Motoring Discussion > Scratch repair in Manchester area	Miscellaneous
Thread Author: RattleandSmoke	Replies: 48

New Wed 26 Mar 14 17:59   Scratch repair in Manchester area - RattleandSmoke

My next door neighbour got evicted last Friday (you may remember threads on all the problems we have had) anyway as a leaving he has caused some damage to next door (ripped gutters out) cut our washing line but also scratched my car with a key. It has it is about 2 inches long and has gone into the primer, the police are involved etc. However can anybody recommend any scratch repairers in the south Manchester area? I don't think it needs the full body shop treatment. Thanks. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 26 Mar 14 18:20   Scratch repair in Manchester area - Skip

>> However can anybody recommend any scratch repairers in the south Manchester area? I don't think >> it needs the full body shop treatment. >> >> Thanks. I have used Chips Away several times and they have always done a good job. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 26 Mar 14 18:31   Scratch repair in Manchester area - Runfer D'Hills

If you can find him it might be appropriate to use his face to polish it out ! Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 26 Mar 14 18:35   Scratch repair in Manchester area - RattleandSmoke

Chips away is what I thought too. Runfer even if this costs me a lot to get sorted, I would still rather have a scratch on my car and know he has gone. I it has been hell the last few months to the point of me having to postpone jobs. The agents now seem to be a lot more careful who they get in, the latest person to move in is a university lecturer :). Not going to be a cheap few weeks, had the car serviced last week, the MOT is due soon etc and I also need the brakes bleeding. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 26 Mar 14 19:12   Scratch repair in Manchester area - Skip

>> Not going to be a cheap few weeks, had the car serviced last week, the >> MOT is due soon etc and I also need the brakes bleeding. Why do the brakes need bleeding, that should only need doing if the system has been opened up. Or do you mean a fluid change ? Last edited by: Skip on Wed 26 Mar 14 at 19:12 Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 27 Mar 14 12:09   Scratch repair in Manchester area - WillDeBeest

I had a scratch in the Foggy Bottom area once. Didn't find anything. But I'm always very careful around Bell End. * * It's in Worcestershire, near Bromsgrove. Look it up. Last edited by: VxFan on Thu 27 Mar 14 at 12:51 Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 27 Mar 14 12:24   Scratch repair in Manchester area - borasport

>> * It's in Worcestershire, near Bromsgrove. Look it up. >> tee hee and there's Scratchy Bottom, in Dorset. And if I ran, from where I am at work now, I could get to Nob End (Bolton) and back in my lunchtime. Won't even think about that place in Orkney - or is it Shetland, even if it does have too many T's at the end of the day Last edited by: VxFan on Thu 27 Mar 14 at 12:51 Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 27 Mar 14 18:26   Scratch repair in Manchester area - PeterS

Not forgetting Sandy Balls holiday park which, I believe is also in Dirset? Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 26 Mar 14 19:12   Scratch repair in Manchester area - Auristocrat

Often dealerships have a Smart repairer they contract with for doing minor repairs on used car stock, etc. Could have a word with your local dealer. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 26 Mar 14 19:29   Scratch repair in Manchester area - RattleandSmoke

Meant fluid changed, I thought it was good practice to bleed the brakes at the same time as changing the fluid, if not can't I just syphon it out? I do know of a good body shop in Stockport, but they are not cheap and I think it is a bit over the top for a scratch. It doesn't need to be a perfect repair, just need it to look a lot better than it does now and of course be rust proof. Last edited by: RattleandSmoke on Wed 26 Mar 14 at 19:31 Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 26 Mar 14 19:37   Scratch repair in Manchester area - Old Navy

>> Meant fluid changed, I thought it was ........>> A brake fluid test for you Ratts - DVM to 20v, neg to battery neg, pos to fluid, reading to be less than 0.3v. If the reading is more than 0.3v change the brake fluid. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 26 Mar 14 19:52   Scratch repair in Manchester area - sherlock47

>> A brake fluid test for you Ratts - >> >> DVM to 20v, neg to battery neg, pos to fluid, reading to be less than >> 0.3v. >> >> If the reading is more than 0.3v change the brake fluid. >> If you use the appropriate correction factors it will also tell you the speed, position and how much is left in the brake pads :) Z to comment. Last edited by: sherlock47 on Wed 26 Mar 14 at 19:53 Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 26 Mar 14 20:07   Scratch repair in Manchester area - Old Navy

