Restorer recommendations, Dublin

McOptimist

I have a car that I'd like to get restored. Would anyone have recommendations in and around the Dublin area?

The body is in fairly good condition. Main rust is around wheel arches. I've two new panels for front wheel arches so it's only rear that needs serious work.

Apart from the rear wheel arches it's just basically a full stripping down and respray that I need.

It's not something I have any time lines on so I'm happy to leave it with someone for few months so they can tip away at it, to keep costs down.

BrianD3

I don't have any recommendations but am interested in the topic, maybe the OP got recommendations by PM. Handing over a car to someone to be restored seems to me to be something that is going to need deep pockets, realistic expectations, very careful choice of restorer and an understanding that more rust will be found once stripping starts.

As with a lot of things, maybe there isn't a critical mass of potential customers here for there to be much of a market for restoration services. From looking at Car SOS it seems as though there are all manner of specialists in the UK for everything from reconditioning turbos to retrimming seats, also specialists who supply parts for a particular marque or model..

On costs, I recall reading on pistonheads about someone who spent 30 grand to get a Morris Marina restored when the car would never be worth more than a small fraction of that. Whereas an E type might cost twice that amount to restore but far more of the restoration cost would be clawed back if it was sold.

There a was a thread in the forum about the restoration of a 1970s Ford Consul, I think think the owner was paying someone to do most/all of the work. Might be worth looking for that thread.

kadman

When it comes to classic car restorations, there are on or two, or more things that are a given.

1. The rust that you can see, is only a minute part of what is lurking beneath.
2. A small rust blister is a potential massive hole waiting to be dug out.
3. you cant repair a small bit of rust, all the rust has to be cut out.
4. Your initial thought that it only needs a small bit of work, is so far off the real issue as to be a meaningless statement.
5. Your restorer will not be able to give a 100% quote at the outset.
6. Work will escalate as the project moves forward.
7. As will restorers cost exponentially.
8 Your restored classic wont be worth a small percentage of what you invested.
9. You could end up selling more kidneys than you own to finish it.

10 And if after all this you want to sell it, you may end up giving it away.

But its all part of the joys of classic car ownership:D:D


And should you wimp out in the early stages, you will have given your wife/partner all the ammunition she needs for decades to come to remind you how useless you are at project managing your classic resto:p:p

Thats assuming of course she still talks to you.......or better still, if you listen:cool:

McOptimist

That sounds like good advice. I guess it's very dependent though on the individual car. Some will need less work than others. Would anyone have recommendations of restorers in and around Dublin area?

MrCostington

I'd suggest you contact the club (or better still, join) for the make of the car and seek advice there for trusted restorers experienced on your car.

Maybe contact your bank manager too

Neilw

Unfortunately there aren't many places that will take on classics for the reasons mentioned above.
They take too much time and are an unknown, difficult to price the job.

OP what's your budget for the restoration? What car is it, some are more prone to rust than others and would cost a lot more.

Testacalda

What car are you planning on getting restored. There are a few restorers that specialise in particular makes, therefore less difficult to actually get them to take on your car.

Paying someone to restore your car is one thing, but finding someone willing to take on the job could be a task in itself.

Also rust is the biggest issue when restoring 90% of cars, its always much worse than you think.

kadman

Any proper car resto, no matter how small , that needs respraying is at the very least going to run

near to double figures. Any low quotes point to the possibility of a bondo repair

instead of metal removal, and metal replacement.

Gone are the days of a 500 quid respray...............or they should be.

And pucks of underseal on any car is akin to loads of slap..........on a slapper:D:D:D

BrianD3

I found the thread I referred to earlier. 1973 Ford Consul V4. If you follow the thread and view the photobucket pics it shows how a car that looks outwardly presentable can need an awful lot of work

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=64032631

Thread ends before the restoration was fully completed, anyone know what happened to car in the end, does it appear at classic car shows etc.

w124man

McOptimist wrote: »

.... happy to leave it with someone for few months so they can tip away at it, to keep costs down.

