Car paint spill

stockportaddick

Any insurance savvy folk on here that can give some advice? I got sucked in to buying Valspar paint from B&Q, they mixed the paint in store. Coming home the can tipped over only gently and the lid just fell off. It didn’t go over with a bang because as the photo shows there was no splatter, it just tipped over and the paint simply poured out. Obviously the carpet is knackered but have I any chance of getting compo from B&Q or is it just tough luck? I cannot believe the lid was on properly in the first place but if it was, and on closer inspection, the actual can and lid combo on Valspar tins is rubbish and I’m not surprised a minor fall made the lid pop off. 

To_Be_Franck

I am so sorry, but,   LOL

DaveMehmet

Is there a footwell carpet or has it gone straight onto the main one? If it’s the former, you might be able to get the remaining paint off. It’s water based so you might get away with it. 

DaveMehmet

Or just paint the rest of your interior the same colour 

North Lower Neil

stockportaddick said:

Any insurance savvy folk on here that can give some advice? I got sucked in to buying Valspar paint from B&Q, they mixed the paint in store. Coming home the can tipped over only gently and the lid just fell off. It didn’t go over with a bang because as the photo shows there was no splatter, it just tipped over and the paint simply poured out. Obviously the carpet is knackered but have I any chance of getting compo from B&Q or is it just tough luck? I cannot believe the lid was on properly in the first place but if it was, and on closer inspection, the actual can and lid combo on Valspar tins is rubbish and I’m not surprised a minor fall made the lid pop off. 

Doubt it, hard to prove it was them and not, for example, you taking the lid off to check it etc etc.

blackpool72

A new bit of carpet won't cost the earth. 
That's what I would do.

ken from bexley

Well that was a bastard start to the week!.... When I get paint  'matched' they stick tape over the top of the can, or even metal cleats to secure, those small  plastic size paint tins are pretty flimsy. One of the reasons I use Brewers.(not cheap) Often put mine in a carrier bag and put  paint on the back  seat foot well. Re :Valspar, great colours but found the coverage pretty poor, alright as a base coat\mist coat on new plaster. Sorry cannot say re :Insurance, but I doubt it. Mind you I would have  a moan at the store manager.....Hope you get it sorted. 

idealworld

I saw a similar incident during the lockdown when B&Q first reopened - a light green car was parked next to the raised pavement walkway and a customer's flatbed trolley with some garden items and a tin of light green fence paint had toppled over sideways all over the car and the pavement (exactly same shade as the car too) - it had gone all over the bonnet, front wing, doors and the front wheel and tyre. B&Q staff were out there with the cleaning trolley and the wipes. They were still there about an hour later as I navigated the queue and the checkout.

Worth going back to the shop and complaining (you've also lost a tin of paint that you have purchased, notwithstanding the damage to your vehicle) B&Q can be quite helpful - they took back some pine softwood that I only noticed was bowed after cutting it and the refunded with no problem.

Valpsar does have a history of this problem too: https://www.diyweek.net/customers-complain-b-q-paint-is-wrecking-their-cars

Never buy cheap paint!

Addickted

Good coverage though and no obvious runs.

MuttleyCAFC

It should be standard practice for B&Q to tape the lid though. Surely.

stockportaddick

Surprised no one has gone for the 'mat finish' quip yet, I've endured endless puns over this 
Thanks idealworld, interesting to read this has been an on going issue for years.

There was a matt but loads went under ruining the floor carpet.

Mazda said the whole car is carpeted in one piece which means a silly bill. A local auto trim specialist reckons he can replace the passenger footwell carpet and lose the joints under the seat and centre consul but even this option is still going to cost about £300.

You cannot put lid clips on Valspar cans.

@To_Be_Franck I'm still chuckling but did wonder who would be first  

heckington_reds

I'm  a decorator mate,they aint clipped that lid down...I hate velspar,pigments are crap and the lids are a twat to get off.

charltonkeston

ken from bexley said:

Well that was a bastard start to the week!.... When I get paint  'matched' they stick tape over the top of the can, or even metal cleats to secure, those small  plastic size paint tins are pretty flimsy. One of the reasons I use Brewers.(not cheap) Often put mine in a carrier bag and put  paint on the back  seat foot well. Re :Valspar, great colours but found the coverage pretty poor, alright as a base coat\mist coat on new plaster. Sorry cannot say re :Insurance, but I doubt it. Mind you I would have  a moan at the store manager.....Hope you get it sorted. 