>> If you use the appropriate correction factors it will also tell you the speed, position >> and how much is left in the brake pads :) >> >> Z to comment. >> I have met Ratts and know that he is clever enough to know that brake fluid is hygroscopic and its conductivity will change with water content. As is Zero. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 26 Mar 14 20:19   Scratch repair in Manchester area - sherlock47

>>>I have met Ratts and know that he is clever enough to know that brake fluid is hygroscopic and its conductivity will change with water content.<<< and how does your measurement method measure conductivity? edit - his subsequent post shows that he is not! Last edited by: sherlock47 on Wed 26 Mar 14 at 20:21 Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 26 Mar 14 20:26   Scratch repair in Manchester area - Old Navy

>> and how does your measurement method measure conductivity? >> >> edit - his subsequent post shows that he is not! >> You are correct, no circuit. It came from a very old car magazine and the car must have been pos earth. How about between Pos and fluid for a Neg earth car. Re your edit, Hmmm. :-) Last edited by: Uncle Albert on Wed 26 Mar 14 at 20:28 Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 26 Mar 14 20:29   Scratch repair in Manchester area - sherlock47

The sooner we scrap our nuclear submarines the better :) Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 26 Mar 14 20:37   Scratch repair in Manchester area - Old Navy

>>The sooner we scrap our nuclear submarines the better :)>> Don't worry the ones that I worked on were scrapped long ago. In fact about the time they scrapped me. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 26 Mar 14 20:43   Scratch repair in Manchester area - Zero

>> I have met Ratts and know that he is clever enough to know that brake >> fluid is hygroscopic and its conductivity will change with water content. >> >> As is Zero. Tis tru, tis hygroscopic, and you can measure how much water is in it by measuring its conductivity,. Couple of problems with that method tho 1/ No idea what the conductivity of uncontaminated fluid is, 2/ there is no control over the distance of the two probes, 3/ insufficient voltage to do the measurement. I would guess the best way would be to measure its SG in some way. Last edited by: Zero on Wed 26 Mar 14 at 20:43 Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 26 Mar 14 20:46   Scratch repair in Manchester area - No FM2R

>>I would guess the best way would be to measure its SG in some way Another way would be to forget about it. Its not like you go fast enough or far enough for it to matter, is it? Its not like the brakes suddenly stop working completely, they deteriorate over time - I assume, because its never happened to me and neither have I ever changed the brake fluid. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 26 Mar 14 20:51   Scratch repair in Manchester area - Old Navy

>> Tis tru, tis hygroscopic, and you can measure how much water is in it by >> measuring its conductivity,. >> OK. use one of these conductivity testers then. www.tooled-up.com/product/draper-brake-fluid-tester/18038/ Last edited by: Uncle Albert on Wed 26 Mar 14 at 20:55 Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 26 Mar 14 20:55   Scratch repair in Manchester area - sooty123

Ouch a bit steep! Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 26 Mar 14 20:56   Scratch repair in Manchester area - Zero

>> >> Tis tru, tis hygroscopic, and you can measure how much water is in it >> by >> >> measuring its conductivity,. >> >> >> >> OK. use one of these conductivity testers then. >> >> www.tooled-up.com/product/draper-brake-fluid-tester/18038/ At 70 quid - NFC (I guess you know what that means ;) ) Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 26 Mar 14 21:05   Scratch repair in Manchester area - Old Navy

>> At 70 quid - NFC (I guess you know what that means ;) ) >> Oh yes. :-) That is why I suggested a DVM. But not necessary with our brake maintenance routine. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 26 Mar 14 20:03   Scratch repair in Manchester area - RattleandSmoke

I am not sure I can quite work out the science behind that! I assume it is do with the resistance of the fluid. The weaker it gets the better it gets at conducting electricity? Is it ok to simply syphon the old stuff out? I have an old carpet cleaner with a vacuum pump but I think it might be a strong it is about 1700w!. Last edited by: RattleandSmoke on Wed 26 Mar 14 at 20:03 Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 26 Mar 14 20:09   Scratch repair in Manchester area - Old Navy

>> Is it ok to simply syphon the old stuff out?>> NO! And I stand corrected. :-) Last edited by: Uncle Albert on Wed 26 Mar 14 at 20:10 Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 26 Mar 14 20:17   Scratch repair in Manchester area - Skip

