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Crunched my Prius, Guesstimates on Repair?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by GasSaver1, Mar 29, 2015.

  1. GasSaver1

    GasSaver1 Member

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    I did not turn wide enough around an object and it got me good. Fortunately the door and the bumper were not touched (somehow) yet I still dented the metal door well area. I don't think this can be pulled out, its probably a cut out and replace section job......

    Opinions? Gusstimates?

    IMG_20150328_205343.jpg IMG_20150329_102059.jpg IMG_20150329_102107.jpg IMG_20150329_102120.jpg
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    $1,300.
     
  3. GasSaver1

    GasSaver1 Member

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    I would be able to live with that- I have $1000 deductible on collision, I thought a thing like this would fall under comprehensive but nope- going to have to reduce the deductible next time around. So at $1300ish I would totally just pay the whole thing and not get this on the car fax or raise the rates...... cant wait for tomorrow when shops open!
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    We had a very similar hit, albeit even lighter. The bill was $1120 (Canadian).

    Capture.JPG

    This was "doing it right", ie: extending out the paint, blending. They spot-weld nails onto the depression, to aid in pulling it out. Then knock them off and smooth the area.
     
  5. GasSaver1

    GasSaver1 Member

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    So went to three shops:
    $1600 pt
    $1200 even cash
    $1226 (and a real printout estimate)

    All are 4-5 days. No need to cut it out they think it can just be pulled but the door has to be blended. Looks like I'm going to the 3rd place.
     
  6. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Wow the cost of paint and body work amazes me.

    Seems like the smallest of dent or scratch creates instantly $1000 dollars or more of damage.

    When people get in semi major wrecks? I'm surprised anyone cars ever get restored.

    At least get some online reviews for the body shop you pick. You want to make sure they can do the job right. They all say they can as they are giving you an estimate. Just make sure there aren't like a million disgruntled past customers.
     
  7. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    You'd be amazed at how much time it takes to make something like that look right again. Sand, pull out dent/crease, fill, allow to cure, sand, fill, allow to cure, sand, blend, mix color coat, spray, apply second color coat, apply third coat, clean gun and nozzle, allow to dry, blend/buff color coat, mix top/clear coat, spray clear coat, clean gun/nozzle, apply second clear coat, allow to dry, blend/buff clear coat. Even a "minor" repair like this takes forever. All of this is, if you're good at it. If you're a novice, like me, it takes longer.
     
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yup, it's all labor, and these guys make decent money, as they should. the fact that they can blend and make it look decent saves a ton of time. (money)
     
  9. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Well I'm not saying they don't earn their money.
    But I am saying, it seems in this day and age, ANY scratch, or dent, results in about a minimum of 1000.

    Doesn't seem like there is much middle ground anymore, it's either touch up paint or open up your wallet.
     
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  10. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    I will.
    How much training and experience does it take to become a proficient technician ? A month ? Three ? Six ? A year ?
    What fraction of the populace can be trained to do the work ?

    I suspect that car body work is ripe for economic disruption, but I don't really care. I have never been inclined to repair a dent in my life.
     
  11. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    I have been inclined and let me tell you, it is no easy task. The mere patience that it takes is agonizing.
     
  12. GasSaver1

    GasSaver1 Member

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    A close friend of mine apparently is very close with an owner of a body shop. Usually I would have my doubts about the place but as he knows who I am it might be ok. He quoted $700 if the door needs to be blended. Cheaper if it doesn't. Ultimately I will go there and see what happens. I should have the car back in 2-3 days
     
  13. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    My grandfather was a paint and body guy back in the day and I have a stepbrother who is presently making north of a buck twenty a year banging on high dollar cars in the Louisville area.
    He's always flying to this school or that one getting factory certifications, and IMHO he's earning every dime of his annual salary.
    You certainly don't need an advanced degree to do body work, but there is a little more skill involved than some people appreciate and a considerable amount of talent along with some pretty expensive equipment where frame mending is involved.
    You also have to work in an industrial environment and wear a bunch of PPE all of the time.
    Even if I had the talent for that work (I don't) there is NO WAY that I would deal with dealers, customers and insurance companies who are perpetually trying to screw the others out of a buck!
    If you're the guy or gal driving the spray gun all of that is probably above your pay grade, but that also means that you have the option of hooking into another shop owner's air system.
    Talent goes where the money is.
    You can always buy spray paint and hammers at WalMart.

    Like SB, I tend not to repair small dents and scrapes, but I also can understand and appreciate where somebody who spends north of $50,000 on a car would want all of the paint and panels to be in good shape. You have to PAY somebody the market rate for that.
    Right now the market says that a thousand bucks doesn't get much paint and body work.


    $700.00 for the above repair is a good quote.
    Would I do it?

    Eh....maybe.
    Maybe not.
     
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  14. GasSaver1

    GasSaver1 Member

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    IMG_20150404_123156.jpg
    Good enough for $700 I tipped an extra $50. I already ordered the clear triangle sticker $4 the only thing missing is the color keyed sticker on the wheel well. Not sure if that's needed or can even be bought
     
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    looks good to me!(y)
     
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i used to try my own body work as a teen, i think there is some type of artistry involved and i'm sure training helps. like anything else, some are better than others, and they all have their good days and bad.
     
  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I think it pretty much HAS to be blended, for the newly painted zone to be unnoticeable. And even then, close up, you might see differences in texture, orange peel or whatever they call it.

    With blending, even if the patched area is purposely OFF, blending can make it seamless.

    Overview:



    Demo: