Mk2 16V project advice

[TheBigFraMan]

Hey folks, how u doin?  This is my first post since joining the forum, although I have read through it a lot and have found a ton of stuff which has helped me so far. 

I recently sold my civic type-r in order to but a Gti to totally restore as i'm a huge golf fan, and have been for years.  My mate who is on this forum (DSCAM) has recently finished his project inspireing me to do it, so I bought a blue H reg 16-valver.  I'm planning on doing the car up proper and keeping it for a number of years so wanna make sure I get everything 100% spot on.  No point in spending a ton on a paint job if am just gonna end up with rust again.  While my mate has been helpful, I've came across a few problems that he didn't and so im looking for some advice.

I've bought a lot of replacement panels for the car which were rusted, such as 2 new front wings, new slam panel, new front cross-member, new tailgate.  The car is very solid underneath, but the bonnet and doors were the only panels which didnt have some kind of rust on them, surface or otherwise.

The only real problem i'm having is with the back arches.  I've bought arch repair panels as i've been told replacing the full quarter is a massive job 2 do.  Has anyone ever had the rear arch panels welded in, and if so how did you find the finish was after the car was all sprayed up? 

I've never really had 2 many dealings with bodyshops, but I know that if rust gets into metal it never goes away, so I wanna replace all the panels as best I can.  I've fully stripped all the trim, windows, engine out of the car to minimise the cost at a body shop + I want the enjoyment of doing most of the work myself.

Can anyone recommend a good panel beater / spray painter in the west of Scotland area?  I stay near Livingston, but haven't really had any good recommendations from anyone as yet.  I wouldnt like to take the car to a bodyshop without knowing someone who had previous experience.  Any help would be much appreciated as this is my first project.

Cheers,  Fraser   

[monkeyalan]

alright mate.  I've just had the full rear quarter panel done on my mk3 due to a white van and an idiot. I can honestly say i cant tell anythings been done, the place did a spot on job,so it can be done. 

[TheBigFraMan]

Superb mate, thanks for the advice.  Did u get the full rear quarter replaced, and if so was it a big job?  Im prepared to get that done if it was required but as I don't know much about bodywork I don't know what bits can be repaired and what can't.  Car isn't far away from being right back to the metal, all trim off inside and out.  Then I'm gonna replace all the brake pipes, suspension bushes and fit my coilover etc..  Shouldn't take too long I hope, then its ready to go, so i'm really in need of a recommendation for a bodyshop if anyone can help?  Cheers, Fraser

[monkeyalan]

I never saw them do it but from the damage i had i should think so. the panel was bent and rippled right up to the window.