Bodywork / Paintwork / Accident Repairs
Various types of body and paintwork repairs can be carried out, from touch-ups and buffing techniques, small local repairs and minor dents / scuffs and scratches, to larger repairs requiring panel repair or replacement and fully re-painting and blending. Quality consumables and well-proven paint materials are always used including products from Tetrosyl, U-POL, 3M, Mipa, Standox and DuPont.
Accident Repairs
Where possible, vehicles are repaired using any combination of brand new dealer supplied parts, 2nd-hand items, or new non-genuine parts including bumpers, panels, lights, mouldings and other fittings. Many non-genuine parts are quality Thatcham approved items and represent substantial cost savings when compared to the main dealer price for the equivelent item. Repairing vehicles in this way can be very cost effective and can save an otherwise good vehicle from becoming a 'write-off'. We often find private motorists wanting to avoid the unnecessary hassle of paying an insurance excess, loss of no-claims bonus, and increased premiums associated with an insurance claim.
In some cases during repair, vehicle manufacturer diagnostic computer equipment may be needed to turn off dash warning lights such as air bag lights for example - and to reset some systems after repair. This can often be arranged at minimal cost through local contacts. It is advisable to make a note of any radio or alarm/immobiliser codes etc, in case the vehicle battery needs to be disconnected whilst work is being carried out.
Bodykit Fitting
Spoiler and bodykit fitting/painting and other specialist modifications such as vented bonnets, 'light brows', flush tailgates/de-locking, custom bumpers and mesh fitting can be carried out.
Both fibreglass and ABS plastic bodykits can be fitted in several ways,
including brackets, screwing, riveting and bonding using high-strength adhesive
sealants.
Custom wheel arches and sill extensions can be blended into the existing
bodywork to create a flowing seamless appearance. It is not recommended
that bumpers are blended into the adjacent bodywork due to the stress cracking
that can occur along seams after a minor impact, shock, or vibration. Even
a minor car park nudge or clipping a high curb can result in long cracks
between the bumper and wing seam when the impact is transferred into the
filled joints.
The majority of aftermarket bodykits are fibreglass mouldings which are considerably cheaper than ABS plastic items but it should be noted that these fibreglass parts often need considerable additional preparation to rectify moulding faults, ripples, pin-holes and stress cracking to bring them up to an acceptable standard for priming and painting. ABS plastic bodykits and spoilers tend to be of higher quality, are less prone to cracking, have a smooth appearance and are easier to fit and paint. Bodykits manufactured by Rieger and Irmscher are normally good examples of quality plastic mouldings.
Airbrush Artwork
Custom paintwork / airbrushing / artwork can also be arranged through Grant Hood with any initial repair work, plastic welding and panel preparation carried out on-site in Halifax, before being handed over to Grant for the artwork process and then returned for final lacquering and buffing.