Getting stoned while driving…

LenT · October 18

So there I was yesterday, driving down one of our country lanes, with a truck coming towards me. As it passed, there was a bang on the driver’s door - and a stone projected by a tyre had left its mark!

Well, I detoured to a local body shop I’ve used before and await their estimate. But they can’t even think about taking it on for at least a month.

So I contacted ChipsAway, supplied car details and photos - got a call today. Their franchisee can turn up in about ten days and their estimate is £432 inc VAT which covers pulling out the dent and repairing the damage. So not only quicker but considerably less than the body shop will be. They also guarantee the quality and matching of the repair for as long as I own the car.

One thing they did appreciate was that I told them that it has a ceramic coating, which requires slightly different treatment. Apparently, sometimes they don’t discover this until they turn up! I’ve used ChipsAway before for rectifying kerbing damage in the alloys - with excellent results. So I’m reasonably confident that I’ll get a good result.

But we’ll see how it turns out.

Meanwhile if anyone hears a truck driver mention a loud bang while passing a white Lexus heading into Buckingham….

Phil xxkr · October 18

45 minutes ago, LenT said:

So there I was yesterday, driving down one of our country lanes, with a truck coming towards me. As it passed, there was a bang on the driver’s door - and a stone projected by a tyre had left its mark!

Well, I detoured to a local body shop I’ve used before and await their estimate. But they can’t even think about taking it on for at least a month.

So I contacted ChipsAway, supplied car details and photos - got a call today. Their franchisee can turn up in about ten days and their estimate is £432 inc VAT which covers pulling out the dent and repairing the damage. So not only quicker but considerably less than the body shop will be. They also guarantee the quality and matching of the repair for as long as I own the car.

One thing they did appreciate was that I told them that it has a ceramic coating, which requires slightly different treatment. Apparently, sometimes they don’t discover this until they turn up! I’ve used ChipsAway before for rectifying kerbing damage in the alloys - with excellent results. So I’m reasonably confident that I’ll get a good result.

But we’ll see how it turns out.

Meanwhile if anyone hears a truck driver mention a loud bang while passing a white Lexus heading into Buckingham….

Good reccomendation 👍, by the way are you sure it was a stone? Your surname wouldn't be Trump by the way? 🙂

LenT · October 18

Well that was interesting!

Had a call from the body shop - and they matched the ChipsAway price! However I had to point out that they’d originally said they couldn’t even look at it for almost a month.

They claimed that CA didn’t have access to the official paints in the same way they did - and would be working outside, albeit undercover. However, that wasn’t the killer argument he thought it was.

CA had thanked me for supplying the paint code, but pointed out that on a nine year-old car the paint would have changed. They used a spectrophotometer to match the actual colour - not the original colour.

LenT · November 4

Well, to my eye, that’s a result! 👍

I can’t see how a regular body shop could have done any better - and CA claims that the result is guaranteed against deterioration for the life of my ownership.

The use of a spectrophotometer to mix and match the existing paint shade - rather than using factory original paint - resulted in a relatively small area being repainted. A previous small chip on a wheel arch - caused by the window cleaner’s van door blowing open! - required the body shop to respray most of the wheel arch and the leading edge of the door. It also required giving them the car for a couple of days.

So I appreciated the added convenience of having four hours of work being carried out at my house.

Two colour coats were applied; the first required mixing four components and the second five - including the ‘Pearl’ top coat. As a franchise, the result is going to depend on the individual skill of the Operator. And maybe I struck lucky with my local chap - Lee Broderick. After all he also said he was perfectly happy for me to stand and watch him at work!

I now have him coming back to deal with two other minor - but irritating - marks, such is my satisfaction. The only condition he applied to his work was that the panel wasn’t washed for a week - and that was no hardship at all!

Phil xxkr · November 4

1 hour ago, LenT said:

Well, to my eye, that’s a result! 👍

I can’t see how a regular body shop could have done any better - and CA claims that the result is guaranteed against deterioration for the life of my ownership.

The use of a spectrophotometer to mix and match the existing paint shade - rather than using factory original paint - resulted in a relatively small area being repainted. A previous small chip on a wheel arch - caused by the window cleaner’s van door blowing open! - required the body shop to respray most of the wheel arch and the leading edge of the door. It also required giving them the car for a couple of days.

