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Painted Trim/Wheel Arches (Also, Looking For: Long Beach Area Paint & Body Shop)
Looking for a local paint & body shop (has anyone gone through Long Beach MINI?) to paint the black plastic trim around the wheel arches, bumper and fender (strongly considering Aero side skirts, but that will be determined by the initial price of having the trim painted).
Any and all information would be greatly appreciated about this process. I’ve searched and read older threads, but no one really gives a detailed description (aside from the quote below) of the process and/or the actual cost.
“- consider buying new arches instead of using the ones on your car. When they pull them off, they warp slightly. When you put the old ones back on, there will be gaps in the arches. If you do use the ones off the car, you might need some adhesive between the arches and the body to close the gaps. Another good reason for using other arches is that you can let the paint cure for a few weeks and then get them covered in anti-chip film before you fit them. That is how I'd do it if I were to do it again...
- there is a bit of labor involved in the work. The body shop will have to put several layers of high-fill primer on the arches, with a sanding-back between each layer. They will then put another layer of primer on, then several layers of paint. If they don't use the high-fill primer and just paint over the arches, the finish will be 'rippled' and not match the paintwork.” --Tit
Makes sense and noted. Still in the dark about the price of this process (including labor). I’m hoping immensely that it’s below $1,500.
How much do new wheel arches cost?
On a few sites I’ve seen the Aero side skirts sale for just below $500. Competitive price for them? Oh, and eBay gets no love.
I'd love to help you here, but all my numbers are in Aussie dollars - things are more expensive here when it comes to cars, compared to the US. But food for thought anyway...
Aero skirts in Oz - AUD$500
Prep and painting for the body-kit - $1200
I cant' remember the exact prices of the arches, but I remember thinking they weren't expensive...in the AUD$60 region per arch...
....the aero kit was delivered unpainted, so I would have had to pay the bill for painting the kit - I'm happy that I went the colour-coded route.
For my tastes, the aero side skirts are great at making the car look lower. The colour coding will make it look lower as well. So if it falls within budget, I'd strongly reccomend doing it....
I also guess, from your research, you would have found out that the rear arches WILL chip quite quickly - hence my comments about protective film...
I have a great shop I can recommend. They are not in Long Beach but if you don't mind heading to Gardena you will not be disappointed. I had my aero kit installed and my wheel arches painted at Brothers Auto Body. The work was excellent and their facilities are very well kept. I think I paid some where around 1500.00 for the paint and install of the kit and the arches. Their phone number is 310-527-2367, you can ask for Frank and tell him Mark with all the cars sent you
after i had my black trim painted, i stopped at the local shop that sells and installs the 3M clear bra product. in hawaii, it was a guy who installs it at your place. now it'd be T-n-T tinting. i asked him if he'd mind just cutting some pieces to help protect my new paint from getting stone chipped. because it wasn't a normal job where they had the computer template from the website, they had to free-hand it. as a result, it's not perfect, but still it does the job.
and yes, i'd highly recommend doing it also, especially the front trim pieces, if this was done. otherwise, the wheel arches, especially the front edges of the rear piece.
I have a great shop I can recommend. They are not in Long Beach but if you don't mind heading to Gardena you will not be disappointed. I had my aero kit installed and my wheel arches painted at Brothers Auto Body. The work was excellent and their facilities are very well kept. I think I paid some where around 1500.00 for the paint and install of the kit and the arches. Their phone number is 310-527-2367, you can ask for Frank and tell him Mark with all the cars sent you
The complete Aero kit painted and installed? I need the answer to that, because I believe the Aero kit comes primed and ready to paint. I just want the Aero side skirts, so there’s going to probably be more labor on the front and rear trim since they’ll have to deal with the plastic.
Thanks for the info’ on the shop. I might just end up giving him ring, but tomorrow I am going to Long Beach MINI and I’ll see what they have to say and more importantly – charge for this procedure.
