I recently took my G into a very highly reputable performance shop here in the Dallas area so that they could install some suspension work. Well, I assumed that since they work with pretty expensive wheels most of the time (i.e. Volk) I didn't have to tell them to be carefull with my wheels (20" Volk GT-C). As I finshed paying the guy ($225!!!) and I'm getting ready to leave I decide to take a final walk around the car. WTF!?!?!? My wheels are scratched up from the lug nut holes!!!! They're diamond black so it looks very noticable (sorry no pics but you'll have to take my word for it).

Long story short - I call the guy out so that he can take a look along with the mechanic that did the work. They admitted that they should've been more careful but really weren't offering anything to make up for it. I can't really affort to take them off to have them re-powdered! I finally just said I would be forced to retouch them up myself so the guy offered discounts on any parts I wanted. What else could I have done? I can't afford to be without my G with no wheels. The scratches aren't too too bad that I can't do a touch up job myself but still they'll never be the same again I told him I would call him on Monday. Any suggestions on what I should ask for?

eddie

 

new wheels comes to mind, sorry if I'm stating the obvious.

 

I had the same thing happen to my previous car, they scratched the crap out of my SSR's, didnt use the long lug nut tool I provided them with. Good luck....

 

plastic coated sockets

I purchased these when I first bought my G.....I figured since the lug holes are so deep in the wheel, that damage to them could happen easily.....

they are plastic coated....you could probably just cover the socket with electrical tape as well.....

 

Man, when something like that happens, you have to go right to the mananger and ask "What are you going to do for me? How are you going to fix this?"

You have every right to want to leave the shop in the same condition as you entered!

 

The local Infiniti shop scratched two of my 03 OEM wheels - they reluctantly agreed to have their contract wheel repair guy - professionally touch up the scratches - he did a great job.

 

Go back and talk to the owner. Tell him you're not going to pay for it and he's responsible for his workers actions. Don't fix it on your own, you are not liable for the costs.

 

they've admitted a problem... thats good.

they didnt offer anything to repair the dmg... thats bad.

depending on the degree of the damage , id decide on course of action.

minor scratches (that you can fix) and can only be seen 1 foot away ... i'd recommend... taking them up on their offer... get some serious mods done to your car at this place and make them do it for free (you pay for the parts)

major scratches (that require repainting and visble from 5 feet away (after touch up) it sounds necessary to have the wheels repainted. discuss with the owner or mgr and go from there.

ppp

 

I had a shop scratch a wheel on my old Maxima. I immediately bought it to their atention and they were like "I'm sorry, what would you like me to do?" I told them I wanted a new wheel. They were brand new at the time and they gouged it pretty bad. So the owner says "I can SAND IT DOWN and repaint it myself." I said no way. Then he told me to leave then, since I didn't want him to fix it. I called the cops and when they came the owner asked what I was doing. I told him that I was filing a report that they vandalized my car. He immediately told me he would get me a new wheel and in 2 days, I had a new wheel. They even mounted it and balnced it for free. Now, I'm not saying to do what I did, but hold your ground. They have to make it right!

 

Ballsy move...I like it

 

I would go over it with the store manager and let him see for himself the damage
done to your expensive wheels. Then send them a quote how much a
custom powercoat would be, have them talk to your insurance agent (this give
it a more formal approach) and have the store give you a nice discount or free
parts if you can live with just touching up the wheel.

If they are bad enough, you should seriously consider getting them powercoated.

I usually use my factory wheels when I get work done at the dealers, etc.even
if they are a reputable shop. I dont take chances. For those that
only have one set of wheels, you should use masking tape in the
bores of the wheels to protect them, even if they look like sh*t when
you drive up to their shop.

 

Thanks everyone for the advice. I washed and waxed the wheels today and touched them up. In the end they were't scrateched up as bad as I thought they were when they were dirty. In any case, I still want something in return for they fugging up. I called the manager and he's hooking me up with the mods I want to get and installing them for free.

Does anyone know if the Ray's lug nuts protect the lug nut hole since they stick out a bit more? They are lighter too so I'm thinking of buying them anyway.

eddie