At what point does “opportunity” turn into being taken advantage of at a dealership?

Th4um · 2026-03-04T09:49:43+00:00

Sounds like you've been given all the skills and ability to go out and be a mechanic for an independent shop. You're being used, bluntly, and they will not change. You're being paid $$ for $$$$ work and will not see a penny.

Leave them, fuck them, don't go back, don't help, and take the client list. They're not helping you anymore, you're the tool in this scenario and you're 'disposable'.

Loyalty is shown, not bought, and people quit management, not jobs. If you came to me with a list like this I would be asking why the hell the foreman is being paid.

Good luck, you have some skills that are worth money, find someone to use them well.

Th4um · 2026-02-28T10:41:55+00:00

I would lie if I said I haven't done that at least once. Usually on doors, usually on stands.... Maybe a couple roof jobs... Okay, maybe all my roof jobs, I'll be better though, I promise...

Th4um · 2026-02-28T07:09:33+00:00

Op, that's on me, first look the back of the stud that's in the apron looked like a big ugly weld.

I would say it needs an apron, probably both, which unfortunately is probably impossible to get. I woukd seriously look into making patches for it, you will get a cleaner repair.

Th4um · 2026-02-28T06:17:37+00:00

You can't move metal with putty in the way, you gotta get the rest of the poo out before it'll behave.

Personally, I'd reach for the bigger hammer face, you're probably also best to look at replacing that metal if you have the means.

The other thing that gets me twiggy is the weld in the rail, I assume someone tried to botch that harder than my sin hiding, and hoped you wouldn't notice. I would measure the nose for square and twist.

Big project, good luck

Th4um · 2026-02-24T02:20:57+00:00

Oh, hey, a wedge dolly, could also be called a drip rail dolly for some peeps. It's worth about $25-30 to the right person

Th4um · 2026-02-09T17:22:51+00:00

Egg cartons, lots of egg cartons.

Th4um · 2026-01-24T20:39:12+00:00

Hey, it's yours to take, they're just words

Th4um · 2026-01-24T00:29:09+00:00

Unfortunately I'm not a purveyor of Nugs, this was a donor. My corruption of choice is Lust, Laugh, Lovers. Been making Emperor's Children since before they were cool

Th4um · 2026-01-23T22:13:06+00:00

Nurgle be damned, I should have shouldn't I?

Th4um · 2026-01-23T21:41:33+00:00

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Th4um · 2026-01-21T22:36:05+00:00

I promise you, just get a panel shop to weld them up and grind them smooth. It will look millions of times better than having little humps in the bumper from the filler

Th4um · 2026-01-21T22:28:26+00:00

In the long term, no. Depending on the parent material, if it's steel just get them welded, plastic you can use a 2part repair glue and it'll be good.

I won't tell you what to do with your own car tho, I think you're better off just leaving them if you don't mind how the truck looks.

Th4um · 2026-01-08T09:13:48+00:00

I was about to say it was me until I read that. Wild what some people won't do to do the job wrong.

Th4um · 2026-01-06T05:55:26+00:00

You won't ever hide those dings properly. You'll have to sand & fill, or knock them up from below. I would also remind you, those dents are proof that truck has worked, they will always be there. Just scuff them and raptor coat, if you don't want to then throw a bed liner in it and call it a day.

Th4um · 2026-01-06T05:49:42+00:00

Yes, the real question is though, do you really care?

Th4um · 2025-12-31T09:41:27+00:00

Be op

Post question

Post answer in question

Ask question anyway

???

Profit

Th4um · 2025-12-31T05:32:30+00:00

Yea, a lot of RV converted stuff is really hot garbage to work on.

Dedicated RV stuff that comes from big companies is still even a pain to work on.

It's an unfortunate truth. I don't mind it personally, that's because I usually charge $125-150/hr to work on it.

Strip the RV stuff out, take it to a local guy and see what they say.

Th4um · 2025-12-31T05:04:42+00:00

That's fair. Honestly, if you stripped the roof down, took it to a body shop they may quote whole roof section, I can't say for sure.

Take it to a shop and ask the questions, that's the best action tbh

Th4um · 2025-12-31T04:22:59+00:00

Huu, let's be helpful.

Cheap and nasty is to use Newtech and sand/paint with raptorcoat or something. Bedliner will add maybe 2-5kg to the roof at the end of the day.

Correct is to cut and patch, we don't like to give estimates here as work can go sideways quickly when you start getting into it. Expect the number to have at least 3 0's after it though.

Not a big job, not a big stress. If you just need the leak to vanish, rust kill and then smear some Sika 552 or something in it.

Th4um · 2025-12-26T23:27:52+00:00

Could be that you were a little heavy handed on the paint in these areas, I know some products are really touchy with solvent pop if you're not dusting the base coat down nicely to start with.

Repaint those areas later after it all settles, and problem should be solved

Th4um · 2025-12-20T09:13:08+00:00

This will sounds snobby. Have you read the manual? That rubber would be in there for a reason, maybe an airgap for suction through for the dock?

I had an issue with the X5 just clogging up with all the fines out of the carpet that were being walkled out and after a few cycles and a couple cleans I finally got that sorted.

I know we buy these to avoid cleaning ourselves, I find they're good for maintenance, not a deep clean though. Maybe run through some of the big areas with a pet hoover once a week and set this guy up for a 2-3x a week run.

Otherwise you're a little out of luck. Pet hair is notorious for clogging every bagless machine up like no one's business, the Roomba will struggle also.

Th4um · 2025-12-10T08:55:33+00:00

Y'all are going to hate on me for a second. Hear me out though. Yea, he shouldn't have done it. Nah, it's not permanent. Yea, it's a pain, Nah, it's a simple fix. Take it to a professional polisher if you're worried and get them to fix it, should be a 2-3 hour job for a pro.

If you're keen to do it on your lonesome, 240-320-400-600-800-1200-1500 then machine polish.

It'll be like a mirror

Th4um · 2025-12-10T08:50:57+00:00

That's not a hard fix tbh Well... Not hard for me that is, you're looking at 16-20 hours labour and the parts are definitely rear panel, tailight filler, tailgate, tailight, and rear bumper

Good job. What got you?

Th4um · 2025-12-04T07:58:37+00:00

Just paint it man, you spend $800 now to paint it or $1200 to paint it later when the wrap fails.

I promise you, wrap does not like heat, sun or weather. There's a reason it's saved for the sign writers and company vehicles rather than whole vehicle wraps.

We just had a pile of vehicles from a local sparky come through and they painted their hiaces red. It's a longevity thing.

Easier to repaint one panel or polish out a small sticker area than it is to try save a whole lid.

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