma, the neighbor was wrong to just throw me under the bus for me to fix someones damage that Ive not seen yet, The owners are claiiming paint transfer which could be as simple as wash it down, and clay it away and a light polish, or it could be worse.
 
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