I got my car back from the autobody - new hood, grill, bumper, radiator, driver side fender, etc. ($15,000 - that's one expensive deer) It looks as good as new as far as I can see. They blended the paint on the doors and I can't tell where the old paint ends and the new paint begins.

quick question for those who have original hoods and fenders: when you run your finger down the gap between the hood and fender, does the height of the hood vary ever so slightly? I can't see anytyhing, but it is definitely noticable to the touch.

 

id go check for ya but i blew my knee out last night playing hockey. so no driving stang for me. no going down stairs either

 

The gap is a bit tapered between the fender and the hood on my car. I also noticed the passenger side fender doesn't fit perfectly and noticed it on more than one '05. As long as the fit and finish isn't terrible, you shouldn't be worried

 

thanks

 

Yeah, the fit and finish is not the same on all cars coming from the factory as new.......so if yours is not something you see from the naked eye, then you are more than good to go.

 

I'm sure I'll be **** when I get me car. But, I think even from the factory your gonna have some imperfections. If you think the company did a good job, be happy with it. Otherwise you'll eat yourself alive from within.

 

I agree that you'll eat yourself up worrying about someting your eye can't see. I had a tricked out chevy once that the more **** I got about stuff, the more crap happened to it. Just enjoy it.

 

If you can get the car under some flourescent lights, that will definitely tell you if there's any paint variation. If it all looks the same, then they did a good job color-matching.

 

I don't feel so bad now, mine was 10,000 after some yuppy backed into me. Mine was the same thing, new hood ,fender,radiator,grill and bumper. I should get it back the middle of next week (i hope) they have had it for three weeks.

 

Outrageous, isn't it?

 

don't send those deer down here

 

We have plenty of deer here in Minnesota as well. At least we don't have to worry about 4 legged bootskins roaming around stalking out the neighbors poodle in the middle of the night like you have down in Florida.

 

What is a 4 legged bootskin???

 

Gators.

 

AHA! should have known.Those gators are good eatin though!!

 

It is going to be hard to see a paint blend if they fade the new paint into the old and clear the entire panel they blended. It sounds like you had a great shop performing your repairs.

I noticed earlier in 05 that some of the Mustangs would have a greater gap betwen the passenger hood side and left front fender than others did. If you have one that has near perfect body panel alignment on all panels, you are lucky.

You can always play with the hood stops for minor height adjustments.

 

If you want to see some pics of paint blending and clearing of a 1/4 panel check Here I just did mine after some hineyhole keyed my car.
As for the gap on the hood/fender. You can NEVER get them 100%. Especially on a hood that people keep opening and slamming shut. There will always be a bit of a variation in the gap.

 

A deer just got me for $2700 so I guess I'm lucky. Glad the work done to your car came out good.