Dmitri

I have some rock dings on the hood and am thinking about getting it re-sprayed, then, after it cures properly, putting on a clear bra.

I'd appreciate any recommendations for a place in either Long Beach, CA or the OC area that can do either (or both) jobs at a reasonable price. Or, if there's any place I should stay away from, I'd appreciate knowing that, too!

Thanks in advance.

shine

I'm told that European Motor Car Works in Santa Ana is the place to go. I have never used them or have any affiliation with them. I just know they come highly recommended.

Another option is to just touch up the dings and then cover it with a clear bra. It may not be perfect but it's cheaper and the factory paint is preserved. Most clear bra installers will not warranty the application if it's not factory paint.

hakaida702

Doesn't it take a month to cure? My gf needed a huge scratch in her bumper fixed and they said you cant wax it for 2 months and dont wash it for 1. If it does take that long, you might get more rock chips while waiting for it to cure.

CORSASCHNELL

Try Sterling Collision in Tustin CA. They do high end cars, workshop is full of Lambo, Bentley and others.

They will also recommend to you not to mess with the new paint for 3 months and let is cure.

Good luck!

JMA

+2 for Sterling in Tustin (associated with Sterling BMW in Newport). They have rebuilt my wife's BMW several times and the cosmetic results are literally flawless. They also do many exotics (I think they do the work for Newport Auto Center (Bentley, RR, Porsche, Audi). Highly recommended and I'm picky.

91469972

Sterling Collision in Tustin worked on both my Q7 S-line and Carrera S. Perfect work in both cases. My 2009 Carrera S was the most inexpensive vehicle in the place. They even have a seperate area to work on Aluminum body vehicles. They had an Audi R8 that someone added an additional 80 HP and of course they crashed it. Spent $60,000 on the upgrade and then spent $60,000 on the body work! The place is so clean my wife said it reminded her of her Hospital!

CORSASCHNELL

When I got my car back from Sterling in January, the seat heaters did not work. I called them and they made an appointment for me at Newport Auto Center and paid for the work, reprogramming it. It was a small $ amount but I liked their attitude and good customer care.

Mumbles

If you do decide to spray the hood personally I would install a full clear bra on the as the slight distortion of the clear bra will take the eye from the paint difference to the fenders

Dmitri

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm going to take this in two bites. First, I'm having a Dr. Color Chip expert try his hand and see how it comes out. I'll get some before/after pix.

If that isn't satisfactory, then I'll probably go the paint route and look into the places that have been recommended.

If I do go the paint route, has anyone heard of/dealt with an outfit called Carsmetics? Their quote to shoot the front end is about $750, which I suspect is going to be significantly less than the collision centers.

Thanks, again.

91469972

If I were getting my Carrera repainted I wouldn't go the less expensive route. The clear bra that Sterling put on mine is different then my prior and really not noticible.

Palmbeacher

Do get your chest waxed first

Dmitri

And a Brazilian.

Dmitri

So, I went to Sterling to see what they'd want to re-spray the front and the cost for an invisible bra.

Paint - no less than $4k
Invisible bra - $3.5k

Pass. Let's see how the Dr. Color Chip works out. Having it done tomorrow.

Edgy01

$4,000 just to paint the hood?

Dmitri

Hood, front bumper and "blend" into fenders.