My car must be a target...

[blue731]

Whaaaaa....!
As some of you may remember, I had a deer smash into my T'bird's door last October. Friday, I took the Bird out to pick up some boots I was having worked on. Got home before I realized that a the car next to me had left a loooooong scrape when it backed out to leave; from midway of the new door, all the way back to the rear fenderwell. How long? Try 3" high, and 3' long!

It was white, so I didn't really notice till I got home. No note of course - as most of the people here only drive really expensive cars, or $500 crapboxes with no license or insurance. I'm reasonably sure that it was a $500 crapbox.

The good news - Goo Gone made very quick work of all the white paint. Some Simonize One Step poly-polish worked out most of the scratches. Unfortunately, there seems to be the thinest of creases in the door, about 30" long. Sigh... you can only barely feel it, and if you look hard in the sun, you can barely see it. I'm thinking of replacing the door (again), but wondering if it was being too "anal" about things.



Any thoughts? Should I just live with it.. maybe take it and get the rest of the clearcoat buffed out?

[blue731]

Re: My car must be a target...

BTW... here is a link to my Car...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34458651@N08/3586869546/

[rcjohny]

Re: My car must be a target...

Take it to a shop that repairs without painting, had mine repaired that way, great job & great price.

[FritsB]

Re: My car must be a target...

Bummer Dave. But like John says, have it fixed.

[My Raven]

Re: My car must be a target...

I agree, Dave ... Bite the bullet and get it fixed. Otherwise, if you are like me it will eat at you like acid every time you notice it which will be every time you look at that side of your car.

[SugarBabe]

Re: My car must be a target...

Dave,

Don't park any where close to another car!! We do a lot of walking when we drive the bird!! No one cares anymore and some people just do it on purpose!!

[Ski]

Re: My car must be a target...

Dave, that's enough to pi$$ off the Good Humor man!

[blue731]

Re: My car must be a target...

I think i'll swing by Platinum Auto this week. They did all the repairs last time and it was an exceptional job.

I do try to park way out. The place I had to take the car was a small lot, completely full. I'll not make that mistake twice.

On a happy note, I did install the KKM CAI kit the other day. Now, just need to download a new program to make it worth the effort.

[Meowgal]

Re: My car must be a target...

I'm always nervous about parking for just this reason. I've been lucky, but it seems that even when there is nobody in the lot and I park in the farthest spot, totally away from everybody, some goon in a big rusted out pickup truck decides to park RIGHT NEXT TO ME!!! NO kidding. A friend said it was because there are so few Tbirds around here and they want to look at it. Grrrr. Admire her from afar, please!

[FEsTbird]

Re: My car must be a target...

In our area there a few people who can take small dents out without painting. I had one called Dr. Dent come and do a palm sized dent under the Thunderbird name on the back fender. It took him about 30 minutes, and even knowing where to look you see nothing. Saved me about $200 over a regular shop job.

[PaBlkBrd]

Re: My car must be a target...

Dave,

Don't park any where close to another car!! We do a lot of walking when we drive the bird!! No one cares anymore and some people just do it on purpose!!

That theory doesn't seem to work around here. WE park WAAAAAY out on lots and there is always someone next to us when we return . Maybe they think parking next to a Tbird will increase the value of their car

[HKS]

Re: My car must be a target...

Same here. And it is usually an old 1960 era 2 door Cadilac like "Haystack Hayes" the wrestler used to drive.

HKS

That theory doesn't seem to work around here. WE park WAAAAAY out on lots and there is always someone next to us when we return . Maybe they think parking next to a Tbird will increase the value of their car

[blue731]

Re: My car must be a target...

:sun: UPDATE on door scrape! :sun:

Had to work late overnight so took the day off to recover. This morning, took the Tbird to the auto body shop that originally replaced the front quarter panel and door that was damaged back in October. The guy remembered me, and asked me to bring it into the bay for a "look-see" and to discuss my options.

After an initial review - he determined that they could easily buff it out, so he got his body guy right on it. 3 or 4 different compounds / liquids, and two or three different buffing pad exchanges later, it was as if the door was replaced and repainted. No scratches, dings, or creases.

Best part, didn't charge me one red cent (though, I did tip the body guy well, as money saved is money earned!) and only took 15 minutes. I am soooo happy now!

Excuse me while I go out and weld "barbed wire" on the body now.

[FritsB]

Re: My car must be a target...

That's good news Dave. I can imagine how that makes you feel now.

[redbirdsal]

Re: My car must be a target...

That's great Dave!