So I appreciated the added convenience of having four hours of work being carried out at my house.

Two colour coats were applied; the first required mixing four components and the second five - including the ‘Pearl’ top coat. As a franchise, the result is going to depend on the individual skill of the Operator. And maybe I struck lucky with my local chap - Lee Broderick. After all he also said he was perfectly happy for me to stand and watch him at work!

I now have him coming back to deal with two other minor - but irritating - marks, such is my satisfaction. The only condition he applied to his work was that the panel wasn’t washed for a week - and that was no hardship at all!

Great reccomendation!

LenT · November 4

5 hours ago, LenT said:

Well, to my eye, that’s a result

And don’t take my word for it!

I’ve just had a visit from our window cleaner! 🤔

It turns out that he used to work in Saab’s Refinishing dept. His job involved sorting out all the scuffs, scrapes and dents that the Press cars came back with after being loaned out to the Media, ready for the next bunch.

it seems that what with journalists whose writing was more accurate than their driving, and film crews bolting cameras to the bodywork, there was always plenty of remedial work to be done. So his professional approval of the work was a welcome confirmation of my own amateur opinion!

(Isn’t it surprising what you discover about people!).

Phil xxkr · November 4

3 hours ago, LenT said:

And don’t take my word for it!

I’ve just had a visit from our window cleaner! 🤔

It turns out that he used to work in Saab’s Refinishing dept. His job involved sorting out all the scuffs, scrapes and dents that the Press cars came back with after being loaned out to the Media, ready for the next bunch.

it seems that what with journalists whose writing was more accurate than their driving, and film crews bolting cameras to the bodywork, there was always plenty of remedial work to be done. So his professional approval of the work was a welcome confirmation of my own amateur opinion!

(Isn’t it surprising what you discover about people!).

Yes Len but did he do the corners? 😀

RONNIE W HODGEKINSON · November 4

Lovely Professional Job Len..So Glad you Got It Fixed..That would have Annoyed the Hell out of Me..Chips-Away..!!!!

LenT · November 4

1 hour ago, Phil xxkr said:

Yes Len but did he do the corners? 😀

He did Phil, but he does think they’re a bit of a pane….

LenT · November 4

1 hour ago, RONNIE W HODGEKINSON said:

Lovely Professional Job Len..So Glad you Got It Fixed..That would have Annoyed the Hell out of Me..Chips-Away..!!!!

You’re so right, Ron. And it’s the kind of damage that’s always the first thing you see as you approach the car! And you know you can have it fixed today - and pick up another one tomorrow!

But owners who don’t care probably wouldn’t be engaging on this website in the first place. I’m just grateful that I’m in a position to have it done - although whether that will be my situation by the end of this Parliament remains to be seen! ☹️

Phil xxkr · November 4

1 hour ago, LenT said:

He did Phil, but he does think they’re a bit of a pane….

In the early nineties Tom Peters ex Mckinsey, LED a revolution in management thinking - "In Search of Excellence" I recall his saying "If a window of opportunity appears, don't pull down the shade." 🙂

RONNIE W HODGEKINSON · November 5

12 hours ago, Phil xxkr said:

In the early nineties Tom Peters ex Mckinsey, led a revolution in management thinking - "In Search of Excellence" I recall his saying "If a window of opportunity appears, don't pull down the shade." 🙂

Very Profound Philosophy Phil....Blinds Hold a Multitude Of Sins..!!!!!

RONNIE W HODGEKINSON · November 5

12 hours ago, LenT said:

You’re so right, Ron. And it’s the kind of damage that’s always the first thing you see as you approach the car! And you know you can have it fixed today - and pick up another one tomorrow!

But owners who don’t care probably wouldn’t be engaging on this website in the first place. I’m just grateful that I’m in a position to have it done - although whether that will be my situation by the end of this Parliament remains to be seen! ☹️

The Good Lord Will Look after Us len....!!!!!

Phil xxkr · November 5

1 hour ago, RONNIE W HODGEKINSON said:

The Good Lord Will Look after Us len....!!!!!