Not going to help but I echo what you have written. I always use Dulux , Johnston’s, crown or Brewers. Better paint, service and they have the good sense to put a bit of tape over the lid. 
I absolutely loathe B&Q, from the car park to the checkout it’s a nightmare.

NorthheathAddick

heckington_reds said:

I'm  a decorator mate,they aint clipped that lid down...I hate velspar,pigments are crap and the lids are a twat to get off.

Erm...!!! not that much of a twat...😢

guinnessaddick

Tough luck? More like pot luck.

MrOneLung

You had them mix up a can of white paint ?

ricky_otto

MrOneLung said:

You had them mix up a can of white paint ?

He wishes he had got them to mix black paint now. 

swords_alive

Got to be worth complaining. They've been negligent. You didn't fiddle with the lid and nor did you choose to paint the car floor. You wouldn't want it happening to someone else either so the store manager should be grateful of you notifying him/her. 

stockportaddick

heckington_reds said:

I'm  a decorator mate,they aint clipped that lid down...I hate velspar,pigments are crap and the lids are a twat to get off.

I'm convinced that lid wasn't clipped down properly, problem is proving it. I phoned the B&Q branch earlier and the manager said once it leaves the premises it is no longer their responsibility. Been in touch with customer complaints but no reply as yet.

I was a paint sprayer for 30 plus years and every single can came with lid clips and still do to this day. All the main popular decorators paint brands seem to use modern plastic tubs that are designed in a way that lid clips cannot be used and you've no hope if you drop one. 

stockportaddick

MrOneLung said:

You had them mix up a can of white paint ?

Er, if you don't mind, it was a very on trend light grey. White for ffs 

The Prince-e-Paul

Was at my local B&Q in Sheffield last week and noticed a patch of spilled paint (full tin) near the doors outside. At the time just thought "that's a bugger".  Maybe a similar problem of dropped tin, easily opened. 

golfaddick

I'd just do them same on the drivers side & then you have matching front foot-wells  😀

guinnessaddick

I would say that when you carry the plastic can by the handle, it pulls the sides in slightly and this causes the lid to pop off, where as the metal can is more robust.

swords_alive

Wouldn't accept the line about 'once it's off their premises not being anything they can do'. They would get away with all sorts on that basis- ladders, nails in fence posts, faulty electricals, all sorts. The item tou paid them for was not of sufficient quality and that would include the tin in came in and how secure they have made the lid. You have the proof. You didn't choose to pour the paint out in your car. They need to be reasonable.

Stig

If you wanted to take matters further, I'm told that Fresh Fields are good

Covered End

I would complain until they sorted it.
Store, manager of store, CEO, threaten Watchdog programme etc if needed.

stockportaddick

Covered End said:

I would complain until they sorted it.
Store, manager of store, CEO, threaten Watchdog programme etc if needed.

Spoke with the store and was told not their responsibility.
Contacted customer services and was told they cannot help and I need to speak directly to the store involved!
So just been on to that Martin Lewis web site and used a company they sponsor called Resolver.

Not too clued up on my rights with stuff like this so hopefully this Resolver outfit will do the biz on my behalf.

Dazzler21

Wait... that's tipped ever so slightly? 

Looks like you did an emergency stop with the lid off. 

stockportaddick

Dazzler21 said:

Wait... that's tipped ever so slightly? 

Looks like you did an emergency stop with the lid off. 

Yep, it just tipped over and the lid fell off. That's why there is no splattering or splashing of paint all over, just a neat puddle. If I'd slammed the anchors on and sent the can flying and the impact caused the lid to explode off I would accept it 

Covered End

stockportaddick said:

Covered End said:

I would complain until they sorted it.
Store, manager of store, CEO, threaten Watchdog programme etc if needed.

Spoke with the store and was told not their responsibility.
Contacted customer services and was told they cannot help and I need to speak directly to the store involved!
So just been on to that Martin Lewis web site and used a company they sponsor called Resolver.

Not too clued up on my rights with stuff like this so hopefully this Resolver outfit will do the biz on my behalf.

Obviously a different situation, but I've requested a refund before and been declined a few times, including head of customer services.

I wrote to the CEO, who apologised, confirmed I was right & I was refunded immediately.

idealworld

Valspar and B&Q both seem to not want to help any of these customers too:
Look at this poor one:

https://twitter.com/Admanr/status/1096069393711280128

and these:

https://twitter.com/search?q=@ValsparPaintUK lid&src=typed_query&f=live

https://twitter.com/search?q=valspar lid&src=typed_query&f=live