In 2008's February snow I whacked a kerb hard enough to throw the wheel into the arch of the wing and bend it out of shape where a mud guard would mount.

The guy that fixed it managed to get allot of the warping out but the cold and impact sent cracks and fracturing into the paint around the effected area.. as a result some paint simply fell off. My guy touched it in with some Civic type R black he had (surprisingly a great match).

I fitted a mud guard and that covered the slightly "rounded" arch lip and about half the touched up paint.

Now though, the paints falling off again and leaving exposed metal, i know the metal is treated but I don't really wanna take a risk with rust and having now recovered from the expensive of putting it right in the 1st place have found my self in a position to get it fixed properly.

I've got 2 quotes, both of which tell me the whole wing will need painting as the process requires sanding back to smooth the area. with this in mind I asked if just changing the wing was a better option and they said not, it could be fixed.

Now, the real reason I started the thread...

Option 1. £150

Body shop I pass everyday.. Normally Mercs and Jags outside. Recent spat of Polo's old and new. When asking for a quote poked head round the back. 911, New Polo, 9n polo, Audi Q5. Dust sheet over the 911. Very tidy, organised and clean. Asked why I didn't see any merc anymore.. the dealer that sent the work went bust.

Option 2. £100

Round the back of where i work.. In amongst a bunch of 4 places (industrial auto estate). They had the cleanest body shop of the 4 on this street.. (not a patch on the guys above though).. Had a R plate astra in, a current shape TT with some R8 kinda panels on the side. the guy out side was hand finishing a Leon I think.. not sure, felt very uncomfortable there. told me he could do me a good job.. and did describe the exact same work as the 1st place.

Which would you go to?

I'm swaying to the 1st and footing the £50 extra as if they've got a rep for painting porches, audi's, VW's and Mercs for the dealer they must know there paints and how to match them. I'm just a bit weary after a body shop replaced my back bumper and never really got the match 100% (or the fit).. but that's a whole other thread.

I don't wanna get them to do it if the wings not going to match afterwards? lol..

Edited 12 October, 201015 yr by Rob.

If they use the proper paint and paint code, with modern paints, it should be fine!

I just got some eyebrows painted just from the code and they are spot on. The issue I have, is fixing them as I tried automotive tape but they started to come off so I am now getting some "proper"3m tape. that sticks like tummy rubbish top a blanket!

As for fixing the wing, if it is a bolt-on, why not just replace it? get the part yourself and get the painter to fix and paint it. If welded, then go for a fix but in my opinion, they will never be 100%. Ask the dealrs if they warranty their work as some are, for as much as 5 years!

As far as I understand it, the wings a bolt on bolt off kinda thing..

But I think the issue is it'll be quite obvious that the bolts have been on and off the car once replaced... if the match is good then hopefully this repair will be invisible as if there is any difference left you'd have to have a new wing right by the side of the car to notice it.

Also, finding a good used wing won't be easy unless collecting in person...

I think getting this one fixed up is the way forward.. I'm guessing the whole wing has to be painted as they've got to sand back all the flaky cracked paint and that most likely is worse than it looks once you take sand paper to it.

The only concern I have other than paint match is if the mud guard will fit properly after the repair as the slight strech in the arch at the minute makes it want to go just a little bit straighter than it should.. Again, not that anyone would ever notice.. I'm just a bit OTT myself..

The fact you say you didn't feel comfortable at the second (cheaper) place must surely rule them out. As for the wing, I think I would be inclined to replace it - why not pop back to the first pace and get a quote for them doing that? If it's not much more expensive it's probably worth doing.