Good Heavens 🙂

RONNIE W HODGEKINSON · November 5

1 hour ago, Phil xxkr said:

Good Heavens 🙂

Social Science Teaches Us That For Every Action There is a Reaction And Without Exception We Are All Inserted in to Society And our very Existance And Life is Shaped By Our Attitude and Respect we Have for Others Foremost Our Parents Which Will determine Our life Chances and Opportunities... One Philosophy I Always Consider Is that Sometimes we know What we Know But Also We know what we know We Don't Know..Does that Make Sense..We Are All Masters of our Own Destiny So be Kind to People on The Way Up because You Might Meet Them On The Way Back Down...Stand six feet back and see the world in a Very Different Way And Because of This Pivotal Position We Are No longer so Tightly Focused we Can see Much more Clearly And more importantly Make the Right Decisions In life..Be Happy with What you've Got and Achieved And Remember That True Wealth has Absolutely Nothing To Do With MONEY...Once you Accept THAT you will Have a truly Utopian life..God Bless.!!!!

Phil xxkr · November 5

1 hour ago, RONNIE W HODGEKINSON said:

Social Science Teaches Us That For Every Action There is a Reaction And Without Exception We Are All Inserted in to Society And our very Existance And Life is Shaped By Our Attitude and Respect we Have for Others Foremost Our Parents Which Will determine Our life Chances and Opportunities... One Philosophy I Always Consider Is that Sometimes we know What we Know But Also We know what we know We Don't Know..Does that Make Sense..We Are All Masters of our Own Destiny So be Kind to People on The Way Up because You Might Meet Them On The Way Back Down...Stand six feet back and see the world in a Very Different Way And Because of This Pivotal Position We Are No longer so Tightly Focused we Can see Much more Clearly And more importantly Make the Right Decisions In life..Be Happy with What you've Got and Achieved And Remember That True Wealth has Absolutely Nothing To Do With MONEY...Once you Accept THAT you will Have a truly Utopian life..God Bless.!!!!

Crikey Ron! That's a lot to think about on a damp Tuesday afternoon 🤔. In the meantime do you remember John Paul Getty the oil man? He attributed his success to rising early, working late and striking oil 🤣

Boomer54 · November 5

3 hours ago, RONNIE W HODGEKINSON said:

Social Science Teaches Us That For Every Action There is a Reaction And Without Exception We Are All Inserted in to Society And our very Existance And Life is Shaped By Our Attitude and Respect we Have for Others Foremost Our Parents Which Will determine Our life Chances and Opportunities... One Philosophy I Always Consider Is that Sometimes we know What we Know But Also We know what we know We Don't Know..Does that Make Sense..We Are All Masters of our Own Destiny So be Kind to People on The Way Up because You Might Meet Them On The Way Back Down...Stand six feet back and see the world in a Very Different Way And Because of This Pivotal Position We Are No longer so Tightly Focused we Can see Much more Clearly And more importantly Make the Right Decisions In life..Be Happy with What you've Got and Achieved And Remember That True Wealth has Absolutely Nothing To Do With MONEY...Once you Accept THAT you will Have a truly Utopian life..God Bless.!!!!

Aw, what if I am happy, got some untrue wealth and won't say no to some more ? Got my bank details ready if you are feeling the urge. 😉

LenT · November 5

8 hours ago, RONNIE W HODGEKINSON said:

The Good Lord Will Look after Us len....!!!!!

I admire your confidence, Ron. 😊
To test your hypothesis in a general sense, I embarked on a long drive down to Costco and can report that on this journey at least, the car was spared any further attacks by flying stones.

Providence or luck - you takes your pick!

However, during my return I paused at my authorised kebab supplier and passed the munching time by listening to the latest news on the USA elections. Possibly as some form of punishment, this flattened the Battery to the extent that the engine wouldn’t start!

This could have proved most embarrassing - except I had ensured that my NOCO Power Pack was in the boot so normal service was resumed in an instant. In fact this is the very first time I’ve had to use it on the Lexus.

The car is currently being trickled up by my CTEK.

We will see what adventures tomorrow brings!