Can you explain that statement please particularly the bit where you expect 'tipping away at it' will be cheaper that not tipping away at it? An hourly charge is an hourly charge.

To give you an example of restoration costs, a friend of mine wanted 'some minor rust issues' and a respray on his Mercedes 320CE. He had a figure in mind (for a car that cost him €5000) for this work and the cheapest quote was €5500 and his highest was €8000. He was told at the time that it would potentially rise as work was carried out and it did.

Max Headroom

No decent bodyshop wants to (or needs to) do work on old cars..theyre getting stupid money from insurance companies for minor tips..so why should they bother....they need a wake up call...maybe this situation will help...I had a MK3 Cortins repaired and full respray (metallic bronze) done for £400 back in the 80's....i dont know how thay can charge 5-8k for a weeks work...maybe because some people are willing to pay it...

kadman

Even at 50 quid an hour, you can see how the costs mount up.

Thats 2 k a week before any consumables.

You wont get cheap restorations, and why should you. You are paying for a particular skilset

and that costs money. You would not seek out a cheap brain surgeon if you needed one:D

hoodie6029

Some people have taken to shipping their cars to Poland for restoration. Might be an option since you're not in a rush.
Doctorclassic.eu and many others offer this service

pachanco

McOptimist wrote: »

I have a car that I'd like to get restored. Would anyone have recommendations in and around the Dublin area?

The body is in fairly good condition. Main rust is around wheel arches. I've two new panels for front wheel arches so it's only rear that needs serious work.

Apart from the rear wheel arches it's just basically a full stripping down and respray that I need.

It's not something I have any time lines on so I'm happy to leave it with someone for few months so they can tip away at it, to keep costs down.

If you would travel as far as County Kildare for your restoration. I can recommend Mulhall Autobody as a possibility for your classic car restoration.

I have not had a classic car repaired by them, but I had some welding done on a rear sill of my everyday car for the n.c.t.

I was recommended to go to them by my mechanic. They have a good reputation in the area. I found them to be very friendly and I was very impressed with the welding job they did for me.

They have pictures on their website of a few classic car restorations that they have done.

https://mulhallautobody.com/our-works/

I do know that they are interested in the classic scene themselves.

I'm sure if you give them a call they will give you a rough idea of what kind of costs you might be expecting for the restoration.

Here is the link to their website,

https://mulhallautobody.com/

If you do a google search for Mulhall Autobody, they are on facebook as well. They may have more pictures of their work on facebook.

Good luck with the restoration.

?Cee?view

Max Headroom wrote: »

...I had a MK3 Cortins repaired and full respray (metallic bronze) done for £400 back in the 80's....

40 years ago

Max Headroom

?Cee?view wrote: »

40 years ago

....AND....??????????? whats your point....:rolleyes:

Max Headroom

kadman wrote: »

Even at 50 quid an hour, you can see how the costs mount up.

Thats 2 k a week before any consumables.

You wont get cheap restorations, and why should you. You are paying for a particular skilset

and that costs money. You would not seek out a cheap brain surgeon if you needed one:D

Its hardly brain surgery now is it....its painting....:p

kadman

Max Headroom wrote: »

Its hardly brain surgery now is it....its painting....:p

Of course you could paint it yourself with a roller....boss:D

Max Headroom

Having painted a kit-car in my crappy garage and am currently repairing AND spraying in my front garden, believe me its not even rocket science...prep is the key.....anybody can do it....:)

kadman

In all fairness there is a world of difference in both finish and price of front garden repairs and resprays

and pro body shop repair and resprays. Chalk and cheese.

But if you dont need a concourse result , then nothing wrong with it.

Painting is not rocket science or brain surgery, but it took a master with a brush to paint

the ceiling of the old chapel;)

Max Headroom

I must be a master then...:p......I had better finishes than some exhibit cars at Terenure....;)

kadman

Max Headroom wrote: »

I must be a master then...:p......I had better finishes than some exhibit cars at Terenure....;)

:P:P

Max Headroom

To answer the OP's initial query, are you sure the car is worth spend 000's on...the cost of rechroming is also a BIG factor, then theres the upholstery,door cards,carpets, electricks, safety belts , and dont forget the engine/box.......sometimes its just better to buy one that someone else has got fed up with.....:)...what car is it..??

