Front end respray info...

[Phil_Edge]

There's a reasonable amount of info about resprays, but I am looking for some recent, up-to-date info on Resprays, in the SW London / Surrey area.

Someone kindly reversed into the Cerb, and there doesn't appear to be much in the way of damage, but a respray of at least the area (light cover and nose area) will be needed.

So first thing - any thoughts on how much of the front will need to be done? Would a localised areas suffice? Or is it realistically going to need more?

Second - where and by who? Is there anyone that comes recommended in the SW London / Surrey area? Although, that said, happy to travel further afield for a decent job.

Thanks for any info...

Phil

[ro_butler]

Same happened to me with my first cerb, v annoying

I decided to travel to get the work done and see my folks at the same time, so went to
TVR Bodyshop near Bristol. I had a light conversion done as well and the work was excellent.

I know this is nowhere near you but it isn't something you get done to the car every day so might be worth going further afield for a good job?

[Phil_Edge]

Agreed. Happy to travel.

Just spoken with the chap who's Mrs did it, and there a twist in the tail - he owns a garage, and wants to take care of the work himself.

... interesting...

So I'm keen to get professional advice on whether a "localised patch" would do the trick.. or... whether it genuinely needs more expansive repaint to not end up looking like a bodge.

[jammy_basturd]

I think it depends on what colour your car is at the moment, with some colours being very much a PITA to blend in and get a good match with.

[Phil_Edge]

Fair point - I did read a lot of issues with reflex "this and that"... but mine's a metallic racing green, near as dammit...

So I'm hoping it wont be too tricky.

[ridds]

Phil_Edge said:

Agreed. Happy to travel.

Just spoken with the chap who's Mrs did it, and there a twist in the tail - he owns a garage, and wants to take care of the work himself.

... interesting...

So I'm keen to get professional advice on whether a "localised patch" would do the trick.. or... whether it genuinely needs more expansive repaint to not end up looking like a bodge.

Don't entertain it. Unless he can prove previous experience with Fibreglass. So many paint jobs go bad later on through bad prep.

His bad, go through his insurance and get it done properly. Perhaps his missus will open her eyes more next time.

[Spawn]

Just had my front end done. Bonnet, front end and mirrors. Plus a tidy up from of the wings. £361

Did a decent job, looks very good. This was a local Custom Respray place in the midlands, anyone decent will know what they are doing surely.

[Chris Smith]

Agree with Ridds - have seen too many repairs that give problems later. Plus, at this stage, you cannot see what other damage is done. It might not look like much, but you can quite often get a cracking where the bumper moulding meets the main car body and that need repairing professionally by someone who knows what they are doing with fibreglass. Similarly, you can get delamination within the wing or the bootlid, which again is not a simple job. Personally I'd stay well clear (unless it subsequently turns out to be a body shop that gets good reports on here (I doubt it)) - ultimately, that is what her insurance is for. BTW, it's unlikely to be as cheap as it looks; it seldom is and can be quite shocking. Your first reply mentioned TVR bodyshop near Bristol (also called Webbs). They know what they are doing and do a first class job (seen loads of repairs and conversions being done there as they are my local Indie who service my Chimaera and look after me very well); although there are also other good body shops nearer to you.

[Phil_Edge]

Would it be "usual" to expect or ask for a guarantee?

I'm figuring that if this place has a body shop and a decent reputation, might be an opportunity to push for a whole front end job... but given what's been said, it would be a risk, which I think would be mitigated to some reasonable degree by a guarantee or something similar...?

[Duke Thrust]

Spawn said:

Just had my front end done. Bonnet, front end and mirrors. Plus a tidy up from of the wings. £361

Did a decent job, looks very good. This was a local Custom Respray place in the midlands, anyone decent will know what they are doing surely.

Who was it? Ta

[blujay10]

As per Ridds, dont do it! Unless you can get your insurance company to agree in writing, you could have all kinds of problems if you have to make a claim in the future. At the end of the day your car has been damaged through no fault of your own, and so you dont owe this guy any favours.
To be honest the bodyshop chap should know this so I would have my suspicions if he even suggested it.......

[Phil_Edge]

I think "suspicions" are perhaps a little strong...

If you owned a garage and were able to get someone to do the respray/touchup for peanuts, you'd probably take that over losing your no-claims or taking the insurance hit wouldn't you?

So I'm cautious, as opposed to suspicious I think...

[shake n bake]

insist on a total front end respray. otherwise you'll have a blotchy front end. if he doesn't like it, put it through their insurance, select a bodyshop of your choice. on that front, i'd thoroughly recommend liphook coachworks on the hampshire / surrey border.

[Spawn]

Duke Thrust said:

Spawn said:

Just had my front end done. Bonnet, front end and mirrors. Plus a tidy up from of the wings. £361

Did a decent job, looks very good. This was a local Custom Respray place in the midlands, anyone decent will know what they are doing surely.

Who was it? Ta

Abbey Garage in Derby.
I think they forgot to charge me VAT

[Phil_Edge]

Great stuff... appreciate all the insight.

Thanks!

[SlvrCrb]

You could do a lot worse than Kingscourt in Chessington... (Where my Cerb is currently)

http://www.kingscourtcoachworks.com/contact.html and ask for John.