Hi guys.
Some advice needed if thats ok with you lot.
I'm at a decision point with my 325 cabbie. I've been gently sorting her over the last couple of years, new roof, exhaust, fuel tank, welding etc etc etc. But my bodywork has got to the point where I'm going to have to take a view on it long time wise.
I know a decent shop will be looking for around the 2-3k mark to get her up and sparkling, and I've no way of reducing that figure by doing some of the work as I have no garage, and limited space to work on the car. The car as I bought it had already had a respray, not the best, so the original red was always popping out in places, but now I've got some hard stone chips that have penetrated both coats and the white. So if I don't do anything about them this year, I'm looking at some serious body troubles in a few years time.
I know very little about this sort of stuff, I love the car and want to keep her, maybe not concourse but up and moving and looking good.
If I get her into a shop, how long will they take to strip down and repsray from bottom coat? Would they do that? Is it worth it? Should I just get a wash coat to cover the crap and worry about it later?
I'm pretty sure my body is in pretty good nick underneath everything so I'm fairly confident I wouldn't be throwing money at the nearest scrappy.
And does anyone know anyone good around the Oxford area. I'd rather my money went to someone smaller, more expensive but who gives a damn than a big cheap outfit. Once I make this decision I can roll on it pretty quick if any tradies here are interested.
Thankyou for your time guys.
An Innocent in Car land. Could you spare some advice?
Moderator: martauto
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iDreamBeemer
- E30 Zone Camper
- Posts: 1177
- Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Camberley
I'd say you've got it about right. I'm in a similar boat and saving up to get the work done. Can't answer you on the specifics of the respray but I would expect them to get all the crap old paint off if they're a good shop. Best thing to do is find a place and ask! I've just been recomended one but its in Fareham so not local, although not a million miles away from you.
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randomspeedfreak
- E30 Zone Regular
- Posts: 992
- Joined: Mon Mar 15, 2010 11:00 pm
- Location: Bristol
im in a similar boat too. going the bandit way and trying to spray it myself.
I know its not something to be taken lightly, but i figure if I learn to do it that could be a good thing to have in the future.
ive seen some threads pull it off with the right time and effort
im reading through all the books and going to take my time with it - ill let you know how it goes!
I know its not something to be taken lightly, but i figure if I learn to do it that could be a good thing to have in the future.
ive seen some threads pull it off with the right time and effort
im reading through all the books and going to take my time with it - ill let you know how it goes!
Join the club!
I am going a slightly different route. I purchased a boot / bonnet / doors and front wings in good nick. I am eventually going to have them soda blasted and then painted. That way I am ertain of no rust issues on the panels.
One they are done I will send the car in to have the back end and the other bits done and the newly painted panels etc fitted.
Now the interesting part is that I was quoted 3-4K originally, to strip to bare metal and paint. I am probably going to spend 2k doing it my way.
I am going a slightly different route. I purchased a boot / bonnet / doors and front wings in good nick. I am eventually going to have them soda blasted and then painted. That way I am ertain of no rust issues on the panels.
One they are done I will send the car in to have the back end and the other bits done and the newly painted panels etc fitted.
Now the interesting part is that I was quoted 3-4K originally, to strip to bare metal and paint. I am probably going to spend 2k doing it my way.
a crap blow over over a blow over, is no way to go, obviously to take the paint right back is more labour more prep more price, if you pay for quality work youl get it but sounds like it needs a quality job with someone reputable to ensure its done once done right, if its causing issues now a blow over the top of that will be disasterous by the sounds of it
best thing to do, is drive the car around a few local spray shops (find any via google) and just have a chat to them, see what they say and quote and how they sum it up and talk about what and how theyl do, have a look at other jobs in there, and then go to all the local places doing the same, then...youl maybe get a feeling who sounded and looked like the best bet and how their opinions and prices differ, maybe someone will stand out as the one to go with as much as the ones to avoid
ie- someone who says "yeah we can spray that, £1500" and doesnt say much or sound great anbd has a crappy dirty back street sort of place, youl think hmmmmm , where as someone who has a proper look over the car, points out issues with the existing paint to you aswell as explaining why its like that and whats caused it and how it should be put right and the process they would do etc and explains the amount of time involved and all the stripping they would do and all that sort of thing and a decent looking premises (big or small) that looks like they do quality work with some nice cars and work there and a sign of quality , is what your looking for
best thing to do, is drive the car around a few local spray shops (find any via google) and just have a chat to them, see what they say and quote and how they sum it up and talk about what and how theyl do, have a look at other jobs in there, and then go to all the local places doing the same, then...youl maybe get a feeling who sounded and looked like the best bet and how their opinions and prices differ, maybe someone will stand out as the one to go with as much as the ones to avoid
ie- someone who says "yeah we can spray that, £1500" and doesnt say much or sound great anbd has a crappy dirty back street sort of place, youl think hmmmmm , where as someone who has a proper look over the car, points out issues with the existing paint to you aswell as explaining why its like that and whats caused it and how it should be put right and the process they would do etc and explains the amount of time involved and all the stripping they would do and all that sort of thing and a decent looking premises (big or small) that looks like they do quality work with some nice cars and work there and a sign of quality , is what your looking for