accident and detailing

**rtbrick** · 07-11-2003, 07:40 AM

Well, my wife had her front passenger side corner smashed in the other day. She is ok, but the car (2002 Protege5) will require the front bumper and front passenger side fender replaced (or the fender worked out). My wife was in the left turn lane and as she was approaching the intersection to make her turn another female driver from the left straight lane (road has left turn lane two straight lanes and a right turn lane) decided she desperately needed to turn left. Maryland police do not write up a report unless someone is injured enough to be hauled away or if the vehicles are inoperable. They said it up to the insurance companies to decide who was at fault! I can`t wait to see how this works out...

Anyway, I had planned on a full detail of the car this weekend. Should I leave the repaired areas alone once I get it back from the body shop? Should I buff it out with the rest of the car? They usually say to only rinse it with water for the first 60 days or so.

**Don** · 07-11-2003, 08:52 AM

They`ll probably replace the fender, it`s cheaper to do it that way than to try and fix the damaged one (the insurance will want new parts on the car too, since it`s so new).

As hard as it will be, leave the panel alone (unless the painter says otherwise) and just use a mild polish (no protectant or fillers) for the first month or so on the fender.

**rtbrick** · 07-11-2003, 09:27 AM

Thanks, Don. That`s kinda what I thought.

**Poorboy** · 07-11-2003, 09:44 AM

Sorry to hear that...

Yes as Don said on polish it, which the body shop should do and work around it....the new paint and clearcoat will give you an idea how the rst of the car should shine too...ok i can find a silver lining to most things

**edschwab1** · 07-11-2003, 06:31 PM

I am glad to hear your wife is okay.

I had similar thing happen to me, with the same damage. In New York I was 25% at fault for the accident. Some rides over my car and I am partly at fault. At least the police take accident reports on secene. I received an estimate for just under $700, which I did not fix because the car was not worth that much.

Eric