hi all, could anyone advise me on getting a re spray on my mk3 front bumper as it’s seriously stone chipped. Should I seek out some kind of specialist or would a accident repair garage do a decent job. Will I get a really good paint match or will there always be a difference in colour. Any idea on cost and how long would this job take. I don’t want to attempt this myself with a rattle can as I want a professional job
Car is in Rochdale area so any recommendations
many thanks G.
Can’t recommend Painter Dave at Deepcar Autobodies, north of Sheffield, too highly enough. Great work and he knows Fives of all Mk’s.
No connection other than being a very satisfied customer.
Thanks Doug
How close will the colour be to bonnet and rest of the car.
How much will bumper cost and is there anywhere closer, what about local body repair shops can they be trusted.
Thanks G.
Anybody else with any thoughts
Best to Google it and then ring around
Any good body shop should be able to do this and blend the new paint with the old to get a good match. Find someone local with a good reputation, then go speak to them. Cash can save you money on VAT, but expect to pay upwards of £200 for a single panel/bumper. If it needs a complete repaint, all the way to the edges, then matching metalics can become problematic. But speak to someone who knows their job and can see what needs doing. Blending the surrounding panels to achieve a good match can become expensive.
If it is the whole front bumper blending should resolve any slight colour difference.
Any decent sprayer should be able to match the colour perfectly with no colour difference.
Many of the smaller body shops have gone now with new paint types and equipment and insurance companies calling the shots. If you don’t know the area ask a local Mazda or Ford garage if they have their own paint shop or who they use.
There will be different ways of tackling it and if you get a Mazda repairer he will know the most effective, eg, remove and repaint the whole bumper, mask and repaint the whole bumper on the car, or locally paint and blend into the old if there are suitable lines and curves to lose the repair on.
You want the colour as close as possible but it’s often slightly different on plastic bumpers even when new. Guys like chips-away do a decent job on corners for £100 but, being an obvious metallic, if you want it spot on in all lights I think a body shop will paint the whole bumper panel, probably £3-400 and 3-4 days, but I may be out of touch so let us know how it goes.
When SWMBO pranged our previous MX last year and put a crease in the door,I got a blue door from Autolink and had it sprayed black locally.Spray guy used Mazda Paint code and paint and when I fitted it I was pleasantly surprised that the colour seemed to match exactly when put on what was then an 8 year old car.
Our 3.75 parked up last Sun night when a bloke reversed into it,but has accepted responsibility.
Damage is to nearside front with a couple of small creases so new front panel needed,2 quotes so far,£1120(Frosts,large national firm I think) and local indy £890.
Think Frosts said they’d need the car for 3 days,but Indy only 1/2 or 1 day.
Indy said they’d get the panel in and prepare and paint it,then only small amount of time needed to fit.
I queried the paint match especially as it’s Sparkly Black,but he said shouldn’t be a problem with modern paint.
Indy quoted £240 for labour and £136 for paint and materials,£365 for bumper–all ex vat.
Think if you removed the panel yourself,the cost of repainting should only be about £250ish.the guy who painted the door for our earlier car charged £150(no vat)
Really useful info guys, thank you very much, I’ll let you know over next couple of weeks who and what does this for me.
again thank you and happy festive season.
G.