The Detail Detail

​The long backstory isn't important here.  The short version is that there was a leak in the pipes above my parking spot in my building's garage.  And it wasn't just plain water the fell on my car's windshield and roof, but with calcium from the old pipes, which calcified and were impossible to completely remove.

Worse, it had hardened and lightly scratched the glass.  I checked about having the windshield replaced, which would have been around $550.  (And yes, the building will pay for it, but still...)

As it happened, when the plumber came to replace the pipes, I went down to watch, and offhandedly got into a discussion with the guy, Abner.  He suggested that, rather than replace the window, I should take it to a body shop that should be able to address the damage.  When I asked if he knew any place, he mentioned a shop that happened to be walking distance from my home and gave them a call.  (It's a long walk, but one that I take often on my morning jaunts, since it's across the street from a couple of grocery stores I go to.)

The fellow at the body shop, Javier, thought they could repair the windshield by detailing the outside of the car, but can never be sure until it’s done.  He also said they couldn't just do the windshield, but would have to detail the whole car.  But even at that (assuming it works), it would cost $380, quite a bit less than replacing the windshield.  

Jumping to the end of the story -- it not only worked, but was superb.  The scratches were not only gone...but so was the streaking on the roof, and so were several scratches and dings that I'd had for a few years, and even a problem I recently got with my bumper (which likely needed addressing at some point) is improved -- and -- and the car looks spectacular, like brand new off the lot.  And the process even protects the car's paint to a degree, as well.  None of which would have been done, if I had just replaced the windshield, and all for almost $200 less. 

​When I profusely thanked Javier for the great job, he just dismissed it as doing his job.  That's what his shop does.  Yes, I said, though everyone just does their job, but some people and some shops do it especially well.

(He also suggested getting the interior detailed, though as I told him, some people are "car guys" who want everything about their car to be impeccable.  But that wasn't me.  He completely understood.)

[UPDATE: I have since learned the name of the person on staff who did the work -- Jovany.  So, appreciation goes to him, as well.]

I mention all this for three reasons.  The first, that I'm just very pleased with the worked and the results, and wanted to offer my praise.

The second that if anyone lives in West Los Angeles and ever needs body work on their car, and doesn't know a body shop, this is -- Bill Dunn Auto Upholstery, at 222 Stoner Ave. (around Barrington and Olympic), across from the Ralphs and Trader Joe's grocery stores.  310-451-3495.  And ask for Javier, who runs the place.

And the third is that wherever you live, if you have some light damage to your windshield, or some dings to your car, or after several years you'd like your car to look brand new, it seems really worth it to at least consider getting the outside of your car detailed.