Today some kids decided to throw rock at cars coming out from the parking structure, damage picture attached.

The rock put a deep dent on the roof and scratched all the way through the paint primer. Does anyone know if a repair like this requires taking the car's roof apart? If it doesn't require the car to be taken apart, I'm considering just have it repaired at a "cheap" local body shop, but I wouldn't trust them to put everything back the way it was if it disassemble is involved.

Is there such a thing as "infiniti certified body shop" ?

 

The roof antenna and left/right roof moldings should come off. The windshield, back glass, and moonroof can all be properly masked off so that there is no paint adhesion issues. Never go to a "cheap" body shop for anything! They will F*ck your car up in ways that you would never know about. Just my .02

 

The roof doesn't need to be taken apart. You can go to a shop that will repair and paint just the spot and blend it in. Or you can have the entire roof panel repainted in place. There probably wont be a lot of difference in price between the two but repainting the entire panel will give better results. I just had my roof repainted a week ago.

 

If you just have the roof spotted in, I guarantee the sun will eventually cause that repair to fail. No paint manufacturer warranties a "spot-in" on a horizontal panel. Do it the right way guy. Go to reputable shop and they should warranty repair for as long as you own it.

 

Does anyone has the same misfortune and had a repair like this? How long would it take?

 

^Yes. Took them 1week to do my whole car. Prob will only take them 2-3 days to do that. It will take the paint longer to dry than it will take for them to prep it and paint it. DO NOT GO TO A CHEAP REPAIR SHOP. Black is the hardest color to paint...you do not want it looking like **** in the sunlight!

Why don't you just go through insurance? They will probably paint the entire roof to blend it.

 

Go to a good shop..whether you choose spot painting or repainting the entire roof, you will have areas of blend to deal with.

 

Can anyone recommends a shop in MD/VA/DC area?

 

omg.. id legit hunt them down

 

If you paint the entire roof panel there is no blending needed. It's one solid panel and it doesn't touch any other painted panels directly. It shouldn't take more than one day, maybe two if they are actually ready to start the job when you drop your car off.

 

sorry to hear of your predicament...what kind of retard would do that? they should be jailed.

 

They should definitely be jailed. They easily could have caused a serious accident.

 

Isn't it true that the roof panel is the least rust resistant panel on the car due to the type of steel they use? I would make sure it is done right.