Depressing News

Well its official now, I have had 2 new paintshops in to inspect the estate this weekend. Both have said the same, there's no way they will undertake the work unless they strip back all the exterior paint. They cannot be sure what has caused the problems, and there's no way they can give me a warranty on the new paint unless they bare metal the car. Thats got to be done by hand too with a DA and hand finished where a DA cannot get to, because they dont want to use chemicals because of the issue of removing the chemicals afterwards. They may look at soda blasting but its still not going to be quick.

So its a full strip of all the trim, glass, door mechanisms, lights etc etc. Then it goes to the new paintshop. What's worse is that they have both said that they will want the car for 3 - 4 months. Then when I get it back all the trim needs refitting. What a set back, hours and hours of additional unecessary work, plus it won't be finished for this summer now. At the moment I cannot even begin to face the task of the strip down - I suspect it will be a couple of weeks now before I commence that. I have got to remove the new and reconditioned parts carefully, and pack them away carefully hoping that I don't damage them in the process. Absolutely gutted!

The money thay want for the job is eyewatering too (some 80% or so of the original cost to do the entire car), I know I will recover this, but it another outlay, and an ongoing hassel.

Assessor's Paint Report

Here is the Assessor's report on the Paint, just names and costs removed to protect the innocent!

Our Ref: 8,41692 14 March 2011

Vehicle: Triumph 2500Type: 5 Door Estate

Reg No: YKV 201L

Chassis: MG57046SCBWP

Mileage: 00000Colour: Triumph White

Date of lnsp: 11 March 2011

Location: Sutton Coldfield

ENGINEERS REPORT -Post Repair lnspection

Dear Sir,

Thank you for your instructions in this case, we confirm completing our post repair inspection of the above mentioned vehicle at your home address - date as above. We understand that the purpose of this inspection is to provide a completely independent unbiased opinion of the quality and overall standard of paint work recently completed by XXXXXXXXX

History

We understand that this is a particularly rare vehicle and is currently part way through a full restoration. lt has been completely stripped of all mechanical and trim components; the body shell has been stripped back to bare metal by Surface Treatments of Dudley, following which an Electro Coating treatment has been applied. Both front wings and front panels have been replaced with new and the roof has been replaced with that from a donor vehicle.

At the time of inspection the vehicles condition can be described as a painted rolling shell, fitted with suspension, doors, tailgate, glass, fuel tank, door trims, dash and sound deadening pads. The bonnet remains to be restored and painted. As we have not had the opportunity of inspecting the vehicle prior to paint, we are unable to comment in detail on costs. We are advised that at figure of XXXX + vat was originally quoted for the work which has now increased by a further XXXX + vat.

Paint finish

First impressions of the work are generally good and paintwork is finished inside and out to a good standard. The colour match to what little of the original can be seen also appears good.

However on close inspection there are a number of issues to the detail which are of concern, in our opinion most appear to be the result of lack of attention to detail during the final stages of paint and final presentation

In considering the overall job and not wishing to be over critical of the repairs, we have also given consideration to the sum charged for this work. In conclusion we are of the opinion that the following issues noted are unacceptable given the costs involved.

We can confirm having noted the following issues which in our opinion require attention:

1). Front panel (top) - multiple dirt inclusions

2). O/S/F Wing - multiple dirt inclusions, repair flaw to the outer arch edge, paint cracked around 2 spot welds on wing flange.

3). N/S/F Wing-multiple dirt inclusions, plug welds on flitch side untidy and showing through due to insufficient preparation, paint transparent along front panel joint which appear to be as result of over polishing.

4). Windscreen Scuttle panel - multiple dirt inclusions, large paint sag to the n/s, sealer has been omitted from scuttle to inner wing joints on both sides.

5). Roof panel-multiple dirt inclusions, ripples evident across the entire width (between swage lines/centre areas) in several places, distorted/poorly replicated swage line to the o/s (above 'C' Post), small dent to the n/s/f area.

6). Tailgate-dirt inclusions and pin holes to the exterior paint surface, paint around the hinge bolts is damaged, alignment to the roof requires attention and the torsion rod hinge system will not either lift or hold the tailgate in the open position.

