The search is on...

FareclaBPC - Logo on a black background. Logo reads "Farecla Bonnet Painting Competition farecla.com/bpc"

...to find and reward the UK’s most talented Apprentice & Student painters!

Farécla has created and hosted a series of Bonnet Painting Competitions to highlight and reward the amazing skills of the current crop of young painters in Automotive Refinishing and Aftermarket - whilst increasing awareness of the sector to the next generation.

Why Bonnet Painting? With apprenticeships and young talent higher up the agenda nationally and specifically within bodyshops and the automotive industry – and having seen painted bonnets on display when visiting technical colleges – bonnet painting seemed like a natural fit and a fun idea!

There are prizes for the Grand Finalists and the Best Multimedia Submission - with the 2024 Grand Prize being £1,000 cash, a Cordless Farécla G Plus Polishing Machine and the complete Farécla G360 Super Fast Polishing System - in addition to the winning bonnet being displayed at national event(s) throughout the year where Farécla is in attendance.

2024 - Grand Finalists
  • FareclaBPC - Teaser Image - 2018 and 2019 Champions and their designs next to a silhouette, reads "could this be you? 2024 contest now open"
    This Could Be You!
    2024 Entry Now Open!

    See below for details of the 2024 contest and your chance to win £1000 cash, a G Plus Cordless Polishing Machine and the complete G360 Super Fast Polishing System.

2019 - Grand Finalists
  • Bonnet Submission by Poppy Merrin-Gregory
    Poppy Merrin-Gregory
    from Bedford College VTC

    2019 Grand Finalist [Winner]

    Learn more about their design here

  • Bonnet Submission by Alex Campbell
    Alex Campbell
    from Dick Lovett, Bristol

    2019 Grand Finalist [Runner-Up]

    Learn more about their design here

  • Bonnet Submission by Lewis Foreman
    Lewis Foreman
    from Alpha Rapid Repair, Kent

    2019 Grand Finalist

    Learn more about their design here

  • Bonnet Submission by Vlad Iliev
    Vlad Iliev
    from Barnfield College

    2019 Grand Finalist

    Learn more about their design here

  • Bonnet Submission by Ben Witford
    Ben Witford
    from Apollo Motor Group, Portsmouth

    2019 Grand Finalist

    Learn more about their design here

2018 - Grand Finalists
  • Bonnet Submission by Elliot Campbell
    Elliot Campbell
    from The Figaro Shop, Didcot

    2018 Grand Finalist [Winner]

    Learn more about their design here

  • Agnieszka Szenfeld
    Agnieszka Szenfeld
    from Motofix, High Wycombe

    2018 Grand Finalist [Runner-Up]

    Learn more about their design here

  • Bonnet Submission by Kieran Purton
    Kieran Purton
    from The Colchester Institute

    2018 Grand Finalist

    Learn more about their design here

  • Bonnet Submission by Rhiannon Murfin
    Rhiannon Murfin
    from Motofix, Exeter

    2018 Grand Finalist

    Learn more about their design here

  • Bonnet Submission by Charlie Clark
    Charlie Clark
    from Apollo Motor Group, Dover

    2018 Grand Finalist

    Learn more about their design here

Apprentice & Student Bonnet Painting Competition III (2024)

The Search Returns! 2024 Competition Now Open!

Farécla is delighted to confirm the long awaited return of the Apprentice & Student Bonnet Painting Competition for 2024 after a hiatus period. 

Farécla never lost faith in providing recognition and a showcase for the skills of the UK's talented young painters - and was delighted to announce the return of the contest at the ABP Club Annual Convention 2023.

This competition not only showcases the amazing skills of the current crop of young painters in automotive refinishing, but also serves as a practical learning opportunity - with some fantastic prizes up for grabs.

Entrants are tasked with designing and painting a bonnet that is in keeping with the design brief within their place of employment or education under the supervision of their mentor. The winning bonnet that best follows the design brief, and is chosen by our expert panel of judges, will go on to be displayed at Farécla HQ and national events, and the winner will be awarded a grand prize!

Entry now open (see links below). Stay tuned for further announcements including the 2024 Judges, public voting and the Grand Final Livestream

Past Competitions

Check out highlights from the 2019 and 2018 competitions below

Apprentice & Student Bonnet Painting Competition II (2019)

The search to find and reward the UK’s most talented Apprentice & Student painters returned in 2019 with the 2nd Apprentice & Student Bonnet Painting Competition from Farécla!

2019’s winner was Poppy Merrin-Gregory from Bedford College VTC. 

Poppy's bonnet was on display throughout Advanced Engineering 2019 where she was awarded her grand prize.

Poppy Merrin-Gregory and her mentors in front of her winning bonnet design
Photo of Matt, Chris and Tom standing in front of the 2 painted bonnets at Farecla HQ

Apprentice & Student Bonnet Painting Competition I (2018)

Formally launched during National Apprenticeship week; 2018 saw the launch of the first ever Farécla Apprentice & Student Bonnet Painting Competition!

2018’s winner was Elliot Campbell from The Figaro Shop (Didcot). 

Elliot's bonnet was on display throughout Advanced Engineering 2018 where he was awarded his grand prize.

Bonnet Painting Competition 2018 - Elliot with his father and his mentor in front of his winning bonnet
Bonnet Painting Competition 2018 - Judges Daryl Head, George Sneddon and Tom French standing in front of this years winning bonnet designs

The Lost Competitions (2020 & 2021)

The popular competition was due to return for a 3rd time in 2020 - but sadly the competition had to be postponed in light of the COVID-19 situation.

Farécla had intended for the competition to return in 2021 - but sadly it became clear that it wasn't quite the right time for our industry and ultimately the hard decision was made to cancel the 2021 competition.

Farécla never gave up hope - and is pleased to confirm that the contest will return in 2024 as announced at the ABP Club Annual Convention in November 2023!

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