FB Coachworks - Moseley
Discussion
I came across this paint shop today, having ventured to get a quote from Vanleigh.
The proprietor Seb made a positive impression on me, with an authoritative and knowledgeable on the spot quotation, very little umm-ing and aah-ing and the promise of a turn around within this week.
Can I benchmark my impression against anyone else's experience -
whatever that might be?
The proprietor Seb made a positive impression on me, with an authoritative and knowledgeable on the spot quotation, very little umm-ing and aah-ing and the promise of a turn around within this week.
Can I benchmark my impression against anyone else's experience -
whatever that might be?
Edited by bolidemichael on Wednesday 3rd June 23:40
Well, I'm not going for too nice i.e. a complete refurb, because it's a daily and I don't want to get too fixated about condition when inevitably, it'll start to collect dinks quite quickly!
It'll be nice to have a motor that scrubs up nicely and wears its age well though
This is like a slow, rolling renovation, so much better than when I bought it at 117k in September 2017 and 40k miles ago.
It'll be nice to have a motor that scrubs up nicely and wears its age well though
This is like a slow, rolling renovation, so much better than when I bought it at 117k in September 2017 and 40k miles ago.
Update time: they've spent the last couple of days prepping and spotting the bodywork with a plan to paint soon - either this afternoon or tomorrow, I cannot recall. Nevertheless, they'll leave it to settle until next week before polishing. There's no doubt a bit of job rotation going on and I'm not fussed at all.
'spotting' to cover the dinks and chips for a smooth paint finish
An R8 that had just been painted - the colours is blended and matched to the centre section
So far, the experience has been one of friendly approachability and a can-do attitude.
As always, the proof is in the pudding.
I am considering getting the bodywork protected with ceramic, for durability and ease of maintenance. There are some five years warrantied products available.
EDIT: Reading back through the thread, I can see that I am guilty of mission creep and chasing perfection. Drat
'spotting' to cover the dinks and chips for a smooth paint finish
An R8 that had just been painted - the colours is blended and matched to the centre section
So far, the experience has been one of friendly approachability and a can-do attitude.
As always, the proof is in the pudding.
I am considering getting the bodywork protected with ceramic, for durability and ease of maintenance. There are some five years warrantied products available.
EDIT: Reading back through the thread, I can see that I am guilty of mission creep and chasing perfection. Drat
Edited by bolidemichael on Wednesday 3rd June 23:43
Hello SS and all,
Yes, I fear that I won't want to use the damn thing normally, but can take solace in the fact that any future repairs will be to bring it back 'up' to a standard!
It's still with the bodyshop, in fact, since I popped in last Monday they haven't heard a peep from me - I've just left the paint to cure from as long as possible; I'll pop in on Saturday though and see how they're getting on. It's funny that with COVID, I've survived with the bicycle and occasionally, Mrs Bolide's Audi A2.
In the meantime, I have spoken with Ed at Divine Detail, who has been highly recommended on an MB forum. I think that a post-bodyshop detail and ceramic coat is a fine idea. I'll only have to wash it lightly then and the quality should persist for years.
SS, I look forward to seeing you on my RR (here if anyone's interested in the exploits of an object-fixated individual that throws too much money at a £3k beater), which is now over two years old and I still haven't caught up to the present day. Currently sat in September 2019!
Yes, I fear that I won't want to use the damn thing normally, but can take solace in the fact that any future repairs will be to bring it back 'up' to a standard!
It's still with the bodyshop, in fact, since I popped in last Monday they haven't heard a peep from me - I've just left the paint to cure from as long as possible; I'll pop in on Saturday though and see how they're getting on. It's funny that with COVID, I've survived with the bicycle and occasionally, Mrs Bolide's Audi A2.
In the meantime, I have spoken with Ed at Divine Detail, who has been highly recommended on an MB forum. I think that a post-bodyshop detail and ceramic coat is a fine idea. I'll only have to wash it lightly then and the quality should persist for years.
SS, I look forward to seeing you on my RR (here if anyone's interested in the exploits of an object-fixated individual that throws too much money at a £3k beater), which is now over two years old and I still haven't caught up to the present day. Currently sat in September 2019!
Not a fantastic update, I'm afraid.
The collection date was due for Saturday and when I arrived at midday as planned, it was clear that the car not up to par. The masking tape indicates any visible blemish, divot, impurity or unpolished area. I personally went around the vehicle with one of them in order to indicate everything for them; additionally, the accident repair that had prompted this cascade of beautification hadn't been completed satisfactorily and they agreed.
I'm quite disappointed at this stage as I have popped in numerous times and been very courteous and patient. Therefore, to be on the receiving end of a rushed job because they are busy is a real let down.
Hopefully, they'll get it sorted, but I am fearing disappointment at this stage, simply judging by the willful blindness that they adopted despite evident imperfections and that they took a while to come round.
On the upside, the obsidian black paint is quite lovely - it shimmers in the sunlight.
The collection date was due for Saturday and when I arrived at midday as planned, it was clear that the car not up to par. The masking tape indicates any visible blemish, divot, impurity or unpolished area. I personally went around the vehicle with one of them in order to indicate everything for them; additionally, the accident repair that had prompted this cascade of beautification hadn't been completed satisfactorily and they agreed.
I'm quite disappointed at this stage as I have popped in numerous times and been very courteous and patient. Therefore, to be on the receiving end of a rushed job because they are busy is a real let down.
