Help
With Paint Claims
Article taken from July
2004 Chrysler
Profit & Protection warranty newsletter
Multiple questions regarding Chrysler’s paint and sheet
metal repair policies have prompted this month’s Ask the
Editor column.
“Small imperfections or waviness in sheet metal (particularly
in curved areas or at weld joints) are considered acceptable,
as long as the condition doesn’t detract from the overall
appearance of the vehicle.” GWA Section ARG p.11.
Only repairs for defects in workmanship or material are reimbursable
under warranty. Time allowances for covered repairs are based
on the use of air-dry color coats and/or clear coats applied
in accordance with the paint manufacturer’s instruction.
Time is included for removing and reinstalling moldings, ornaments,
emblems, letters, nameplates or masking these parts where they
are difficult to remove.
Beginning with the 2000 model year, exterior components such
as outside door handles, adhesive type moldings, surround moldings
and tape stripes are not included in the paint labor operations.
Additional time may be claimed should it be necessary to remove
these components to perform a quality repair.
Time is also included for the application of undercoats, required
number of top coats, blend into one adjacent panel or within
a panel, minor buffing and polishing when required.
The use of paintless dent repair is approved for warranty and
transportation damage repairs. This method should be used whenever
the repair will restore the metal to a like new condition, without
damage to the painted surface. Drilling of access holes is not
allowable. Dealers that choose the paintless dent repair alternative
are free to select the qualified vendor of their choice, although
the dealer is responsible of the actions of the chosen provider.
Conditions that are not covered under warranty include:
- Tree sap, ocean spray, road hazards, and certain weather and atmospheric conditions.
- Damage from hail, windstorms, lightning, floods and other acts of God.
- Fading, pitting and dark spots caused by acids or alkali.
- Nicks and chips caused by gravel or road debris.
Limit paint repairs to the smallest panel section as possible. If there is more than one section with a defect, repaint the entire panel. - Color coat operations are to be used when the repair does not extend beyond the prime coat. The operations may be used for defects such as excessive orange peel, sags, runs, off color conditions, thin or no paint and paint discoloration.
- Refinish operations are to be used when defects involve exposed or damaged metal surfaces, beneath the prime coat to the metal. Repairing imperfections such as deep scratches, minor peeling or blistering extended below the prime coat into the base metal, pitted solder joints, deep embedded dirt and base metal rust qualify for refinish operations.
The un-codeable failure code, UC, is not permitted with paint
claims, select the failure code that best applies. If none of
the failure codes specifically apply, select the one that most
closely describes the condition and include a written description.
All dealers must get written approval from their District Manager
for any panel repairs or replacements made within the Perforation
Corrosion Limited Warranty.
Who pays the claim?
- Factory defects repaired by a Chrysler dealer are submitted as a warranty claim.
- Repairs made resulting from damage incurred by the transportation company are submitted as a transportation damage claim.
- Repairs made due to lot damage are to be submitted to the dealership’s insurance company.
- Insurance or customer pay claims are paid for by the individual or company requesting the work.
Use care when selecting the appropriate labor operation for
refinishing a panel vs. simply color coating a panel. Review
the Labor Operation Time Schedule for complete descriptions
of each repair.
Reduce confusion with paint and sheet metal claims, review these
policies periodically with directly involved staff members.
Be sure to cover important topics such as what constitutes a
warrantable paint or sheet metal claim, as well as when to separately
time punch (in cases when “00” time is required
to complete a paint repair).
© J&L Warranty Pros™
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