Got my car back from Image Autobody today. First impressions.
Got my car back from Image Autobody today. First impressions.
Well, I dropped my car off at Image Autobody on Monday to get my INGS+ Automotive Mods replica front lip and sideskirts installed. I picked my car up today. First I stopped by at about noon to see if it was ready since I had dropped off my rental car. They said it would be ready by 5 so I came back. I ended up waiting there for 2 hours while they detailed it so I could take off. I ended up wiping her down with my own chamois again when I got home.
I really have to look at her in the sun to see how well the paint is matched. As far as I can see, I'd say it was a 90% match. But it was starting to get dark and it was cloudy so of course it looked pretty good. Tomorrow I can take a better look at it. I was expecting it to be worse on purpose so I wouldn't be disappointed since I am SO picky. I know it's hard to get a 100% match so I completely understand. I didn't want the front lip molded but due to fitment issues, they had to glue the lip to the bumper then painted it. The front is secured by 2 rivets since the double-sided tape would not hold with just the two screws on each side. Without the rivets there was too much of a gap. The glue had been painted over so it looks a little messy up close but I did not want my bumper painted. The sideskirts had some fitment issues as well. The sides have about 6 screws on each side in the doorsill and 1 in each wheel well. It is not flat in the door sill area so with the door open, it can look pretty ugly. The overall fitment would be rated at 7 on a scale of 10. The edges are not perfectly finished on the sideskirts so where the top of the sideskirts meets the body looks rough. Up close I noticed many imperfections as far as rough edges and fitment. There are areas where the sideskirts stick out under the quarter panel area and an area where it's sunk in.
A few other customers were complimenting the car and could barely keep their mouths open, they said it looked SO clean. They were impressed with the install. However, I am very picky and I notice ALL imperfections, especially when it has to do with body lines, dings and gaps. The sideskirts have some gaps that I am not happy with. I will have to play around with it tomorrow to see if I can get it to fit a little better. I will also have to grind my doorsill plastics down so they will sit flush. If I find too many things I don't like, I may take it back since I did pay 840 bucks for the paint and install but I am going to play around with it myself to avoid taking it back unless it's for paint issues.
But from a distance or if you don't stare at the imperfections, the car does look pretty sick.
I will post pics shortly... along with a better review once I get a better look at the car out in the sun.
I really have to look at her in the sun to see how well the paint is matched. As far as I can see, I'd say it was a 90% match. But it was starting to get dark and it was cloudy so of course it looked pretty good. Tomorrow I can take a better look at it. I was expecting it to be worse on purpose so I wouldn't be disappointed since I am SO picky. I know it's hard to get a 100% match so I completely understand. I didn't want the front lip molded but due to fitment issues, they had to glue the lip to the bumper then painted it. The front is secured by 2 rivets since the double-sided tape would not hold with just the two screws on each side. Without the rivets there was too much of a gap. The glue had been painted over so it looks a little messy up close but I did not want my bumper painted. The sideskirts had some fitment issues as well. The sides have about 6 screws on each side in the doorsill and 1 in each wheel well. It is not flat in the door sill area so with the door open, it can look pretty ugly. The overall fitment would be rated at 7 on a scale of 10. The edges are not perfectly finished on the sideskirts so where the top of the sideskirts meets the body looks rough. Up close I noticed many imperfections as far as rough edges and fitment. There are areas where the sideskirts stick out under the quarter panel area and an area where it's sunk in.
A few other customers were complimenting the car and could barely keep their mouths open, they said it looked SO clean. They were impressed with the install. However, I am very picky and I notice ALL imperfections, especially when it has to do with body lines, dings and gaps. The sideskirts have some gaps that I am not happy with. I will have to play around with it tomorrow to see if I can get it to fit a little better. I will also have to grind my doorsill plastics down so they will sit flush. If I find too many things I don't like, I may take it back since I did pay 840 bucks for the paint and install but I am going to play around with it myself to avoid taking it back unless it's for paint issues.
But from a distance or if you don't stare at the imperfections, the car does look pretty sick.
I will post pics shortly... along with a better review once I get a better look at the car out in the sun.
Last edited by Disco_Monkey; Apr 29, 2006 at 02:42 AM.
Originally Posted by CarFanatic56
So would you recommed Image now since you arent 100% satisfied?
I don't know I honestly can't say until I take a better look. Again, it's cloudy today.
I gotta believe it's going to look great. 
but that's also fine.
I am going to take it back in on Monday. After taking a better look today I am very unhappy. 
