[Action]

A few weeks back on one of those 90 degree days. A semi drove past our parking lot at work. Something happened to the engine and oil went over about 20 vehicles and all the way down his trailer. This happened before lunch, and I did not get off work until 6 pm. I got home and washed it. It seemed all the oil just washed off. The other day, I was offered a check for $7 to cover the washing of the SSR. They (trucking company) wanted me to sign a waiver releasing them of all liability. My SSR looked so bad, it was the talk of the warehouse for the rest of the week. My SSR is red. I did not sign the release and have not cashed the check. I took it to a full service car wash today and spoke with the owner. He could still see the spots. He would not touch it. It appears another employee from my place of work took his Mustang there. The car wash owner tried regular cleaning products, the clay bar, and even something claiming to clean up "fallout" and acid rain. Nothing would take the oil off of the Mustang. I was told to take the SSR to a body shop because the oil might be in the clearcoat. The chevy dealer shop manager told me to wash it. I took it to a Cadillac/Hummer dealer, and they gave me an estimate of about $485 to buff and re-wax the SSR. They said they will need it for at least 3 days. He said if that didn't take care of it, further steps would need to be taken.

Has anyone ever had this problem with any type of vehicle? What if the buffing does not take the spots away? Will my SSR have to be stripped down and repainted? The Hummer guy also pointed out a 1" dent on top of the right rear fender that was not there when I left the house this morning. Something large must have fallen on it while I was on the interstate. I also noticed where someone scuffed the left rear corner while getting into or out of a parking space.

Sorry this was so long,
Jason

 

[FatherLarry]

Sorry about your misfortune. But being in the auto body business myself, I've seen a lot of this stuff happen. There are all types of oil. The worst is transmission fluid, which can never be removed from paint. It actually soaks its way through the clearcoat and into the base coat and right through to the primer, and then it's absorbed by the metal and lays there. The only way to remove it is by stripping the paint down to bare metal and then metal prepping the entire area affected. What you need to do is find out what kind of oil actually got on your SSR. Hopefully, it doesn't have the same compounds as tranny fluid has. Even if it's regular motor oil, sometimes compounding won't remove it, especially once it yellows the clearcoat. This is why they want you to sign the release. Once you get someone to compound and try to remove the stain, you're actually removing your protective clearcoat and bringing you closer to the base coat, which will actually give you less protection on your paint. Now you are destroying your factory finish. I would try to find out what the chemical compound of the oil is by bringing it to someone who specializes in this. And if it's the type that penetrates then I would get an attorney and sue the trucking company for a brand new SSR. Don't take a repaint. If this oil is anything like tranny fluid, even with a repaint, I have heard of it coming back up. Even if it's not tranny fluid, I would not be satisfied with a cleaning, buffing, or repaint. They all take away from the factory finish. Nothing can duplicate the factory finish. Let's face it, you really don't know what may surface in a year or two. I would get a lawyer and sue them for a new car. $7 bucks and trying to get you to sign a waiver, means they know something, and know that you have a case against them. Hot engine oil spilt on paint and then baked in the sun means new SSR for you. :ssr :flag

 

[Action]

getting a new SSR

Yeah, getting a new truck sounds good in theory. Everyone else received a check from the trucking company. I will not know what happened with the Mustang until Monday. The trucking company turned mine over to their insurance company. I will call tomorrow and find out exactly what was sprayed all over my SSR. Whatever it was came out of the exhaust pipe. The driver said that his engine's turbo blew.

Jason

 

[FatherLarry]

Yeah, getting a new truck sounds good in theory. Everyone else received a check from the trucking company. I will not know what happened with the Mustang until Monday. The trucking company turned mine over to their insurance company. I will call tomorrow and find out exactly what was sprayed all over my SSR. Whatever it was came out of the exhaust pipe. The driver said that his engine's turbo blew.

Jason

Actually, a new truck can be reality. I suggest you talk to an attorney. I have handled cases like this and was called into court for my customers. Never mind what everybody else got. You have to look out for yourself. So, if they cut you a check, and you get it taken care of, and then a year later, you've got bigger paint problems..what are you going to do then? You've already settled and it's too late. Your car will never be the same. Make them pay you the price of the truck. Hey, you work hard for your money, why should you settle for less then your original truck, unless you are satisfied with the amount they pay you. It's up to you, but I'd talk to an attorney. A good paint job is over $7K in certain states, depending on the labor rate, so keep that in mind if you decide to take a check from them.

 

[LOP]

Listen to FatherLarry, he knows what he is talking about. Spend the money on a lawyer even if have to borrow it , you will get it back and them some once the case is settled. It will be the best money you ever spend...except what you spent getting your SSR