Grinding Sparks - Paint Damage?

[cbjroms]

My wife took her pristine BMW320d in for a service today at the local main dealer. On collecting the car, which had been valeted for her, she noticed that the offside front wing is covered in a rash of rough spots. She is adamant that these were not there when the car was dropped-off this morning. But the service manager has pointed out that these 'spots' have rusted and so must have been there for some time.

To my mind the rash of rough spots look exactly like the fall-out that you get from someone grinding in the vicinity of the car. Given that today has been a mixture of sunshine and sharp showers, and that the car has been washed and stood outside, is it likely that ground metal could have started to rust within a few hours?

Thanks

Chris

 

[clift_d]

It's certainly possible - if there has been grinding right next to the car then the hot debris from the grinder has probably embedded itself in the paintwork, which is why you can feel it on the surface. In that case, it's a bit academic whether it's the actual bodywork or the grinder debris that's corroded.

 

[cbjroms]

Thanks clift_d,

The service manager is saying that if the car had picked up this grinding damage whilst in their care today then there would have been insufficient time for any rust to be apparent. His claim is that because rust is apparent then the damage must have been caused before today.

 

[the snooper]

Thanks clift_d,

The service manager is saying that if the car had picked up this grinding damage whilst in their care today then there would have been insufficient time for any rust to be apparent. His claim is that because rust is apparent then the damage must have been caused before today.

I would find a painted scrap panel let sparks hit it wet it and see how fast it rusts, my guess is very quickly, if they are very light rust colour its fresh

 

[mike os]

it rusts pretty fast IIRC

 

[Pete.]

The service manager is trying to pull the wool over your eyes. It isn't your car that's rusting it's the hot specks of metal stuck in your paint. Since they were glowing hot when they left the grinder they would be oxidizing immediately so yeah, getting water anywhere near them will cause them to flash-rust.

 

[the snooper]

go straight back and insist its rectified

 

[brightspark]

hese talking ****** how can u explain a patch of speckled rust unless its been done with a grinder.i did it to my van accidentaly and it was a pig to teecut cut off and it knacked the windscreen

 

[Wozzaaah]

As Mike OS says, grinding soparks will rust very quickly, my guess is the service manager is trying to bluff you.

 

[Shox Dr]

It's sounds as if he as acknowledging there is grinding going on in or around the valeting bay. If that's the case he's nailed

 

[adam1181]

if its a main dealer its possible they could have cameras in there workshops, try to peek inside and see if they have and then ask to see footage to prove they didn't damage it.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

If you get nowhere with the Dealership, for God's sake don't try polish, clay or anything else - consider this http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/engine-and-exterior/carpro-iron-x-500ml/prod_726.html before any physical contact with the paintwork.

Try it, you can actually see the iron particle(s) washing off down the panel - the run-off will be purple, so don't panic.

 

[Hitch]

A couple of hours would be plenty enough for grinding sparks to rust.

 

[premmington]

One of the lads in my workshop did this to a windscreen on a customers car!

Grinding sparks hit it, left a horrible trail across it!

We just said sorry and fitted a new screen!

Customer still brings the car to us!

I just informed the lad involved we have welding blankets to avoid this kind of damage!


It happens! We do high volumes of work, I reckon I have to put right about one or two panel damage incidents a year! It is sadly part of the costs involved!


Why all the excuses from the garage. They damaged the car! Say sorry, put it right! Move on!

I never loose customers over things like this! Ring them up! Invite them to see the damage! Tell them you have addressed the member of staff involved. Repair it!

Customers mostly like the truth!

Two years ago, I personally dented the door on a newish Merc in the workshop! Customer was OK about it! When he asked if I have spoken to the lad involved, he laughed loads when I said it would be hard to sack myself!
.

 

[500e]

Been there done that a few seconds with the grinder or opening the door on a two post, as PR says look big fess up & put it right, most customers are understanding.
How are the screen & side windows run palm across glass if it feels gritty look closer.

 

[wristpin]

Don't know whether they still do but rail train brakes were cast iron and shed loads of fall out . Where I worked in South East London cars parked near the elevated lines going into Waterloo station used to get showered with this C**p . It was recommended that one should buy oxalic acid crystals and make up a weak solution in warm water and sponge the car down before normal washing. May be out dated info!!

 

[normspanners]

If you look at freshly used car discs that have had water droplets on them they have brown rust in literally a few minutes and you wont get any fresher metal than grinding sparks.

 

[Kent]

Thanks clift_d,

The service manager is saying that if the car had picked up this grinding damage whilst in their care today then there would have been insufficient time for any rust to be apparent. His claim is that because rust is apparent then the damage must have been caused before today.

Ha he just admitted by that that someone was grinding could you get that statement in writing?

 

[fixerupper]

Yeah ,I stupidly did this to my truck on the drivers door and windscreen and it was rusty the next morning ....jeff...

 

[cliff366]

Yep I've done it while grinding near the wife's car it's an **** to get off