careless mechanic damages hood

[122838B]

I had my flawless 90 Reatta in for some AC work and it looks like the mechanic who worked on the car tried to close the hood while something was setting on top of engine compartment. Whatever it was made a big split in the underhood padding a very noticable crease on the top of the hood. It also dimpled the edge of the hood. The hood also was sprung, sticking up about a half inch above the driver side fender. What to do? The garage accepted responsbility even though the mechanic denied any fault. But I do not want to paint the hood, it then would not be original. Can the creases and dimples be taken out and the hood straightened without paintwork? The garage shop foreman offered to take the car to a bodyshop he knows to find out what can be done, so I left the car with him. Any advice? This car car had some mechanical problems but the body was pristine, which was why I bought it.

[Guest Durahansolo]

That's why i hate taking the car in for repairs. I'm always scared that the stupid mechs working on it will attempt to fix something that doesn't need to be fixed, or in this case breaking what wasn't broke.

[Guest CL_Reatta]

Very sorry to hear about that, but at least the shop is taking responsibility which some wouldn't even do, I hate hearing about cars getting damaged for no reason except stupidity. best of luck to you

[dwmajk]

As to the hood sticking up a 1/2 inch on the drivers side I once took off the brace and put it on backwards and the hood was up on passenger side. I was changing the air filter.check maybe this is the cause.

[reattadudes]

don't want to be the bearer of bad news here, but I seriously doubt they can take any dents out. the Reatta hood is amazingly strong, with a minimum of two layers of steel, with many sections having four layers.

if a paintless dent guy can't get behind the damage, they can't be repaired. as a matter of fact, the paintless dent shop I have used for over ten years told me to never bring in another Reatta again.

I wouldn't really worry too much about 'original', unless you have a car with less than 10,000 miles. modern paint techniques from a quality shop will produce impossible-to-detect results.

Mike

[Shelby]

make sure that you are squared up with them on the work that they have done before you get the damage fixed.

When you do just ask them for there liabity insurance company name and adjuster.

I have had a bad rash and a gut full of mechanics screwing things up and wanting there buddies who are equally as screwed up trying to fix something because they don't want to file an insurance claim.

[DeeBee]

Just went through this with a tire dealer who scratched (although small) my rear wheels. I have made it a practice to take "BEFORE" pictures close up of the car before it goes to any repair shop for anything. Digital pictures cost nothing. Time/date stamp them. If you aren't sure how to do that, cut the header from a current newspaper and put that in the photo.

The tire dealer send the claim to their insurance company. DO NOT let them start haggling over book value etc. You have the right to get the car fixed.

The fix is easy, NEW or metal unblemished hood and repaint. Make sure YOU take it to the body shop of YOUR choice so that you can get one with a quality guarantee. That way if the paint fails or the color doesn't match, it gets redone at no cost to you.

I went so far as to make small marks on my driveway where I can park the car, run around and in about 1 minute take the pictures I need of all angles. Same distance all the time, one normal view, one close up from all aspects.

When you hit the shop you tell them you have pics. Go over the car before you hand it over to them. It takes only a few minutes and if you have to wait for a few minutes, it's worth the time. Makes for no questions afterward. Also, never go to a shop unless they are insured. ASK. You'd be surprised at how some shops have real meager insurance or skate on the thing altogether.

[Tom_O]

Sorry to say, sounds like your hood is sprung. When that happens the structural integrity has been compromised. I agree with everyone else in that they owe you a hood replacement as well as a paint match. My mechanic who paints classic cars (some as old as 60 years old) says "anyone worth their salt" can color match and take into consideration the amount of U V fade.

I would be reccomending to them (not the other way around) where you want this fixed. Good Luck and hope you get your baby back on the road soon.

Tom O.