Quoted for some paintwork - sound good or bad?

[Kentish]

Went to the local bodyshop at lunchtime as the only thing on my new motor that bugs me is the lack of colour coded mirror backs.

So in I popped for a quote, waited 10 mins until guy got off the phone.

Said I needed a quote for some paintwork on the mirrors and he said I'd have to make an appointment. I said it was just mirror backs was that really necessary. He then said he'd get the painter to call me but the price would be £117.50.

I'm removing them and taking them in, just the plastic covers off the back of each mirror for them to paint and I'm refitting them.

Am I way out of touch or does this sound a bit steep?

[Kentish]

Uhhm, maybe it's just me then?

Perhaps I have some Scottish in my ancestry

[Risotto]

If you're capable of removing and re-fitting the backs, I'd wager you're capable of spraying them yourself too. Spraying is seen as some sort of black art but there's no real skill required in order to get a perfectly good finish on small, isolated components. Give it a go!

[Kentish]

Risotto said:

If you're capable of removing and re-fitting the backs, I'd wager you're capable of spraying them yourself too. Spraying is seen as some sort of black art but there's no real skill required in order to get a perfectly good finish on small, isolated components. Give it a go!

I've considered it and on an older car I most certainly would but this is brand new so I am a bit reluctant

[Risotto]

Kentish said:

Risotto said:

If you're capable of removing and re-fitting the backs, I'd wager you're capable of spraying them yourself too. Spraying is seen as some sort of black art but there's no real skill required in order to get a perfectly good finish on small, isolated components. Give it a go!

I've considered it and on an older car I most certainly would but this is brand new so I am a bit reluctant

The absolute worst that could happen is that you're not happy with the result - in which case a professional sprayer could rectify the problem in no time.

As far as prices go, I had a front bumper sprayed about a year ago (to a very good standard) for about £175, so £117.50 for two small parts that require no masking seems a bit steep!

[Kentish]

I had a bonnet done 2 yrs ago on my TT (whilst they were doing another repair) and it was only £80. I knowe they had paint in the gun but they still prepped it all and sorted stone chips etc.

Actually, I have just thought of a guy I met at a classic show at the weekend and he quoted my £800 to spray my entire MGB, including welding in new metal to base of wings, making good other rust (glass out) etc.

I'll give him a bell

[eybic]

Try it, if you screw it up, take them to the paintshop. Simples :0)

[shouldbworking]

Kentish said:

I had a bonnet done 2 yrs ago on my TT (whilst they were doing another repair) and it was only £80. I knowe they had paint in the gun but they still prepped it all and sorted stone chips etc.

Actually, I have just thought of a guy I met at a classic show at the weekend and he quoted my £800 to spray my entire MGB, including welding in new metal to base of wings, making good other rust (glass out) etc.

I'll give him a bell

That sounds wildly optimistic - be careful it doesn't start out as £800 and then inflate into 'but ive spent loads of time on it, now its £2000'

[Rags]

Unless he needs to detexturise the backs of the mirror covers north of £100 is too much!

[Kentish]

shouldbworking said:

Kentish said:

I had a bonnet done 2 yrs ago on my TT (whilst they were doing another repair) and it was only £80. I knowe they had paint in the gun but they still prepped it all and sorted stone chips etc.

Actually, I have just thought of a guy I met at a classic show at the weekend and he quoted my £800 to spray my entire MGB, including welding in new metal to base of wings, making good other rust (glass out) etc.

I'll give him a bell

That sounds wildly optimistic - be careful it doesn't start out as £800 and then inflate into 'but ive spent loads of time on it, now its £2000'

Yes, I know what you mean.

I have my TVR (Ford Cologne V6) engine rebuilt and was quoted £500-600, when I picked it up it was £980.

Had to take it back for them to sort out some problems they had caused (blowing manifold gasket) and got charged £190 for that too.

I complained on each occasion but they said they'd keep and sell the car if I did not pay up. Had me over a barrel really.
I certainly did not expect to be paying for their f***k up!

[JC2012]

Sorry but thats steep. £117.50

Have you challenged the place by saying you'll pay them cash? - Cash business is attractive to everyone especially those in the motor trade.

Last time i had a mirror cover sprayed it was for a Golf of mine £35 that involved me not moving an inch and them coming to me - very good quality work aswell.

[andye30m3]

Kentish said:

I had a bonnet done 2 yrs ago on my TT (whilst they were doing another repair) and it was only £80. I knowe they had paint in the gun but they still prepped it all and sorted stone chips etc.

Actually, I have just thought of a guy I met at a classic show at the weekend and he quoted my £800 to spray my entire MGB, including welding in new metal to base of wings, making good other rust (glass out) etc.

I'll give him a bell

£800, is he using Homebase gloss white and a paint brush.

The materials for my respray were nearly £800, I paid somewhere around £2k for a bare metal respray with some welding and that was mates rates from a friend who owns a very good bodyshop.

with regards to the original quote I guess there has to be a lower limit to make any job worth their while but i'd say it does seam slightly expensive.

[Kentish]

He's just called and said he can do it at £90 for cash.

I may have a go myself as suggested.

Or, speak to this other chap.

[Kentish]

Got the mirror backs done for £50 all in - not perfect but not bad either.

[Stedman]

JC2012 said:

Cash business is attractive to everyone especially those in the motor trade.

Have you walked into a dealership recently? ;

Good result OP

[Kentish]

Stedman said:

JC2012 said:

Cash business is attractive to everyone especially those in the motor trade.

Have you walked into a dealership recently? ;

Good result OP

Cheers

It may flake off of course

No, I did check with them that they used a flexible etch primer and that it would not be compromised by the release agents in the plastic and they assured me they will be fine for a long time.