Hopefully, they'll get it sorted, but I am fearing disappointment at this stage, simply judging by the willful blindness that they adopted despite evident imperfections and that they took a while to come round.
On the upside, the obsidian black paint is quite lovely - it shimmers in the sunlight.
So just under three months and two repaints later...
I'm pleased to say that they really put an effort in to get the vehicle correct, so paint work wise, it is largely and to all intents and purposes tip top. I'm sure that I'll uncover some discrepancies when I spend some time close up detailing, but at least we're finally here and the paintwork is glass like.
Okay, so I've discovered a couple of things that aren't quite right with reassembly:
- the n/s wing mirror no longer unfolds easily and the indicator is reluctant to connect
- the read wiper has completely packed up
- some rear quarter window trim hasn't been 100% secured
- a chrome strip is slightly proud at one end
- the new front door seals weren't masked when sprayed, so the exposed parts between panels have been painted too
I'll be magnanimous and declare that due to the age of the car, the multiple cycles in the oven probably exacerbated the brittleness of the wiring in the wing mirror and the rear wiper motor.
The trim should be easily sorted and the overspray ok the seals is easily removed. It's indicative of a busy bodyshop that cannot be expected to have 100% attention to detail, but by and large, they have produced a good job and now it's up to me to look after!
I'm pleased to say that they really put an effort in to get the vehicle correct, so paint work wise, it is largely and to all intents and purposes tip top. I'm sure that I'll uncover some discrepancies when I spend some time close up detailing, but at least we're finally here and the paintwork is glass like.
Okay, so I've discovered a couple of things that aren't quite right with reassembly:
- the n/s wing mirror no longer unfolds easily and the indicator is reluctant to connect
- the read wiper has completely packed up
- some rear quarter window trim hasn't been 100% secured
- a chrome strip is slightly proud at one end
- the new front door seals weren't masked when sprayed, so the exposed parts between panels have been painted too
I'll be magnanimous and declare that due to the age of the car, the multiple cycles in the oven probably exacerbated the brittleness of the wiring in the wing mirror and the rear wiper motor.
The trim should be easily sorted and the overspray ok the seals is easily removed. It's indicative of a busy bodyshop that cannot be expected to have 100% attention to detail, but by and large, they have produced a good job and now it's up to me to look after!
Here's a Golden Hour walk around. I'm yet to wash/mini-detail it.
I have spotted a couple of areas where the lacquer is marred by last minute polishing. The petrol cap is only paint led on the outside and not of the inner fold over of the door, which will irritate me forever. Also, one door handle hasn't been secured properly, but I'm sure that if I ask Seb about remedying a list of discrepancies, he'll oblige.
Overall, it's fair to say that they did a good job.
I have spotted a couple of areas where the lacquer is marred by last minute polishing. The petrol cap is only paint led on the outside and not of the inner fold over of the door, which will irritate me forever. Also, one door handle hasn't been secured properly, but I'm sure that if I ask Seb about remedying a list of discrepancies, he'll oblige.
Overall, it's fair to say that they did a good job.
Day 3 and the polishing stage has been completed, with two coats of ceramic products by Kamikaze of Japan applied.
First on is Miyabi, a durable coat that endures for two to three years.
Next on was Zipang for more protection (two to three years) and a gloss effect, especially on dark coats. It also boasts a self cleaning property, too!
First on is Miyabi, a durable coat that endures for two to three years.
Next on was Zipang for more protection (two to three years) and a gloss effect, especially on dark coats. It also boasts a self cleaning property, too!
I'll update the thread once I know a final bill. I understand that it'll vary according to the degree of intervention required.
Reading back over the most recent update, I realise that I haven't touched upon his assessment of the paint job from FB.
Whilst he hasn't elaborated too much, we'll chat more upon collection, his opinion is that it is generally good and the lacquer is of a medium hardness level, as opposed to the factory finish which is very hard.
I'm actually quite excited about the interior being cleaned. Being light great (Palm Grey 7F72), it has accumulated marks over the years, on the roof lining over the boot area and other areas - the rear carpets are not good, from previous ownership and the sun visors have suffered from the oiled gloves of mechanics.
Additionally, experiencing a starburst free windscreen would be fantastic.
Reading back over the most recent update, I realise that I haven't touched upon his assessment of the paint job from FB.
Whilst he hasn't elaborated too much, we'll chat more upon collection, his opinion is that it is generally good and the lacquer is of a medium hardness level, as opposed to the factory finish which is very hard.
I'm actually quite excited about the interior being cleaned. Being light great (Palm Grey 7F72), it has accumulated marks over the years, on the roof lining over the boot area and other areas - the rear carpets are not good, from previous ownership and the sun visors have suffered from the oiled gloves of mechanics.
Additionally, experiencing a starburst free windscreen would be fantastic.
Lemanandbeyond said:
Excellent products, I dread to think what that correction & treatment cost!
Looks absolutely stunning.
Oops, I just realised that I never responded to this... it cost £550.Looks absolutely stunning.
Surprisingly, I have since spotted quite a prominent overrun... whilst it was on the ramp i.e. all but invisible from any other angle. I'll get Ed to address it in future (if it's possible), but it just goes to show that even the most detailed detailer can miss some details.
Edited by bolidemichael on Thursday 21st January 21:51
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