Clear coat over rubber seals/ Nissan Dealerships with own body repair

[mahu]

I had a quick question about Nissan dealerships with their own body and paint shop.

 

We have some body and paint damage following an unfortunate encounter with a snow plow. Their insurance is paying.

 

We have been trying to get estimates from various independent body shops recommended by Nissan dealerships in our area, however none of them can accommodate the high roof NV in their paint booth or are unfamiliar about how to repaint and clear coat in areas around the rubber sealant between the large side panels.

 

The estimates we have gotten range from $1200 to $3400. Damage is a dent in the rear driver's side column next to the door, scratches on the hinges, and a scratch on the large side panel on driver's side. And busted tail light.

 

The issue every body shop seems to have is about how to clear coat the side panel since on each side it has that rubber seal and thus doesn't have a clear edge at which to end the clear coat.

Some have suggested to clear coat over the seals ie the full length from the back to the driver side door.

 

Are there Nissan dealerships that have their own body shop and paint shop which would be more familiar with repairing and repainting the NV specifically?

 

We called about a half dozen or so in NorCal but none of them do their own work.

 

Thank you very much!

[breeze]

Charley, the current trend from what I've seen is body shop is a clean particle and hazardous waste environment, so most dealers don't want the added headaches. They just tack on 25 to 50% for their liability and middle man troubles I'd guess.

 

From looking at custom films for my motorcycle, most (but definitely not all) of those guys know everything about detailing. You just have to find them. They will be the ones with 15 brand new Maserati's fenced behind the shop. Detailing is an art and is big business in CA. I searched several shops out and found the one with the Maserati's, talked him down, and then figured I'd just try to paint it myself with expensive spray cans, ha ha. I bought the film too, but chickened out first.

 

There is no 'one way' to do it. I'd suggest to look for a hyper film/detail owner who does his own work and just works only when he has business. I don't think it's something you want minimum wage hands doing. A small owner's shop will give you the flexibility in products to give you a value job, versus employees of a franchised product/process.

 

You will see exactly what they are or are not working on when you visit them; and they have their own body shops they use. I liked the few experts vs. the 'village' approach :-) The finished product experts is the approach I'd take anyway to minimize processes in between for a better finished product. ymmv.

[radin2son]

In Tucson, Jim Click owns Nissan, Ford, Dodge and a few others in the same auto mall. They each make high top vans so one might have the answers and paint booth you are looking for. Jeff Lovato (jlovato@jimclick.com) is the collision manager and he may be able to help. I dealt with him when I crunched my rear bumper. I was happy with the repair.

 

His office is on the Nissan lot but they may only have one body shop for all Click's "stores."

 

I'm not saying you have to travel to Tucson, but you could look for a similar set up at an auto mall nearer you.

Edited February 6, 2017 by radin2son