Hi all,

After looking around I've found a body shop in W.London that I like the look of, and the quote is reasonable, but one hears a lot of horror stories... I'd greatly appreciate any advice on how I can make sure that everything gets done to the standard the car deserves. Tips I already know are make sure that when I go to inspect the car it is in the daytime and the car is dry, remove as much from the car beforehand that i can and don't pay in cash. Is it within my rights to refuse payment if I'm not happy etc? Any other tips or things to check? (I'm having bonnet, front wings, roof sprayed - and TRD front lip fitted and several dinks sorted.)

thanks

al

[quote name='Hando' post='323351' date='Jan 20 2006, 01:46 PM']Hi all,

After looking around I've found a body shop in W.London that I like the look of, and the quote is reasonable, but one hears a lot of horror stories... I'd greatly appreciate any advice on how I can make sure that everything gets done to the standard the car deserves. Tips I already know are make sure that when I go to inspect the car it is in the daytime and the car is dry, remove as much from the car beforehand that i can and don't pay in cash. Is it within my rights to refuse payment if I'm not happy etc? Any other tips or things to check? (I'm having bonnet, front wings, roof sprayed - and TRD front lip fitted and several dinks sorted.)

thanks

al[/quote]
First thing I'd do is ask then if they have a resume (re-su-may) of previous jobs they have done, so that you can get a good idea of what their standard of work is usually like. If they can't show you a resume, think twice about using this place.

If you DO decide to get it done at this place, when you go to inspect it take a mini torch with you - yes, even if it is daytime. Shine it along the bodywork and have a look along the beam to see if there are any pits / dips. Check for any signs of overspray.

I'd say if you AREN'T happy then complain as much as you can, and refuse payment. I'm not sure if it's within your rights to refuse, but I'd definitely have a good try at it. Fingers crossed though you won't have to confront this situation.

What colour car is it ?

Nice one - good tips there. Have seen the resume and went round the site and all looked good: lots of mercs being done - big oven etc. They have a web site too which I'd post except it seems to be down at the mo. (and I'm not sure about the rules regarding linking to co.'s)

Car is Astral Black which as I understand should be much simpler to get good results versus something like plat ice.

I'll ring them before i confirm to check that I can refuse if not happy with the work carried out.

thanks

al

[quote name='Hando' post='323358' date='Jan 20 2006, 02:02 PM']Nice one - good tips there. Have seen the resume and went round the site and all looked good: lots of mercs being done - big oven etc. They have a web site too which I'd post except it seems to be down at the mo. (and I'm not sure about the rules regarding linking to co.'s)

Car is Astral Black which as I understand should be much simpler to get good results versus something like plat ice.

I'll ring them before i confirm to check that I can refuse if not happy with the work carried out.

thanks

al[/quote]
That was quite a stoopid question from me about the colour - you've got the picture of the car underneath your name !!

I had a couple of paint chips on the driver's door which I had refurbished by a mobile. He said that Platinum Ice is a real PIG of a colour to match (there are 7 different colours to it in total), and he also mentioned that next time to buy black.

From what you've put though it sounds like a good place - especially if they've got a resume. Shows they must be confident in their work.

[quote name='Lex-aholic' post='323359' date='Jan 20 2006, 02:09 PM'] That was quite a stoopid question from me about the colour - you've got the picture of the car underneath your name !!

I had a couple of paint chips on the driver's door which I had refurbished by a mobile. He said that Platinum Ice is a real PIG of a colour to match (there are 7 different colours to it in total), and he also mentioned that next time to buy black.

From what you've put though it sounds like a good place - especially if they've got a resume. Shows they must be confident in their work.[/quote]

Actually - that's not such a stoopid question cos that's not my car!

But I'll be swapping it of a pic of mine once it's all sorted out!

I'm also still interested as I may have my bonnet and front bumper repainted in the summer.

Since the M25 roadworks have finished I have not noticed any new stone chips appearing

Let me know the price and satisfaction level when finished.

[quote name='Kremmen' post='324061' date='Jan 23 2006, 07:09 AM']I'm also still interested as I may have my bonnet and front bumper repainted in the summer.

Since the M25 roadworks have finished I have not noticed any new stone chips appearing

Let me know the price and satisfaction level when finished.[/quote]

Will do - it's booked in for 6th Feb and expected finished a week after. I'll report back here.