Is this SMART repairable?

Is this SMART repairable?

Author
Discussion

Saxondale073

Original Poster:

4 posts

51 months

Sunday 8th December 2019
quotequote all
Hi everyone, after a bit of advice from those more knowledgeable than myself please...

I bought a Jaguar XE this week to replace my ageing X-Type. Inspected the car in heavy rain and although the dealer did mention a mark to the front of the car, I didn't notice it as it just looked like the rest of the rain drops.

The damaged area is approx 1.5 inches across and just above the front grill. It looks as though something hot has been placed on the car and bubbled/melted the paintwork. I'm just wondering if this is a job a competent SMART repairer could do, or if I'd need to get the body part replaced.

Here's a picture of the damage.


Nickp82

3,165 posts

92 months

Sunday 8th December 2019
quotequote all
SMART guys don’t generally touch bonnets due to the colour match difference being so obvious there so as it is a similar location, I imagine their advice will be to send it to a bodyshop.

KungFuPanda

4,324 posts

169 months

Sunday 8th December 2019
quotequote all
Is that damage on a plastic panel? Looks like the material under the paint has bubbled and been damaged. I'd say needs a proper bodyshop.

If you couldn't see that on inspection, I'd hate to see the rest of the car. Also, why did you inspect when it was raining?

A1VDY

3,575 posts

126 months

Sunday 8th December 2019
quotequote all
Looks like lacquer peel.
If it is, the whole bonnet would have to be repainted and the front wings blown in to match..

AmitG

3,272 posts

159 months

Sunday 8th December 2019
quotequote all
If I see correctly, that damage is not on the bonnet itself - it is on the front bumper/grille assembly, which is plastic.

I'm not sure whether plastic can be repaired after that. I guess it depends on how deep the damage is.

Is it worth asking the dealer how much for a new front fascia? Maybe they can contribute something to the cost? I remember replacing the front bumper fascia on a Toyota a couple of years ago and it was nowhere near as expensive as I thought it would be.


V8covin

7,213 posts

192 months

Sunday 8th December 2019
quotequote all
Looks an easy repair for anyone competent.

Novexx

346 posts

73 months

Monday 9th December 2019
quotequote all
KungFuPanda said:
If you couldn't see that on inspection, I'd hate to see the rest of the car. Also, why did you inspect when it was raining?
My, what a way with words.....................................................

Saxondale073

Original Poster:

4 posts

51 months

Monday 9th December 2019
quotequote all
KungFuPanda said:
Is that damage on a plastic panel? Looks like the material under the paint has bubbled and been damaged. I'd say needs a proper bodyshop.

If you couldn't see that on inspection, I'd hate to see the rest of the car. Also, why did you inspect when it was raining?
Unfortunately I'm unable to control the British weather. Other than that the car is in perfect condition.

ninjag

1,827 posts

118 months

Tuesday 10th December 2019
quotequote all
Saxondale073 said:
Hi everyone, after a bit of advice from those more knowledgeable than myself please...

I bought a Jaguar XE this week to replace my ageing X-Type. Inspected the car in heavy rain and although the dealer did mention a mark to the front of the car, I didn't notice it as it just looked like the rest of the rain drops.

The damaged area is approx 1.5 inches across and just above the front grill. It looks as though something hot has been placed on the car and bubbled/melted the paintwork. I'm just wondering if this is a job a competent SMART repairer could do, or if I'd need to get the body part replaced.

Here's a picture of the damage.

You could always put a front bra on the car? But being the front trim type section rather than the actual bonnet a decent painter should have no problem with that.

robdcfc

520 posts

157 months

Tuesday 10th December 2019
quotequote all
Ill give you the proper answer as a Smart repairer myself.

YES, its the top of the bumper it just needs sanding back and possibly a thin skim of filler to level it out and you can paint the top section no problem

Evolved

3,553 posts

186 months

Tuesday 10th December 2019
quotequote all
Yes. It’s only bodywork damage, quick fill and paint. I’d always opt for a Bodyshop job though, use it as an excuse to redo the full bumper.

Saxondale073

Original Poster:

4 posts

51 months

Tuesday 10th December 2019
quotequote all
robdcfc said:
Ill give you the proper answer as a Smart repairer myself.

YES, its the top of the bumper it just needs sanding back and possibly a thin skim of filler to level it out and you can paint the top section no problem
That's great news, cheers for that.

I have had a couple of quotes. Chips Away said they could do it for £180 + VAT (so £216 all in) and would need an entire day to do it at their location. And a mobile guy who quoted £160 including VAT who said it would take 3-4 hours work. Have another place I'm popping the car to tomorrow for their quote too.

But what would you say about the above quotes do far? Too expensive, or about right?

Cheers.

_Hoppers

1,176 posts

64 months

Tuesday 10th December 2019
quotequote all
Saxondale073 said:
That's great news, cheers for that.

I have had a couple of quotes. Chips Away said they could do it for £180 + VAT (so £216 all in) and would need an entire day to do it at their location. And a mobile guy who quoted £160 including VAT who said it would take 3-4 hours work. Have another place I'm popping the car to tomorrow for their quote too.

But what would you say about the above quotes do far? Too expensive, or about right?

Cheers.
For the Chips Away quote, I'd pay a bit more and get it done properly at a body shop

robdcfc

520 posts

157 months

Tuesday 10th December 2019
quotequote all
_Hoppers said:
Saxondale073 said:
That's great news, cheers for that.

