"There are no shortcuts to a great result"​

 Classic Car Restoration in the heart of Sussex

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At Prestige Paintworks Ltd we specialise in Aston Martin Restoration and Jaguar Restoration.
​Targeting specifically the heritage model cars with Ferrari Restoration accounting for a good number of client cars too.

Whether it's a full nut and bolt restoration to Concours standard, simple accident repairs or a sympathetic conservation retaining patina and originality down to the finest details, we are here to help you whatever your needs may be.
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Simply get in touch via email or phone to discuss what your vehicle needs and the options that are available.

We understand that when these cars were new they were built to factory specification, sometimes with a blend of the owners personal preferences too. However the new custodians of these cars may choose something completely different to how it left the factory.
That's ok, we have the expertise to handle any size job to suit each clients personal request.

Besides restoring these delightful cars we also carry out accident repairs on the Heritage models too. Including major chassis straightening and alignment using our Globaljig  this is a mobile, universal bracket system with an additional overhead bridge for strut and upper body comparative checks, we are fortunate enough to have two of these and are pivotal for achieving the right results.

​Evidence

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Full inventories are given to all vehicles dis-assembled, with every detail and part being documented. There's a commonality in procedures across most of the restorations with one of them being all panel fit measurements, we log all panel fit, whether that's the actual gap size or it's transition into the adjoining panel.
It's all relevant information that needs logging before any dis-assembly begins.

Once all the material is removed it often tells a different story, for us though it's one of the best parts of the process. Revealing its history, low budget repairs, even old accident damage or the colour changes it's had through the years. Findings old magazines or news clippings fallen behind trim long since forgotten about is always a treat.
This is all part of the vehicle's history so needs logging and photographing.

Rust never sleeps

​The biggest variable in cost is for the remedial work stage, corrosion and/or damage. This is the area where hours can be consumed with correctly rectifying old repairs from periods of relatively low value and corrosion. Repairs that simply cannot be seen until the car is stripped of all its fittings and material.
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​There really is no set price for this stage, only transparency and communication with the owner as to what path is taken in terms of cost/safety/necessity/aesthetics.
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A full restoration normally requires either chemical dipping or media blasting the shell back to bare metal. One must begin with the best foundation for any restoration. Not all jobs are equal so one process will be favoured over the other.
It's worth pointing out that any restoration that is not a bare metal one is always a risk because you can only guarantee your products on what they are being applied to.
Any corrosion or previous damage is rectified and if necessary with the vehicle mounted on one of our Globaljigs. This ensures the car is kept square and true and that if you were replacing a suspension point for example, it is exactly where it should be precisely.

​Keeping everything in check

​Vehicles requiring extensive panel replacement are loaded on the Globaljig for reference data.
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We are able to make the car far more symmetrical than they left the factory using the overhead beam attachment with numerical pointers that can give millimetre precision on any irregularities.
All metal shaping, panel alignment bonnet, boot and door gaps are minimised in variation to a consistent 5mm.
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After all the panel work and gapping is complete we do a complete dry fit of the lights, bumpers and trims etc to eliminate the chance of fouling or poor fit later in the build.
This dry fit process is then repeated after levelling and again after the first round of polyester blocking to maintain consistency and efficiency, some companies don't go through with this dry fit procedure once but we carry this out three times regardless.
Sure it takes time but considerably less than reworking things to fit once the car is painted.

Enhancing bodylines – a crucial step to a great result

​The vehicles are then levelled with a fine skim of body filler. A process often called profiling where the body filler is applied to correct the sweep lines. From the front lights to the tail lights we eliminate any low areas by applying just the right amount of body filler to create the desired result.

This stage is often undervalued and more often than not misunderstood but is an essential key element in producing the correct result. This process will be used by all top end restorers striving for perfection.
This stage leaves a flowing, flawless shape to the car and ultimately an unbroken reflection when painted.
It is very easy to tell when corners have been cut in the preparation and is the difference between a good paint job and a great one.

This key stage is hugely detrimental to the end result if not applied but is very often avoided when lower budgets are imposed. 

​Polyester or high build?

 
Once the bodywork and levelling is completed it is then given three to four coats of polyester primer.
​Our preferred choice for primer because it contains considerably less solvent than high build primer. What this means is there is ultimately less risk of sinkage and that, in our opinion, can only be a good thing.

Anti corrosive barrier

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​This is then dry sanded through grades from p180 to p500 before the car is finally ready for a coat of epoxy wet on wet primer. This is to protect and seal everything porous in. Then onto spray painting with the colour of choice and the bodywork flattened and polished to produce a flawless deep gloss shine.

No stone left unturned

A complete nut and bolt zero compromise restoration is becoming increasingly popular with discerning collectors knowing exactly what they want, with some opting for a restomod variation with non OE changes to suit their own taste and will include all the suspension and drive train getting overhauled, items that can be sandblasted are, they are then epoxy primed and refinished in a gloss or satin black two pack polyurethane topcoat, the customer can choose their preference.

​The interior is lined with Dynamat soundproofing products for sound and heat reduction that has proven to be extremely effective. Our aim is to leave no stone unturned so that what we produce is the best it can possibly be, which is of course wholly dictated by budget so we fully understand each journey will be different but nonetheless each a satisfying one.

​The vehicle is then refitted using new hardware, new plumbing and new/ refurbished components installed to complete the restoration process.
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Engine, Gearbox and transmission rebuilds for Aston Martin and Jaguars along with Chrome Plating and Upholstery work are outsourced to our carefully chosen marques specialist partners, whilst everything else mechanical is dealt with in house including all general routine maintenance, servicing and mot requirements. 

Largely all the cars we build have Evans Waterless coolant used instead of regular anti-freeze as its a far superior alternative with far too many benefits to consider otherwise. 

​Do you have a special project that you feel would benefit from the use of our services that you would like to discuss with us ?

​Simply get in touch via email or by telephone