Apologies this is for mk1 Audi TT. Just had rusty wheel arches and sill ends cut out and welded. Maybe I should have complained a bit more, but no one raised an eyebrow at the garage. I’ve got a separate painter booked in a couple of weeks quoting about £700. Trouble is I’m not too happy about the welding prep. I’m sure the painter could have it looking great, but looking at the situation now, I’d consider no amount of prep will make a job that lasts. Any opinions here? I’m thinking spray myself and just run it for a couple more years
It doesn’t look finished does it? But I don’t think it would take a lot to put it right. Could you not take it back to the garage and say you’re not happy? Also £700 is a lot for the paint job. But that would be the complete panels done and lacquer coat etc. I reckon you could find a someone to just blow it in for half the price if not less, but it all depends on what sort of finish your after.
After welding you’d expect the painter to have to do some prep, but to get that right that’s a lot of prep. And this is metallic Audi TT, so you’d want it really crisp. In my opinion, in the areas done, so arch edges and sill covers where they fold under the wings, here it’s already rough and rusting. I can’t see how anyone could really prep that to make it last out a salty winter?
Ten minutes with Dulux gloss with a brush is good enough for that rustyness Unless you take all that paint off both sides and stop the rust first. Now its welded any residual manufacturers rust treatment has been burnt off. The cars not worth it.
Like ‘em or loathe ‘em the mk1 is a future classic! I had one....it wasn’t a true sports car but i loved it. 2 kids and a Labrador later and it’s a 3 series bmw touring.....yawn!
Yep, so many potential rust sites there. I was expecting a much crisper job than that. I should have invested in new wings - was about the same price when the bill came in. Balls!
Unless you love this particular car, I would think twice about throwing money at it, when you could spend the dodgy repairs money on a better one. Loads on ebay for 3k or less. You could of course just diy rust treatment, Isopon filler and paint it yourself and run it a bit longer. Presumably the car has not failed MOT due to the rust issues.
No it’s fine for MOT and structurally rust wise. Just wish I’d bought new panels instead of trusting weld repairs. yep, I can see me painting myself
Its not a high value classic car and really its cheap, easy and fun to do up the rusty bits yourself and spray paint with cheap rattle cans. Well worth a go and lots of stuff on youtube to help you and £50 of materials should be enough, rather than spend hundreds on welding and professional paint jobs.
With my TT I’m not actually sure I can see any butt welding. It looks just like the old rust with etch primer brushed over the top!
