Bad paint jobs - no need

[D5ACT]

Ok so in the last year I have experienced, either personally or through friends, three local paint shops in the Bournemouth area.

The thing is why is the quality of workmanship so bad. I don't just mean a little bad I mean really bad. Two of the three paint shops were independants and you would expect them to be of a higher standard but no.

I guess getting paint right isn't the easiest but can anybody answer me why it is ok to send cars out with overspray, orange peel, paint runs, chips in the paint, unmatching paint colour and finally the best till last . . . overspray from another car. The excuse for that one was 'but sir that's a bird dropping'. Now I haven't seen any bird that can pop out a red poop, have you?

So anyone else got any similar experiences or is it just me?

Also, where can I find a professional body shop that actually cares about what they do and take pride in there work?

After all we take pride in our cars . . . don't we?

[S1mon L]

Had that exact same experience too many times! I say this all the time but Ross Packard is very, very good ime, but you will pay for it though!

[Justin-W]

Yeah unfortunatly thats the trouble today.
I think its partly to do with easy money and the other part is "do what you can get away with" attitude.

[GKP]

Yup, it is a shame when the car comes back not as you were hoping. I recently took my Esprit to a chap I've known and used for over twenty years for a tidy up of the rear bumper and both cills.
Orange peel, paint runs and poor colour match on all three panels.

I shan't be going back.

[ant111s]

yep theres a place at the end of bargates in christchurch just before you go over the bridge i had a bonnet sprayed, was a bit miffed when driving away when i noticed the overspray on the windscreen made it look like i was driving through snow!

[Soton Pug]

There's a guy who has just started out in Locks Heath, I've not had anything done there yet but the work I've seen of his is very good and reasonably priced given the quality.

I don't think he's gone official (VAT reg etc...) yet but will be soon.

I'll be taking the french shed there for inside and out spray when i'm ready i'm that confident in his work.

Sp

[minimatt1967]

S1mon L said:

Had that exact same experience too many times! I say this all the time but Ross Packard is very, very good ime, but you will pay for it though!

I agree, Ross has just done some bits on my friends Maser and you cannot tell where the new paint is, pricey but very good indeed!

[pmanson]

Isn't Carisma based down that way?

From what i've heard their work is supposed to be very good

[L4MBOLUV3R]

my mate use to work for westover body shop and they have a "time bonus" scheme in place. You have a set time to get the job done and if you get it done before that time you get a fairly large bonus so they try their hardest to get the job done ASAP because there fecking greedy.

He told me of one story where show block twisted the a pillar on the drivers side and rather then properly reforming it and making sure it was structurly sound they just reset it straight then filled the dents in with filler and sprayed!

[D5ACT]

Well it seems that the plague of cowboy spray artists are in force.

Thank god I've never had the miss fortune to use Westover. Sounds awful.

Problem is that most people that have paintwork done aren't really clued up on what to look for. It's only when you go to buy a car that you can spot it a mile off.

One of my friends accepted his Audi back from a locally advertised company after it was side swiped by some muppet. I won't mention the name of the company, oops I just did.

Basically the dent repair looked like a 3 year old had moulded the rear quarter out of playdo and then painted it with a wallpaper brush. Strangly he was happy with the job even wehen we pointed out that his rear window was also painted the same colour as the body work.

I guess you go looking for perfection but end up dissapointed. Still it's encouraging to know that there are some professionals out there.

[s.m.h.]

We had our year old car repaired buy an insurance approved bodyshop.
The loaner car was one issue, but I told them I know about paintwork and the job had better be good.

Sink in the repair in the door.
rough edge on the drivers door where they lacquered to.
tape line in the lacquer where they didn't remove the headlight.

I complained, was told they'd look into it. Nothing happened, called again - nothing.
About time there were name and shame threads - these people would soon up their game or go bust.
Sure they're being screwed by the insurance Co's but the other option is not to associate with them.

Now if I stopped paying the premium I'd be breaking the law, yet these crooks can charge the insurance Co's £1k's and get away with sub standard work. I do better repairs on the sodding race cars!

[Wobba]

Soton Pug said:

There's a guy who has just started out in Locks Heath, I've not had anything done there yet but the work I've seen of his is very good and reasonably priced given the quality.

I don't think he's gone official (VAT reg etc...) yet but will be soon.

I'll be taking the french shed there for inside and out spray when i'm ready i'm that confident in his work.

Sp

Have you got the guys number/name Soton Pug? I think I may know him hehe. Scottish fellow?

Oh btw did I see your car at FCS?

I went (mines the one on the right at the end)

http://s174.photobucket.com/albums/w102/barneywobb... 09/?action=view&current=DSCF0283.jpg