Fluid should be changed by bleeding it out of all 4 brakes, I have seen some awful looking stuff come out of the bleed nipples when the fluid in the reservoir still looked like new. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 26 Mar 14 20:31   Scratch repair in Manchester area - Old Navy

A police car mechanic once told me that at each service they bleed the brakes until clean fluid appears at each brake. They only bled a caliper full. Last edited by: Uncle Albert on Wed 26 Mar 14 at 20:33 Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 26 Mar 14 20:49   Scratch repair in Manchester area - Zero

I do partly what the cop mechanic does, When the pads get changed, the brakes get "bled" - pumped at each calliper till the fluid runs clean, changed pads twice on the front and once on the back, but I additionally use a syringe to remove the fluid from the reservoir first. So far I have used a tin and half in 90k miles. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 26 Mar 14 21:02   Scratch repair in Manchester area - Old Navy

>> I do partly what the cop mechanic does,....... Good plan, at least it also moves the bleed nipples and they don't seize. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 26 Mar 14 20:53   Scratch repair in Manchester area - RattleandSmoke

That is what I thought :). The problem with brakes is they get worse over the time, to me the brakes feel perfectly fine, but I bet if I was to drive the car when it was new now they would be sharper. The service manual says it should be done every two years, I have never had this done so I better had. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 26 Mar 14 21:58   Scratch repair in Manchester area - Ted

I'm taking a Yaris in for 1st service tomorrow. I'll ask the service manager, Caroline, ( phwoor ) if they use a mobile scratch man and let you know. Or have you still got the blue permanent marker ? Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 26 Mar 14 22:13   Scratch repair in Manchester area - RattleandSmoke

Thanks Ted, Yep still got it, I used it for minor scratches then just polish it, works perfectly! This is far too deep for it to work though. Do you know if Ian (think that was his name) still does MOT at the Shell garage? My MOT is due soon and would rather it take it there, although since those new people have taken over it seems to be more of a repair place. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 26 Mar 14 22:56   Scratch repair in Manchester area - Ted

Ian doesn't seem to go in any more. I think he's retired. I don't like the new lot . Andy uses the little garage on the Albany Trading Estate....bit nearer for you. I might go round and chat him up soon. I had son's Seicento done at Springfield Garage in Sale. Gave it a pass with two little advisories. Not bad for an X reg ! I need your services but I'm away for a week from Friday. Nothing urgent...just a printer problem. I'll be in touch. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 26 Mar 14 23:10   Scratch repair in Manchester area - bathtub tom

I use UA's test ever since Bellboy published here: www.angliacarauctions.co.uk/classic-auctions/saturday-5th-april-2014.aspx The brake fluid test starts at 1:40. I bleed a little every year when I dismantle and clean the brakes, it always comes up as OK. I've compared it against the clutch fluid, which has never been bled and that fails the test. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 26 Mar 14 23:18   Scratch repair in Manchester area - RattleandSmoke

Thanks might be easier to take it to the FIAT/Alfa specialists in Sale that did the service, had a bit of a bad experience about a certain trader on that trading estate but hopefully that new MOT place has nothing to with him :). Will be interested to see how you get on though. I noticed when I took the MOT in to Ian last year those new boses were bossing him about, he wasn't at all happy about something he was being asked to do. I will do that fluid test tomorrow, if nothing else if I get a chain company do it I can at least compare the results so I know it has been done!. May as well check my battery/alternator while I am at it too! I am quiet flexible at the moment, got a massive job on in Eccles supplying several computers but apart from the commissioning most of that job is workshop based so I am quite flexible at the moment. Last edited by: RattleandSmoke on Wed 26 Mar 14 at 23:20 Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 27 Mar 14 00:06   Scratch repair in Manchester area - Dulwich Estate

Tis a funny world. Here in UK we change brake fluid frequently and our cam belts nearly as often. They don't seem to bother much with these two in the USA where all they seem to do is a lube change every 3000 miles or so. Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 27 Mar 14 08:22   Scratch repair in Manchester area - Old Navy

Morning Ratts, Your question about sucking the fluid from the master cylinder reservoir with a powerful suction gadget worries me. If you get it wrong and get air in the hydraulic side of your abs controller you will be giving yourself real problems. I would recommend professional intervention if you think your brakes need attention. A duff engine just means your car won't move, an inconvenience, duff brakes are a whole different problem and even a bit dangerous. Last edited by: Uncle Albert on Thu 27 Mar 14 at 08:23 Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 27 Mar 14 08:34   Scratch repair in Manchester area - Zero

