fleabag

Alright my mom's LS400 was damaged twice and repaired at the same body shop about 10 years ago. They repainted the vehicle where needed and redid the clearcoat where needed. Problem is, the clear coat is coming off on the car and I just realized that the clear coat is coming off where the car was repainted but not on the hood since that was never damaged. This has lead me to believe that the paint job was inferior to the original paint job that came with the car. How am I suppose to be able to prove that their crappy paint job and or paint that is causing this?

CRX Si69

they probably used crappy clear coating, the factory paint/clear coating from lexus is generally really good quality

v8killaz

or no prep work their fault tell them or do soemthing

fleabag

here is the company that did the work:http://www.simplysuperior.com/services.php

Problem is, this was 10 years ago and they don't retain any records of working on the car and neither has my mom. I think my insurance company was "cool" with taking the car to the shop and from what I hear, if the insurance company has an agreement with the shop, then the insurance company will pay to "make it right" regardless.

CRX Si69

well on their website it says their warranty is good from the time of the repair and for as long as you own the car. are you sure your mom has absolutely no receipts or anything?

DC2.2_GSR

every reputable shop will stand behind their work. for the collision side of our business we give out a limited lifetime warranty on all repairs and paint work. if the clear is failing, it's not necessarily because of shoddy prep work, delamination can easily happen with all clears over time, but especially with cheap clear.

we have been open for business under the current name and owner for 6 years. i can tell you for certain that we have yet to have a customer come back that we didn't remember. there are always records kept, even if it's only in someone's mind. there's no way you should be turned away if you go back to use the shop's warranty.

Coop74

Most shops do offer a lifetime warranty on workmanship....materials may be a different story. For clear to last ten years in our everyday conditions is pretty good. Not saying it is ok that it failed, but ten years is a pretty long run for non-oem clearcoat. Some shops will stand behind the workmanship, but rely on their paint distibutor to warranty the material.

likwid2u

are you seriously crying about the clear coat lasting ten years? so should me and all the other 1990 accord owners cry about our clear coats not lasting 20 years from factory? look at it this way at least your moms car isnt the first gen neons that had a recall on the paint from the minute it left the dealership, quit being cheap and pay for a new clear

siblues

iTrader: (1)

I would complain if my paint was peeling after ten years.Especially if it was taken care of properly.

Rukusmasta2

what kidn of conditions are your cars in or go thru on a daily basis, 10 years is a long time, i dont see many vehicles even oem look good after 10 years who knows how you take care of your vehicles exterior.

fleabag

Here are some things you guys should know. Firstly, after the accident, the car was garage kept from 2000 to 2003, then by 2005/2006, I noticed the clear coat starting to go and by 2007 it was already ****ed up.

IMPATIENT

iTrader: (1)

totally agree, I remember every person that has walked through the door since day 1. if they are some sheisty shop they should fix the work. and certainly peeling clear will occur with cheap material, that is expected with lower end materials. luckily our material is guaranteed for life so dupont pays for stuff to get fixed if there product has failed, its been many years and no such problems. Considering how expensive it is, we should not have any problems.

NOFX

Not saying they should or shouldn't cover it, but if you noticed problems four or five years ago and three years ago there was a hugely obvious issue, why did you wait this long?

DC2.2_GSR

exactly. PPG stands behind our materials and they will always warranty their materials if they fail under normal conditions. if your car sat under a tree for 5 years and the clear coat failed after scrubbing off the sap with Brakleen, then i can understand why the paint company or shop would laugh at you. however, a standard de-lam after 10 years (or as the OP says, 5-ish years) is unacceptable. if the material was applied by a certified paint tech, the paint manufacturer will warranty their materials because the clear failed prematurely.

even if the shop doesn't get the manufacturer involved, they should definitely warranty their work. for a shop to turn their backs on a customer after having a repair done, no matter how long ago, is pretty low.

fleabag

I plead ignorance. I only starting knowing about this kind of stuff and getting into this mindset after my sister's car was backed into by a neighbor.

shocker911

very true i love PPG they back there products 100% and if you are PPG certified they will back you 100% along with the product. Most shops will somewhat cover in my area (NY). But really if you have any paperwork go back to them and talk to them whats the worst they say no? If it was my shop i would look at it and if not cover it 100% i would atleast discount the work. A happy customer makes a happy wallet