General Restoration of fire/smoke damaged 500L

[tabletcounter]

Hello,
Our lovely 500 was sadly involved in a garage fire on Sunday when another car caught fire. Although there’s no obvious signs of anything burnt (she was quite a way from the fire) there is substantial smoke damage. I can’t see how any amount of cleaning is going to sort this out. So am thinking, it’s going to be full strip down of just about everything and full new seats, carpets, re trim dash etc etc.
Has anyone got any recommendations of good reliable restorers, who will have experience of this kind of thing. She is insured thankfully. Also anyone have any rough idea of costs.

John.

 

[Bigvtwin996]

Well my thoughts would be... its only smoke, no physical damage......
Perhaps have a talk with a big professional valeting company...
they often have much better tools than domestic ones...
I wouild say they could probably get rid of most of the blackening....
If you paid them for one or two days it would be a lot less...
And even if they can't remove everything there may be a lot less that needs repolacing...

I once knew a guy who delt with fire damage properties for insurance companies, his company would save a lot of stuff that most people would thik needed replacing in house fires...

 

[tabletcounter]

Well my thoughts would be... its only smoke, no physical damage......
Perhaps have a talk with a big professional valeting company...
they often have much better tools than domestic ones...
I wouild say they could probably get rid of most of the blackening....
If you paid them for one or two days it would be a lot less...
And even if they can't remove everything there may be a lot less that needs repolacing...

I once knew a guy who delt with fire damage properties for insurance companies, his company would save a lot of stuff that most people would thik needed replacing in house fires...

It’s not just the soot, it’s the smell as well. It’s got everywhere. The engine is black, same with the front boot. It will be behind the dash, in the door panels etc.
I‘ve tried cleaning some of the other cars leather document wallets and can get them almost clean, but can’t get rid of the smell.

 

[Bigvtwin996]

and that is the difference between DIY and professional.....
as I said a guy I knew used to do house fire cleans and they were able to salvage a lot of stuff people would think should be thrown away...
Do you think they replaced everything that was smoke damaged at Windsor castle?

unless it is going to be an insurance claim you have little to loose other than a bit of time asking some companies....
If it is a claim then as there is no real physical damage almost any restoration company could strip clean and replace, farm out the seat retrim to a specialist, they don't need to be a Fiat specialist

 

[the hobbler]

and that is the difference between DIY and professional.....
as I said a guy I knew used to do house fire cleans and they were able to salvage a lot of stuff people would think should be thrown away...
Do you think they replaced everything that was smoke damaged at Windsor castle?

unless it is going to be an insurance claim you have little to loose other than a bit of time asking some companies....
If it is a claim then as there is no real physical damage almost any restoration company could strip clean and replace, farm out the seat retrim to a specialist, they don't need to be a Fiat specialist

Where abouts do you live? I know of 5 companies that might be able to help you---they are fairly well spread around the UK, so one of them should be within sensible trailing distance of you.

 

[tabletcounter]

Where abouts do you live? I know of 5 companies that might be able to help you---they are fairly well spread around the UK, so one of them should be within sensible trailing distance of you.

I’m near Crewe in Cheshire. But distance isn’t really a problem, as long as I get the right people to do the job.
It will be done through the insurance too.

 

[Toshi 975]

If distance is not an issue it might be worth your while having a chat with Tristan who runs the Tiny Car Company who are outside North London. They are 500 specialists and can pretty much deal with anything 500 related and seem particularly good with cosmetic details.

 

[the hobbler]

If distance is not an issue it might be worth your while having a chat with Tristan who runs the Tiny Car Company who are outside North London. They are 500 specialists and can pretty much deal with anything 500 related and seem particularly good with cosmetic details.

You are only about a 45min drive from me---I live in Saltney, just outside Chester. If you would like me to, I could pop over to you and have a chat about getting your car repaired. I also have a custom built trailer for moving my own 500 around (Abarth 695 replica). You are very welcome to give me a ring--I am in most evenings---01244-683824