_ptashek_

hoodie6029 wrote: »

Some people have taken to shipping their cars to Poland for restoration. Might be an option since you're not in a rush.
Doctorclassic.eu and many others offer this service

I have, but the only saving is on labour rate, and not much these days if you want a quality job. I would account for €25/h at a minimum. I've paid less only because my dad knew the workshop owner for 30+ years. Anything that needed to be outsourced still cost full-price, e.g. restoring the chrome bumpers on my W116 alone was three(ish) grand.

If you're sourcing parts locally too, VAT and shipping costs savings can add up to a couple grand on a big project.

My car (gold 450SE) was on the MB club stand in Terenure last year, and most people seemed to have liked the quality of the job done. Four years later it's just as good.

Anyone dreaming of restoring a classic for five grand needs a reality check. Unless it's already mint and you're just sorting out minor cosmetics, it's never going to happen.

Also, any workshop giving a quote on a job like this upfront is best avoided. They've no idea what they're doing

bluesteely

McOptimist wrote: »

I have a car that I'd like to get restored. Would anyone have recommendations in and around the Dublin area?

The body is in fairly good condition. Main rust is around wheel arches. I've two new panels for front wheel arches so it's only rear that needs serious work.

Apart from the rear wheel arches it's just basically a full stripping down and respray that I need.

It's not something I have any time lines on so I'm happy to leave it with someone for few months so they can tip away at it, to keep costs down.

If distance isn't too important, take a look at Lyons Garages in Co. Clare

galwaytt

bluesteely wrote: »

If distance isn't too important, take a look at Lyons Garages in Co. Clare

Can't believe I've never come across them before- anyone got experience of their work ?

?Cee?view

galwaytt wrote: »

Can't believe I've never come across them before- anyone got experience of their work ?

Have a look at his blogs as well as Facebook page. They seem to do lovely work. I’ve not met them but very helpful with advice via email and what to expect costs wise.

galwaytt

Max Headroom wrote: »

No decent bodyshop wants to (or needs to) do work on old cars..theyre getting stupid money from insurance companies for minor tips..so why should they bother....they need a wake up call...maybe this situation will help...I had a MK3 Cortins repaired and full respray (metallic bronze) done for £400 back in the 80's....i dont know how thay can charge 5-8k for a weeks work...maybe because some people are willing to pay it...

kadman wrote: »

Even at 50 quid an hour, you can see how the costs mount up.

Thats 2 k a week before any consumables.

You wont get cheap restorations, and why should you. You are paying for a particular skilset

and that costs money. You would not seek out a cheap brain surgeon if you needed one:D

£400 in the '80s. What the sweet Jeebus has that got to do with anything ? I was paid £1.50 an hour in 1984, so are you telling me that's relevant now too ?

Fwiw, I'm currently looking to get a (classic) repainted, and I cut/paste one of the prices I got here:

"I don’t see a repaint on the (car) coming in at any less than 160hrs by the time the car is stripped of all trim, bumpers, lights, mirrors, glass removed, doors off, etc, then stonechips sanded out, dings repaired, primed, rubbed down, painted, lacquered, flat and polished, and all put back together again.

That gives a minimum of €8000 labour plus approx €1200 in materials and then 13.5% Vat on top."

So, €50/hr then. Sounds not unreasonable that way (when you see main dealers charging nigh on 3-figure sums p/hr for servicing), but it's the sheer amount of work - hours - that's the killer. It's not the rate.

?Cee?view

galwaytt wrote: »

So, €50/hr then. Sounds not unreasonable that way (when you see main dealers charging nigh on 3-figure sums p/hr for servicing), but it's the sheer amount of work - hours - that's the killer. It's not the rate.

