bodywork after crash - any advice?

[candywhite12]

took my gti to the VW garage today, wife crashed it.  They are changing the hood, front bumper, grille with badge, number plate plus one of the two headlamps and one of the two fenders. Is there anything to look for specifically when I pick it up in terms of quality of body/paintwork etc?   

[Hurdy]

took my gti to the VW garage today, wife crashed it.  They are changing the hood, front bumper, grille with badge, number plate plus one of the two headlamps and one of the two fenders. Is there anything to look for specifically when I pick it up in terms of quality of body/paintwork etc?   

Take an LED torch as it shows up imperfections in paintwork better. Also double check the panel gaps are symmetrical on bot sides of the car. Check the hood latches properly. Also that the headlights are the same colour light when on, they have been known to be two different colours.

[candywhite12]

took my gti to the VW garage today, wife crashed it.  They are changing the hood, front bumper, grille with badge, number plate plus one of the two headlamps and one of the two fenders. Is there anything to look for specifically when I pick it up in terms of quality of body/paintwork etc?   

Take an LED torch as it shows up imperfections in paintwork better. Also double check the panel gaps are symmetrical on bot sides of the car. Check the hood latches properly. Also that the headlights are the same colour light when on, they have been known to be two different colours.

thanks mate, pretty helpful comments

[ajmoir36]

Look for overspray everywhere, windows, glass, interior.

[candywhite12]

Look for overspray everywhere, windows, glass, interior.

forgive me for asking but how's overspray supposed to get on windows or interior?  aren't they supposed to paint the parts BEFORE they put them on the car? (e.g. don't they paint the bumper before assembling it on the car)?

[SRGTD]

The bumper may be painted off the car, but I think it's normal for the other panels; hood (bonnet) and fender (wing), to be painted after they"ve been attached to the car. So yes, if the parts of the body not being replaced / repaired aren't properly masked up, then it's possible for overspray to get on them.

[ajmoir36]

Spraying the car with the windows down or the doors open.

[dubber36]

If they are painting the wings, they will need to blend the paint into the doors as well. This is where you are most likely to get issues from poor workmanship. "Dry" patches in the paint where they have tried to feather it out, overspray on door rubbers and inside the door shuts. Also look for patches of overspray under the bonnet and in the wheel arches on suspension components etc. You may not notice at first, or think it matters, but any potential new owner when you come to sell it will spot that for sure.

[joe6]

In addition to the others, check overspray on the wheels and that bumper colour is a good match to the rest of the body as there have been problems with colour match with some bumpers from the factory.

[ajmoir36]

If they are painting the wings, they will need to blend the paint into the doors as well. This is where you are most likely to get issues from poor workmanship. "Dry" patches in the paint where they have tried to feather it out, overspray on door rubbers and inside the door shuts. Also look for patches of overspray under the bonnet and in the wheel arches on suspension components etc. You may not notice at first, or think it matters, but any potential new owner when you come to sell it will spot that for sure.

Agreed if I spot overspray anywhere on a car I tend to give it an even closer inspection for which bits have been sprayed.