I am having my XJ VDP's bumper repaired and repainted. Initially I thought it just needed to be repaired, but it looks like the previous owner had an accident where a trailer hitch went through it, and the repair was done poorly (looked like bondo/foam was just put in there and sanded down/painted over, which shrank in the cold and cracked the paint).

I took the front bumper cover off last night, which took me about an hour (it REALLY isn't that difficult). Then it took me maybe another hour to remove all of the bits on the bumper cover (chrome, lamp washers, etc.).

The bumper should be done by next week.

 

Well I got a call from the body shop. They want more money from the original quoted $350 ($550) so they can fix the damage to the bumper and cut it out, "rivet it" and lay fiberglass. Sounds good to me--I didn't think they would've just been able to bondo over it or anything.

I will keep you guys posted!

 

Good, looking forward to seeing even better news

 

Something interesting I found was a sticker/sheet on the bumper that was mostly worn away showing the exact date and time that the bumper (I assume) was placed on the vehicle. I removed it and I will probably store it with my other Jaguar records/mementos!

 

I think I have lost the plot, I know, I know, not difficult, as most people will point out.

But why is an XJ bumper repair thread in the Off Topic section?

Can someone please explain?

Before I move things around.

 

Alan got side-stepped after he saw the Drag Queen!!

 

Haha, maybe it needs to be moved to the X350 section.

 

Wooo! My bumper is supposed to be done today. Yippee!!!!!!!!

 

Son of a gun. Now they said something is messed up and they have to redo it, so it won't be done until Monday. I can't take much more driving of my Insight!

 

I know how you feel, I hate waiting. It has been three weeks since I brought some parts in to be chromed and they claim they are still not completely finished yet even though I was promised they would be done 2 weeks ago.

 

I was expecting it to be done Friday--I may not be able to remember how the heck to get everything back on it's been so long.

 

Well it was finished today. I rushed to the shop to pick it up after work, and I look at it. Son of a BITCH! There is a huge bump where the hole used to be--it looks like filler that wasn't sanded down flat, but the guy claims that it was a paint bubble (there is no way that was a paint problem). There is no way I am taking the bumper in its current state, so I am having them do it again. This is supposedly the THIRD time they've painted it (in my mind, they've really only painted it once and lied to me about painting it a second time).

On top of that, it looks like they didn't do a careful job prepping the bumper. I can still see all kinds of small pits and chips, probably from the paint just being thrown on a poorly sanded down previous finish.

I refuse to pay $550 for that kind of work. It just goes to show that people on Yelp have no idea what they're talking about when it comes to automotive stuff. Absolutely no clue!

T & J Auto Body Repair - Arlington, VA

AND on top of all this, they filled in one of the holes where my license plate holder used to go. How the heck am I supposed to put that back in?!

 

Alan,

Finding competent craftsmen can be most frustrating.

I once had a beautiful XJ6 repainted and they took large wire cutters and cut the door electrical cables rather than disconnect them. I was not speechless but it was too late.

At least in your case you can insist on getting it done properly. KBO mate.

 

$550 to patch a bumper cover already off the car?

On top of that they probably used it as a training piece for a green apprentice because it is an "easy" job.

Oh, and YELP has gotten into trouble more than once for allowing payment to influence positioning and editing on their reviews. BTW, shill reviews are not unknown on review sites. Just get a bunch of friends and family to post glowing reviews.

 

I've actually gone through the trouble of contacting some of these people who wrote these glowing reviews through Yelp. They do seem like real people, and they have lots of reviews for other stuff, too.

It does appear that they were using my bumper as a training tool for greenhorns. If this is the case, I am fully prepared to write a terrible review on Yelp. This is unacceptable. I did not pay good money to have a subpar job done.

 

That's definitely a premium price and I would expect nothing less than premium work!

 

JESUS it's still not done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am going insane not being able to drive the Jag.

 

I'd take it back from them and find someone else.

 

It's kinda hard to just take it back. I'd practically have to steal it back! I'm sure they would demand full payment before I could get it back, and there is no point in me suing them over $550.

 

Just called to get an update. "Yeah, they are gonna be-a sprayin-a soon-a! Maybe by 2! I will call you as soon as it's done, maybe before 5!" Hahah...