Vehicles & Servicing Best Posts in Thread: Car Body Repair.

Scuds has done a number of body repairs to my vehicles and those of several of my friends. Highly recommended. Doesn't look much from the outside but their work is good.

 

Got my car back today and could not be any happier. They did an awesome job of fixing up the paint work on my car.
I would highly recommend Scuds to anyone.

 

Based on the above positive comments regarding Scuds. I went there yesterday for a quote to fix up the scuffs, chips and scratches on my car. The quote i was given seemed very fair so i left the car with them and they gave me a lift back home to Valencia. I am hoping to get the car back on Thursday and i will update the group on the quality of the work.

 

We used Scuds several weeks ago, based on the recommendations here.

The last motor to bounce off of us did some damage that had to be repaired, and I decided to get all the other dings, scuffs and scratches cleaned up. Scuds quote was just a bit more than 40% of the dealer's quote so we gave them a try. The end result looks good, and they completed the work earlier than promised. I'd use them again.

They also sell and install car cam systems (and audio systems, etc.). I think I recall a thread where several folks were looking for a car cam vendor/installer. They only have (or had), a single type/model available.

 

Bman does a good job. But so do Scud and their price is more competitive from my own experience. Final result same. So the choice is yours.

 

I'm thinking you have two concerns here. Cosmetic and safety.

For cosmetic issues, maybe ask for a portfolio as an example of past repairs. This would be paint and minor body work. You can do a search on Google to see what's required to do these sorts of things and then you can ask if the service provider is adequately equipped. For example, do they have a paint booth or do they just paint the thing in an open lot where dust can jack up the paint? The answers to your questions may reveal their level of professionalism and capability of carrying out this job.

Safety and other functionality can get real hairy. What the service provider can accomplish likely depends on the vehicle and the damage. On one extreme you might need to go so far as to replace components which are part of a system of sensors such which can help you park or may even provide automated driving functionality. On the other extreme they may need need big hammers and bondo to smooth out dents in steel panels. Crumple zones provide collision safety and may require total replacement of things like the bumpers and then straightening of the frame. Even seemingly small collisions can end up in huge expenses in the US for a proper repair.

Anything "standard" is likely cosmetic. Personally, the ONLY reason I would ever consider buying a car here is for greater safety. It's the only argument which stands in the face of ridiculous money paid out for transportation. If that functionality is compromised, then the car would be worthless to me.

I don't know if insurance is a thing here but I'm betting that few people have it. That means there's no system here to deal with anything other than buying the POS, driving it off the lot and sticking gas in the FT (****ing thing.) In that cynical view, what does it matter? Just beat it up and then just leave it on the side of the road somewhere when you are done with it. It's not worth defending the thing against the Filipino forces of entropy, a battle you won't win.

Otherwise, just Google / Youtube the subject so that you can be reasonably informed when you are making your purchasing decisions. Good luck!