Completely agree. Can't see how people can't get this through their heads

chillyspoon

Armstrong's in Co. Wicklow are another option, although I know they have one very fancy (not mine) and one the opposite of fancy (mine) cars in at the moment for significant body restoration work: http://www.armstrongbodyrepairs.ie/craftsmen.php, so there might be a long lead time!

Agree with everything the guys have said about about realistic pricing. E.g. if you've bought an MG Midget with what looks like minor tin worm for a few grand, you'll be putting at least 5k in to come out of the project with the rust sorted and a modern (i.e. better than factory) level paint job at the end of it. Note; I'm completely excluding engine, electrics, running gear etc.

If your car happens to be Porsche; Jon Miller is fantastic: http://www.classiccarworkshop.ie/index.html
.. I think he does Ferrari and Jag stuff too.

Exodus 1811

OP, I wouldnt get scared off from some of the posts here. I had a similar type of question and was scared off by concourse grade individuals that basically made me out to be an asshole for even thinking of doing repairs on the cheap. I lost a couple of years with an old van as I was afraid to put bad money into it. I copped on fairly quick and got it to a state where I could enjoy and got a food few years out of it before needed to be done again.

If the repair is solid, but the paint is shoddy and lets you get out on the road. Do that. If it needs to be done 5-6 years down the line again, what of it.

The main point is to get out on the road and enjoy your classic.

Peew

chillyspoon wrote: »

Armstrong's in Co. Wicklow are another option, although I know they have one very fancy (not mine) and one the opposite of fancy (mine) cars in at the moment for significant body restoration work: http://www.armstrongbodyrepairs.ie/craftsmen.php, so there might be a long lead time!

Agree with everything the guys have said about about realistic pricing. E.g. if you've bought an MG Midget with what looks like minor tin worm for a few grand, you'll be putting at least 5k in to come out of the project with the rust sorted and a modern (i.e. better than factory) level paint job at the end of it. Note; I'm completely excluding engine, electrics, running gear etc.

If your car happens to be Porsche; Jon Miller is fantastic: http://www.classiccarworkshop.ie/index.html
.. I think he does Ferrari and Jag stuff too.

Interested in your experience with the above, I'm on the hunt for the right guy to do some work, and a bit like the OP had been scared off by alot of the comments previously.Cheers

scannerd

In my experience the the best guys who take on this kind of work are small and often found by word of mouth, so not easy to find. Agree with earlier posters before that normal shops have no interest, and most of those that do this work are outside Dublin. You need to go meet them as they are as concerned about what type of customer they take on.

I found a chap near Rathcoffey kildare, had to call to the house to make contact, we found common ground but cost was not agreed as level of time was unknown. He took on extensive rust on firewall and front leg repair of an E30 2 years ago for me. I stripped the accessories and did all the putting back (brakes ,wiring etc) which suited both of us, cost as about 1800 and that was good deal so it can be done. if I have not done my part it would have 4k plus - it lots of hours doing this type of work and welding requires more stripping than most realize.

chillyspoon

Peew wrote: »

Interested in your experience with the above, I'm on the hunt for the right guy to do some work, and a bit like the OP had been scared off by alot of the comments previously.Cheers

I was hoping to get mine back before Sept Cars & Coffee but didn't happen thanks to one very hard to find (at a sane price) window seal. Armstrong's have done a great job on the bodywork, and Liam Collin's crew up in Bray did the wheels, which are perfect.

Of course the new paintwork highlights all the other crap that I've got to sort out, like knackered reflectors, foggy headlights etc - not to mention the tired engine that's got to be sorted out and a small matter of an NCT that I need to book now that it's back on the road!

To put the photo into context, Armstrong's addressed serious levels of rust; sills gone, rear right quarter was visibly holed, front right quarter was shot, hole under the drivers seat (looked like it had been jacked in the wrong position and damage had led to rot), etc etc etc

w124man

chillyspoon wrote: »

Liam Collin's crew up in Bray did the wheels, which are perfect.

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I got a set of very rare alloys refurbed by the Collins crew a few years ago and within 6 months they looked the same as when I left them in.

galwaytt

w124man wrote: »

I got a set of very rare alloys refurbed by the Collins crew a few years ago and within 6 months they looked the same as when I left them in.

