Different Chassis Preps

[SharkyTVR]

I am considering a chassis prep for my P&J, what with winter coming(allegedly). I have heard good things about Austech's (from Nuggs mainly. I sometimes suspect he's on commission...). I believe it's about £300.

My garage, Fernhursts, who I rate pretty highly, charge £795. When asking about the huge difference, they state that it's a 2-day, extremely dirty, and labour intensive job "to do properly" (implying others do not), involving full exhaust removal, and includes difficult-to-access areas such as the top front wishbones.

Anyone had Fernies do their P&J? Worth the dosh? Or did Austech (or anyone else in the South) do just as good a job???

[puffsorted2]

Do it urself - then you know its done properly. Its easy to do, just very very labour intensive and mucky.

[zippee]

I had mine done at Austec last month, £295 plus VAT. Was with them for a week for a 6k service and some other bits but the chassis prep was a 2 day job in itself. They've done a very good job, had a look under the car and all the chassis is definitely cleaned up, primed and wax-oiled.
£800 though. thats one heck of a lot of money.

>> Edited by zippee on Monday 31st October 16:41

[blujay10]

Austec did mine for £295 plus VAT.
Only took them a day so I guess they didnt take any bits off. They said that they had cleaned all the rough bits that they could get to, repainted and then finished with a good coat of waxoil everywhere. When I picked mine up I asked if they could put on the ramp for me to have a look at what they had done. They did and from what I could see it looked ok.I could certainly smell the waxoil for a week or so.
I guess its the usual, you get what you pay for. I never expected a full chassis job, just enough to get me through the winter "salt". Hopefully this has done the trick.

[Nuggs]

SharkyTVR said:

I am considering a chassis prep for my P&J, what with winter coming(allegedly). I have heard good things about Austech's (from Nuggs mainly.

Very impressed with mine. When Alex emails me the photos, I'll post them up (contain your excitement, men).

I'm sure if you want it done properly, you should do it yourself. But I really couldn't be arsed, and I'd probably have done something catastrophically wrong (what do you mean I shouldn't have waxoyled the tyres and brakes).

[stalker]

A very timely post!
Only yesterday I asked Fernies about a chassis prep and got the same response. I have no doubt about how good a job they would do but 800 quid is too much for me so I am eagerly looking for alternatives.

[zippee]

Nuggs said:

When Alex emails me the photos, I'll post them up (contain your excitement, men).

Austecs quality of work is the main reason for going there, but Alex has to make it a close second. She is rather nice!!!

[Nuggs]

Just to be clear, I meant contain your excitement over the proposect of me posting photos of my chassis (I know Podie can't wait)!

[SharkyTVR]

I'm not sure Fernies really want the work - so they price it accordingly. Hence they are not overwhelmed, and only those that are serious about their cars do it. Think I will go the Austec route...

[bigdods]

The chaps at the v8 centre in high wycombe do chassis prep too... for my chassis (in pretty good nick apparently) they recommended they ramp it and scrape/brush down the bits where the powder coat is coming loose, repaint those areas in whatever gunk they use then waxoyl the whole chassis. Didnt get a fixed price but a few hours labour plus cost of gunk was mentioned. Of course this only works if the chassis is in good nick to start with...

or alternatively they will do a body off chassis strip down, sand blast and re-powder coat for about £2500+.

Think I'll go for the scrub and waxoyl for now ;-)

[tacoma]

I'm surprised that no onehasmentioned the POR51 route on this thread. It would be DIY but for my money it is a lot better than waxoil, a huge degree cleaner and much longer lasting.

I got friendly with my chassis last winter and used the POR51; unlike many I am not a mechanic more a mechanical-pigmy really. Anyway, scrap off the powder coat (or speak harsely to it and it falls off)then quick Metal Ready prep and paint ont he POR51. The areas that I did are still shiny. I heard about the product on this forum and have been delighted.

Any opposing thoughts?

m

[David H]

tacoma said:

I'm surprised that no onehasmentioned the POR51 route on this thread. It would be DIY but for my money it is a lot better than waxoil, a huge degree cleaner and much longer lasting. I got friendly with my chassis last winter and used the POR51; unlike many I am not a mechanic more a mechanical-pigmy really. Anyway, scrap off the powder coat (or speak harsely to it and it falls off)then quick Metal Ready prep and paint ont he POR51. The areas that I did are still shiny. I heard about the product on this forum and have been delighted. Any opposing thoughts? m

No arguments here, POR 15 is amazing stuff, sometimes I curse how 'amazing' it is when I get it on my hands!

[SharkyTVR]

For all yuz that have gone the DIY route, how did you get under the car?

I could not imagine doing this any other way than by putting her up on a hoist. Most of us don't have access to such a thing. Or an inspection pit.

I don't fancy doing it on axle stands on my drive....

[Parrot of doom]

I just drove mine up ramps. It'll go forward up normal ramps, but it won't reverse up them. You need planks of wood for that, or longer ramps.

[Phil Durn]

Thames valley Racetech just did mine, £225 + Vodka And Tonic

[The Dodger]

Axel stands are OK. Front first then rear - not all four corners! You can get to most of the bits once the wheels are off. Mine wasn't that bad down the middle, mostly wishbone areas.

[coach john]

Dodger hope this isn't a stupid question!
I haven;t got my Chim yet, but why not axle stands in all 4 corners?

[tigertiger]

I put mine up on four 6 tonne stands giving me about 500mm ground clearance. Raising and lowering is not for the faint hearted and I wouldn't have attempted it without the help of my neighbour who is a very competent machanic. Two jacks and some smaller 1 tonne stands we needed to complete the lift in stages.

I'll post some pics if someone will tell me how...

Tiger

[d50cyx]

SharkyTVR said:

I'm not sure Fernies <i>really</i> want the work - so they price it accordingly. Hence they are not overwhelmed, and only those that are serious about their cars do it. Think I will go the Austec route...

Just checked my records - Fernies did it last year (February) for £300. Times are a changin!

Mine's at Austec at the moment, but hopefully not for long :-)

[victormeldrew]

I have a pit which is about the size of the Chim, less the width of the wheels. A perfect fit; not surprising as I had the garage specifically built for the Chim.

Its still a messy job, but preferable to sliding under a car on stands.