FML, what do I do?

[phunk]

In my experience over the last 27 years of being in the automobile industry and an enthusiast....

Dealer body shops are the worst hacks around. They are all about charging by the and to the book. The dealer uses body work as a profit maker. Most dealer body guys are new people fresh out of trade school. They have little to no experience. The dealer gets their work because most people dont know any better and just have wrecked cars sent to the dealer.

Private body shops live and die by their reputation. They frequently have people with decades of body experience. Good shops, don't let cars go out unless they are correct, because they rely on word of mouth so much.

ask your self this. If your car is wrecked tonight...who will you have it towed to? If you say your local dealer, you need to do your research now and find a good body shop.

I would have my car towed 1,000 miles to go to my guys body shop if i am out of town, because i have a relationship with them and i trust them.

Sorry if this came off preachy.

good post because its true.

a good body/paint shop for those who would consider themselves picky about their car is VERY hard to come by.

It is my opinion that a guy who can work with the body shop environment and conditions and type of work (lots of mess lots of cleaning), yet holds high standards to the product of his work (lots of patience and preparation), is a rare and unique personality type.

In 2005 I paid a ton of money to color change a 2-year old mint condition car... Well I can summarize how that worked out for me like this: In 2006 I found a body shop that paints most of the exotics for the local celebrities to repaint that exact car AGAIN, and while I was at it I worked out a deal with the owner so that I could dissemble the entire car MYSELF (at their shop) before they prepped it, and then in-between paint curing and final buffing I reassembled it ALL MYSELF (at their shop).

I now have difficultly getting myself to want to do any body work on my cars, and have been sticking to stuff that either doesnt need paint (carbon fiber or flat black parts) or comes pre-painted by someone I can trust (like roush).

For me personally now, a body shop is only for paint. I will always do all work before and after paint because it makes it easier for them if they only have to focus on one thing, and its how I make sure every clip bolt and screw goes back where its supposed to.

/rant

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[phunk]

The paint match is all I'm concerned about now. Car has 2k miles on it and it already has a repainted part..sucks.
I'll let you all know what end up doing. Thanks for all the input.

Maybe you can get Roush to install the part to a brand new bumper and paint it all for you? The color match on the wing they sent me was perfect, although I am not sure that matching black is very difficult.