The lip is mounted 1/2" too high and needs to come down. The upper part of the lip where the "glue" is looks very rough and has already started to crack apart in some areas. The glue part was painted over so it even stands out more and is not even smooth. It looks like there is painted glue there. Very noticeable. I want all three pieces repainted and matched better. I mentioned that it was a 90% match. In the sun it is about a 75% match and that is not good enough for me. I wanted a 95% match but am willing to settle for 90%.
I know I am picky but it's my car and I fix it up for me. If I am not happy then I must change it. I paid for the service and it almost seems at if it was a rush job. Like it was put off until the day I was supposed to pick it up.
This is exactly the reason why I do all of my own installs and whatever I possibly can to avoid someone else working on my car. Because nobody is willing to take the time and care that I would put into getting it just right.
If they had taken the time to do it right then I wouldn't have to take it back and they wouldn't have the hastle of me coming back. I really hope they don't try to charge me again for re-doing it correctly. Then we are going to have problems... FAWK!
The lip is mounted 1/2" too high and needs to come down. The upper part of the lip where the "glue" is looks very rough and has already started to crack apart in some areas. The glue part was painted over so it even stands out more and is not even smooth. It looks like there is painted glue there. Very noticeable. I want all three pieces repainted and matched better. I mentioned that it was a 90% match. In the sun it is about a 75% match and that is not good enough for me. I wanted a 95% match but am willing to settle for 90%.I know I am picky but it's my car and I fix it up for me. If I am not happy then I must change it. I paid for the service and it almost seems at if it was a rush job. Like it was put off until the day I was supposed to pick it up.
This is exactly the reason why I do all of my own installs and whatever I possibly can to avoid someone else working on my car. Because nobody is willing to take the time and care that I would put into getting it just right.
If they had taken the time to do it right then I wouldn't have to take it back and they wouldn't have the hastle of me coming back. I really hope they don't try to charge me again for re-doing it correctly. Then we are going to have problems... FAWK!
Last edited by Disco_Monkey; Apr 30, 2006 at 12:18 AM.
Originally Posted by Disco_Monkey
Well, I dropped my car off at Image Autobody on Monday to get my INGS+ Automotive Mods replica front lip and sideskirts installed.
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Alright so Phil was very understanding and after explaining how I wanted it and my expectations, he said to leave my car there until Wednesday.
The front will be remounted correctly and molded to the bumper. The imperfections on the sideskirts will be repaired. All three pieces will be re-painted for a better match.
I'm getting charged a few more hours of labor but that's fine, it wasn't a matter of trying to save money for me. I wanted it as close to perfect as possible, as if the car came like that from the factory.
The front will be remounted correctly and molded to the bumper. The imperfections on the sideskirts will be repaired. All three pieces will be re-painted for a better match.
I'm getting charged a few more hours of labor but that's fine, it wasn't a matter of trying to save money for me. I wanted it as close to perfect as possible, as if the car came like that from the factory.
Last edited by Disco_Monkey; May 1, 2006 at 06:37 PM.
Originally Posted by andy2434
Chris,
I trust that the progress on your car is going well, if not already finished. Can't wait to see your car at the Monterey Run.
I trust that the progress on your car is going well, if not already finished. Can't wait to see your car at the Monterey Run.
I am picking her up tomorrow. I spoke to Phil a couple of times during the week. I didn't get to drive her all last week. Had her for the weekend but didn't drive her because I was so disappointed with the job. I'm going to try and make some time this coming week to get those brakes on the car. I'll post pics of the bodywork and my custom dash mods I am finishing up...
I installed a switch for true daytime running lights and one for my reverse camera so it can be flipped on while going forward in split view mode with the map.
Originally Posted by Disco_Monkey
I installed a switch for true daytime running lights and one for my reverse camera so it can be flipped on while going forward in split view mode with the map.
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Sedan
Originally Posted by Disco_Monkey
it wasn't a matter of trying to save money for me. I wanted it as close to perfect as possible, as if the car came like that from the factory.
If $$$ isn't an issue and you're such a perfectionist, why go with a replica kit?
Originally Posted by skeleton_cru
I'm confused. If $$$ isn't an issue and you're such a perfectionist, why go with a replica kit?
If $$$ isn't an issue and you're such a perfectionist, why go with a replica kit?I don't like fiberglass because my car is a daily driver. I prefer urethane. It's not like I bought Stoptech Replicas or VOLK replicas so the replica wasn't bought to save money. It was bought because so many people raved about the perfect fitment and quality of this particular replica.
