Body work
Thread Starter
Nüb
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
Body work
Ok,
I need to bring my Integra 94 into the shop for some unrelated body work. I thought while I'm there I should have them remove the rust on each rear quarter panel, just inside each wheel well. I've had it costed out at a few places and they all say that bondo is no good for something like that because it tends to absorb water. They either say they'll use fiberglass or weld in new sheet metal. Which is better?
Because of the repairs already being done, one rear quarter panel is already being painted completely, so, what I end up paying for is the rust repair on each side plus the painting of the other rear quarter panel. For some reason the guys at Maaco quoted me about $100 cheaper for welding in new sheet metal compared to the guys that say they'll be using fiberglass. Does either of the two methods produce better results than the other?
Thanks in advance
I need to bring my Integra 94 into the shop for some unrelated body work. I thought while I'm there I should have them remove the rust on each rear quarter panel, just inside each wheel well. I've had it costed out at a few places and they all say that bondo is no good for something like that because it tends to absorb water. They either say they'll use fiberglass or weld in new sheet metal. Which is better?
Because of the repairs already being done, one rear quarter panel is already being painted completely, so, what I end up paying for is the rust repair on each side plus the painting of the other rear quarter panel. For some reason the guys at Maaco quoted me about $100 cheaper for welding in new sheet metal compared to the guys that say they'll be using fiberglass. Does either of the two methods produce better results than the other?
Thanks in advance
Time for yumping yaks.
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: WA
Better not go to maaco
If you care about your car at all and I will assume you do. Don't go to maaco. I've seen what they do for quality of work and its a perfect example of "you get what you pay for." or "good from far but far from good." 
Ask some people in your area where they went. If your an Import guy like myself you would go to the local shops and see what they have to say about getting work done around there. If there are no performance shops then ask anyone that may have a car that has had some nice work done to it. I have a 95 GSR that I put the jdm conv on and I had the best guy in town do it, and I'm happy that i did because I've seen a few other guys that have had the same thing done by the GUYS THAT WERE THE CHEAPEST. I assure you that you don't want those guys doin your car. Bodywork is some thing that it pays to pay a little more but don't just chose the most expensive shop. Choose the most reputable and you will thank yourself later on when your paint still looks nice and its not peeling, rusting through, orange peeled(self explanatory), or just plan messed up. Good luck. 
Ask some people in your area where they went. If your an Import guy like myself you would go to the local shops and see what they have to say about getting work done around there. If there are no performance shops then ask anyone that may have a car that has had some nice work done to it. I have a 95 GSR that I put the jdm conv on and I had the best guy in town do it, and I'm happy that i did because I've seen a few other guys that have had the same thing done by the GUYS THAT WERE THE CHEAPEST. I assure you that you don't want those guys doin your car. Bodywork is some thing that it pays to pay a little more but don't just chose the most expensive shop. Choose the most reputable and you will thank yourself later on when your paint still looks nice and its not peeling, rusting through, orange peeled(self explanatory), or just plan messed up. Good luck.
wtf goes here?
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,782
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
I agree with Geezer, don't go to Maaco. I work at a Body Shop. And for your Integra, I'd suggest getting new Sheet Metal welded in, considering that your body panel isn't Fiberglass. If it were my car, I'd most definitely get all new sheet metal welded in. Just make sure that they do quality work. I know it's just inside your Wheel Well, but still, you don't want it looking like shit.
Thread Starter
Nüb
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
Hehe, it's funny you guys should mention how s*** Maaco is. The rest of my post that I deleted out because I thought I was rambling was about the quality Maaco puts out. I worked with someone that got his car painted there and it came back looking like they had just thrown buckets of house paint on it. The other place that's talking about doing fiberglass is the place I've gone to for 3 other jobs in the past. They also happen to be attached to the Acura Dealership and share the same garage. They've never been ones to gouge me for money. Maybe I should see how much sheet metal would cost if they did that. Sheet metal is definitely the way to go though, huh?