Ok, so it's Saturday, it's sunny, life is great, and I'm heading down to my dealer for my first oil change.
After 45 minutes or so, I'm being told my car is washed and ready for me. I get out to the lot and start doing my "pre-flight" visual inspection around the car. I was almost done, when I got to the front quarter panel, and sure enough YES ! - a F$#^%KING scratch!!! The scratch is about inch and half long, and is easily visible in direct sun light, as you can see in the pictures below... So now I'm pissed, I walk back to the service dept. and drag the service rep. lady outside to see the little "souvenir". She says it's ok, that they will take care of that, but the only one who is authorized to do anything is the service dept. mgr. which of course is not there, and will be in on Monday.
Now here is my question: does something like that is fixable just by buffing it up? or a complete repaint of the quarter panel and blending is necessary? Assuming this thing will not come off with buffing, do you guys think it's worth taking the car to a buddy shop and have them repaint the panel? what are my options here?....
Sorry for the long post, just had to vent, and get some questions answered.

- Thanks.





2004 G35C 6MT DG/Gr/Prem/NAV/A.Pedals/C.Corners/C.Bra/PIAA/Grnd.Kit/Rebadged [img]/w3timages/icons/cool.gif[/img]

 

i'm no expert, but a little touch up paint and buffing looks like it'll fix it

04 6mtC, DG - possibly most babied G on the board.

 

Sorry, I was so pissed when I posted it that I called the body shop - a buddy shop... (I wish).
Can't edit the post from some reason.....

2004 G35C 6MT DG/Gr/Prem/NAV/A.Pedals/C.Corners/C.Bra/PIAA/Grnd.Kit/Rebadged [img]/w3timages/icons/cool.gif[/img]

 

It looks like it's through the clear and into the color layer. If that's correct, touching it up with the right color and putting on a layer of hand-glaze will make it look pretty good, but not perfect. The only way to make it look like it wasn't there will be to repaint and blend the panel, and that is what Infiniti should do.


Black/Willow 03.5 6MT, Premium, Navi, Aero, SAT
350Z Nismo CAI

 

Thanks guys.
Question though, would you agree to a repaint and blend?
I don't know if I want to repaint the quarter panel and the hood just for this little scratch. I'm afraid there will a visible difference in colors, and am thinking it's not worth it...
What do you guys think?

2004 G35C 6MT DG/Gr/Prem/NAV/A.Pedals/C.Corners/C.Bra/PIAA/Grnd.Kit/Rebadged [img]/w3timages/icons/cool.gif[/img]

 

sorry they messed up your ride...sometimes the fix can be worse than the original scratch....left in the hands of a professional however....they should be able to repair it and no one would ever know...My wife's G20 had a scratch on the front bumper by a mechanic who couldn't hold on to his wrench during a service...we took the car to a local body shop and he feathered out the area...primed painted and clear coated the spot and I can't even remember which side it was now....so if your not sure...agree to have a body shop repair the damage and send them the bill....LOL 2old4this

04 cpe ivory pearl/willow/5at/prem/sport wheel pkg

 

hey dont trip about it. It looks like it can be removed with a buff. Even if that doesnt work there is water sanding and if that doesnt working then a lil touch up. AND IF that doesnt work you dont need to paint the entire panel. You just sand down that lil spot and paint and clearcoat it.

DONT WORRY MANY. You dont have to worry cuz the dealership has to take care of it.
Good luck


2004 Diamond Graphite G35 Coupe 6MT, Premium Package, Aero Package, DVD Nav

 

Thanks guys, I'll pay them a visit on Monday, we'll see how it goes...

2004 G35C 6MT DG/Gr/Prem/NAV/A.Pedals/C.Corners/C.Bra/PIAA/Grnd.Kit/Rebadged [img]/w3timages/icons/cool.gif[/img]

 

My cousin owns a detail shop.. He fixes little scratches like that all-the-time in less than 20 minutes. It looks like new when he finishes. He won't tell me his secret however.

2003.5 5AT
<font color=black> Black/Willow Coupe </font color=black>
Premium Package
18" Tire/Wheel Package
K&N Filter, Z-Tube, EGK

 

Thats definitely an easy fix. Touch paint and a buff out and it will look like it was never there...Tell us how it goes. Im still waiting to take mine in for the scratches they put on my car.

2003.5 Blk/Blk w/all dem options

 

kahboom,
Where is your cousin located?

2004 G35C 6MT DG/Gr/Prem/NAV/A.Pedals/C.Corners/C.Bra/PIAA/Grnd.Kit/Rebadged [img]/w3timages/icons/cool.gif[/img]

 

OK, went to the dealer, they offered to take the car to a body shop and repaint the panel. I didn't like the idea, being afraid I might end up with an half-a$$ed job that will make it look as if the damage was much worse than what it really was. I asked them to try and buff it up. They agreed and had their detailer guy give it his best shot. I must say he did pretty good. He was able to get rid off of one of the scratches, and "mild" the other one. The service dept. mgr. gave me his card and said that if I change my mind I should give him a call and they will gladly take the car to a body shop and have the panel repainted and in addition, provide me with a loaner for the time being. I must mention that they didn't give me any hard time and were very cooperative. Here are some pictures from today (after buffing). Please take a look and let me know what you think. IMO right now, the damage is too minor and is not worth the risk of a bad repaint. What do you guys think?







2004 G35C 6MT DG/Gr/Prem/NAV/A.Pedals/C.Corners/C.Bra/PIAA/Grnd.Kit/Rebadged [img]/w3timages/icons/cool.gif[/img]

 

I don't blame you for not wanting the panel repainted.
To me that looks ok. Acceptable for now, so tell the guy you want an oil change and you'll call it even.(notwithstanding any future scratches) [img]/w3timages/icons/tongue.gif[/img]
G/L

<font color=red>GSM</font color=red>
<font color=red>GSM</font color=red>
<font color=black>Silverstone Coupe</font color=black>

 

I was once afraid of the repainting, I took delivery of my car with scratches on the rear deck and didn't know of them until the next day. They took care of me, (tustin infiniti) the car was gone a good week and a half but when I got it back I couldn't tell the difference. DG is my color. They did a perfect job of blending...

04' G35 / 6MT / Tein Basic Coilovers
Volk 19" GT-7 Gunmetal

 

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>

I don't blame you for not wanting the panel repainted.
To me that looks ok. Acceptable for now, so tell the guy you want an oil change and you'll call it even.(notwithstanding any future scratches)
G/L

<hr></blockquote>

I get free complimentary oil changes as long as I own the car...[img]/w3timages/icons/cool.gif[/img]

2004 G35C 6MT DG/Gr/Prem/NAV/A.Pedals/C.Corners/C.Bra/PIAA/Grnd.Kit/Rebadged [img]/w3timages/icons/cool.gif[/img]