Bit of advice on recent bodywork

Thu Dec 21, 2017 9:23 pm

Hi All,

I’ve known that I should have a couple of areas looked at on my e30 due to small signs of rust.

Took it to a local one man organisation who had done some welding on my van before... I asked him to investigate and do welding on the rear arches as I could just see bubbling up around the lips, to repair a hole in the scuttle and weld a new piece into the battery tray which I discovered takes some water and had been rotting away for some time and water was getting into the footwell.

I told him to do the best he could for £500 (as I trusted that he would be fair) I also said that if he gets started and found some bigger than expected problems to give me a call as I may be able to dig some more money up.

I’ve just picked up the car and he’s not done any welding, he seems to have removed the rust on the lips of the arches and 2 pack fillered them then all sprayed up...some pin holes but I’m not too fussed about the finishing as he knows I’m probably looking to respray.

He also just foamed fibreglassed and filled the batterytray and sprayed what I think is underseal on it...and filled the scuttle (supported by duck tape).

I thought the arches were structural in some way and after prodding about further back in the arches, both have some crustyness towards the boot pockets.

Question is, was I and am I just expecting too much? Also, what would you expect to be done for £500. To me as a builder thats about 3 days skilled labour and a couple of cheap material bits.

Thu Dec 21, 2017 11:33 pm

Unfortunately I think you've been seen off.... it seems like he's mainly bodged it and nothing he's done is acceptable and it won't last.....maybe you should have been more specific with what you wanted and only let him tackle one job at a time after your happy with the work etc... arches are not structural as such but obviously it depends on how bad they are?....
In bodywork terms £500 won't go far as it's very labour intensive work but you should have received better than this.....personally I would be looking for my money back...

Thu Dec 21, 2017 11:43 pm

There's a world of difference between welding (your van) in order to stave off the inevitable call of the weighbridge for another MOT test or two, and welding (your E30 ) as the basis of a restoration project.
I suspect the failure of your one man organisation to appreciate this lies at the heart of this problem.

Thu Dec 21, 2017 11:50 pm

: ) nicely put.

While I was putting the trim back on I was thinking that I would have rather spent the money on a welder and learnt myself. I know it’s not easy, but I’ve taught myself plent of skills so have the patience to learn...just need to build a garage and magic some time : ) I can spray pretty well as I have done some higher end sprayed furniture... but detail welding I read is quite the skill!!! Maybe I’d be better to find a restoration specialist...

Thu Dec 21, 2017 11:53 pm

I will approach him and be homest that I expected a bit more for the money and clarify any miscommunication so it’s not left sour and ask for some compensation/some money returned as i pretty much know that I could have done the same standard of work in a couple of days...admittedly not in the winter as I don’t have the facilities...which are an overhead included in the cost...so I couldn’t but almost could!

Fri Dec 22, 2017 8:55 am

To be honest finding someone who can weld to a decent standard who is willing to do the work is the biggest challenge in any restoration.... most garages don't want to weld and those that do generally don't do it to a very good standard....if you can learn to do it yourself then great but a decent welder will be at least 3-500 quid plus a lot of practice!!!!
I got lucky and found a guy who would come to my house and weld the car, I just did the prep work and cut the plates to size etc....
If there is a classic mini club in your area I would try and contact them as anyone involved in the mini scene will definitely know a decent welder!!!!! That's where I found my guy...
Best of luck it's a long road but definitely worth it....

Fri Dec 22, 2017 1:13 pm

WOW !!!
This person has deliberately taken a lot of hard earned cash and had a big laugh down the pub with his mates.

WOW !!!
How kind you are to him when it seems you are obviously very upset at the situation.

WOW !!!
If you can "just build a garage first" , may I suggest that you do that and then invest in the appropriate equipment and it will not take too long for you to affect your own repairs which will also mean more to you in the long run.
You really are a talented guy so make the most of it mate.

Mart.

"gaffer tape, very 1970`s"

Fri Dec 22, 2017 4:27 pm

Ha,

Mate, thank you for your kind words. Just what I need actually, sorry to get soppy but my Dad who found the car for me 10yrs ago just unexpectedly passed away the day after it went in (tuesday), he had shown me how to do minor maintenance on cars, so it left a slightly sour taste in my mouth when I saw the repair efforts. I think I will be building the garage and hopefully end up with a nice restoration thread : )

Cheers!

Fri Dec 22, 2017 10:49 pm

You say "I asked him to investigate and do welding on the rear arches as I could just see bubbling up around the lips, to repair a hole in the scuttle and weld a new piece into the battery tray"

If you asked him to do welding specifically and he has done no welding but done a quick cosmetic job with filler he has not done what you asked him to do and it is doubtful if you owe him anything at all. On the other hand if you asked him to repair those areas without specifying how he was to do it, or whether you wanted permanent repair or a cosmetic job, then it is a question of whether what he has done is £500 worth of work.

The only trouble is that his memory and your about what you asked him to do may be rather different.

Fri Dec 22, 2017 11:17 pm

Yea exactly, I can’t be 100% sure I was that specific, but I do know I made it very clear that I have had the car for 10yrs + and wanted to get the trouble areas fixed properly. Communication relies on both accurate giving and acurate receiving! I’ll speak with him and be civil.

Sat Dec 23, 2017 9:10 am

Unfortunately most body shops will 'repair' rusty bodywork in the exact same way, what happened to you doesn't surprise me at all

Sat Dec 23, 2017 10:29 am

Sorry to hear about your Father passing.

Sat Dec 23, 2017 2:35 pm

soul4t wrote:Yea exactly, I can’t be 100% sure I was that specific, but I do know I made it very clear that I have had the car for 10yrs + and wanted to get the trouble areas fixed properly. Communication relies on both accurate giving and acurate receiving! I’ll speak with him and be civil.

Really sorry to here of your loss mate, sad times.

Like you said, keep it civil and I know you wont stoop to his level.
I still find it difficult to understand people even think about using "tape" as a solution .

Mart.

Sun Dec 24, 2017 10:55 pm

Thanks Guys, surprising where you can find support nowadays. Many thanks!

Mon Dec 25, 2017 2:20 am

You need to remove the boot trim and the rear door card in a two door car to see the full extent of rust in the arches. Repairs here needs some skill and good restorers can fabricate the arch themselves and weld the new piece in which at least reduces the cost of buying new arches. Body shops and panel beaters are generally not capable of doing this kind of work and do not want your car on their premises for the couple of weeks this may take. I finally had this particular job done having spent a few years having the arches just patched up. One thing I would always do is remove seats and trim pieces myself as I have experience of body shop people breaking and losing clips and not putting stuff back correctly. You need to take the car to someone who does this type of work and has a good reputation.

Mon Dec 25, 2017 8:04 am

Yep I know just the spot, and I can see that itms super tricky!