Smart repair or bodyshop?

[mikeyr]

Someone has kindly reversed into our Impreza wagon rear bumper and not left a note. Nice huh?

Here's the damage...



Any recommendations/thoughts on prices? Seem to think someone on here is South Coast based and has a good rep as a smart repairer? Or is this too far gone?

[mikeyr]

NO recommendations then?

[haggy]

Hi mate. We have a bodyshop here. www.harriscars.co.uk .Done alot of PH'ers cars. Pop in and ask for my dad Ted.

[roadrunner68]

Being a panel beater & srayer i recon i could get most of that scuff out without painting.

[mikeyr]

Maybe the picture doesn't convey it but that's not just paint scratches - it's all the way down to the primer! I've polished out some big scratches before but these aren't just surface marks sadly.

[roadrunner68]

Thats ashame, i know how you feel, i had my boxster keyed a few weeks after getting it.

Edited by roadrunner68 on Saturday 16th October 21:00

[StJohn]

If I'm allowed to recommend myself, I would be able to repair that for you as a Smart repairer in Hampshire. Take a look at my website, or drop me a PM if you would like? www.autobritesmartrepairs.com
Cheers

[mikeyr]

Thanks RR - here's a piccie of the whole car on a happier note!



StJohn - will drop you a PM

[ddw78]

My personal opinion would be to have a 'cheap' smart repair carried out if you're planning on getting rid of the vehicle, in the near future.

If you're planning on keeping it, I’d always pay to have a proper/conventional job done in a bodyshop.

After 6-9 months most (not all) smart repairs look flat and dull.

Obviously, as stated, this is only my opinion...

[StJohn]

I don't do "cheap" Smart repairs, but do agree a lot of the Smart repair francisees used to use a 1 pack laquer which would drop it's gloss after a while, as well as not withstanding petrol being dripped on it,(not very good if it was applied near a petrol flap!), however I am not a franchisee, never have been, and have never used a 1 pack laquer. I use a 2 pack scratch resistant laquer, similar to one used in a "proper body shop", and should the laquer drop any of it's gloss after all it's solvents have evaporated, (this also happens with body shops who wouldn't use an oven to bake a bumper scuff), a swift polish with Autoglym Super Resin Polish, will have it back to new again.
A properly performed Smart repair will be no different to a properly performed Body shop repair, which is why a lot of body shops now state they do "express line" repairs, as they too have now come to accept it is the most efficient way to correct this type of damage.

[mikeyr]

I will post up some pictures of the stunning job StJohn has done on this later, looks like it just rolled out of the factory!

Plus only £150 so job's a good 'un!

[Karlos69]

Looking forward to seeing the finished article.

Sorry for the Hijack, but StJohn if I email a pic of some damage to a bumper on my Focus can you let me know if it's suitable for one of your repairs, or if I'll need a new bumper?

[mikeyr]

Not a great piccie as taken with phone but will get a better one at weekend (bloody dark nights...). Sure he'll do a grand job with your Focus too.

[StJohn]

mikeyr said:

I will post up some pictures of the stunning job StJohn has done on this later, looks like it just rolled out of the factory!

Plus only £150 so job's a good 'un!

Thanks Mike, I'm glad you are pleased with it! A little windier than body shop conditions today, but it all went nicely! Thanks for trusting me with your car, or your "baby", as your wife called it!

[StJohn]

Karlos69 said:

Looking forward to seeing the finished article.

Sorry for the Hijack, but StJohn if I email a pic of some damage to a bumper on my Focus can you let me know if it's suitable for one of your repairs, or if I'll need a new bumper?

Hi there.

Yes, send me a picture or 2, and I will give you my opinion, and an idea of cost.

Thanks.

[Karlos69]

StJohn said:

Karlos69 said:

Looking forward to seeing the finished article.

Sorry for the Hijack, but StJohn if I email a pic of some damage to a bumper on my Focus can you let me know if it's suitable for one of your repairs, or if I'll need a new bumper?

Hi there.

Yes, send me a picture or 2, and I will give you my opinion, and an idea of cost.

Thanks.

Brilliant! I hit a pigeon and it cracked some of the little struts that form the opening for the radiators. I'll PM you a couple of shots sometime in the next few days.