MEDIC!!! Ram Down!!!
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12-16-10, 09:31 AM
#18
Lexus Fanatic
Sorry to hear about the accident caused by negligent driver. Looks expensive, but thankfully she was properly insured. Best of luck with a speedy and thorough repair.
12-16-10, 03:09 PM
#19
Lexus Fanatic
A shame, Josh....right after you and your wife got the truck. Well, as you yourself pointed out, a good body shop is worth its weight in gold. And, you may (get) an added bonus if the body shop goes into all of the truck's cracks and crannies and cleans out all the salt and dirt/crud build-up for you. 
12-16-10, 04:14 PM
#20
Dysfunctional Veteran
Thread Starter
Mike, I am not too concerned about the salt. Whoever had this truck previously took great care of it. It has an undercoat (complete in every lip, corner, nook and cranny) and was washed regularly. The previous owner even kept Car Wash and Detailing Receipts!
Got the estimates today. The average between them, $2,467.42. Only one shop met my criteria. All but Davidson's Collision center wanted to just put a door skin on, sand and paint. Davidson's wants to:
Remove door and replace with new parts from chrysler.
Remove Bed and sand/fill/paint r/h panel, check for structural integrity and replace entire bed if nessecary.
Match paint with laser matching system, and paint entire right side of truck.
Sand/prime/paint rocker panel
Sand/prime/paint C-Pillar
Reinstall bed and adjust.
Got the estimates today. The average between them, $2,467.42. Only one shop met my criteria. All but Davidson's Collision center wanted to just put a door skin on, sand and paint. Davidson's wants to:
Remove door and replace with new parts from chrysler.
Remove Bed and sand/fill/paint r/h panel, check for structural integrity and replace entire bed if nessecary.
Match paint with laser matching system, and paint entire right side of truck.
Sand/prime/paint rocker panel
Sand/prime/paint C-Pillar
Reinstall bed and adjust.
12-16-10, 07:02 PM
#23
Dysfunctional Veteran
Thread Starter
not lookin good for the home team, might be driving half a ram to washington
12-18-10, 05:29 AM
#25
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12-18-10, 06:23 AM
#26
Dysfunctional Veteran
Thread Starter
Honestly, its a truck, so it probably will not be the first time it gets damaged. I am not that worried about it, as long as its fixed properly. The fact that it was wrecked is not a huge deal. Fact is, accidents happen every day, and 90% of cars will not go their entire lives without being in one at least once. It was a simple fender bender, despite my being extremely irritated. The fact remains its a very routine repair, with nothing structural/no airbags to replace...so in the end, I'm ok with a new door and a good repair.
12-18-10, 10:08 AM
#27
Lexus Fanatic
I own a truck/SUV, and use it for driving in less than perfect conditions (like bad weather, heavy traffic, poor parking situations, etc.), essentially used as "urban assault vehicle". So I realize (sadly) that it has more exposure to incidents like this versus my other sport sedans.
12-18-10, 02:57 PM
#28
Dysfunctional Veteran
Thread Starter
I own a truck/SUV, and use it for driving in less than perfect conditions (like bad weather, heavy traffic, poor parking situations, etc.), essentially used as "urban assault vehicle". So I realize (sadly) that it has more exposure to incidents like this versus my other sport sedans.
12-18-10, 04:58 PM
#29
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...how do they get the paint to match the rest with no blending? Custom mix in any fade from the sun? Even with a laser paint match system, I would think at least some blending would be needed, mostly at the doors since the gap between the bed and cab will allay any minor visual difference in color/clear.Either way, it's good that you found a shop that will do what you want in that short timeline. Hopefully there are no delays in getting the parts due to holiday shipping times. Weather is killing UPS/FedEx right now...
Big Mack
12-19-10, 10:00 AM
#30
Dysfunctional Veteran
Thread Starter
Parts are coming from local dealer, all new. They had them in stock (some luck huh?). My understanding of the paint matching system is, they take a chip of the paint from the area they are repairing, and they put it under a laser scanning device. The laser scans, and mixes the paint in the machine to within a certain spec (I am assuming close enough for the difference to be undetectable by the naked eye). Almost half of the truck is being painted, so if it does not match, I will be irate. LOL. I have never heard of this type of paint matching, but they swear by it, and I saw some of their work on the property, cant even tell it was fixed.