Bodyshop in Berkshire
Discussion
Just had some work done on my winter hack and I am not massively impressed. There are a few sink marks in the clearcoat which he says must have been there before but I am unconvinced. I had to send it back as the first time it came back there were areas that still need flatting and just were plain not finished. The chap said to me that you get what you pay for. I countered with - you should have mentioned that your work comes in different finishes at different prices. Anyway I usually use Specialised Paint in Reading but for small jobs on low value cars they are expensive. What I really want is a good job - not concours - but a good finish for reasonable money. Is this too much to ask these days? Can someone please point me towards a bodyshop where they will actually do a good job but not charge the earth.
Sadly, you do get what you pay for.... If the preparation has been rushed or poorly done, it will affect the result. Much of the cost of a respray is in the preparation as it is so time intensive. After the paint and lacquer are on, the final finish will be dependent upon how much time has been spent flatting and polishing. A quick zip over with the polisher after lacquering will simply result in a new BMW type finish - rice pudding. A full flat and polish costs time and therefore money.
Unless you have a specification which describes the execution of each stage of work, you will really have no idea of what to expect. Any professional spray shop will describe the processes and what you get for your money. For example, I have a painted panel here which illustrates the levels of finish which can be achieved, from BMW, through to Bentley. I use it to show the finish they will get to match the existing vehicle finish (I only do SMART repair, but in a fixed site) as there's no point in repairing a panel on a car and finishing it like a Bentley when it's a BMW.
Cheers
David
Unless you have a specification which describes the execution of each stage of work, you will really have no idea of what to expect. Any professional spray shop will describe the processes and what you get for your money. For example, I have a painted panel here which illustrates the levels of finish which can be achieved, from BMW, through to Bentley. I use it to show the finish they will get to match the existing vehicle finish (I only do SMART repair, but in a fixed site) as there's no point in repairing a panel on a car and finishing it like a Bentley when it's a BMW.
Cheers
David
Vette said:
Sadly, you do get what you pay for.... If the preparation has been rushed or poorly done, it will affect the result. Much of the cost of a respray is in the preparation as it is so time intensive. After the paint and lacquer are on, the final finish will be dependent upon how much time has been spent flatting and polishing. A quick zip over with the polisher after lacquering will simply result in a new BMW type finish - rice pudding. A full flat and polish costs time and therefore money.
Unless you have a specification which describes the execution of each stage of work, you will really have no idea of what to expect. Any professional spray shop will describe the processes and what you get for your money. For example, I have a painted panel here which illustrates the levels of finish which can be achieved, from BMW, through to Bentley. I use it to show the finish they will get to match the existing vehicle finish (I only do SMART repair, but in a fixed site) as there's no point in repairing a panel on a car and finishing it like a Bentley when it's a BMW.
Cheers
David
Thanks David. I just wish people had run me through things and set my expectation better. If he had asked I would have paid more to get a better finish. Unless you have a specification which describes the execution of each stage of work, you will really have no idea of what to expect. Any professional spray shop will describe the processes and what you get for your money. For example, I have a painted panel here which illustrates the levels of finish which can be achieved, from BMW, through to Bentley. I use it to show the finish they will get to match the existing vehicle finish (I only do SMART repair, but in a fixed site) as there's no point in repairing a panel on a car and finishing it like a Bentley when it's a BMW.
Cheers
David
nickg123 said:
I would put forward Frazer from Headley Bodyshop in Newbury, Tel 01635 898330 - Always good service, but more importantly fantastic paintwork and finishing no matter what the car is.
Thanks Nick. His details also added. I work in Thatcham so he is onbly round the corner. Gassing Station | Bodywork & Detailing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff