Please help an idiot...
Discussion
...me.
Scraped my wing on the garage wall like a beginner.
After much self-flagellation I am now looking to hide the evidence. My usual bodywork guy will be able to do a good job, I think, but will the Vantage paint up like any other car? It's pretty much only the bumper - I think the bit on the wing might polish out.
Or do I absolutely need to take it to the dealer (who will farm it out, anyway).
Is there anything to be wary of? Anyone had similar damage repaired?
Any info much appreciated.
(The dust marks on the tyres are completely unrelated).
Scraped my wing on the garage wall like a beginner.
After much self-flagellation I am now looking to hide the evidence. My usual bodywork guy will be able to do a good job, I think, but will the Vantage paint up like any other car? It's pretty much only the bumper - I think the bit on the wing might polish out.
Or do I absolutely need to take it to the dealer (who will farm it out, anyway).
Is there anything to be wary of? Anyone had similar damage repaired?
Any info much appreciated.
(The dust marks on the tyres are completely unrelated).
A body shop is only as good as the paint mixer and the painter, if you have someone you trust to do this then no need to go to a dealers.
They will remove and paint the whole bumper if doing it correctly, I would estimate no more than £200 for cash on this, it's painting a bit of plastic so not uncommon.
You do not say where you live, if near Heathrow then I can recommend http://www.uxbridgeautobody.co.uk/
Where they work does not look much, but the did an excellent job on my XK8 cutting out rust on the rear arches and painting the car from front doors back. I could not distinquish between the new work and factory paint.
Regards Grom1t
They will remove and paint the whole bumper if doing it correctly, I would estimate no more than £200 for cash on this, it's painting a bit of plastic so not uncommon.
You do not say where you live, if near Heathrow then I can recommend http://www.uxbridgeautobody.co.uk/
Where they work does not look much, but the did an excellent job on my XK8 cutting out rust on the rear arches and painting the car from front doors back. I could not distinquish between the new work and factory paint.
Regards Grom1t
Edited by Grom1t on Thursday 17th May 17:51
Any competent vehicle refinisher could sort this. There is no panel damage of any substance. As the OP says the dealer will charge a great deal and sub it out. Very possibly to the same refinisher.
Go straight to the source of repair. The refinisher.
These things happen. I had my Lotus nearside resprayed because of very minor scrapes. Some loon in the trackday parking lot hit the same panel. Drove off. It happens. Good luck
Go straight to the source of repair. The refinisher.
These things happen. I had my Lotus nearside resprayed because of very minor scrapes. Some loon in the trackday parking lot hit the same panel. Drove off. It happens. Good luck
Sad to see that, you must feel pretty peeved, I certainly would. Echo the comments about not going main dealer route. For peace of mind, might be worth searching for Aston Martin approved body shop with a recommendation attached from somebody on here? Or an Aston Martin heritage agent. I’m sure somebody will be along soon to recommend.
Depends where you are, but Chartwell's in Derby come highly recommended. It doesn’t look too difficult to sort though.
Depends where you are, but Chartwell's in Derby come highly recommended. It doesn’t look too difficult to sort though.
Thanks for the suggestions. That confirms what I thought.
Problem is I am in France and Astons are very few and far between indeed here. Presumably the Aston dealer uses one, but it's unlikely I'd be able to find out which one.
In the worst case scenario, if I'm not happy with what my guy has done, I'll take it to Aston.
Still angry at myself about it. The car was immaculate.
Problem is I am in France and Astons are very few and far between indeed here. Presumably the Aston dealer uses one, but it's unlikely I'd be able to find out which one.
In the worst case scenario, if I'm not happy with what my guy has done, I'll take it to Aston.
Still angry at myself about it. The car was immaculate.
If it makes you feel any better I did something similar to my V8V putting it into the garage for the first time...the really galling thing was the dealer that I bought car from had just repainted the same area due to 'scuffing' by the previous owner 
Took the car to a company that I use regularly for bodywork repairs to my race car and they repaired it for £200, colour match was perfect as you would expect with the paint technology available today 
Took the car to a company that I use regularly for bodywork repairs to my race car and they repaired it for £200, colour match was perfect as you would expect with the paint technology available today Relax, I managed to put a hole in my wing which was not repairable. Although my wifes comments "it's only a car" didn't help the situation and not having bent any metal for ages only compounded my frustration and annoyance.
WS may be overkill here but their work is superb but they are not the quickest.
Good luck with your repairs and don't beat yourself up too much.
WS may be overkill here but their work is superb but they are not the quickest.
Good luck with your repairs and don't beat yourself up too much.
You're not alone. I scraped my bumper and wheel arch entering my garage (which i had done a 1000 times before without damage). I eventually took it to Works Service that did a fine job (as it was going there anyway) but in most cases this is an overkill so a local repairer could probably do the work as well (and much cheaper). Also your scratch seems to be "on the edge" of the bumper which makes the "blending in" much easier. My advice would be to take it to a local body shop and if not satisfied you can always have it done "more professionally". It should not be rocket science.
BingoBob said:
Thanks for the suggestions. That confirms what I thought.
Problem is I am in France and Astons are very few and far between indeed here. Presumably the Aston dealer uses one, but it's unlikely I'd be able to find out which one.
In the worst case scenario, if I'm not happy with what my guy has done, I'll take it to Aston.
Still angry at myself about it. The car was immaculate.
Must be badge of honour did the same with my Aston on the garage post, and would you believe 2 months after getting the Range Rover did it to that as well!Problem is I am in France and Astons are very few and far between indeed here. Presumably the Aston dealer uses one, but it's unlikely I'd be able to find out which one.
In the worst case scenario, if I'm not happy with what my guy has done, I'll take it to Aston.
Still angry at myself about it. The car was immaculate.
On both occasions had Mark O'Connor of http://www.superauto.co.uk/ do his magic.
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