Paint shop recommendations in Herts?

[Chris71]

The bonnet has split on my Chimaera, so it needs a bit of fibreglassing and a partial respray. Is there anywhere you'd recommend near Hertford?

I'm aware there's a TVR specialist in Ware, but don't think they do body repairs.

Thanks!

[globalfish]

I'd give Custom Exotics at Harlow a call. It's not a million miles from Hertford. They do all you need and their paintwork is absolutely stunning. I was at the Corvette Nationals last year and best in show, best paint etc were all painted by those guys. Be visiting them myself later this year. Never seen better work.

Custom Exotics
Unit 5 South Place, Harlow CM20 2AN
Phone: [phone]

Edited by globalfish on Tuesday 24th January 11:39

[designforlife]

CCR coachworks in biggleswade did a good job of fabrication and paint on my mitsubishi...can't imagine a bit of fibreglassing would phase them.

[Chris71]

globalfish said:

I'd give Custom Exotics at Harlow a call. It's not a million miles from Hertford. They do all you need and their paintwork is absolutely stunning. I was at the Corvette Nationals last year and best in show, best paint etc were all painted by those guys. Be visiting them myself later this year. Never seen better work.

Custom Exotics
Unit 5 South Place, Harlow CM20 2AN
Phone: [phone]

Thanks, sounds like a good call. There's quite a lot of automotive stuff in Harlow - Dax cars, makers of some of the best Cobra replicas - is based there.

[Spindoctor]

Chris71 said:

I'm aware there's a TVR specialist in Ware, but don't think they do body repairs.

Guess you're thinking of Bespoke. They farm out paint to someone else but probably worth asking them who they use. And who they avoid.

Finishline near Stevenage are very good and they're used to working on fibreglass. Chris is the main man there, worth a call.

[anonymous-user]

Hi Chris,

Hilton Coachworks in Bishops Stortford I believe were/are approved TVR repair - I use the hand car wash next door often (Raynham Rod), and they always seem to have lots of high-end and/or specialist stuff in there. Used them once on a previous car (370Z cabrio) and they did a brilliant job.

I'm pretty sure that Castle Lotus/TVR are also part of the Hilton Group - I hired a van from Hilton and picked it up at Castle - some fab cars in there.

[Chris71]

had ham said:

Hi Chris,

Hilton Coachworks in Bishops Stortford I believe were/are approved TVR repair - I use the hand car wash next door often (Raynham Rod), and they always seem to have lots of high-end and/or specialist stuff in there. Used them once on a previous car (370Z cabrio) and they did a brilliant job.

I'm pretty sure that Castle Lotus/TVR are also part of the Hilton Group - I hired a van from Hilton and picked it up at Castle - some fab cars in there.

Thanks. Will check them out.

[anonymous-user]

Morning - seems Hilton are indeed into GRP, etc - from their website;

http://www.hiltonaccidentrepair.co.uk/classic_car_...

Composites such as GRP (Fibre-glass) and Carbon-Fibre are widely used in the construction of high performance sports cars and are being increasingly common in the production of modern vehicles. With a Lotus and TVR dealer within our group, Hilton Coachworks has the extensive experience of repairing composite materials. Our Bodyshop has a dedicated composite and sports car accident repair department with experience working with Lotus, TVR, Aston Martin and Ferrari using specialist equipment combined with knowledge and skills built up over decades. Please get in touch with us for more information.

[eastlmark]

Chris71 said:

Thanks, sounds like a good call. There's quite a lot of automotive stuff in Harlow - Dax cars, makers of some of the best Cobra replicas - is based there.

Dax moved out a year or so ago...not a million miles away though. North Weald.

[Zippee]

Chris71 said:

had ham said:

Hi Chris,

Hilton Coachworks in Bishops Stortford I believe were/are approved TVR repair - I use the hand car wash next door often (Raynham Rod), and they always seem to have lots of high-end and/or specialist stuff in there. Used them once on a previous car (370Z cabrio) and they did a brilliant job.

I'm pretty sure that Castle Lotus/TVR are also part of the Hilton Group - I hired a van from Hilton and picked it up at Castle - some fab cars in there.

Thanks. Will check them out.

Be careful, I had to have my car fully stripped and repainted at s and d following the work done at the garage you have mentioned.

[anonymous-user]

Really? Do tell!

[globalfish]

Another thread saying avoid those mentioned above...
Maybe PM some folk and see why?

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Chris71]

Arghh.

Someone has now driven into my daily driver. No great damage, but it too needs paintwork now, so thought I'd give the thread a bump (no pun intended). Looks like I need to make friends with a paint shop ASAP.

ETA: Custom Exotics were really helpful and seemed to know their stuff, but they're not taking in minor jobs currently. Sounds like Burnt Mills Coachworks are a good one to try.

Edited by Chris71 on Monday 6th February 11:16

[furtive]

had ham said:

Hi Chris,

Hilton Coachworks in Bishops Stortford I believe were/are approved TVR repair - I use the hand car wash next door often (Raynham Rod), and they always seem to have lots of high-end and/or specialist stuff in there. Used them once on a previous car (370Z cabrio) and they did a brilliant job.

I'm pretty sure that Castle Lotus/TVR are also part of the Hilton Group - I hired a van from Hilton and picked it up at Castle - some fab cars in there.

I've heard shocking things about them. Wouldn't be my first choice.

Try Hadham Auto Barn:

http://www.hadhamautobarn.co.uk/

I've used them and have been impressed with their work

[C.A.R.]

As per a previous recommendation, try Chris at Finishline UK Ltd in Gravely. Chris used to have a Sagaris and I'm sure I've seen them doing work on fiberglass bodied cars before.

[globalfish]

C.A.R. said:

As per a previous recommendation, try Chris at Finishline UK Ltd in Gravely. Chris used to have a Sagaris and I'm sure I've seen them doing work on fiberglass bodied cars before.

May have to check Finishline out myself - Custom Exotics are booked up until near end of year when I asked for a quote. Not surprising really.
Would be nice to get the VXR8 looking a bit more respectable for the Summer...

[Griffo400]

Hi Folks,
There's a new guy on the block.
Check out Gavin Pink @ The Paint Shop He is based near Great Amwell, off Gypsy Lane.
If you look him up on Facebook you will see some of his work and he is specialising in modern classics and sports cars.
He has resprayed a friends TVR Chimera as well as a Triumph Stag, Sierra XR4i Mini Van MG Sprite amongst others.
Hope this helps.

[Chris71]

Griffo400 said:

Hi Folks,
There's a new guy on the block.
Check out Gavin Pink @ The Paint Shop He is based near Great Amwell, off Gypsy Lane.
If you look him up on Facebook you will see some of his work and he is specialising in modern classics and sports cars.
He has resprayed a friends TVR Chimera as well as a Triumph Stag, Sierra XR4i Mini Van MG Sprite amongst others.
Hope this helps.

Thanks. Will take a look when my Chimaera is back.

Incidentally, my MX-5 just went to Star Street Garage in Ware to repair a substantial parking dent (someone else's doing, I hasten to add!) and they seem to have done a good job. Not sure they'd want to do a major respray on a fibreglass car, but might be worth considering if anyone stumbles across this thread looking for minor work.