First of all I dont know if I posted this in the wrong section but feel free to move it if it is. I'am going to get my car painted after an idiot keyed my car on both sides. I'am going to a reputable shop for this job. I just want to know if there are some steps I can take to put my mind at ease so they don't take my car for a joyride and mess something up! This happened to my uncles 455 T/A but at a different shop. I hate taking my car to people I really dont know but I have to on this one! P.S. I know who keyed my car and know he has brand new permanant racing stripes all over his truck. I dont condone fuking with other peopels cars but when you do mine....I do yours! Any help would be appreciated!

 

Bump...can anybody help me?

 

Write your mileage down. You will be able to see if they messed with it. To actually prevent it, stop in frequently to check progress. If they know you are coming in a lot, they will NOT take it out for a drive. Good luck!

 

I'm not sure what you could really do.. You can't completely disable the car as I'm sure they will need to move it around.

Just make sure to take down the mileage of the car and check it when you get it back.

 

Being in San Antonio, you should call a couple of the big rx7 shops in Texas and ask them who's good. They might be able to recommend someone who's pretty close to you.

BTW, that really sucks about you getting keyed. My 79 RX-7 was keyed on both sides too. Good luck with your paint job.

 

Take the pills in the pre-control and wastegate lines out. That way your car will only get lbs boost. That won't disable it but it will make it a lot less fun for potential joy riders.

 

I used to work at a paint/body place, so I know what some of the people do(you dont want to know). I cant deny that I had fun 'testing' a '00 Boxster S, a few 'vettes, and more. Just tell them up front that your car is not to leave the shop. It depends on the place, but maybe even disable it, if they can push it around.

 

take a camcorder and record the shop, panning all the way into the odometer...let them c u do that ... politely say, "i've had a bad experience with other shops and just making sure that it doesnt happen again..dont mean to offend anyone"
this to avoid them from doing something else out of spite
good luck

 

I wish i had a camcorder ****!!!! Thats exactly what I would do!

 

If you dont have a camcorder, write down the milage in front of them and tell them straight up, I am writing down the milage, dont you dare take my car out of this shop or I will sue your ***.

 

If you have the PFC, set the rev limiter to 3000rpm or set the boost very very low. That's what I do whenever I have to let someone drive my car.

 

Write down the odometer reading and have the manager or shop owner sign a copy or it....basically make a short statment for them to sign that this is the mileage and there should be no reason why it should change.

 

Good ideas amp and thatoneguy!!

I think amp's idea is quite good, tell them you have bad experience. If have PFC, change the setting what thatoneguy suggested.

I am going to get a FD soon, and that one needs a whole car paint job too.... my worry is not those guys taking the car for a joy ride, but I am worrying about they will flood the engine when they have to move the car around.......

 

I like amp's alot. Either way, try and make sure it's an acrual image of your mileage.

 

If you take it to a REAL reputable shop, you shouldn't have much to worry about. I'm talking about a shop that ONLY deals with highend stuff. The type of shop where only professionals work out of that respect their customer's cars. The type of shop where you won't see body kits being installed on Civic

 

>>If you take it to a REAL reputable shop, you shouldn't have much to worry about. I'm talking about a shop that ONLY deals with highend stuff. The type of shop where only professionals work out of that respect their customer's cars. The type of shop where you won't see body kits being installed on Civic

Anybody who's worked in retail/hospitality can tell you that no matter *where* you go you risk getting shafted on either service or quality once your back is turned. They may have a well-known name on their shingle, but it's still just a shop full of human beings you don't know and who don't know you. You won't know if you can trust them until after it's too late to stop it.
Cover yourself as best you can. Those pills and boost-dampening ideas sound pretty good (assuming that nobody in the shop would know to restore their settings b4 joyriding...) Odometer reading's only good if they don't spend 5 mins to take the console out and unplug the cable...

In the end, leaving your car at a shop is an act of faith.

ttyl,
Amur_