LenT · November 5

6 hours ago, RONNIE W HODGEKINSON said:

Social Science Teaches Us That For Every Action There is a Reaction And Without Exception We Are All Inserted in to Society And our very Existance And Life is Shaped By Our Attitude and Respect we Have for Others Foremost Our Parents Which Will determine Our life Chances and Opportunities... One Philosophy I Always Consider Is that Sometimes we know What we Know But Also We know what we know We Don't Know..Does that Make Sense..We Are All Masters of our Own Destiny So be Kind to People on The Way Up because You Might Meet Them On The Way Back Down...Stand six feet back and see the world in a Very Different Way And Because of This Pivotal Position We Are No longer so Tightly Focused we Can see Much more Clearly And more importantly Make the Right Decisions In life..Be Happy with What you've Got and Achieved And Remember That True Wealth has Absolutely Nothing To Do With MONEY...Once you Accept THAT you will Have a truly Utopian life..God Bless.!!!!

Here’s a business idea, Ron.

If you know anyone who’s good at stitching, I can see this making a very impressive - if somewhat lengthy - Sampler, which could usefully cover quite a lot of wall. 😊

Boomer54 · November 5

23 minutes ago, LenT said:

I admire your confidence, Ron. 😊
To test your hypothesis in a general sense, I embarked on a long drive down to Costco and can report that on this journey at least, the car was spared any further attacks by flying stones.

Providence or luck - you takes your pick!

However, during my return I paused at my authorised kebab supplier and passed the munching time by listening to the latest news on the USA elections. Possibly as some form of punishment, this flattened the battery to the extent that the engine wouldn’t start!

This could have proved most embarrassing - except I had ensured that my NOCO Power Pack was in the boot so normal service was resumed in an instant. In fact this is the very first time I’ve had to use it on the Lexus.

The car is currently being trickled up by my CTEK.

We will see what adventures tomorrow brings!

Strange new puzzle for me to work on. How many kebabs does it take to flatten a Battery?

Boomer54 · November 5

3 minutes ago, LenT said:

Here’s a business idea, Ron.

If you know anyone who’s good at stitching, I can see this making a very impressive - if somewhat lengthy - Sampler, which could usefully cover quite a lot of wall. 😊

Or I could use some of my untrue wealth to cover it! 🤪

LenT · November 5

24 minutes ago, Boomer54 said:

Strange new puzzle for me to work on. How many kebabs does it take to flatten a battery?

An interesting concept, Stephen, but I suspect that there are too many variables to make kebabs a reliable unit of measurement. 😊

In my case it was just the one - but I think having the radio on had much to do with it! I was surprised, mind you, as I thought it was in ‘Accessory’ mode which should have protected the Battery by switching the radio off well before the charge level dropped.

i might investigate this further now the car is safely home.

Boomer54 · November 5

7 minutes ago, LenT said:

An interesting concept, Stephen, but I suspect that there are too many variables to make kebabs a reliable unit of measurement. 😊

In my case it was just the one - but I think having the radio on had much to do with it! I was surprised, mind you, as I thought it was in ‘Accessory’ mode which should have protected the battery by switching the radio off well before the charge level dropped.

i might investigate this further now the car is safely home.

I like the strategy. Blame it on the radio not the 21 Kebabs.

Not had a kebab for years and now you have put it in my head. Going to have to get one!

Phil xxkr · November 5

13 minutes ago, LenT said:

An interesting concept, Stephen, but I suspect that there are too many variables to make kebabs a reliable unit of measurement. 😊

In my case it was just the one - but I think having the radio on had much to do with it! I was surprised, mind you, as I thought it was in ‘Accessory’ mode which should have protected the battery by switching the radio off well before the charge level dropped.

i might investigate this further now the car is safely home.

Len, dear boy, maybe I can proffer the my thoughts?

Firstly, The deciding England ODI from Barbados (the only purpose of owning a radio) isn't until tomorrow, you were a day early,

Secondly, if you are seeking mollification of your oesophagus stick to English beer not some foreign composite indistinguishable from indigestible MDF 🙂

🍻

Beer · November 11

On 11/5/2024 at 2:54 PM, Phil xxkr said:

Crikey Ron! That's a lot to think about on a damp Tuesday afternoon 🤔. In the meantime do you remember John Paul Getty the oil man? He attributed his success to rising early, working late and striking oil 🤣

It was "The secret of success is to get up early, work late and strike oil." - John D. Rockefeller.