Any recommendations for bodyshop London Essex
Discussion
I can tell you where not to go in this area but don't want to break any rules. Tom Cruise flying aeroplanes movie with a z on the end and you'll get the name 
As for looking for places try and find a bodyshop with classic cars on their books and fabrication skills in house. If you can talk to people who have had their cars done there you'll get a different perspective. Talk to the bodyshop on what products and what sort of preparation they might do. Will they guarantee any of their work? Written quotation is essential. Remember though often with restoriation works new things are found when they go digging so even with the best intention no reputable bodyshop can give a 100% accurate quote up front.
It's an unregulated industry and you need have your whits about you. Choose incorrectly and you'll get someone that will use filler instead of fabircation and they will make something shiny for 5 mins without longevity.
Finishline near Stevenage in Herts is a big operation with a great reputation if you can travel. Waiting lists are not too bad. Many of the smaller bodyshops that are any good have long waits.
As you need rust repairs insist on fabrication otherwise leaving it in the hands of the bodyshop you may end up with filler and short cuts taken as many are not the professional experts you might expect them to be.
And bodywork is expensive. If flying man can do it cheaper it's becuase corners are being cut. Many bodyshops don't want older cars to do it right takes time that isn't profitable for them nor do many have the skills required. Spraying paint is relatively easy, fabricating body repairs where minimal filler is needed is an art few hold.
As for looking for places try and find a bodyshop with classic cars on their books and fabrication skills in house. If you can talk to people who have had their cars done there you'll get a different perspective. Talk to the bodyshop on what products and what sort of preparation they might do. Will they guarantee any of their work? Written quotation is essential. Remember though often with restoriation works new things are found when they go digging so even with the best intention no reputable bodyshop can give a 100% accurate quote up front.
It's an unregulated industry and you need have your whits about you. Choose incorrectly and you'll get someone that will use filler instead of fabircation and they will make something shiny for 5 mins without longevity.
Finishline near Stevenage in Herts is a big operation with a great reputation if you can travel. Waiting lists are not too bad. Many of the smaller bodyshops that are any good have long waits.
As you need rust repairs insist on fabrication otherwise leaving it in the hands of the bodyshop you may end up with filler and short cuts taken as many are not the professional experts you might expect them to be.
And bodywork is expensive. If flying man can do it cheaper it's becuase corners are being cut. Many bodyshops don't want older cars to do it right takes time that isn't profitable for them nor do many have the skills required. Spraying paint is relatively easy, fabricating body repairs where minimal filler is needed is an art few hold.
Edited by VeeReihenmotor6 on Wednesday 22 February 16:59
To be fair 5k is about right for a full respray with windows out and good prep work with quality products. I paid a touch more than that on my experience on a relatively small car.
Bare metal with no welding works is £7-9k at a good shop.
You can get a blow over for less but I worry how long the job will really last if you're going paint ontop of old, keyed up, paint.
A good compromise is a competent bodyshop, Finishline for example, who will bare metal where needs to be and preps up the rest to make a long a lasting job.
There are a fair few charlatans out there who will simply filler over and paint rust for example. It will look nice when you pick it up but fail soon after, a month for me with my Danger Zone wannabe experience, and on return they'll say sorry don't cover rust it's your fault for asking me to paint the car/all cars rust (I paraphrase but actually have that written down from him). I got it sorted out elsewhere at more expense so somewhat sore.
I did actually go to Finishline for a quote and regret not giving the car to them. They were more expensive but from what I have now seen on 10s of cars they have worked on in the area you'll be getting a quality job that will last for only a grand or 2 more. Live and learn and back then it was my first respray bodywork experience.
Bare metal with no welding works is £7-9k at a good shop.
You can get a blow over for less but I worry how long the job will really last if you're going paint ontop of old, keyed up, paint.
A good compromise is a competent bodyshop, Finishline for example, who will bare metal where needs to be and preps up the rest to make a long a lasting job.
There are a fair few charlatans out there who will simply filler over and paint rust for example. It will look nice when you pick it up but fail soon after, a month for me with my Danger Zone wannabe experience, and on return they'll say sorry don't cover rust it's your fault for asking me to paint the car/all cars rust (I paraphrase but actually have that written down from him). I got it sorted out elsewhere at more expense so somewhat sore.
I did actually go to Finishline for a quote and regret not giving the car to them. They were more expensive but from what I have now seen on 10s of cars they have worked on in the area you'll be getting a quality job that will last for only a grand or 2 more. Live and learn and back then it was my first respray bodywork experience.
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