[S33BBY]

I've got quite a deep scratch on my passenger door, dead bang in the middle, about 12cm long (probably done with a key). It's not quite down to the metal, but almost.

I've just had Chips Away round to give me a quote... £160 + VAT!

I've no idea whether this is expensive or not, but the guy said that it would be about a 5 or 6 hour job as he'd have to sand it down, prime it, spray it, and laquer it, and he couldn't just do the patch as it would be very noticable. He seemed like an honest guy, but one can never be too sure.

I don't know any alternatives to Chips Away. It definitely wouldn't be something I could do myself as it's deep. So I'd like to get some feedback, and possibly some more quotes if there are other similar companies around.

Many thanks in advance.

[Hat]

sounds like a reasonable price. it might be worth you visiting your local accident repair centre to see if they can give a better price though.

is cosmos the metallic black? if so it could be difficult to match & they might suggest a full door respray. from what you've described it might be the best option but they should give you honest advice

[Root Ginger]

Yeah Cosmos is metallic.

From reading some of the detailing forums I would advise against Chips Away for this type of deep scratch. A body shop is a much better bet but it may be more expensive. The results you get will be a lot better though. You will kick yourself if you spend £160 only to have to take it to a bodyshop later down the line as you're unhappy with the finish.

IMO I would say the Chips Away would fix the problem but still be noticable, the bodyshop will repair it to original standard.

[Hat]

yeah thats what i was thinking ginger.

[S33BBY]

Thanks for the advice everyone; I'll look into the cost from an accident repair centre

[S33BBY]

After having a good think, I decided to go with Chips Away. I've asked the guy whether it will definitely be perfect, and he assures me it will.

He's here as we speak. He's said it's going to be quite a long job (around 5 hours), so once it's done, I'll post the results.

[Root Ginger]

Actually I must say I've now seen some results of what can be achieved if it's done correctly and I'm really surprised.

The method is fill scratch until over the level of the surrounding paint work with paint. Wet sand with Unigrit 2500 and or 3000 grit until completely flush and then use a random orbit polisher to get the shine back in the paintwork. Seal and Wax. Job done.

See this post over on detailingworld. Amazing stuff.

http://www.detailingworld.com/showth...light=wet+sand

[S33BBY]

Thanks for the link; that's an interesting job!

I think this Chips Away guy is going to do it a little differently, but the concept will be similar.

His work is guaranteed and he assured me it will be perfect. For £160 + VAT, I don't think I'll find anything as good...

[S33BBY]

Well, some 5 and a quarter hours later, the Chips Away man is still here.

He's doing what looks to be a great job so far. He's certainly not afraid to take his time, letting things dry, etc.

At the moment, he's just got a heater completely drying the laquer, then he said he's going to use some very fine wet and dry to get rid of anything that may have stuck to the laquer, and finish by polishing it.

I should have really taken a picture before he began, but of course, I'll post a picture of the finished door. I've got a feeling it's going to be absolutely perfect, which is nice.

[yidaho]

I'm interested to know how it goes. I don't mind driving a few miles to get my bodge repair job put right if the guy fails to do it on Thursday as he's promised. Can you ask him for a rough estimate for respraying my driver's rear quarter whilst he's there?

[S33BBY]

Quote: Originally Posted by yidaho

I'm interested to know how it goes. I don't mind driving a few miles to get my bodge repair job put right if the guy fails to do it on Thursday as he's promised. Can you ask him for a rough estimate for respraying my driver's rear quarter whilst he's there?

He operates around this area so I don't think it would be too feasible to do your car.

[S33BBY]

I just went out to have a look at the finished result... It's good except the paint looks quite dull. I've told him and he's giving it more of a polish. I hope he can improve on it because at the moment, it's not acceptable. Worse still, the car has been sold to a friend who is collecting tomorrow, so it must be perfect. I hope using Chips Away wasn't the wrong decision...

[ShaunSheep]

Hopefully a final polish will bring it up to standard
Let us know how it goes Sebby, I have a scratch which needs attention (caused by out of control child on a bike )
I'd been considering giving Chips Away a call and being based in Herts too I'm assuming it would be the same guy as you have today.

