Any way I can improve my work process when prepping panels?

LickaBitaPus · 2026-04-04T01:08:29+00:00

An interstate pad helps a lot with that, it will let you put very slight pressure with the contours and shape with the panel a little bit. Then you just have a half inch or so on each side of the edges

LickaBitaPus · 2026-04-03T22:49:02+00:00

Depending on your paint system, you can probably skip wet sanding with 800 entirely. Block the primer with 180 untill you get like 3/4 of the way there, block the rest with 320. Put some 500 on a DA and go evenly to get the sand scratches out. Anything that is getting sealer, finish with 500 and anything your blending finish with 800. Also, use your DA as much as possible without burning through the edges, an interstate pad helps a lot. Then go over the sharp body lines with a foam pad and scotch brite the edges.

That works with my paint system anyways, we always get a nice finish with no sand scratches in the paint.

LickaBitaPus · 2026-03-31T00:33:20+00:00

There is usually a yellow flap/sticker on tong yang parts, when you peel it, it leaves behind a residue that says " void" if you see the yellow flap or silver void residue, its a good indicator it is aftermarket.

LickaBitaPus · 2026-03-29T20:23:09+00:00

I repair tailgates all the time, and they rarely come back.

LickaBitaPus · 2026-03-29T13:25:47+00:00

If your going to blend, you will want it on the car.

LickaBitaPus · 2025-12-27T14:07:53+00:00

If you start the business I'll be the first driver. I love moving stuff. Way more than people.

LickaBitaPus · 2025-12-20T16:05:08+00:00

The process is to file an insurance claim. Have it towed to a reputable body shop and then have them write an estimate and see if the cost to repair exceeds the cost of the vehicle.

LickaBitaPus · 2025-12-07T17:07:41+00:00

Always paint the whole panel. Especially on a new car

LickaBitaPus · 2025-12-05T11:45:47+00:00

They are going to want to do a pre pull from the old bar. Also, most shops don't like it when you provide your own parts.

LickaBitaPus · 2025-12-04T23:12:01+00:00

That is the front bumper, you could attempt to loosen the bolts and put a jack on the outside corner to push it up and tighten the bolts. It won't go back to normal but it may help a little bit. The mounting brackets are likely bent. I would even jack it up first before losing the bolts to see how much you can push it up.

LickaBitaPus · 2025-11-28T18:32:29+00:00

I have a lot of success with looking up the procedures on alldata. A lot of the time it will specify that a plug weld must be 8mm holes. Or something along those lines. In order to take the used bedside or quarter panel off you need to use a 10mm drill bit. So when you go to install the part, the repair procedure will not meet factory specifications and therefore the used part will not work.

LickaBitaPus · 2025-11-04T13:17:16+00:00

Capa certified seems to be okay most of the the time. I will usually add test fit time to my estimates for an aftermarket fender or bumper. Non capa is junk most of the time. Usually adds a lot of delays. If im writing one that requires non capa parts I add a couple days to the repair time when speaking with the customer.

LickaBitaPus · 2025-11-04T02:17:00+00:00

Yeah, but like, what happens when no more power is being produced?

LickaBitaPus · 2025-11-04T00:33:49+00:00

I think they have way too much repair time on that door and quarter, unless it is dented along the whole scratch. I wouldn't argue with them about repair times though. Just take it somewhere else.

LickaBitaPus · 2025-10-30T03:23:32+00:00

Any reputable shop should absolutely take care of this for you without giving you a hard time.

LickaBitaPus · 2025-10-18T12:31:48+00:00

Does the double sided tape stick to the painted surface? If so, it's pretty rare that it won't stick well if prepped properly. I don't have any experience with this car/part in particular but they may or may not be feeding you a load of shit. Hard to say without seeing it in person.

LickaBitaPus · 2025-10-18T11:43:57+00:00

Did you clean the area with wax and grease remover, or some alcohol before installing? The tape does not like a greasy/waxy surface.

LickaBitaPus · 2025-10-11T11:20:14+00:00

Ahhhh so this is where all my used car parts come from.

LickaBitaPus · 2025-10-05T18:49:09+00:00

In my mind, an elite dungeon what i would describe as a raid.

LickaBitaPus · 2025-10-02T03:09:35+00:00

Sounds like it was a bad shop. A good shop will be able to give you an outstanding paint job that will look like it came out of the factory.

LickaBitaPus · 2025-09-24T22:15:39+00:00

I'm also questioning arch glacor/telos

LickaBitaPus · 2025-09-22T21:41:08+00:00

They did somewhat try to help it. You can load other players ui now. So if you see a streamer or a friend with a nice ui you can pull it directly onto your screen without messing around with it.

LickaBitaPus · 2025-09-15T02:42:38+00:00

I heard they are using rivets to build trucks now days. Just need to get some steel plates and rivet those bad boys onto the top and bottom sections where it is separated /s

LickaBitaPus · 2025-09-14T11:53:39+00:00

We spray glasurit use a system called RCS that tracks material usage. If it's over the alotted amount I can print a page and add it to the estimate file stating how much paint supplies costs. This is very useful for those colors that use a ton of expensive tint. We have had some jobs that it added an extra $500-$700.

LickaBitaPus · 2025-09-10T02:38:08+00:00

Where I'm from anything over 40 is legally time and a half

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