what pops into my mind is...........
when you straighten a panel..............it never gets back to 'perfect'.
There will be some spots that have to be filled with body filler material,
sanded to shape and repainted etc.
If you replace a whole panel properly ...................
the entire thing should be as good as new...........if the joining at the
seams is done properly etc. And no body filler needed to get the panel to
proper shape.
I comes down to doing it right, or just making it look right, which are
different things of course.

yeah, I'd like to get that 22 hours labor job.  Sounds like good pay !
I'll be praying for you that they do really good work , whatever is decided
to be done.
I can't say I see a lot of really good work done, especially in body and
paint work.  I know of precisely two body shops , of hundreds I've seen work
from, that are capable of really perfect
workmanship................including the whole thing too...........the
wiring, the protecting all surfaces from rust etc.

I hope it works out really good !
Scott
turbovans

----- Original Message -----
From: "Matt Drew" <t3vanagon@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, November 24, 2008 1:13 PM
Subject: Body work question

> Volks-
>
> Quick one for those in the know:
>
> * Body shop initially told me that they could shape the front panel (below
> the grille/above front bumper cladding) back to "new" for considerably
> less
> than the 22 hours it would take to replace it.
>
> * I was sent me an estimate that included replacement of the panel (at 22
> hours) and when I called to ask why they didn't do the estimate to include
> the reshaping, was told it was due to replacement being "the right thing
> to
> do".
>  -Note: He still is saying that he can do it, but that replacement is
> (again) "the right thing to do".
>
> * My question: If the panel can be re-shaped to look the same as it did
> before the accident, why is replacement "the right thing to do"? Is it
> because he'll make more money replacing it rather than reshaping it
> (making
> it the right thing for HIM to do)?
> OR, rather, are there structural integrity issues at play that I've not
> been
> advised of?
>
> Insurance *may* cover replacement, but I want to make sure that I'm doing
> the REAL "right thing" for both me (fiscally) and my Van.
>
> -Drew
> '90 GL "Blackbeard"
>
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