Solution to the ongoing poor Aston Paint

[Sunray3006]

Just wanted to share with you the results of a little bit of bodywork I have had done on my 2005 DB9 which started to develop the common 'bubbling' on the bonnet.

As usual, went down the AM route and got the usual £250 contribution if I use there bodyshop who then quoted £1,750 to spray the bonnet alone with no blend into the wings. I didn't have much confidence in this option as Id had terrible problems with them initially when I first purchased that car 12 months ago (search the depths of the archives and you'll see the thread with pictures)

My local AM dealer then tried to outsource it to a non-approved bodyshop but their price came in at £950 cash again with no blend OR £250 contribution allocation.

Thought I'd take the plunge and try and find a bodyshop I can use and came across one very local to me who specialises in restoration of high end classics - http://avclassiccarsltd.co.uk/

They had the car a week, sprayed the bonnet (inner & outer) to remove the corrosion, blended into the wings and then into the doors so no obvious join at a panel gap and they also did the roof pillars for the same reason and the results are fantastic





I also then 'mentioned' that I fancied having carbon effect side vents, and I got the reply 'not a problem, lets see what we can do for you' and hey presto when I collected her they were fitted (dipped originals but then look gooood)



The best part was the price. I wont disclose how much as each job is different, but they also fully machines polished the car included within the price and lets just say I got a LOT of change from the original AM quote.

I am not linked to this Company in any way apart from the fact that the owner is ex MOD as am I (but different parts of the service and we have never met previously), but credit where credit is due

Just though some of you may find it useful as I know I am not alone with an ongoing paint issues (in fact he had 3 other AM's in for work at the same time- a recent V8 with similar issues to mine, a DB7 GT for a complete respray to concourse and an original Vanquish which was in for a ground up rebuild.

Hope it may help some of you.

[Sunray3006]

To answer the couple of PM's that I've been sent ref the carbon dipping, they used a young guy in Milton Keynes call OTT Designs (you can find him of F/Book).

I also used him (as he was local) to dip my Ski slope, door handles and door sills in silver effect carbon fibre - all 6 parts for £250 (I did the boot sill as well to match)

Hope that helps

[IanV12VR]

Any pictures of the ski slope. Don't know if it is just me but keeping piano black surface perfect is impossible. This might be a solution so would be interested to see what it looks like. TIA.

[Sunray3006]

Hang on, I'll get my snappy snaps camera out - give me an hour as its a slow start for me today work wise so any excuse to open up the Aston

[Sunray3006]

As requested - also had the boot sill done to 'match'. This is silver effect Carbon Fibre with a semi matt finish so it didn't reflect the light.

[IanV12VR]

Looks really good, thanks for sharing.

[Sunray3006]

Makes a 9 year old car look a little more 'modern' - would highly recommend as the results look fab and you can get black, silver, red etc etc all in carbon effect (not to mention hundreds of other alternatives like camo etc)

[telum01]

Wow, love the silver carbon trim pieces!

[mikey k]

Might consider that for mine when it starts getting tatty
Is it me or are the some wavey lines around the button the water fall?

[Jon1967x]

mikey k said:

Might consider that for mine when it starts getting tatty
Is it me or are the some wavey lines around the button the water fall?

No, I noticed it too - and a little on the top of the ski slope above the vents. I imagine its a function of the process (I imagine its the same as the one that featured on wheeler dealers once). It certainly looks good though, especially for the money. I have been looking around the study for things I can do it to

[Sump]

I paid £400 for the front bumper, sills and bootlid to be done.

Wanted someone cheap and fast as it was looking in a right old state after 100k! Turned out to be a bloody good job and a complete bargain.

[northernmedia]

Paintwork looks superb but I'm really not digging the dipped interior trim.
To me it just doesn't look close enough to real carbon weave. IMHO of course

[Sunray3006]

Agreed on the closeness to real C/F weave, BUT on a price basis this is seriously worth considering especially on the 'more mature' models.

[northernmedia]

Not so sure, reckon you're doing more harm than good.

Sat in a mates new Hyundai 4x4 the other day and the dash wore a similar look.

[Byteme]

A 2d dipped film will never duplicate the 3d effect of real carbon-fibre any more than it's ability to accurately simulate the lustre of real wood veneered finishes.

It's a clever process that lends itself more toward "gimmicky" finishes viewed at a distance.

[graham 500]

Saw your car at AVC while it was being done. My V8V is having door handles rectified, front spoiler, included blowing in adjacent panels, plus and a couple of other bits. Saw the job he did on yours and other classics part way through renovation and very impressed. Compared to Aston prices its a no brainer.

[Sunray3006]

Ah, so yours was the V8 - nice car and great number plate, and I like you have had to find my own solution to ongoing 'issues' with AM's standards.

Hope yours comes out like mine and you will be VERY pleased : post pics when you get it back.