Bugger, car vs garage

[LeeHodges]

Hi all

Just wanted some advice on this damage that I've managed to inflict on my car. I'm not angry with myself as I just don't know how I managed it. I've reversed this and my other TVR in there so many times. Got to say though, it sounded bloomin' awful.

So, yes it's original chameleon paint, but I do have spare so not fretting about that. The question is, should I try and sort this myself or is it a specialist equipment/experience job? I've never repaired fibreglass before, so not sure if its a filler job or fibreglass? Thoughts?

[andy43]

Ouch. I feel for you. No suggestions other that make sure you keep it dry as once moisture gets in there I believe it can make a break for freedom through the new paint.

[Let off some steam Bennett]

Gutting, get it to a body shop that knows how to work with fibreglass

[LeeHodges]

I agree getting professional help is the way to go. Should I avoid 'chips-away' type services? I've no real experience of their work. Otherwise, any recommendations for Staffordshire-based companies?

Thanks again.

[ecs0set]

That paint is tricky / impossible to match isn't it. As it's so small, would a well shaped matt-black section applied to the back of the wheelarch on both sides disguise it at considerably less cost?

[FlipFlopGriff]

LeeHodges said:

I agree getting professional help is the way to go. Should I avoid 'chips-away' type services? I've no real experience of their work. Otherwise, any recommendations for Staffordshire-based companies?

Thanks again.

Sportmotive in Stoke. Got a reputable body shop and know what they are doing.
http://www.sportmotive.com/
FFG

[LeeHodges]

FlipFlopGriff said:

Sportmotive in Stoke. Got a reputable body shop and know what they are doing.
http://www.sportmotive.com/
FFG

Thanks FFG, in fact, I've already emailed them over the pictures. It's annoying as its only just left Central TVR for an MOT/service

[LeeHodges]

ecs0set said:

That paint is tricky / impossible to match isn't it. As it's so small, would a well shaped matt-black section applied to the back of the wheelarch on both sides disguise it at considerably less cost?

The good news is that I had 1.5ltrs of the paint given to me with the car, otherwise I'd be a lot less calm about it!

[LeeHodges]

FlipFlopGriff said:

Sportmotive in Stoke. Got a reputable body shop and know what they are doing.
http://www.sportmotive.com/
FFG

I've been told (not for the first time) by Sportmotive that they can't fit me in. I know it can't be helped if they're busy but there's only so many times you'll keep trying a place.

[Let off some steam Bennett]

Sportmotive could not get my car in for 6 months from March time, they are fairly local to me as i live in Cannock. I used surface and design in Blackpool in the end. Great bunch up there who do class bodywork, you can't mess about with paint.

[DJR 7]

I would also recommend S&D. I live in Bucks but wouldn't go anywhere else.
That said I've seen some Work that's been carried out by Option 1 in Bromsgrove and it was to a very high standard.

[ninetynine]

try Brendan at concept performance he knows tvr colours inside out and did a great job on my car

[LeeHodges]

DJR 7 said:

I would also recommend S&D. I live in Bucks but wouldn't go anywhere else.
That said I've seen some Work that's been carried out by Option 1 in Bromsgrove and it was to a very high standard.

Just had a quote back from Option 1 - £480. A bit more than I was hoping for given that it's a small area and I've got the paint. Am I being too naive?

[Speed 3]

LeeHodges said:

DJR 7 said:

I would also recommend S&D. I live in Bucks but wouldn't go anywhere else.
That said I've seen some Work that's been carried out by Option 1 in Bromsgrove and it was to a very high standard.

Just had a quote back from Option 1 - £480. A bit more than I was hoping for given that it's a small area and I've got the paint. Am I being too naive?

When I was getting quotes for a full respray on my Tuscan Option 1 were about middling on price. I don't think you can't realistically expect any decent job for only a couple of hundred sovs, especially on a flip paint. I'd expect it to be a bit bit more TBH as its all about the blending and that takes skill and time, many will say its actually impossible on the bolder flips.

[DJR 7]

Speed 3 said:

When I was getting quotes for a full respray on my Tuscan Option 1 were about middling on price. I don't think you can't realistically expect any decent job for only a couple of hundred sovs, especially on a flip paint. I'd expect it to be a bit bit more TBH as its all about the blending and that takes skill and time, many will say its actually impossible on the bolder flips.

I agree with Rob, that's possibly less than i had in mind, i'd have guessed at £600. As i've said, i've not used Option 1 but i've seen their work and it's very impressive. They strike me as the type of company that wouldn't return the car unless it was right.

[ShiDevil]

ninetynine said:

try Brendan at concept performance he knows tvr colours inside out and did a great job on my car

Agree on that

[saaby93]

Wouldnt you just touch it in with a dab of touch up pen or similar?
No-one else is really going to notice there - it's fair wear and tear

Anyone else is going to try to paint a bigger piece to do a proper job and if not careful the whole car needs doing to match

[Dunc6001]

I did something similar to my Cerbera, tried to DIY and failed dismally.
Go professional - even the body shop had to bake it 4 times to get it the right colour match
About £400 from memory.
d

[fatjon]

ShiDevil said:

ninetynine said:

try Brendan at concept performance he knows tvr colours inside out and did a great job on my car

Agree on that

^

Yup.

[blitzracing]

You would have to do that in stages- first would be to grind out any loose material with something like a Dremmel and rotary sander. Then build it up with one of the specific glass fibre repair pastes that are a mix of fine glass fibre and resin. This needs then to be sanded back so its fractionally below the required level, and a very thin coat of car body filler to smooth it off. This then needs sanding back so you cant feel any ridges at all with your finger tips, followed by a high build primer, and that then flatted back with 1000 grade wet and dry. Then top coat can be applied with an airbrush or touch up gun, but it needs blending in- this is the clever bit as the grains metallic paint tend to lie in a specific direction as its sprayed, and touching it up may be at a different angle, so you get a shift in metallic sheen, so careful blending is a must. Finally you need a top coat lacquer, again blended in, but you will always get a very nine life where the lacquer meets the previous paint. The repair area may look small, but the repaired area with be considerably larger by the time you blend in the various paints, especially if you have not done something like this before. Its at least a days work Id say. Time and patience is the key here, think you can do it quickly and it will stick out like a sore thumb.