How good are SmartABC/Chipsaway etc for small dent repairs vs a garage/bodyshop?

Jaxer

I have small but very sharp indentation near the bottom/skirting of a rear passenger door. It's right on the contour of the "body line" (new shape Mazda 3).

I've been quoted £250 by a local Smart ABC operator as he says its an all-day job including painting.

The local Mazda dealers quoted me around £600 inc. but they say its at least a 3 day job for the paint process - which makes me feel a bit dubious about how good the Smart ABC finish can be if its all done on the same day.

Has anyone had any experience of how smooth/good a Smart ABC/Chipsaway dent job comes out.

blue_haddock

As they are usually a franchise its all down to the skill of the individual who is doing the job.

Hammyman

blue_haddock wrote: »

As they are usually a franchise its all down to the skill of the individual who is doing the job.

And unlike the bodyshop, you will find that many have merely been in a short week or two week course done by the franchise as opposed to a 2 year apprenticeship with college training.

steveo3002

in my experiance , usualy very poor

the bodyshop will have a expensive dust free oven and a paint system thats similar to what most factory use , its highly toxic stuff that must be sprayed in controled conditions etc

the chips away guy may have been on a weeks training and will spray in the dusty /raining driveway

if you're not too fussed and cheap is the most important factor then fine do it , if you're picky and love your car find a quality bodyshop (easier said than done)

neilmcl

Have you tried getting a quote from an independent bodyshop repair centr, they may be cheaper than the dealers own?

Also, bear in mind the Smart ABC/Chipsaway guy will only be making a spot repair/paint job, whereas the bodyshop will probably want to respray the entire door area to blend in.

DCFC79

Depends how much you can afford to pay for it,

colino

As said above, you need a recommendation about a particular operator, not the Franchise name. Most of these guys are good but I've came across one who actually made a car worse looking!

neilmcl

I think they can be pretty good if you have a base, particularly dark colour, but they do tend to struggle getting a perfect metallic match, hence the need to blend in.