Need some advice

swat ss

swat ss

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Ok, so I own a 2007 Trailblazer SS and through Chevy, they have TSB (technical service bulletins) which are almost like recalls for issues with the vehicles.

One of the TSB's deals with rock chips and severe "road rash" on the lower rocker panels and lower doors of the Trailblazer SS. After months of dealing with the local stealership, I was given the good news that they will fix the issue.

Their fix for the problem is to repaint the affected areas and apply a 3M clear bra. I have heard horror stories about dealers so-called paint jobs and am looking for some advice on what I can do or say to assure these panels get painted correctly the first time.

I already tried asking them if i can choose a body shop to do the re-paint, and i was told no, that they use a few different places that i guess they have contracts with.

Any advice is greatly appreciated. I plan on telling them also that I dont want them to install the 3M as i plan on having the Xpel film applied after the paint gets fixed.

Thanks guys!
 
The nature of the beast, some autoshops do very well and paint is blended well enough that most wont notice. Also remember that its a lower part of the body. I think the Clearbra is a nice protection idea too.
 
Wow I'm surprised they will fix this for free since it was just a service bulletin (most cars have a bunch of them). Anyway, I wouldn't worry too much about a dealer paint job. I have had a few done and they all turned out great. I would make sure they don't install the clear bra until after the paint had a chance to cure.
 
Thanks guys. Let's just hope it all works out.
 
IMO if the dealership is going to do this for free, it means that GM is reimbursing them. That means that there is a dollar value associated with the repair. That opens the door to you talking to the cognizant GM area manager and asking if you can go to your choice of shop if they can do it for the amount of reimbursement.

However, I'm with Dubbin in that most dealer body shops are pretty good at painting, it's the sanding/cutting/buffing/washing they aren't so good at.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
IMO if the dealership is going to do this for free, it means that GM is reimbursing them. That means that there is a dollar value associated with the repair. That opens the door to you talking to the cognizant GM area manager and asking if you can go to your choice of shop if they can do it for the amount of reimbursement.

However, I'm with Dubbin in that most dealer body shops are pretty good at painting, it's the sanding/cutting/buffing/washing they aren't so good at.
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Yea i tried talking with the manager and he told me that they only use two paint shops and tried to assure me that they do good work. So I guess i'll just give it a shot and hope for the best.
 
Update 11/29/10

Ok, i'm dropping the truck off tomorrow to be painted.

Here's my next question, once the body shop is done painting it, I dont want to drive it to avoid more rock chips, until i get the Xpel paint protection on there.

But i have to get the truck home, obviously. So, should I spend the money and flatbed the truck home? Use some blue painters tape to cover it for the ride?

Any other suggestions? I plan on letting the truck sit for a couple weeks I guess so the paint can "cure."
 
Tow it home. Wait at least 30 days before you apply the clear bra. 3M Ventureshield is the new hotness.
 
IOMCAMARO said:
I think he is getting that clear bra because GM is paying for it?
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He mentioned that he wanted XPel but they were going to apply a 3M brand. If it's the Scotchguard PPF then I would pass, but if they are applying 3M Ventureshield then I would get a raincheck until the paint has cured.
 
rwright said:
He mentioned that he wanted XPel but they were going to apply a 3M brand. If it's the Scotchguard PPF then I would pass, but if they are applying 3M Ventureshield then I would get a raincheck until the paint has cured.
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:iagree: I'm no expert But the op said that the "stealership uses a few different body shops" to me IMO he has some bargaining power there because 90% of the dealerships I have worked for or have delt with have thier OWN body shop.This tells me that the dealership will lose money for this repair,thus "farming" it out to a local body shop saves them money and keeps the customer happy ( so to speek ) Be carefull and look at the job very carefully! Protect yourself and take some before pics so if there is a problem you can back up your gripes!:xyxthumbs:
 
IOMCAMARO said:
Oh ok. Didn't read all of it :)
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No problem at all :xyxthumbs: After the New Year and travel with work is over, I plan to attend a class to become 3M certified for PPF installation. Haven't made up my mind for 3M window tint because most people go with Llumar.
 
rwright said:
No problem at all :xyxthumbs: After the New Year and travel with work is over, I plan to attend a class to become 3M certified for PPF installation. Haven't made up my mind for 3M window tint because most people go with Llumar.
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Yea I have llumar on mine, but it is still messed up. The guy left water streaks behind the tint and he is telling me that I'm just seeing things because he already had to redo it once. The first time the stuff started ripping off and it was only 2 months old..... He's been around for years and he is friends with my uncle, but I send everybody else elsewhere when they ask where I got mine done.
 
rwright said:
Tow it home. Wait at least 30 days before you apply the clear bra. 3M Ventureshield is the new hotness.
Click to expand...

Ok, i'll look into towing it. I already have the Xpel kit, since GM uses the 3M stuff. Probably the Scotchguard

IOMCAMARO said:
I think he is getting that clear bra because GM is paying for it?
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GM offers the 3M clearbra on their dime, but i heard and saw some bad results with the 3M on the Trailblazer, so i got the Xpel kit.

rwright said:
He mentioned that he wanted XPel but they were going to apply a 3M brand. If it's the Scotchguard PPF then I would pass, but if they are applying 3M Ventureshield then I would get a raincheck until the paint has cured.
Click to expand...

Normally, they apply the 3M right after they paint it. Another reason why i didnt want them to do it.
 
dad07 said:
:iagree: I'm no expert But the op said that the "stealership uses a few different body shops" to me IMO he has some bargaining power there because 90% of the dealerships I have worked for or have delt with have thier OWN body shop.This tells me that the dealership will lose money for this repair,thus "farming" it out to a local body shop saves them money and keeps the customer happy ( so to speek ) Be carefull and look at the job very carefully! Protect yourself and take some before pics so if there is a problem you can back up your gripes!:xyxthumbs:
Click to expand...

Yea, i tried with using my own paintshop. The Service Manager at the dealer told me that he uses two paint shops. The one i'm using is a pretty big place, and he says to me "i send all my corvette guys there."

Worse comes to worse, if the paint job sucks, they'll re-do it until it's right.
 
if i dont tow the truck home, would it be safe to put some blue tape along the sides until i get it home?
 
swat ss said:
if i dont tow the truck home, would it be safe to put some blue tape along the sides until i get it home?
Click to expand...

Yeah, you can do that.


FWIW, when I had my TBSS (which was silver, so harder to really tell anything was done) I did have the dealer put the GM-supplied 3M film kit on it (in fact, I have all but two pieces of a full kit left over and sitting on a shelf because they had to re-do a couple pieces that got bubbles under them) right after they painted. I never had any problems resulting from having it done that way.
 
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