Who do detailers get to paint their cars?

pryantcc

Hi folks,
I'm trying to find someone to repaint my car. I've had little luck in getting recommendations and was thinking to myself that people into detailing must have high standards and be fairly picky about who they get to do their spray jobs.

So: Any recommendations? I'm in Wicklow but I don't mind travelling.

Thanks,
Paul.

Curran

The problem with recommendations if everyone sees completed work differently. To the average punter, a below average spray job might look good to them...so their recommendation might not be the best.
Also, anyone is liable to have a bad day; same goes for a spray painter / detailer, etc, but when you look for a painter, I always prefer to hear stories of a painter who has had no issues re-doing a job if the customer believed for it not to be up to standard. That shows that you will at least get the job done right, if not the first time (which is not ideal, but better than being left with a pig of a job and an argument on your hands)

Go and view some of the work they are doing - try see a job at various stages of the process...on our first call, try see a job before, call a day or two later, see it mid job and then a few days later, when its finish - make your own judgement on who might be good enough to do the work on your car....after all, its your eye you need to please, not based on someone elses recommendation.

I suppose from chatting about getting a job done, if you make sure you make it known that you are fairly particular about the job you want done, the spray painter will understand that...if they think they wont meet your standards, they'll just price themselves out of the job. And whoever you decide to go with, make sure they understand that if the job isnt up to scratch, that you'll be expecting it to be re-done without issue.

Ive been fortunate that I havent had to get work done previously, but need two bumpers and an arch painted, and Im dreading the search to find someone who will do a good job. Another thing to consider is, if its not a full re-spray, you might want to consider, ensuring that any panels that might be affected by blow-in, be 100% defect free, so might need machine polishing prior, or they'll be under a layer of paint and to fix that, is a re-paint too!

pryantcc

Great response Curran, thanks! I fully intend to check out work done, but was hoping to at least get a shortlist from folks who've already experienced some very nice (in their opinion) respray work.

I would indeed be fairly particular about the finished product to the extent that I'll not be trusting any rust repairs to anyone and will do that part myself. That way, I at least know that what's under the paint is decent and won't be bubbling through in 12 months time.

Curran

Only going by what Ive heard, and not seen any of jobs other than in photos; Lanes Auto Body near Naas & Dennings Crash Repairs (the guy who recommended them to me would be pretty particular; expensive, but worth it apparently)
Disclaimer :P - Again; I have not seen the work in person; only that Ive heard good things!

pryantcc

Lanes was on my radar too. I've been in contact, but getting tired of waiting to hear back from him. Maybe he's just too busy and doesn't need the work.

Curran

Lanes, Ive heard can be extremely busy - good sign I suppose! But also that they can be a nightmare to get work booked in!

vectra

I have only one man to recommend but is probably too far for you to travel to.

The man is nothing short of a genius. His ability is wasted to be honest.
I have seen some prep work by him and also some finished work.
Stunning is the only word that comes to mind.
http://bartsbodyshop.com/

randy hickey

I used Dennings a few years ago for some accident repair work, and I have to say it was absolutely flawless - zero orange peel and the colour match was perfect.
Definitely worth getting a quote off.

pryantcc

Thanks for your input folks, I appreciate it!