Painters in west midlands

[iansoady]

I've decided to have the moody blue V50 repainted professionally as I don't mind doing frame bits etc but I've never managed a decent finish on tanks. I've had an estimate of £400 for the tank, 2 side panels and front mudguard. Anybody recommend a painter who's good but cheap in the West Midlands? I'm not looking for a concours finish but want it to look professional.



ps I'm going to source a proper front mudguard first!

[themoudie]

Aye Ian, it is all in the preparation and the more you can do before handing the parts over, may help reduce the cost. But with hourly rates of £40 - £50, not uncommon among skilled self-employed artisans and paint costs of £40 + per litre, plus thinners, plus laquer, plus rubbing down and drying times, I am not surprised at your estimate for £400.

By the way is this for 'fragile' cellulose' or more robust 'two-pack', the latter being better able to resist the dreaded ethanol, but still be susceptable to attack.

I attach a thread for individual contemplation upon the paint types and their attributes. The degeneration into personal vilification towards the end of the thread!    At one time, if my grey matter is correct,     'Anna' posted on this forum for a short time.

NOC_paint_finish_thread!

Hope you find a good painter and obtain a good job for reasonable money, SRX400 Ian, may wish to comment upon his painter, who produced the 'Cool Mint' and 'Raspberry Ripple' paint jobs for him.

My regards, Bill

[CrazyFrog]

Ian,

Gary Cooper of http://www.mdmachine.co.uk/galleryindex.html did my SilverStar tank for me and charged £250 for the tank, single colour, clear coat and hand gold coach lining. My guess is he'd charge about 3400 for all your tinware.

I've also heard good things about these folk http://www.motopaint.co.uk/, though I have no idea how much they would charge.

I guess the other alternative is a local car spray shop, who may be willing to help you out.

[iansoady]

Thanks both.

I did try Motopaint who did a good job on scuffed side panels on my V-Strom but his estimate was very high at £550. I will try Gary Cooper (is that a train I hear coming, and why is my wife packing to leave?) and see what he says.

The £400 was from AJM Autocraft - the chap I spoke to was helpful and knowledgeable. Everybody says they'll have to go back to bare metal / plastic; 2-pack seems to be the way to go as it's just going to be solid colour and won't need lacquer. My experiences with local paint shops have been mixed to say the least.

I'll check out the NOC thread. I've been visiting the NOC site in my as yet tentative search for an ES2, and I remember Anna has some forthright (and often wrong) views.......

[iansoady]

Just spoken to Gary who seems like a nice chap and quoted me £400. Seems to be the going rate......

[CrazyFrog]

Just spoken to Gary who seems like a nice chap and quoted me £400. Seems to be the going rate......

He is a nice guy, but the only caveat is that he did take a very long time to do my tank - two months IIRC, but it was in the middle of the holiday period...

[iansoady]

Yes, I perhaps made a mistake when I said I wouldn't be in a rush for it.

[Ian]

Hi Ian just read this posting. I will send you details of the chap who has done all of my paintwork. His name is Lee Chambers and is based in Wednesfield if you are interested.
Ian

[iansoady]

Many thanks Ian.

[iansoady]

I've been in touch with Lee and he sent me some pics - look like excellent work - and he's the lowest offer so far as well, so I think I'll go with him.

Many thanks for the pointer Ian.

[iansoady]

Just picked up the Guzzi parts from Lee and he's done an excellent job (but as I was warned he does take a while). When it's all screwed together again I'll post "after" pics.

[Ian]

Hi Ian, Im glad you were pleased with Lee`s efforts. As you are probably well aware by now he has had difficulties at home which have  prevented him from being quicker. You know what they say tho..."Perfection is worth waiting for"
PS Lee did my latest effort with his "up to date" version of the speedblocks which I sent in a previous posting (also my own Avatar now)

Best Regards

Ian R

[iansoady]

Yes indeed he did tell me and I wasn't intending any criticism. He's a very nice chap as well.

Bits now fitted as well as polished exhausts and it looks lovely. Ready for taxing from the 1st March.

[CrazyFrog]

Yes indeed he did tell me and I wasn't intending any criticism. He's a very nice chap as well.

Bits now fitted as well as polished exhausts and it looks lovely. Ready for taxing from the 1st March.

Piccies Ian, we need piccies. Nice, bright shiny piccies.......

[iansoady]

And you will have them when it's taxed and warm enough for me to venture out on it......