Paint shop reccommendation in North West

[Eelblady]

Hi, the small paint blister that I had on the left side of the bonnet just above and behind the headlight is now a large flakey blister, so I need to get it sorted out.

I fear, to get a decent finish, it will need the whole bonnet painted but I'd like to do it as economically as possible. Can anybody reccommend a apint shop, as near to LIverpool as possible, who has a good track record on painting glass fibre cars?

Equally, I would be interested to hear from anybody on the likely cost of this work.

Many thanks in advance.

TTFN

[TJC46]

I had the full bonnet on an S3 painted approx 4 years or so and that was circa £500/£600 then.
It was a new bare fibreglass bonnet so unsure what way, dearer or cheaper, that would affect the cost.

[Eelblady]

TJC46 said:

I had the full bonnet on an S3 painted approx 4 years or so and that was circa £500/£600 then.
It was a new bare fibreglass bonnet so unsure what way, dearer or cheaper, that would affect the cost.

That's interesting to know, thank you.

[V8 GRF]

Without question Surface and Design in Blackpool, all ex-TVR. That's where my car is now for repair.

Pricing on their website suggests £775 for a front end respray on an S, might not be the cheapest but their work is second to none.

www.surfaceanddesign.com

[Eelblady]

V8 GRF said:

Without question Surface and Design in Blackpool, all ex-TVR. That's where my car is now for repair.

Pricing on their website suggests £775 for a front end respray on an S, might not be the cheapest but their work is second to none.

www.surfaceanddesign.com

`
That's not too steep I suppose, but would have to add the petrol cost. Might put the rest of paint work to shame, though!

[Davel]

Bridge Garage @ Frodsham.

Not sure where you are.

[plasticpig]

Why did the blister occur in the first place? If it was due to fibreglass osmosis then just having your bonnet resprayed won't cure the problem. Even drying out the bonnet before spraying won't cure the problem. The only way to cure it is to grind out the affected area, fill and re gelcoat it. Any decent fibreglass specialist should have a moisture meter and be able to advise on the best course of action.

[Eelblady]

Davel said:

Bridge Garage @ Frodsham.

Not sure where you are.

Wirral, so not too far from there, thanks

plasticpig said:

Why did the blister occur in the first place? If it was due to fibreglass osmosis then just having your bonnet resprayed won't cure the problem. Even drying out the bonnet before spraying won't cure the problem. The only way to cure it is to grind out the affected area, fill and re gelcoat it. Any decent fibreglass specialist should have a moisture meter and be able to advise on the best course of action.

Good question, the gelcoat looks solid underneath, so i was presuming a lack of adhesion because of poor prep or similar but I really don't know.

Other than going to S&D in Blackpool (or similar), how does one find a decent fibreglass specialist?

[V8 GRF]

Eelblady said:

Other than going to S&D in Blackpool (or similar), how does one find a decent fibreglass specialist?

A trip over to Blackpool to get the guys at S&D to give you an opinion would probably not only be a good run out but give you a good insight into what's causing the issues with the blistering.

[alex_gray255]

Bit out of date, but you could also look here...

http://www.tvr-car-club.co.uk/bodywork.asp

Also recommend Concept Performance in Sheffield (ex-Raceproved Bodyshop). Done excellent work on my car and other Sag owners to name a few.

If you need their contact details, drop me a PM.

[techbotics]

Chris Gregory in Hatrogate also has a stunning reputation he is a composite specialist.

S&D are also reputed to be v good.

Cheers

Damian

[geappleton]

RYAN of S P AUTOMOTIVES at Tatthall as a very good reputation and trained on fibergass cars at Marcos , most of the members of Greater Manchester,Cheshire and Merseyside region take their cars to him.He has done a full repaint on my V8S and is excellant.He workes on any type or age of car from 13 plate to Aston Martin DB5 ,MGTC ,Damler darts etc, all to the same very high standard.