7). Rear Panel, paint run to o/s top corner, sealer omitted from the joints on both sides between lamp panels and rear panel.

8). O/S/R Quarter panel - sealer omitted from rear window aperture corner, small paint blisters to window frame suggesting moisture penetration, frame edges rough and poorly finished, profile of lower window frame edge not matching n/s frame.

9). N/S/R Quarter panel - sealer omitted from rear window aperture corner, small paint blisters to window frame suggesting moisture penetration, profile of lower window edge not matching o/s frame.

10). O/S/R lnner wheel arch (underside) -Paint work damaged.

11). Vertical surface of rear window surrounds are rippled and not finished flat.

12). Rear window frame flange joints have separated between spot welds, leaving large visible gaps requiring closing between spot welds.

Summary/recommendations

In general and as mentioned above the paint work is to a reasonably good standard, there are a number of areas with dirt inclusion which can be addressed, however there are more serious issues with the roof and tailgate hinge system.

For reassurance we can confirm that an element of dirt inclusion is common in vehicle refinishing, as also is an element of paint sinkage around repair areas. Both issues in most cases can be addressed and satisfactorily rectified by flatting and polishing once that the paint has fully cured. There are however more complex issues to be considered if attempts are to be made to rectify the repair sinkage lines and correction of the o/s roof swage line.

As we are unaware of the condition of the panels prior to paint, also of the amount of material applied, it is difficult to now provide the best advice as to the method of rectification. We can however confirm that to restore the correct roof swage line will certainly require rework and repainting. The same will also be required to both rear window frames. Localised paint work may be sufficient for the front wing flanges, rear panel joints and inner rear wheel arch.

With regard to the tailgate lift system, we understand that tension has been lost as a result of the one rod being cut and re welded. We suggest that this will most likely now require replacing as a unit in order to regain sufficient tension to lift the rear hatch.

This report is based upon the instructions received and on what was visible to us at the time of our inspection.

We confirm that we have attached a selection of annotated photographs which indicate some of the issues referred to above.

"l confirm that I have made clear which facts and matters referred to in this report are within my own knowledge and which are not. Those that are within my own knowledge I confirm to be true. The opinions I have expressed represent my true and complete professional opinions on the matters to which they refer."

Yours sincerely,

Lack of Progress

Sadly I have reached a point where the estate project is going to slow down a lot, and there's nothing that I can do about it.

Since I have had the Vehicle Assessor's report on the paint work, and sent a copy to my paintshop for comment, nothing, nada, silence from them, for 2 long weeks. A second copy was sent to them earlier this week via recorded delivery, and I am now wondering if I will get any response at all.

So it looks as if I now need to locate another paintshop that is sympathetic to classics, suggestions please.

Its a real pain, as I cannot add anything else to the car, as it will then need removing when the paint work is fixed, and then replaced afterwards.

Also, if it goes to another paintshop, I know that they will want to bare metal the car to be able to offer any sort of warranty on their work, thats going to cause a lot of dust and dirt to be deposited over the existing items already fitted, suspension, engine, gearbox etc, so even more work and delay, even if they can take the vehicle immediately, and if they are any good the most likely situation will be a delay while they fit the car into their existing schedule of work.

The paintshop still have a few items off the car, that they never painted, I have asked for their return if they don't intend to fix the paintwork, but if they don't show, I have the added issue of having to source door check straps (I have asked arround and none of the usual suppliers appear to have stock), the plenum grill in front of the windscreen, and the door closing plates on the rear estate doors. Fortunately they never had the bonnet because I hadn't completed the lead loading at that time.

As to the money involved, I will have to pay the new paintshop in full, and then recover the cost from the first paintshop and or my credit card company - fortunately I paid by card to get protection under the Consumer Credit Act, if things did go wrong, and they certainly have.

This is supposed to be a hoby to enjoy, now its just hassel, I get enough of that at work.

On a brighter note I took the rear load area panels, and rear seat backs to Aldridge Trimming today, who are going to remake them and carpet them.  They have also agreed to make me a new headlining, so I can get a few jobs in progress. The chrome trim items from the seats have also been sent to a local plating firm.

I suspect this will be my last blog posting for a while, although I may put a copy of the vehicle assessors report up.