I have had a couple of quotes. Chips Away said they could do it for £180 + VAT (so £216 all in) and would need an entire day to do it at their location. And a mobile guy who quoted £160 including VAT who said it would take 3-4 hours work. Have another place I'm popping the car to tomorrow for their quote too.

But what would you say about the above quotes do far? Too expensive, or about right?

Cheers.
For the Chips Away quote, I'd pay a bit more and get it done properly at a body shop
What do you mean by "properly" You know we use all the same products as a bodyshop??? also CA give a lifetime warranty on all repairs.

robdcfc

520 posts

157 months

Tuesday 10th December 2019
quotequote all
Saxondale073 said:
robdcfc said:
Ill give you the proper answer as a Smart repairer myself.

YES, its the top of the bumper it just needs sanding back and possibly a thin skim of filler to level it out and you can paint the top section no problem
That's great news, cheers for that.

I have had a couple of quotes. Chips Away said they could do it for £180 + VAT (so £216 all in) and would need an entire day to do it at their location. And a mobile guy who quoted £160 including VAT who said it would take 3-4 hours work. Have another place I'm popping the car to tomorrow for their quote too.

But what would you say about the above quotes do far? Too expensive, or about right?

Cheers.
About right, Im a CA franchisee as well and I would be similar money to what you have been quoted. Just check what warranty etc you are getting from the other places in case its goes wrong a year down the line etc.

paintman

7,669 posts

189 months

Tuesday 10th December 2019
quotequote all
robdcfc said:
_Hoppers said:
Saxondale073 said:
That's great news, cheers for that.

I have had a couple of quotes. Chips Away said they could do it for £180 + VAT (so £216 all in) and would need an entire day to do it at their location. And a mobile guy who quoted £160 including VAT who said it would take 3-4 hours work. Have another place I'm popping the car to tomorrow for their quote too.

But what would you say about the above quotes do far? Too expensive, or about right?

Cheers.
For the Chips Away quote, I'd pay a bit more and get it done properly at a body shop
What do you mean by "properly" You know we use all the same products as a bodyshop??? also CA give a lifetime warranty on all repairs.
Incl normal bodyshop iso 2k clear or are you still using CA's proprietary non-iso clear which as far as I was aware isn't available outside the franchise network?

_Hoppers

1,176 posts

64 months

Tuesday 10th December 2019
quotequote all
robdcfc said:
_Hoppers said:
Saxondale073 said:
That's great news, cheers for that.

I have had a couple of quotes. Chips Away said they could do it for £180 + VAT (so £216 all in) and would need an entire day to do it at their location. And a mobile guy who quoted £160 including VAT who said it would take 3-4 hours work. Have another place I'm popping the car to tomorrow for their quote too.

But what would you say about the above quotes do far? Too expensive, or about right?

Cheers.
For the Chips Away quote, I'd pay a bit more and get it done properly at a body shop
What do you mean by "properly" You know we use all the same products as a bodyshop??? also CA give a lifetime warranty on all repairs.
Painted in a controlled environment, not on someone's driveway under a gazebo

robdcfc

520 posts

157 months

Wednesday 11th December 2019
quotequote all
_Hoppers said:
robdcfc said:
_Hoppers said:
Saxondale073 said:
That's great news, cheers for that.

I have had a couple of quotes. Chips Away said they could do it for £180 + VAT (so £216 all in) and would need an entire day to do it at their location. And a mobile guy who quoted £160 including VAT who said it would take 3-4 hours work. Have another place I'm popping the car to tomorrow for their quote too.

But what would you say about the above quotes do far? Too expensive, or about right?

Cheers.
For the Chips Away quote, I'd pay a bit more and get it done properly at a body shop
You mean like my Spraybooth in the 3000sqft unit i have? smile




What do you mean by "properly" You know we use all the same products as a bodyshop??? also CA give a lifetime warranty on all repairs.
Painted in a controlled environment, not on someone's driveway under a gazebo

robdcfc

520 posts

157 months

Wednesday 11th December 2019
quotequote all
paintman said:
robdcfc said:
_Hoppers said:
Saxondale073 said:
That's great news, cheers for that.

I have had a couple of quotes. Chips Away said they could do it for £180 + VAT (so £216 all in) and would need an entire day to do it at their location. And a mobile guy who quoted £160 including VAT who said it would take 3-4 hours work. Have another place I'm popping the car to tomorrow for their quote too.

But what would you say about the above quotes do far? Too expensive, or about right?

Cheers.
For the Chips Away quote, I'd pay a bit more and get it done properly at a body shop
What do you mean by "properly" You know we use all the same products as a bodyshop??? also CA give a lifetime warranty on all repairs.
Incl normal bodyshop iso 2k clear or are you still using CA's proprietary non-iso clear which as far as I was aware isn't available outside the franchise network?
yep, us unit guys are all 2k in a booth, well I am anyway. PPG8131 for me

V8covin

7,213 posts

192 months

Thursday 12th December 2019
quotequote all
When the general public refer to a smart repair most think of a guy in a van coming out and doing it on the drive or roadside or at work.
By the very nature of the job most smart repairers don't have access to premises.
Those of us in the bodyshop trade wouldn't refer to it as a smart repair but a localised repair.
I think that's where the confusion lies.
More and more bodyshops are doing jobs under the smart repair umbrella when it reality it's a localised repair done in a booth....which is always preferable.