Clearpro S.M.A.R.T Repairs

[jwo]

Finally got around to having the bumper scuff fixed yesterday (two tone bumper, wife managed to reverse the reversing sensor into a concrete bollard!!! - rather unsightly gash as a result) by Tim from Clearpro.

He did a great job on the repair, it does look good as new. Took about 6hrs in all, building up the filler layers etc. Really good job and i can thoroughly recommend his services.

I shall endeavour to post up some before and after pics!

[Cappy]

I have just had my car done by chips away..

I am amased at how good they are.. There is no way you can tell the car was ever damaged..

smart people these SMART repairers

Amit

[Tarmac_Terrorist]

I have seen some excellent SMART repairs and i've also seen some OK / average. I thought I read somewhere that the paint lacquer they use is of a lower or different quality than that used in a regular bodyshop? Perhaps someone can advise?

Would be good to build up a library of before and after pics from various repairs / repairers as I know many on here have deliberated either having a SMART repair undertaken v's a 'bodyshop job'.

[CactusGreen]

Originally Posted by Tarmac_Terrorist

I have seen some excellent SMART repairs and i've also seen some OK / average. I thought I read somewhere that the paint lacquer they use is of a lower or different quality than that used in a regular bodyshop? Perhaps someone can advise?

Would be good to build up a library of before and after pics from various repairs / repairers as I know many on here have deliberated either having a SMART repair undertaken v's a 'bodyshop job'.

Not sure how long it lasts....and I think that the area done can all play on the longevity of the repair....

I had a wing mirror cap done...and 3 years on it's now covered in tiny pit marks where the repair as lifted from the original and left a 'hole'. They diminish with a polish for a short while, but you can seem them up close.....

Had another one done to a leading corner on the front bumper last summer....that too is just starting to show these same small pits.....and if you go anywhere near the repairs with the likes of a G220 the colour comes away on the pads....

Think they do a good cover up job....but that's all.

[Tarmac_Terrorist]

Surely if colour comes away on a polishing pad, that would indicate that they have omitted to add the clearcoat layer????
I'd be taking that back!

[General]

With no malice intended. SMART repairers are not here to do 'a good cover up job'.

Our basecoat systems are in some cases more advanced than those of a bodyshop. All our materials are now fully compliant with the regulations set in place and we are strictly governed by the HSE. This ensures that we are ALL (SMART and Bodyshops) are singing from the same hymn sheet with products and product safety.

If your colour is coming off on your rag. Try and source the problem. How soon after the repair did you valet your vehicle or if someone done it for you what materials did they use. It's scary, how many valeters (not all)use acid around the lower half of the vehicle to make for easier cleaning. If the paint is not fully cured you will run into paint problems down the line.
Give the chap that repaired your vehicle a call. What lacquer did he use (and he would have used one), 1k,2k, non-iso etc. If he's used a 1k. This is not a hard wearing top coat.

Your experience of SMART repairs has to date not been a good one but don't tar us all with the same brush. Like with all professions there are the good and not so good.

[CactusGreen]

None taken General - but how could a moblie SMART repair - even one over a few hours ever be as good as in the bodyshop - would it not be logical that environmental factors exist outside that just are not there when working inside?

The colour match and blending was excellent...so I'm not knocking what a good operative can do.....also was under the impression that as a moble operative you could only use a limited range of water only based products....something that will I'm sure become the norm for all, but as yet do not fully apply to a workshop based shop?

I'll get in touch with the last chap and ask the question on the top coat used....I'd not touched the area at all for 3 months (just light washing), first LSP went on about month 6....the recent G220 hit would have been a good 10 months in...and just enough to lightly show colour on the pad...so stopped...and went back to hand....It still looks glossy.

I'll see if I can get some photo's up for comment...

Does a repair over a plastic panel differ from a metal one?

I appreciate any thoughts - as I say, as a company we've had quite a few repirs done...but get to see very few of them 1-2 years later....

Older mirror cover

[General]

Hi Cactus

Because of the nature of SMART repairs, outside repairs are successful. A SMART repairer should NOT carry out panel repairs ie doors, bonnets etc or body damage but repair to the size of no larger than A4 paper, light scuffing and light scrapes. Hence why we have quicker drying times. The only down side to outside repairs is the weather and dust. These elements of course we cant control. If its cold any repairer worth their salt will warm a panel up before spraying and if it's a hot sunny day to find some shade. Spraying in direct sunlight is pure madness.

There is a huge selection of waterbased products available to the SMART repair industry. In my case I'm using a third generation water based system. The top coats (lacquer) have to be compliant too. I personally use a 2k anti scratch lacquer. There are waterbased lacquers available however there have been at the moment too many reports of difficult application. So i'll steer clear till that side has improved.

Can you tell me where you are picking up the colour from. Would it be from the middle of the repair or right at the edge (his fade area) where the chap finished his repair ?

The rash look like a combination of stone chips and what is known as 'solvent pop'. Solvent pop is where you have trapped moisture in the base coat. This occurs when the base has not been dried off thoroughly and then lacquered. Over a period of time this moisture is trying to escape and little white dots appears.

Metal repairs to plastic repairs vary very little. I use different fillers and primers and I also used used an adhesion aid to help 'key' on plastic repairs. Base coats and lacquer remain the same.

I'm located in east Berks. Is that near to yourself ?

[CactusGreen]

Thanks - PM on it's way...