Aluminium Body repairs - Specialist needed?

[misternomer]

All,

I've tried to find a post on this but can find nothing.

I have some accident damage down both sides of my silver 1999 facelift 8. It's a slight scraping of the wheel arches on both sides.

The insurance company are suiggesting I use Caffyns in Tunbridge Wells but I've already said to them that I'd prefer a specialist Alu repairer.

What are your thoughts. Is this actually necessary, or can somebody who learnt their trade on mini metros do a decent job?

Thanks

[Botang]

General body repairs any decent bodyshop should be able to work on, its chassis repairs that are more of a problem.

[Chris_B]

When I needed a new front wing on the RS 6 (it's alum.), I told my insurers that only an Audi-approved workshop should work on it to ensure the continuity of the bodywork/paint warranty as it was specialist work and they accepted that.

It was a full panel replace, so anywhere could have done it I suppose, but I was happier with somebody that had experience in prep and paint of aluminium panels.

[gapthree]

I believe aluminium needs special primer compared to conventional steel. I'd only use an ally specialist on an A8.

[Ska]

same here on my silver mota, mine went Weyside in milton keynes and they replaced the front bumper and wing for something others would have beaten out, cost £2500. Just make sure they prep any plastic bits properly

[Botang]

My car went to Wayside for respray too but only because Audi UK were paying

With the amount of cars that come with aluminium pannels now I dont think it would be a problem to any decent bodyshop.