Hey everyone. I had the distinct pleasure this evening of hearing this half rotten limb hitting my wife's car. Yeah, it's my car on paper, but she drives it, you all know how this goes....

It's my first time posting and I usually do all my own maintenance and the like, but bodywork is beyond me. It's a 2007 rx350 with the pearl white paint (lucky me, because I know that it is soooooo easy to match.)

The pic below is the best I could get in the driving rain, but this isn't going to be pounded back out and color sanded, it's going to be a new fender panel w/ paint.

Question is, what is a ball park figure to expect on this, assuming it's just the panel, some random attachment hardware, paint and install? Anything else that has to be taken off that I'm not thinking of? Like I said, bodywork is not my forte.

Can the panel be paint matched off the VIN# and be a perfect match to the surrounding 6 year old paint?

I appreciate any input, thanks for reading.

-Tim

 

I can't tell you how much it is but I can telll you it is possible to match.

My previous car was an M45 and it was pearl white. I was rear ended and the rear quarter panel was bent the exact same way. When it was replaced body shop was able to match it perfectly and at the time the car was 7 years old.

Pearl white is my favorite car color. I feel your pain.

 

I know it sucks to see damage but a good repair shop will have that fixed up good as new and matched perfectly.

 

Really sorry to see that for your 1st post. But it definitely looks reparable to new condition again. Post again when it's done .

 

Take it to the Lexus dealer for an estimate from their body shop, and take it to an independent body shop for another estimate. Call your insurance guy as you will have some coverage for this, but my guess is that the bill will exceed your deductible.

 

I agree and as an act of nature your insurance rate should not be affected by filing a claim.

 

Get recommendations for body shops and get quotes. A good shop can certainly match it.

 

i would also search for a dent repair shop. the ones in my city are called Dent Wizard and Ding King.

they do paint less dent removal. i have seen it done and its pretty amazing.

it may be a long shot (given that there appears to be a crease in the panel) but nonetheless i would at least check with them, it would cost you less than your deductible if they can fix it, and there is no painting, and you will have your car back the same day.

 

See how much a Painteless Dent Removal would be... The PDR guys are good, and they typically have 'deals' if its 'x' amount of dents, and so on.

Another option, if the fender is too far gone, would be to get a used one off ebay... cheapest way to go about it. Otherwise it's probably a cool 300$ for a new aftermarket fender & paint.

 

Thanks for all the responses. I spoke w a body shop that came highly recommended... He said its near impossible to match the paint?! Do you think a Lexus shop would have any better luck?

Tim

 

I would check with the local Lexus dealership and ask which shop they would recommend. The paint on your RX is a three coat process -- base, pearl, clear. Needs to be done right.

Will it be a 100% match, no. However, any good shop can get it very, very close to being an exact match. Besides, your vehicle is not all that old. Hard part looks like it will be getting those panels straightened or replaced.

If you are running this through your insurance you are only going to pay the deductible anyway. So, it does not really matter what it costs in the end as you will only be paying the deductible. Best to use a quality shop for the work.