Attention bodywork buffs

[Bren]

I have had two quotes for painting and fitting a pair of side skirts and a boot spoiler to my A6.

 

Is everyone sat down?

 

£500. Five hundred old english pounds.

 

I have taken that to be their way of saying we don't want to do it - lots of them just want to do smart repairs and little else.

 

I expected around £300 as to be fair they are not as bad as I first thought - the seller said they are identical to ABT items except they are in fibreglass (which they are - ABT items are 600 euro a pair!).

 

I have decided to have a go myself - the items are not large and two big rattle cans should be enough - I have had excellent results with them in the past.

 

My questions are these - I have heard of these being attached with double sided tape - is this not suitable for fibreglass? I know about tiger seal and sikaflex.

 

Also, what is the best primer to use on fibreglass?

 

Any advice appreciated

[Jifflemon]

For a commercial bodyshop, the problem with aftermarket stuff (particularly copies) is that the fit is often appalling.

 

I'd say check the fit on the car long before you start shaking cans.

[Bren]

I have tried - they are fairly good, except there is little provision for screws or pop rivets.

 

I understand about the problems with copies, another reason I want do do them myself is I would not like to pay out for a sub standard job that is blamed on the poor quality of the parts - doing it this way I will have only myself to blame.

[xtriple]

Ah, bodyshops, my favourite topic! Smart repairs, paintless dent removal, and, well that's about it really.

[strangeangel]

I have decided to have a go myself - the items are not large and two big rattle cans should be enough - I have had excellent results with them in the past.

 

Any advice appreciated

 

Seriously, and please don't take offence, my advice would be don't bother. I've just looked what an A6 is, and I suspect you paid rather a lot of money for that car, so sticking bits of of rattle-canned fibreglass to it with double-sided tape will only accelerate the already rapid depreciation process.

 

Stick the panels on eBay, and spend the proceeds on a rotten Alfa or some other equally worthly garden ornament.

[xtriple]

My advice was based on genuinely NOT knowing what an A6 is other than an Audi (mid size?) or how much it's worth. However, you can get a really good finish with rattle cans if (and it's a big if) the weather is perfect and you prep to perfection and do it absolutely right.

 

To be honest, £500 sounds 'not bad' to me, but then I guess I have become 'blasé' about bills that small Bare in mind the lads charged me £400 to fit and spray the front bumper/spoiler to his Skyline and they did an appalling job of it!

[Bren]

To be fair the items are tasteful - the spoiler is a lip style item. When it is fitted it looks similar to the current A4 and A6.

 

No pineapples or JDM shite on any of my cars.

 

Seriously, and please don't take offence, my advice would be don't bother. I've just looked what an A6 is, and I suspect you paid rather a lot of money for that car, so sticking bits of of rattle-canned fibreglass to it with double-sided tape will only accelerate the already rapid depreciation process.

 

Stick the panels on eBay, and spend the proceeds on a rotten Alfa or some other equally worthly garden ornament.

I have a garden ornament in the garage - it is SD1 shaped.

[taxi paul]

At the moment my garden ornament is my rover 75 , sorned due to financial fluctuations. Who needs a bird table anyway .

[cort16]

 

I know some of these adhesives are mega strong but I can't help but feel on things like side skirts when gravity is against you it might not be enough . Also when you apply them you need constant and even pressure until it cures . Not sure how you'd do this without some massive g clamps.

 

I had similar issues when fitting the arches to my sd1 and I ended up screwing them in using stainless screws dipped in wax oil into pre drilled holes .

[Bren]

I know some of these adhesives are mega strong but I can't help but feel on things like side skirts when gravity is against you it might not be enough . Also when you apply them you need constant and even pressure until it cures . Not sure how you'd do this without some massive g clamps.

I had similar issues when fitting the arches to my sd1 and I ended up screwing them in using stainless screws dipped in wax oil into pre drilled holes .

I couldn't fit wide arches to my SD1 - I had nothing to screw to.

[dieselnutjob]

I sprayed my wheels myself and used twin pack (2K) lacquer.  These have a button that you press which mixes the two chemicals, and then you have to spray it within a few hours.

 

+ points

The finish is superb and you can wet sand it once it's gone off if necessary

The finish is much harder and tougher than 1K lacquer and won't peel off after a few years

 

- points

It give off cyanide gas so you must use a really good face mask.  The health risks are seriously, seriously bad.

Expensive

Hard to find

 

If it doesn't have the push in button on the bottom of the can, it ain't 2K

[sierraman]

You'll need more than 2 cans to give a reasonable finish. I used 1 just to paint an arch. Last thing you want is a patchy finish. It's a completely doable job at home, just takes time and patience.