Bodywork dispute - advice please

Had the full JDL kit fitted, blended and full respray in April by a garage in the West Mids. The garage outsourced the fitting and for some reason they cut the front wheel arch extensions and filled the gap. To my mind this wasn't neccesary but by the time I saw it, it was too late. Respray wasn't great and was redone but I had to subsequently pay for what the garage said was a reaction in the fibreglass kit causing pits and blisters, the suppliers stated it was a spraying issue (piggy in the middle)

Three times now a crack has appeared where the wheel arch extension was split. Up until now the garage has refilled and repainted but I'm getting cheesed off with having to constantly go back, and I can't see how any amount of flexible filler will solve this as it will always be a weak point in the fibreglass. My view is that the extension needs replacing but the cost of the JDL kit has escalated due to being supplied in the UK and not Poland as it was when I initially bought it, the garage will probably be prepared to fit and spray but they will expect me to buy the wings.

I know you get what you pay for but tbh £2.7K isn't an insignificant amount and I don't see why I should be shelling out any more than I have. Anyone know of a way of reinforcing this to resolve the problem permanently, if its fibreglassed over the top of the original would this not solve it? Grateful for any advice so I know what I am talking about next time it cracks - and it will

Post some pics up of the areas you're talking about, sounds like a fitting issue to me, and the pits are just where they haven't been careful enough to make sure they where filled properly, the gel coat on my JDL kit was pretty good.

No surprise there then, checked the car this morning and the crack is back! Checked with Mad Motors, now the UK distributor for JDL and the 2 wings will be £200. I knew the price had gone up but Jesus, the whole kit only cost me £380? I've attached a picture I took after fitting that shows where they cut the arch in the middle, its exactly this spot that goes everytime. Worse on the near side. They consulted the guy who fitted it and he claims that it was necessary to line up the front with the bumper and to site the side indicator. Did you have any problem with that? I spoke to a couple of guys at Supra pod and none of them had any problems. I really can't see any solution to this other than new wings. Thanks for reply

Looks like they wanted to bend it up so it fitted the bumper. If that is the case why did they not elongate the bumper holes and move the bumper back, then trim the arch to fit without the stress factor involved and hence the cutting.

I had no problem with mine, and i really cant see why they have done this, and if it just keeps cracking then its been done wrong in the first instance, if you are going to cut and rejoin fibreglass, then it needs cloth both rear and front, just bad practise if you ask me.

I would look at having someone else do the work and fix it correctly. I would ask the other people to pay for it. Personally I'd recommend Supraloopy - he has done some great stuff for me

Thanks for the advice, I am talking to them again tomorrow with a view to fitting new wings at their cost, kinda glad I kept the photos. Re the cloth either side, I was thinking this would resolve it but from what they tell me they have pinned it on the inside and fibre glassed over. If I don't get any satisfaction I will look elsewhere.

When I got my kit put on they held it on with screws that were then covered to avoid the cracking along the blends.

I would go elsewhere if I was you, I couldn't go back to somewhere that did not meet my expectations consistantly.

Thanks for the advice, I am talking to them again tomorrow with a view to fitting new wings at their cost, kinda glad I kept the photos. Re the cloth either side, I was thinking this would resolve it but from what they tell me they have pinned it on the inside and fibre glassed over. If I don't get any satisfaction I will look elsewhere.

yea and one little knock lol crack again cloth is the best way

£380 for the full kit? Looks like you got what you paid for.

TBH the garage are trying to fix this as cheaply as poss. It can be fixed but I'm not saying how on here. Its all about experiance. Really you need new wings and to have them fitted correctly. But I think you know what the garages answer will be.

I know I need to be more insistant. Difficulty is the guy was recommended by a colleague of the missus. Granted it was not the garage personally but the guy they paid to fit it so in my eyes they still have ownership. I was considering going to Knight Racer originally but wanted somewhere more local to keep an eye on progress. There is a real shortage of specialist bodyshops in this area. I think I will hang out for the new wings, I'm sure they are just as keen to see the job done, its a shame because they are a good bunch but I couldn't recommend them now.

£380 for the full kit? Looks like you got what you paid for.

Don't get me wrong, the kit is good quality as many will pay testament to, its just that when I bought it they shipped direct from Poland and they messed up on fleabay and had it in an auction instead of buy now. Price now in the UK nearer £700. The regret is using an untried bodyshop

TBH the garage are trying to fix this as cheaply as poss. It can be fixed but I'm not saying how on here. Its all about experiance. Really you need new wings and to have them fitted correctly. But I think you know what the garages answer will be.

Yeah I know, if I don't get any satisfaction I might PM you mate.

Good look sorting it out Steve, your car looks mint (usually). Let me know if we need a Midlands meet at this garage.

Don't get me wrong, the kit is good quality as many will pay testament to, its just that when I bought it they shipped direct from Poland and they messed up on fleabay and had it in an auction instead of buy now. Price now in the UK nearer £700. The regret is using an untried bodyshop

Wow! is that what there charging now! yes in my experience they are very good quality for the money they where, mine was no big problem to fit, but then i have done body work and kits in the past, its all about technique and knowing what works, fibreglass cracks can be fixed very easily, but you need to do right prep first, not just cloth over the top, and quite frankly they cant be much of a body shop if they don't have the ability to do sensible fibreglass repairs, good luck.

You could always settle the arguement by offering to get an independant assessment done; you'll pay for it if it says the bodyshop are right, but they'll pay for it and a proper repair/replacement & refit if you are right.

If they are as confident of the truth as they seem to believe they are, they shouldn't have any worries about doing that.