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Posted by: Mugwump00 Apr 12 2012, 08:51 AM

Hello - as title really, I've acquired some minor/small/very annoying scratches to my bumper that I'd like repaired at the highest level. I know of Chips-away - they're OK - anyone know of a local business that provides similar so that I can get an ad-hoc quote?

Many thanks.

Posted by: Biker1 Apr 12 2012, 09:36 AM

http://www.smartpaintnewbury.co.uk/

Posted by: Mugwump00 Apr 12 2012, 10:32 AM

Thanks, - Wootton Hill based - anyone any experience? I'll contact him.

Posted by: Biker1 Apr 12 2012, 10:43 AM

No, sorry, not tried him.
I have avoided using small damage repair people as there is always some ignorant,selfish git in a car park somewhere who will re-do the damage for me if I get it repaired.
I try and park alone if I can in order to avoid the door bash bandits but still seem to fall foul sooner or later!!
(Sorry Danny, slipped into moaning mode again!)

Posted by: Mugwump00 Apr 12 2012, 11:01 AM

So true. The car at the back of the top of the Sainsburys car-park - that's me in the misses's! Even then a Discovery full of door-kicking-open kids will find me. This vehicle is a bit precious to me, I've never turned my back on it away from my house. I'm assuming the damage comes from a mechanic wanging it into the car-lift, but I'll have a **** of a job proving that accusation weeks later. I wish I didn't care so much about the **** things sometimes.

Posted by: Mugwump00 Apr 12 2012, 11:03 AM

Eh - censoring H E L L and D A M N - are they using Apache "Cromwellian" edition?!

Posted by: Nothing Much Apr 12 2012, 11:42 AM

I think it will be 'Merican software. You will not get away with "The Law is an +++", ( insert donkey like animal)
carefully of course.
ce

Posted by: Nothing Much Apr 12 2012, 11:47 AM

Weren't Mugwumps Mamas and Papas?, and a long forgotten part of Willam Buroughs' books.
Lucky you have not been redacted for the former...the latter is probably best to remain forgotten.
ce

Posted by: Mugwump00 Apr 12 2012, 11:56 AM

Not sure of former, but I read/watched the latter around the time being "online" became something to me. Somewhat more enigmatic than "********".

Posted by: jaycakes Apr 12 2012, 12:01 PM

Here's a tip.

Do not ever use any sort of company such as Chips Away, anything which is "smart repair" avoid and use a proper bodyshop. Smart repairs are just bodges and I've rear some right horror stories.

3 bodyshops that I know do good work, Headley Bodyshop (did work for a friend and that was good quality) and Berkshire Bodyshop did work for me, again good work and also Ridgeway (VW group bodyshop) up at greenham, I was very impressed plus they might be able to do loads of different cars, they do all VAG group cars and mercedes and a couple of others.

Posted by: Mugwump00 Apr 12 2012, 01:29 PM

Maybe, but the Chipsaway repair I had done (not just reared about) wasn't too bad really, considering how deep the gash was. **** site cheaper than a whole-bumper respray.

This job is barely visible on the lower fold of the bumper, so I might take a chance if cheap enough. Full bumper will be heinous ££.

Big jobs - my vote goes to Jim Wigmore at Southend Bradfield. Old school artisan, if he can remember to send you the quote.

Posted by: jaycakes Apr 12 2012, 02:13 PM

A full bumper respray is around £120-£150 quid. I know a place up in Rochester that does a top notch job for £80 if you're willing to travel.

At Ridgeway VW I paid £180 inc of VAT for a pretty nasty dent removal plus full respray of the panel.




Personally I would never use a chips away repair because they are never, especially on cars with hard-to-match colours, going to be right.
EG my car is reflex silver. One colour code. Except there are about 8 different shades of reflex silver each with the same colour code. VW admit it's a very hard colour to match and even from the factory different panels can come out looking different. So you think Dave in his panel van is going to have a hope in ****?

The problem with Chipsaway or various smart repair is that the chipsaway vans you see are actually just franchises of an overall brand. The quality varies WILDLY from place to place and even person to person.

Most bodyshops especially independant ones such as Headly or Berkshire Bodyshop will do very competitive prices and what's more as they are small companies, much easier to deal with when it comes to if work isn't up to standard.

There's an old saying - buy cheap, buy twice.

But hey that's my view as a car enthusiast/boring person.

Posted by: gel Apr 12 2012, 04:13 PM

Very pleased with this firm, who do bodywork & upholstery.

http://refresh-autos.com/body-repair.html"%5b/url%5dThis%20is%20the%20link%5burl="http://refresh-autos.com/body-repair.html

He was very fastidious in matching leather colour damage caused by doggie,
nearly invisible unless you know where to look.

I'd imagine similar care taken when matching paint.

Posted by: Vodabury Apr 12 2012, 04:23 PM

Do you mean Refresh Autos in Tilehurst?

I paid about £120 to repair a gash in my rear bumper, caused by another car scraping it when parked. I think it was Chips Away I used. The repair has lasted well and a good match on the paint, although the finish is a little flat.

On the top of the bumper I had doggie-claw scratches caused by my beast scrabbling in and out. I bought a bumper protector which hid them well - about £40 on eBay.

Posted by: blackdog Apr 13 2012, 08:50 AM

More Mama and Papa + half a spoonful.

Posted by: JeffG Apr 13 2012, 10:46 AM

If that's the one in Hambridge Lane, I second that.


Ignoring travel time (however you want to cost that), it would cost you the difference in fuel to get there and back.

Posted by: Nothing Much Apr 13 2012, 01:18 PM

More Mama and Papa + half a spoonful.

(John Sebastian). I have 3 old solo LPs which I still enjoy.
I was too young to be a hippy.

Hope the car gets fixed, Mugwump.
There is some wonky individual locally
who has caused much carnage, mostly scratches but lately wing mirrors.
It seems the damage causing person was middle aged and well dressed.
Sort of like most folk in the area!
I think the police had a word and hoped it would all stop.
Not so...
ce

Posted by: Mugwump00 Apr 13 2012, 02:38 PM

Fascinating - is this a forum in-joke or something more disturbing? Are they doing this with their own car or on foot? The same individual has been observed on several occasions? Which locations?

I'm no web-thug-wannabe-gob****e, but I reserve a particularly vicious part of my normally placid character for any person I catch vandalising my motor.

Posted by: Nothing Much Apr 13 2012, 02:59 PM

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2108662/The-gentleman-vandal-Well-dressed-thug-caught-damaging-car-homeowners-CCTV-set-spate-attacks.html

It has been very random over a wide area. And has started up again. It has caused mega thousands of damage.
Yes, my old banger is the one behind the Porsche. I am slightly lucky being "Titanium Silver"
the scratch does not show too much. Red and black ones really show.
It is no forum in-joke. ... just me and an older brother grumbling.
ce

Posted by: Nothing Much Apr 13 2012, 03:14 PM

I must have mentioned before. The well dressed gent is wearing girl sized shoes.
Look at the .jpeg. The police did arrest someone. And they are trying to link random events.

Someone walks out at 6am... has a go at a mirror. Anarchy in the UK.
ce

Posted by: Mugwump00 Apr 13 2012, 03:43 PM

Bit confused...

- That's smartly dressed? I must be doing it wrong!
- E60 = old banger?!
- Islington - should I worry - why are you here?!
- He doesn't look that athletic in his dancing shoes - and this is the smoke - why hasn't someone scalped his ears off yet?!!