Chips Away

Rainmaker

Rainmaker

Rainmaker

Soldato
Joined
18 Aug 2007
Posts
9,923
Location
Liverpool
My 58 Citroen Berlingo has a small scuff (couple of scratches really) on the back quarter, just behind the filler cap. Caused by an errant wheelie bin :(

Since it's a lease car I'd rather get it fixed myself if I can as it'd be easier than putting it through the insurance (£75). I remembered seeing Chips Away mentioned on here, and the local franchisee/rep came and had a look and quoted £120 to repair it back to 'as good as new'. He commented how the new water based paints were rubbish and that I shouldn't be surprised it fell off so easily :p

The dealer spotted the marks on the 12.5k service and I mentioned I'd asked Chips Away to have a look. Cue him sucking his teeth and telling me they'd never fix it properly and he's seen some 'right messes' after they've been involved. He did ask how I thought they'd be any good, when they paint on your drive and dry the paint with a lamp rather than in an oven.

I didn't really have an answer for that, as I don't know much about this kind of thing. He just said it's my money and my gamble. :o It sounds logical, but then at the same time he would say that, he stands to lose a lot of monies...

Does anyone more knowledgeable have any advice?
 
when wet does it look like its not there? if so it can polish out

if u run your fingernail over it can u feel high and low spot/nick? has it actually got to the primer?

post a pic might help or visit detailingworld.com or something liek that.
 
From what I've read in the past ChipsAway are very hit and miss...

Some of the depots do a great job and others make a complete mess :o
 
k3wt said:
when wet does it look like its not there? if so it can polish out

if u run your fingernail over it can u feel high and low spot/nick? has it actually got to the primer?

post a pic might help or visit detailingworld.com or something liek that.
Click to expand...

Sorry I didn't think to post details. I'm used to having bangers and who cares if they're dented and scratched to hell? :D They are deep enough to expose white-ish paint (primer presumably) below, and you can feel them with your nail, yes. :( You can definitely still spot them when wet, unfortunately.
 
Don't use chipsaway for anything other than small chips imo.

I got them round to repair a small dent that had been done by someone opening their car door onto the Audi TT I used to have and they did a crap job as everyone could see the paint did not match as they had not painted a large enough area to be able to blend it in properly, I tried to get them to come back and redo it but they always had excuses why they could not come.
 
Since using them I wouldn't bother. Charges were not too bad but the work was shabby.

Local repair van businesses are usually better as they are built on rep, shame the good one I used was arrogant and have to trial and error with some more :mad:

Also remember ChipsAway want sales in their franchise so won't be too picky who uses them.
 
With ChipsAway, it seems very dependent on the franchisee that does the work for you.

The local one here repaired a few scratches on my boss's Jag, and when he'd finished, there was no sign that there had ever been any damage to the panels.
 
Want to get it done on mine, but now this thread has thrown a few questions in the air... gonna have to ask around and see if i can get a few reviews of the local one.
 
I'd just find a local reputable body shop - you should be able to get it done for that price or less. I was quoted £300 recently to respray 2 bumpers and a smart repair down the edge of the door - so a chip for £120 should be easily doable
 
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