David Jenkins
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| posted on 11/2/17 at 01:37 PM |
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Mobile bodywork repairers
Some nice person has left a small dent in the wing of my tin-top after my wife parked and went shopping. It's right on the crease line, so a
bit obvious. 
Taking the car to a 'proper' repair shop is going to be a total PITA as I don't have another car to use for a few days, and a loan
car usually works out expensive in the end (they call it free, but I'm sure the cost gets wound into the repair bill). So I was wondering about
those mobile companies who specialise in minor repairs... are they any good? I know that one of my neighbours had some work done ages ago and he
seemed pleased with the result, but I have no experience of them.
Are there any major franchises or companies? People who can give decent warranty for their work?
Cheers.
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perksy
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| posted on 11/2/17 at 02:06 PM |
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Depends if its chipped the paint ?
If it has, some can do a local repair and use an air brush to match the paint
It it hasn't any reputable PDR operator should be able to help
I've got a local chap who is really good,
Swage lines aren't a problem
If they can get behind it they will use the rods, If they can't they can use Glue-pull if they have the gear
Ask around your area I guess for a good one ?
[Edited on 11/2/17 by perksy]
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ianhurley20
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| posted on 12/2/17 at 09:58 AM |
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I went around a couple of bigger garages in my area and asked who they used to sort sales cars out and found a local guy (West Runton, North Norfolk)
who is good and reasonable prices. Perhaps the same may work for you in your area?
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Slimy38
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| posted on 12/2/17 at 10:44 AM |
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I'd be tempted to try Chips away. I've seen a couple of repairs done, and they look quite decent. The only negativity I've seen is
people complaining about the price. Their advert of it 'being a fraction of the price of a normal repair' is a little misleading, you can
still be looking at the low hundreds even for a basic repair. But that may be the general public perception of what a fraction is rather than Chips
away being expensive. It still take several hours, and they'll still want to charge a decent hourly rate.
And don't forget it's a franchise, so there is always the potential of your local 'specialist' being a gorilla with a tin of
T-cut.
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 12/2/17 at 12:26 PM |
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Thanks for all the comments - a few ideas to think about there.
Regarding Chips Away prices - I don't think people realise just how much the bodywork repair shops charge for even minor jobs.
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perksy
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| posted on 12/2/17 at 03:26 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by David Jenkins
Regarding Chips Away prices - I don't think people realise just how much the bodywork repair shops charge for even minor jobs.
Tried a main dealer a few years ago for a dent in a rear quarter where the paint hadn't been damaged "Oh that will need a re-spray of the
rear quarter Sir, That'll be £450 plus VAT"
Dentmaster lad did the rear quarter and a door dent for £90 all in
Turned out he also did the dents at the SAME main dealer
So I'd have paid 4 times the price for the same service.....
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mark chandler
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| posted on 12/2/17 at 03:37 PM |
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Pointless dent repairs can be really good, but... All depends on the man wielding the teasing rods.
I know of a couple of brilliant ones, however not near you as one is in Tunbridge Wells and the other Newbury.
Car dealers use them to correct cars for resale, find out which the high end garages use, a top PDR man does not need to advertise as they just do the
dealership rounds.
[Edited on 12/2/17 by mark chandler]
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 15/2/17 at 06:18 PM |
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Sigh... I've visited a few car body shops around Ipswich, and they've all said the same - "that can't be fixed with PDR - the
dent is right on the crease".
Now looking at a bill for around £350, which is middle-of-the-range as far as the quotes have gone. I had a few cheaper quotes, but they were at
distinctly dubious establishments. The highest was £460, which I suspect was 'extracting the urine'. At least the place I'm going
to has a good reputation, and they lend out cars for free - other places charge a fair amount per day.
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perksy
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| posted on 15/2/17 at 07:28 PM |
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Sorry thats boll*x
As long as they can get behind the panel and its not double skinned it can be improved or removed
We had one on the wifes Mazda and it was right on the swage line of the door, which is fairly sharp on the mazda
The chap I use came to the house and 4 hours later it had disappeared, cost £80 and he did a couple of other small ones whilst he was here
He showed me a photo of a VW Golf door that he had done where a plastic wheelie bin had blown into it, Right mess
He spent 8 hours on it and you could hardly tell afterwards...
Obviously if its chipped the paint thats another story...
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