Any recommendations for car body repair?

[jkeny]

I know it's not Hi-Fi but has anybody got a recommendation for a good car body repair shop for my SLK?

I have a ding from a builder's truck which I need repairing but more importantly I have some rust in the wheel arches which is creeping around onto the side panels.

I'm particularly interested in rust treatment & prevention - I don't want to have to revisit this problem so someone who does a good panel respray & knows a bit about rust prevention. Any body repair shops I've spoken to haven't mentioned anything about rust prevention treatment after respraying.

[Ivor]

In the past I've used Frank Trunk - he's behind the ex synagogue on South Circular Road, between St Kevins and Leonards corner. He's very good. No messin' about, not the cheapest but he knows his stuff.

[jkeny]

Thanks Ivor

[Terry]

These lads are excellent John... http://www.fitzwilliamgarage.com

Very professional.

Terry

[jkeny]

Thanks Terry.

[sebna]

I can give you the list of who not to use... so far I have only found those type of panel-beaters. So far two :)

I did full rust treatment two years ago on my Mazda MX-5 and rust was back after 12 months... in same spots.. and welded piece of steal has separated from the body :D ... so I will not be coming back to that guy, that is for sure... he was supposed to be good.

Cannot remember the name ATM but will post it later.

[jkeny]

Thanks, Seb - this is what I want to avoid - revisiting the problem in a year or so.

I called into Fitzwilliam garage & talked to Joe - I wasn't too impressed with his responses about the rust treatment. He may be a good repair & respray garage but didn't instill confidence about treating rust. Problem is after a respray there is no way for me to examine the work to check if the rust has been adequately dealt with - it's really a matter of trust (not rust, haha).

BTW, what did the rust treatment consist of? My rust is just surface rust, AFAIK. My research tells me that after sanding down to bare metal some form of rust stopper acid is first used, washed off/cleaned up & almost immediately primer has to be applied or the surface becomes contaminated again. I'm also interested in some form of wax or barrier treatment on the inner surface of the wheel arches which is where I mostly have the problem.

[Terry]

Joe @ Fitzwilliam garage is highly reputable and well regarded as one if the best in the trade. He guarantees his work. Don't be put off by his casual/nonchalant way. Suggest you press him on your concerns. Not happy that his reputation could be sullied without having a chance to respond.

[jkeny]

Joe @ Futzwilliam garage is highly reputable and well regarded as one if the best in the trade. He guarantees his work. Don't be put off by his casual/nonchalant way. Suggest you press him on your concerns. Not happy that his reputation could be sullied without having a chance to respond.

Didn't mean to sully his reputation - it was my impression of my meeting with him - maybe just his laid-back approach? - he may be the best in the business but he didn't make any guarantees about the rust when I asked him about this specifically (There were also some other answers I didn't like concerning the job) - as I said, it's a matter of trust as I have no way of checking the underlying work after the it has been resprayed - I can't find any reviews or otherwise about the garage.