anyone know a decent painter in newcastle
i want to look around

What are you painting, car, house, fingernails?
Sorry, my stupid sense of humour, try Semmits at Lambton, I've had a couple of repair jobs done there, top quality work.

if you want something fancy have a look here http://www.creativ-air.com 

I guess it depends on what sort of $$$ you want to spend as its all relative to the final finish.
That being said the last 2 jobs i got done (not on vws)
were done by supposed professionals with a good reputation. One had to be redone twice first time because instead of repairing the stone chips they just painted over them hoping i wouldnt pick it up the second time was because there was dirty in the clear.

They other job done at another well know place again had to be redone again paint sunk back into the repair as it was reaired and painted too quick the first time once that was repaired there was dirt in the clear which would magically block out so before my eyes with the block and 1200 grade paper he managed to rub it back through the clear (must have been one coat im guessing)
so it had to be done again.

My advise would be stay away from the big names they get the reputaion from a few good cars they spend hours on the rest are rush jobs in my experience. Go for a little shop where the painter is oldschool and where the work turnover is not in today out tommorow.

Let us know how you go once you get you work done and if it isnt right make sure you get them to fix it