I'd be more worried about spraying brake fluid all over the car bodywork! And in your eyes! Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 27 Mar 14 11:11   Scratch repair in Manchester area - Dulwich Estate

I'm baffled about this idea of sucking fluid out from the master cylinder - it's new one on me. I don't do brake fluid changes myself these days, but somewhere in the garage is my 1970s Gunsons EasyBleed. The idea was that you removed the cylinder cap, strapped down tight the supplied one, filled the attached bottle with new fluid and connected it to the valve of the spare tyre. This gave you a lovely pressure. Then the easy bit - you simply opened each bleed nipple until clean fluid came out. It really was an easy one man operation and gave me better results than the brake pedal pumping way. Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 27 Mar 14 11:29   Scratch repair in Manchester area - RattleandSmoke

I thought it seems too odd as well to be able to syphon out but it has been mentioned a few times on the FIAT forum!. I will not be attempting it to do this. Was just one of them silly questions because if even if people said they had done etc, I would not attempted it anyway simply because the brakes are one thing you cannot mess about with. I feel stupid for even mentioning it. Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 27 Mar 14 11:50   Scratch repair in Manchester area - RattleandSmoke

Checked the fluid, I get a reading of -0.10v (ground to battery, positive to fluid) so I assume this is ok? Also checked the battery which was reading 12.5v with the engine off. Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 27 Mar 14 11:58   Scratch repair in Manchester area - Fenlander

I draw out most of the old fluid in the reservoir to the point it just leaves the outlet ports covered and replace with fresh fluid before doing the full bleed with the Gunsons pressure bleeder.... so the system is seeing new fluid asap. Perhaps that's what the "syphon" boys mean?? Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 27 Mar 14 12:04   Scratch repair in Manchester area - Old Navy

I believe the reason for removing most of the brake fluid from the reservoir is that if you are changing the fluid you are removing old (contaminated?) fluid and filling with fresh which then goes through the system quicker. If you remove all the fluid air will get into the top of the system and will have to be bled out using a lot of brake fluid. Edit :- Beat me to it Fen. :-) Last edited by: Uncle Albert on Thu 27 Mar 14 at 12:05 Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 27 Mar 14 12:33   Scratch repair in Manchester area - Number_Cruncher

There's a much easier way than messing about syphoning the fluid out. Simply let the fluid level in the reservoir drop to being just above the outlet ports before topping it up for the first time during the brake fluid change. Brake fluid changes used to have a labour time allowance of 0.3 hours - very easy to make some bonus on that. Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 27 Mar 14 12:46   Scratch repair in Manchester area - Fenlander

No messing... I use a large horse syringe to remove fluid. Blagged loads from our vets years ago and they've proved very handy for car maintenance. I do it this way just in case any of the fluid from the master cylinder pushed through during bleeding is left or trapped in the system then it is new and not old/contaminated. Last edited by: Fenlander on Thu 27 Mar 14 at 12:47 Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 27 Mar 14 12:55   Scratch repair in Manchester area - VxFan

>> Brake fluid changes used to have a labour time allowance of 0.3 hours The main Vauxhall dealer I use charge something like £25 to change the brake fluid. That's inclusive of the fluid as well. Works out at approx £1 a month (based on 2 yr change intervals). A small price to pay for peace of mind motoring. Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 27 Mar 14 13:00   Scratch repair in Manchester area - RattleandSmoke

I will phone around, I am not paying the £80 special offer my FIAT dealer wanted though! Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 27 Mar 14 16:23   Scratch repair in Manchester area - bathtub tom

>> There's a much easier way than messing about syphoning the fluid out. Simply let the >> fluid level in the reservoir drop to being just above the outlet ports before topping >> it up for the first time during the brake fluid change. Isn't the main point of a brake fluid change removing any that may have absorbed water vapour? The vent hole is always on the reservoir IME, making it the most likely place to find contaminated fluid. Emptying the reservoir first means less time and effort's used getting clean fluid to the bleed valves. Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 28 Mar 14 09:52   Scratch repair in Manchester area - Fursty Ferret

The one and only time I've had the brake fluid changed was on my 120d, ostensibly because the ABS/ESP hydraulic block was very sensitive to contamination. It failed six months afterwards anyway. Unless you're towing a caravan around French alpine passes I don't think it's necessary. We generally only need the brakes to work once, hard, down to a stop and frankly you could probably do that with 100% water in the lines. Reply to this message | Report message