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During a lapse of concentration (I was unwell at the time M’lud) I managed to damage the offside rear corner of my 2006 Pioneer Renoir and am presently searching for a competent body repair shop within reasonable distance.

has anyone any experience of such a repairer in North Yorkshire, Teeside or Durham sort of area?

David 

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Thanks mtravel - there is a good body shop where I live so started there this morning. The reply was something along the lines of “ sorry mate don’t do Motorhomes any more - take two car spaces up and I’m booked up for the year” as he carried on gently polishing the wing of a Ferrari. Seems some are just picking the jobs they want to do so my circle of enquiry is widening.

Had the first estimate back as £1800+vat so I’m thinking it’s going to be way over the excess and better to do it through insurance.

David

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50 minutes ago, david lloyd said:

Had the first estimate back as £1800+vat so I’m thinking it’s going to be way over the excess and better to do it through insurance.

David

Eighteen hundred pounds for that job seems crazy to me.

Since it's fiberglass it's a job that can also be done by yourself.

It's not that difficult and the web is full of tutorials on how to do it.

As already said, the only precautions are to get the RAL code and read carefully how to apply the subsequent gelcoat.

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I would do that myself if I were you. If you have lots of spare time that is. I have done lots of that type of thing, always being unable to see the reversing camera and granit walls, high kerbs, and even wheely bins have tried to impede my backwards progress. If it were mine, I would first put a screw or two through the part that has got pushed in, and lever it outwards. You might need to use a wide screwdriver or jemmy to lever the two split halves as near together as you can. Then use a flap disc like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/SATC-Discs-Grinding-Grinder-Sanding/dp/B08P6QWQDB/

to skim off the sticking-out bits. Then fill the gaps with this 2 pack fibreglass https://www.amazon.co.uk/SILVERHOOK-BIG51-Glass-Fibre-Filler/dp/B007Z4ODFW/

Rub it down as best you can with a rough grade (180) wet and dry paper, used wet with a rubber block. By now you will have a rough outline of the proper shape and you need to rub down the sticking-out bits, and fill the sticking-in bits. You can use a straight edge such as a stainless steel ruler held vertically across the repair, the ends of the straight edge touching the good original bodywork. Fill the depressions with some filler paste: https://www.amazon.co.uk/SILVERHOOK-BIG11-Ultra-Fine-Body-Filler/dp/B00C9D5T70/

Keep filling, rubbing down, measuring with the straight edge, rub down the high spots and fill the depressions until you have a straight, smooth surface. Then spray with a grey primer such as you can get from Wickes. You may then have to go to a paint sprayer to finish it off.

The point is that even if you have a protected bonus, you will have to pay probably the first £500 of a claim and then you will find next years premium has increased by another £500 and the year after that £400, on top of the normal annual insurance increases of 40%.

I would expect to spend four 8 hour days doing the work - but I would be doing it on my driveway whereas a proper body shop would have air driven tools and the spray kit and could do it quicker.

I would have done a youtube video, but in spite of the ridiculous claimed data rate speeds of the typical internet companies, my upload speed is 0.8mbps and a ten minute video that I did took 22 hours to send to youtube so of course I don't bother any more.

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Thanks guys. Just had a second quote for £600 - £800 which seems considerably more in line with what I had in mind for a professional repair and repaint. Spoke to the guy on the phone and sounds very competent.

I have repaired a GRP trailer once with matting and 2 pack resin but can’t say I made an excellent job. For a trailer it was a passable job.

My trouble is this old Renoir is in really good condition for its age (2006) and it’s maybe worth my while getting a proper repair just to keep it so. It’s not that I lack the confidence or tools to have a go but worry how good a finish I could make.

David

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Thanks everyone. Have just booked it in with TCM Caravan and Motorhome Repairs at Bishop Auckland for 8 July. My insurance excess is £450 so I’m not going to involve them. They are also going to look at tidying up some sealant and a couple of blemishes.

David 

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Anyone in the Midlands who needs a similar repair could try allsigns near Broadway, i managed to reverse my nuevo into a lamppost.

cost was £800.00 dropped it off at 8am had a loan car for the day, returned at 4pm all done including being baked in the oven,

Looks as if it had never happened.

Pete 

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  • 1 month later...

Gat the Renoir back today from TCM Caravan and Motorhome Repairs near Bishop Auckland. To say I’m delighted with the finished job would be an understatement. Not only is the finish excellent but it was done on time and within the price quoted - they even valeted the exterior.

I have no links to this company other than as a satisfied customer but can highly recommend their service and workmanship for body repairs. See the before and after pictures.

David

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