White's Bodyworks carries out specialist classic car resprays from our fully equipped workshop in West Sussex, including complete resprays, bare-metal refinishing, individual panel repairs and paintwork undertaken as part of a wider restoration.
Older vehicles often require more than simply applying fresh colour. Previous repairs, corrosion, ageing paint and multiple layers of historic refinishing can all affect the preparation required before a classic is ready to paint.
We assess each car individually and tailor the work to its condition, originality and the finish you want to achieve.
After entrusting my vintage Jaguar to the team for a full respray, I was astounded by the stunning results. Their meticulous attention to detail and passion for authenticity brought my classic beauty back to its original, breathtaking glory. Rory, Lewes
Not every classic car needs the same level of paintwork. Some vehicles require only one or two panels to be repaired and refinished, while others benefit from a complete strip-down and respray.
Our classic car paintwork services include:
Where the existing finish is sound, it may not be necessary to strip the entire vehicle. Where previous paint is failing, corrosion is present or the body has undergone extensive repairs, a more thorough approach may be appropriate.
Preparation is particularly important with classic vehicles because fresh paint can only be as good as the surface beneath it.
Before refinishing begins, we assess the body for corrosion, dents, previous filler work, damaged panels and older repairs. Where necessary, these issues are dealt with before the car enters the final paint stages.
Depending on the project, preparation can involve:
If more substantial metalwork is required, our classic car welding service covers corrosion repairs, panel replacement and fabrication.
Colour choice can be an important part of a classic car respray.
If originality is a priority, we can work with the vehicle's known paint specification and the finish currently present on the car. Older paint can change significantly with age, so matching is not always as simple as relying on the original manufacturer code alone.
For partial resprays, the aim is to produce a finish that works with the surrounding panels rather than leaving the repaired area obviously different.
For complete restorations or colour changes, we can discuss original factory colours, period-appropriate alternatives or a different finish chosen by the owner.
If you are still deciding whether repainting is appropriate for your vehicle, our guide to repainting a classic car and its effect on value and originality covers the main considerations.
Classic car bodywork and paint are carried out at our workshop near Hassocks in West Sussex.
Keeping the repair, preparation and refinishing stages together is particularly useful on older vehicles because hidden problems often become apparent only after trim, old paint or previous repairs have been removed.
If corrosion or damaged metal is uncovered during preparation, it can be assessed and dealt with before painting continues rather than being concealed beneath a new finish.
For cars requiring wider work beyond the paintwork itself, we also undertake complete and partial classic car restorations.
View more of our recent projects.
