Smart Repair Recomendation in South West

[Brenbo]

Have had a day on the phone today.  First after 3 phone calls to VW I have booked my car in for a half day to fix the Mirror switch on the inside of the drivers door.  Beware all,  The switch is really easy to catch and break while getting in to the car if parked in a tight space.  I barely touched the door and had no idea I had caught the switch until I thought I would just check, only to find it broken. 

I have also had a reply from VW regarding the paint.  Apparently VW Exeter do not have a paint and body shop onsite, they use an external paint & repair centre called Smart World.  The guys at smart world have told me it will take a whole day to fix the paint damage on the bumper.  They have also told me they will take the bumper off to re-spray.  Sounds fairly expensive but when the car cost as much as it did, it will be worth it. 

Will keep you posted

[Exonian]

Interesting about the bumper. I've not heard back from my ex-colleague as of close of play today which doesn't really surprise me as a) he's a busy bunny and b) I relied on a message getting to him with my number on it via a golfing buddy of his who probably forgot to tell him  :roll eyes:
The VW bodyshop is across town from the dealership (assuming they still use the same place as Audi do). I'm sure a smart repair guy could give you an answer. It seems a lot to pay out having the bumper sprayed if it's avoidable.

This is a company I had recommended elsewhere http://www.liquidfinish.co.uk but they seem to concentrate on South Devon so will assume that's their franchise area.

The mirror switch is very flimsy.

[Brenbo]

Thanks for the update.  I also found them on Google search, but on your recommendation have now only just contacted them.  I feel the Smart Worlds solution of removing bumper may be excessive.  I have told Liquid Finish I will cover fuel cost if it is too far outside their catchment area. As long as they are able to smart repair pearlescent paint and willing to do so I may give them a go.   

[Exonian]

Good Luck!

It'll be interesting to hear if they can mix up the pearl ok and I don't see why not in theory as they will just have to do a white base then build up the pearl over the top. It's just how invisible the repair can be made which on white *shouldn't* be too bad in theory.

If there's only one mark on the bumper it'll be a shame if the whole thing has to come off to be painted, the sensors all removed, etc.

[Brenbo]

I feel the same about the whole bumper coming off for a small area of damage.  However should a mobile smart repairer be unable to match and repair a pearl effect paint then I may have to go for the whole bumper respray as a last resort.  I have not had a quote from Smart World yet.  Will let you know if it is cost effective against a mobile smart repair service. 

On the coats of paint to create Pearl effect paint, I think Oryx is actually pure white, then a pearl effect coat is applied on top which is just the fillaments etc,. Then a lacquer on top of that.  I should hear from LiquidFinish soon.  Hopefully they can repair pearl effect paint without it being visible after or having to take off the bumper.  It will also be the easier of my options for logistics etc,.

[Brenbo]

I have just had a reply from Liquid finish and smart world.  Liquid Finish will not be able to get to my area as it is too far to come.  I would have to meet them in Plymouth to get the repair.  This is not viable for me meet up and get a repair, so will be unable to have liquid finish do the repair.  This is something I am finding while trying to find a mobile smart repair service. 

Smart World have also come back with a quote.  It is considerably more than liquid finish or other smart repairers, but I am informed they do a few of the dealerships paint work repairs including VW Exeter's.  So I may just bite the bullet and go for it with Smart World.  Will let you know the results of my expedition to Exter and how the repair goes. 

Many thanks for all your help guys, especially Caprigreen  and Exonian.   

[caprigreen]

I have just had a reply from Liquid finish and smart world.  Liquid Finish will not be able to get to my area as it is too far to come.  I would have to meet them in Plymouth to get the repair.  This is not viable for me meet up and get a repair, so will be unable to have liquid finish do the repair.  This is something I am finding while trying to find a mobile smart repair service. 

Smart World have also come back with a quote.  It is considerably more than liquid finish or other smart repairers, but I am informed they do a few of the dealerships paint work repairs including VW Exeter's.  So I may just bite the bullet and go for it with Smart World.  Will let you know the results of my expedition to Exter and how the repair goes. 

Many thanks for all your help guys, especially Caprigreen  and Exonian.   

No worries always pleased to help. Do you mind sharing the price quoted ?

[Brenbo]

Can do, it was a lot, but where I live I have had no luck getting any mobile repairers to come out to see me.  The quote was £300+  Bit excessive for the damage I had.  But I expect a first class service for this money. 

[Brenbo]

I have had the repair carried out on my paint work finally and thought I would give you guys an update. 

I initially tried to source a smart repair service which would repair the damaged paint work on the rear bumper of my car.  However due to my location no one was willing to come out to the Launceston/Bude area to smart repair the damaged paint on my car, even when I offered to pay for the time and fuel it would take to come out to my location. 

So I ended up contacting VW Exeter to see if their bodyshop would fix the paint damage.  They informed me they do not have a body shop onsite and instead use a repair centre down the road, so on my behalf forwarded the pics of the damage to the centre for advice.  I then contacted someone Exonian had suggested and to my surprise it was the same centre VW contacted.  The paint and body repair centre was 'Smart World' in Exeter, Marsh Barton.  I asked for a quote and courtesy car then on Thursday this week I took my car in and left it with them for a day and half. 

The service Smart World provided was efficient and professional.  The courtesy car was a VW Fox which I renamed 'Pig' as it drove like one but kinda fun at the same time without saying too much, it was a case of so bad it was kinda good fun.  The paint finish on my GTI PP was Oryx White which as you know is pearlescent.  The repair Smart World carried out was to remove the bumper, remove the paint and re-spray it from scratch which with pearlescent paint is 3 coats. 

The result is perfect, 10/10 match I cannot see any difference.  Although it is white and apart form discolour from age which I suspect has not happened enough yet with a 1.5 year old car.  The car looks like brand new again. 

The price was around £300+ to have the bumper re-spray in Oryx White.  Which is a bit steep for some, but after seeing the repair carried out is worth it this time. 

If any of you live in the south west and may have bought your car from Exeter area, if you get any body or paint damage on your Golf give 'Smart World' a call.  The reason for this is simple, they do all body and paint repair for most of the dealerships in Marsh Barton, including VW Exeter, so you may as well go straight to the source. 

Hope this helps some of you in my local area to make your decision of which repair centre to use in the future, I most certainly would use them again 

[Gnasher]

Glad it all got sorted (and sorted well).

I'm in the same boat (although I have the easier to match pure white) but I've had the contractors who strim the weeds (it's just dirt with weeds in out here) manage to actually dent the 2 rear quarter panels on 2 different occasions with stones flicked up by them (can't prove it unfortunately).

So I'll be on the lookout for a smart repairer in the Lincoln area within a couple of months!