A bit of polish get this out?

[silverous]

Hi,

Managed to catch someone's car today, left a note, got a call, want to put it right. I'm wondering if anyone can tell if a smart repair is a realistic option? Clearly I'm not looking to bodge this person's car but would like to understand if it is likely to be a bumper replacement full respray (in which case I guess an insurance claim) or whether there is a likelihood that a smart repair is possible/likely to achieve a high standard. Any advice gratefully received. I don't know if this strip of bumper is replaceable if there is plastic damage, or if that implies new bumper.

If a smart repair is possible, if anyone knows someone good in the Buckingham area that would also be of interest.

Photo below - see paint scuffed area on the corner of the raised profile piece (bump strip? Not sure what its name is).



Regards,

Silverous

[interstellar]

Yes that’s a smart repair area. No need for new bumper unless it’s broken all the clips behind the bumper that keeps it in place.

If it all feels solid then smart repair it is.

[silverous]

Thanks so much.

[Winky151]

Definitely no need to get insurance involved in that.

[silverous]

Thanks chaps. Well the first reputable company I’ve contacted have come back with £250 plus VAT to respray the bumper - and need car for two days which I presume means the 3rd party will say they need a hire car (their job needs car).

Apparently due to the colour and location blending in won’t be possible.

If we get into £250+VAT plus a hire car I’m thinking insurance might be more viable.

[jeff666]

That's a bread and Butter repair for me,

I would charge around £170.00 for that including the paint which I would have in stock prob LA7W, and that would be a blend out not the whole bumper.

[paintman]

Is the damage confined entirely to the strip & is the odd looking area under it just a trick of the light?

If so the repair is easily within the capability of any competent SMART repairer, franchised or independent & subject to proper matching it's only the strip that needs painting - and not the whole length of it either.
If the damage is also to the lower part then again it's a normal SMART repair.

Your problem is that the car's owner may not want a SMART repair & will insist on going through a bodyshop in the 'bodyshop good SMART repair bad' belief.

[silverous]

paintman said:

Is the damage confined entirely to the strip & is the odd looking area under it just a trick of the light?

If so the repair is easily within the capability of any competent SMART repairer, franchised or independent & subject to proper matching it's only the strip that needs painting - and not the whole length of it either.
If the damage is also to the lower part then again it's a normal SMART repair.

Your problem is that the car's owner may not want a SMART repair & will insist on going through a bodyshop in the 'bodyshop good SMART repair bad' belief.

Thanks so much. The odd looking area is a reflection of parking line features, so just a trick of the light. Sounds like SMART is way to go then, dissappointed a highly recommended local smart repair/body shop place said it couldn't be done, I guess they'd rather upsell a respray but it puts doubt in my mind. Now I just need to find a decent one in the Buckingham area. Are Chipsaway a bad idea? At least a national brand with reach in all areas. Someone suggested these guys - https://shinerepair.com/ - apparently they do the work for insurance that some people buy when they purchase a new car, a contact had some work done on a newish BMW x5 and was pleased with it.

[interstellar]

chipsaway would be fine for it.

[silverous]

Impressed thus far with shinerepair.com - they quoted first thing this morning from a website enquiry, chipsaway still haven’t come back to me from 24-36 hours ago other than automated emails.

Shinerepair quote is in the £100-£150 bracket. My only concern is if they rock up and can’t fix it but will find out what happens then. Will update the thread with how I get on in case anyone else needs a company that can do this.

[paintman]

With chipsaway the number(s) you ring goes to their call handlers who then pass your details to the nearest franchisee so they can contact you. Same with their website.

Not an ideal situation but AIUI intended to stop franchisees who leave them setting up on their own & taking their old customers with them.

Edited by paintman on Friday 13th October 10:46

[silverous]

I guess it is a different business model - franchising, at the end of the day though I'm the same customer and while they are sorting out their communication I'm ready to go with a competitor.

[gillywig2]

Just replace the trim that's damaged.
Find a Polo in the same colour being broken on fleabay, should be cheaper than a smart repair.

[silverous]

Not sure my skills and time stretch to that but like the idea !

[ToothbrushMan]

if the car is getting on and your not overly bothered about restroing it to pre scrape condition then a bit of masking up and a matched rattle can will tidy things up. just rub down the strip thats got the scrape then primer and paint. £30 tops if youre a DIYer?

[Winky151]

ToothbrushMan said:

if the car is getting on and your not overly bothered about restroing it to pre scrape condition then a bit of masking up and a matched rattle can will tidy things up. just rub down the strip thats got the scrape then primer and paint. £30 tops if youre a DIYer?

Its not the OPs car.