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Who's the best VW panel beater in Sydney
Camo - January 4th, 2009 at 05:24 PM

Just wondering what your thoughts are on the best VW panel beater in the Sydney area and where are they. Also, why you think so and any photos to support your thoughts.

NOTE: This isn't a promotional thread, so serious replies only please. Just trying to find the best and it may help others.

Ta, Kevin

crewcabconnection - January 4th, 2009 at 05:33 PM

Once you have found your magic beater - one tends to keep their ID very secret else someone may poach them. It isn't Craig Torrens btw.

vw54 - January 4th, 2009 at 05:39 PM

theres NO such thing LOL
but if you do find some one whos interetsed let me know

old bugger - January 4th, 2009 at 07:51 PM

mate after 20 years in the industry, it could be a lot of people on any given day. like cbc said you wouldn't give them up, and a lot depends on how you present yourself as a customer. they all have preferences on the particular vehicles they like to work on. AND who they work for.

helbus - January 4th, 2009 at 08:25 PM

Best?
price
value
quality
concepts
talker
presented
customs
restorer
painter
smash repairer
economics
politics

So many things that you would need to consider. Cant have them all.

Camo - January 4th, 2009 at 08:50 PM

Thanks for the replies and in response :

helbus - Best quality work (not bodgey, no short cuts)

old bugger - Thats why I said VW, but to clarify - Beetle

crewcabconnection - I understand :-)

vw54 - I'll let you know.

Cheers, Kev

old bugger - January 5th, 2009 at 08:46 AM

kev, i'm getting a bloke down here to do some work on my 76 camper, who seems to really love his work AND vw's. a few hours from you, but if it turns out as good as i hope i'll let you know. might be worth it. pete

ztnoo - January 5th, 2009 at 09:06 AM

My vote is for cb john.

http://www.flat4.org/galerie/albums/userpics/10083/BILD0384.JPG

http://www.flat4.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6011&postdays=0&postorder=...

squizy - January 5th, 2009 at 09:25 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by ztnoo
My vote is for cb john.

http://www.flat4.org/galerie/albums/userpics/10083/BILD0384.JPG

http://www.flat4.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6011&postdays=0&postorder=...


I pm'ed you about this post, and you seemed to have ignored that.

How can you assess someones panel beating skills in Australia if you don't even live in the country?

ztnoo - January 5th, 2009 at 10:28 AM

No pm yet......AVD is a little slow in that regard.

If you took the opportunity to fully exam John's Czech site thread, I think it would be impossible not to recognize his immense talent............almost completely rebuilding a CB, with only the materials, his CAD knowledge, empirical understanding of the subject matter, and his hands on metal working skills.
It works for me

Regards,
Steve

Craig Torrens - January 5th, 2009 at 10:52 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by crewcabconnection
It isn't Craig Torrens btw.


he he

squizy - January 5th, 2009 at 03:36 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by ztnoo
No pm yet......AVD is a little slow in that regard.

If you took the opportunity to fully exam John's Czech site thread, I think it would be impossible not to recognize his immense talent............almost completely rebuilding a CB, with only the materials, his CAD knowledge, empirical understanding of the subject matter, and his hands on metal working skills.
It works for me

Regards,
Steve


So you haven't actually walked into his shop and laid your eyes on his work then yourself? He's created new panels from scrap (all of them flat for a CB) and not one piece of curving or metal filing done.

As I said...it's a big call recommending someone when you've never had work performed by them yourself, from the other side of the globe.

helbus - January 5th, 2009 at 07:18 PM

I do this kind of work in Melbourne

They charge about $70 per hour and everything is done full metal.

helbus - January 5th, 2009 at 07:20 PM

Full thread

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=62221&page=1 

Camo - January 5th, 2009 at 07:59 PM

helbus - Great work, but not in Sydney. Would cost a fortune, but worth every cent on a car worth that much. Although I am only thinking of little jobs on my beetle.

Thanks, Kevin

vw54 - January 6th, 2009 at 06:04 AM

Its a pity unfortunatly most panel shops dont want to get involved in RUST and restoration repairs

all they want to do is insurance work at x amount of dollars per hour

Euro_67 - January 6th, 2009 at 10:13 AM

Be careful. Get everything i writing before you start. You dont want the cost to magically increase.

I know of a Sydney Based Panel shop that gets VW customers refereed to them by a VW work shop. Several customers have come in asking for "resprays" so thats what they get, a respray over what ever metal is left ! I saw one car repaired with the rusted out passenger side sill filled with bog, and the running boards fitted with self tapping screws. The owner of this shop has no ethics, he reckons if a customer requests a spray job, thats all they deserve. He doesnt mind taking their money though.