Blackbeauty NAKED!!! - Part III: The Insurance Company Strikes Back

[Blackbeauty]

The truck is progressing and is through bodywork at this point. There were a ton of small nicks and scratches that had
to be touched up and in many places, the paint had to be taken down to metal and feathered. You will see many
spots on the following pictures where there is primer and there was really no damage to speak of there. This is why.

The hood front looked like it was sandblasted, damage which was done by the dealer since this was a dealer demo
when I bought it, so they had to strip the paint from about a foot from the front. The rest was just spot sanded and
feathered prior to priming.





The tailgate also got its fair share of knocks. Don't know why, but there were a ton of scratches on it.





All the door trim, rub strips, roof moldings, bed rails, tailgate cap, etc. were removed for prep. I didn't get any pics of
them off the truck, but they have very small tabs on the back molded into the plastic. These tabs are designed to go
in, but not come out, apparently. Almost ALL of them broke off upon disassembly. New pieces were ordered but
the insurance company said that only the one on the passenger rear door would have been necessary to remove, so
that's the only one they'll pay for. The rest is my problem as the shop, as does every shop, has a fine-print clause
where incidental damage to moldings, trim, etc. may occur and the client is responsible to pay to replace them if they
need to be replaced. Just part of the way bodyshops work.

Here are the new front bumper covers in the bed along with the old ones.





Also, the rear fender storage door is in the bed of the truck in that photo. It had some minor rust starting on the inside
bottom edge, similar to that depicted by other forum members in various threads. Remember to check that periodically
and always keep that area clean and free of debris, or you will lose your storage door, too.

More pics of the repair:












And here's my little pet project.... Sanding and colormatching the mudflaps. I wanted to do this all along, but in talking
with the shop, they said they would not clearcoat them if they did not do the rest of the work. So I asked how much
they would charge me to do this. He said it would cost about $150 for everything. Now, I had planned on sanding
them down and doing this myself, so I told him this and he said that the price would come down if I sanded them.
Yesterday, when I talked to him about the other plastic moldings, he said he would do the flaps for me free if I sanded
them down to alleviate a little $$$ on my part. Small concession, but ok by me!




^^ [UNSANDED] ^^




^^ [SANDED TO 330 GRIT STAGE.....400 & 800 GRIT YET TO COME] ^^

I will be dropping the flaps off Monday morning, two men will be prepping the truck for final spray, and spray may happen
as soon as Monday afternoon. So, it seems to be on schedule and hopefully, I will have it back next Friday!

[SFCIngrum]

Now BB is NAKED.

[RobKar]

UM ... that will look better then a new truck when done ...

[konigfritz]

WOW BB that's the cleanest I have ever seen your truck! LOL

Good luck!

[Carbeaux]

Not only will it look better, it'll be a better quality paint job.

[Nissan Mike]

Time to get the QX56 wiper cowl painted and installed? That's always been the one body mod I wanted to do.Makes the hood look like it flows clear to the windshield

[Blackbeauty]

Yeah, but $500 for those two pieces of plastic... Not really an option.....


On second thought.... it seems to me that one of the cowl pieces had some tabs broken off... Thanks for the reminder Mike... I have a phonecall to make!

[TitanBlue]

Originally Posted by RobKar

UM ... that will look better then a new truck when done ...

That is an easy challenge. I have 2 spots where there is bare primer, about 1/2"-1" circles. I one the left bedside, and another on front passenger door. Couldn't see it in the rain when I took delivery, and wasn't expecting it either. But, it isn't obvios, so I don't think about it, unless I'm around BB's truck!

I'm looking forward to see BB up close in NC in June. It's gonna get lots of attention for a Monochrome Black Truck!

[Arachnid]

^She's going to look great BB!!!! Now I know why it's taking so long.

[Nissan Mike]

Originally Posted by Blackbeauty

Yeah, but $500 for those two pieces of plastic... Not really an option.....


On second thought.... it seems to me that one of the cowl pieces had some tabs broken off... Thanks for the reminder Mike... I have a phonecall to make!

BB,then think about sanding and painting your OEM cowl,me and P's saw a couple at Stillen yesterday.This is the hot ticket right now,no more dull faded look,makes the hood look like it flows clear to the glass.This will be my next project.

[Blackbeauty]

Mike, I made the call and the change is in the works... QX56 color-matched cowl going on. Does anyone know? Are they smooth already? Unlike the textured one on the Titan? That will offset the extra cost of them, by not having to sand the living crap out of them. I sanded the mudflaps down yesterday.. I lost 1/8" of skin on my hands... but the flaps are smooth as a baby's butt! They'll paint up nice and look GREAT on the truck when she's all done. I can't wait!!!

[Nissan Mike]

Yeah BB,the QX56 cowl is ready to paint,gives your fingers a chance to heal.
Can't wait to see the pic's as this will be my next project.

[SFCIngrum]

It is going to look sick BB

[DeadRiver]

wow man.....

now would be a good time for us to swap out front bumpers... you know mine has a few speed humps in it. those will help with the 1/4 mile times!

[niceun]

What's the name for the next thread,BB?? How about:
Blackbeauty: Return of the Headlights?? Hurry up, man! The meet is in 2 weeks!!