No comment on their work as I don't know them from Adam, but maybe as someone mentioned, they're one of the business that focus on word-of-mouth etc, because their webpage is fairly brutal.

The testimonials and gallery are duplicated, and 1/3 of the gallery is of the recovery truck. Maybe it's just me, but I find a bad website is worse than no website.

?Cee?view

galwaytt wrote: »

Maybe it's just me, but I find a bad website is worse than no website.

Completely agree. Very offputting.

On Alloy refurb., I found these guys really good and very reasonable.

https://quinnautostyling.ie/

chillyspoon

galwaytt wrote: »

but maybe as someone mentioned, they're one of the business that focus on word-of-mouth etc

Definitely the case.

I've used them twice and have had good experiences both times. The first time I went, Liam took the time to give me a full tour of the workshop, he showed me the projects that were currently being done and some finished ones, which is always a good indicator of the kind of place and people you're dealing with.

Perhaps others haven't had the same positive experience but I have no complaints and will use them again.

BrianD3

The Golf looks good - what model is it, 1.6 GL?,I didn't particularly like the mk3 at the time but it has aged pretty well and is in a 1990s sweetspot between the now very outdated looking mk2 and the mk4.

I wish it was still the 1990s

chillyspoon

BrianD3 wrote: »

The Golf looks good - what model is it, 1.6 GL?,I didn't particularly like the mk3 at the time but it has aged pretty well and is in a 1990s sweetspot between the now very outdated looking mk2 and the mk4.

I'm the exact same, didn't like the Mk3 at all originally - the Mk3 is something of the difficult third album in the Golf family. It's a 1.8 GL 90, so it has the nice "chug" of the 1.8 8v engine; that might just be holes in the exhaust though :eek:

Peew

chillyspoon wrote: »

I was hoping to get mine back before Sept Cars & Coffee but didn't happen thanks to one very hard to find (at a sane price) window seal. Armstrong's have done a great job on the bodywork, and Liam Collin's crew up in Bray did the wheels, which are perfect.

Of course the new paintwork highlights all the other crap that I've got to sort out, like knackered reflectors, foggy headlights etc - not to mention the tired engine that's got to be sorted out and a small matter of an NCT that I need to book now that it's back on the road!

To put the photo into context, Armstrong's addressed serious levels of rust; sills gone, rear right quarter was visibly holed, front right quarter was shot, hole under the drivers seat (looked like it had been jacked in the wrong position and damage had led to rot), etc etc etc

Looks great.I might give them a shout.

Peew

I got down to Armstrong's just before this 5km restriction and Aubrey took a good look over the car, up on the ramp etc, so waiting on him to come back to me.
They were completely rammed with work mostly the simple stuff but did have a complete skeleton of a 911 that would be interesting see progress.

chillyspoon

Peew wrote: »

I got down to Armstrong's just before this 5km restriction and Aubrey took a good look over the car, up on the ramp etc, so waiting on him to come back to me.
They were completely rammed with work mostly the simple stuff but did have a complete skeleton of a 911 that would be interesting see progress.

That 911 is mahoooosive job - it was just back from the sand blaster when I brought my Golf down originally and there was - as is so often the case with everything up as far as the 964 - barely a net of a shell left particularly in the usual spots at the base of the b pillars / kidney bowls. The original widening of the rear arches was a complete hackjob, which Aubrey and the team have had to fix too. Fascinating stuff to see.

Good luck with the resto!

Peew

chillyspoon wrote: »

That 911 is mahoooosive job - it was just back from the sand blaster when I brought my Golf down originally and there was - as is so often the case with everything up as far as the 964 - barely a net of a shell left particularly in the usual spots at the base of the b pillars / kidney bowls. The original widening of the rear arches was a complete hackjob, which Aubrey and the team have had to fix too. Fascinating stuff to see.

Good luck with the resto!

Yeah a huge job on that 911 alright.
It is great to see, there will be some hours in that car.