[yidaho]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sebby*

He operates around this area so I don't think it would be too feasible to do your car.

Hey, I'll be practically living in Herfordshire when Big Brother starts in 28 days!

[yidaho]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sebby*

I just went out to have a look at the finished result... It's good except the paint looks quite dull.

Sounds like you might end up with the same problem I have. Hope he can sort it for you Sebby. Just a word of warning - mine looks okay after a polish, but the following day it's dulled down again, so don't accept his work without seeing how it is tomorrow.

[S33BBY]

Quote: Originally Posted by yidaho

Sounds like you might end up with the same problem I have. Hope he can sort it for you Sebby.

Yep, it looks like I've got the same problem as you Sarah. The job is generally good except for the fact that the paint is noticeably dull/matt. The guy knew I wasn't best pleased with the job, and tried to polish it, but said he couldn't polish it too much as the paint was new. He said that he'll come back in a week and polish it again, which is fine, except I'm selling it to my friend tomorrow, so I'm in a real awkward position. I hope it can be sorted otherwise I'll have to pay to have it done professionally.

The guy was extremely nice and conscientious, but I think that a job like this is just too big, and he shouldn't have taken it on. It took 6.5 hours! I think that for a chip or light scratch, he'd be great, but not for a something like this.

[Nick666]

Anything bigger than a small chip or 3 I'd take to a good bodyshop - I had a great long dented scratch over the driver door and rear panel (about 10" long, right down to bare metal) in my Fiesta (pre MINI days!) and they did a brilliant job even took out a scratch in my bumper while they were at it, and it cost me £260 inc VAT from what I remember... couple of years ago now, but it was good as new when they'd finished.

I'd be tempted to travel down to them now if I had any money for them to respray my bonnet which has a good few chips in it from Bruntingthorpe and normal driving

For what its worth, if anyone's in the Leicester area and needs a respray, try REO Motors in Oadby, I'd definitely recommend them...

[yidaho]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sebby*

Yep, it looks like I've got the same problem as you Sarah. The job is generally good except for the fact that the paint is noticeably dull/matt. The guy knew I wasn't best pleased with the job, and tried to polish it, but said he couldn't polish it too much as the paint was new. He said that he'll come back in a week and polish it again, which is fine, except I'm selling it to my friend tomorrow, so I'm in a real awkward position. I hope it can be sorted otherwise I'll have to pay to have it done professionally.

The guy was extremely nice and conscientious, but I think that a job like this is just too big, and he shouldn't have taken it on. It took 6.5 hours! I think that for a chip or light scratch, he'd be great, but not for a something like this.

6.5 hours, crikey!

Yeah, the Chips Away guy that came out to me said that he wouldn't attempt a chip/scratch with broken paint due to the MINIs' panels being so large. If the paint was unbroken it would've been a £60 job. Do you know if he used BMW paint? Just wondered because I suspected a Halfords copy (or similar) might have been used on mine as the difference was so noticeable.

Although it's an awkward situation for you, I guess it's better than having to hand it over to a buyer that you don't know. I'm sure your friend will understand.

[S33BBY]

Quote: Originally Posted by yidaho

Do you know if he used BMW paint? Just wondered because I suspected a Halfords copy (or similar) might have been used on mine as the difference was so noticeable.

I'm not sure, but he got the paint code off the car before starting. The paint match is perfect, I have to admit. It's just the slightly matt appearance that's the problem.

Quote:

Although it's an awkward situation for you, I guess it's better than having to hand it over to a buyer that you don't know. I'm sure your friend will understand.

I suppose, but I just feel as if I'm moving the problem onto them now. Fingers crossed that the Chips Away guy will come back and sort it out.

[yidaho]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sebby*

I'm not sure, but he got the paint code off the car before starting. The paint match is perfect, I have to admit. It's just the slightly matt appearance that's the problem.

Oh, well that's a little more reassuring.

Quote:

I suppose, but I just feel as if I'm moving the problem onto them now. Fingers crossed that the Chips Away guy will come back and sort it out.

I'm sure they will. In fact, they have a legal obligation to do so. I have already done my homework.. just in case my guy gives me any grief!