Painters in So. Cali
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 316
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
Painters in So. Cali
Okay, I've seen some really nice paint jobs on Vettes. And there are many, many Vette specialty shops in So. Cali that can hook me up. But generally (and I'm not slamming them) those specialty shops charge a specialty price for the love and care they provide.
Does anyone have experience with a painter in So. Cali that can do a relatively good job without me having to get a second mortgage to pay for it?
The car will have all of the exterior trim, rear bumpers and vents removed and interior panels, carpet as well as all weather stripping. Total color change and not much in the way of the prep and painter.
Thanks for any input.
Does anyone have experience with a painter in So. Cali that can do a relatively good job without me having to get a second mortgage to pay for it?
The car will have all of the exterior trim, rear bumpers and vents removed and interior panels, carpet as well as all weather stripping. Total color change and not much in the way of the prep and painter.
Thanks for any input.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,354
Likes: 424
From: Seattle Area WA
Did you try J&D Corvette in Bellflower? Did you do a forum search on "Macco". Some of these Macco shops have some excellent spray guys that are willing to paint off hours etc with quality paint.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 316
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
Yep, I tried J&D. They were the last option before I posted on the forum. Again, most of those specialty shop do great work, but they charge for the fact that the Corvette is a special vehicle. Let's face it if a VW was made of fiberglass would it cost $10K to get it painted?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,226
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
I was in your position about 8 mos. ago. J&D does do good work, but $5k just for plain paint is rediculous. I went to 1 Day paint in Long Beach. Scott, the mgr., drives a super stock Dodge and appreciates old cars. Their top of the line paint job is $1400, and with a color change and underside of grills, etc. , I spent about $1900. It is not quite as good as J&D, but probably 95%, and a hell of a lot better than stock. Most people don't believe I didn't spend more. I believe they use Dupont Nason paint. Not the top of the line, but good. I would use them again.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 316
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
I'm out in the IE. I know that fiberglass seams must be treated and I have an OEM rubber nose that needs special care. But I just want a nice paint job that is not going to crack or fade for a long while. I'm even doing all the trim removal and installation.
Glenkov48, you have a street or this paint shop? I can look it up and give em a try.
Glenkov48, you have a street or this paint shop? I can look it up and give em a try.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,226
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
2035 E. Carson, L.B. 562 424-7195. Ask for Scott. You might check the 1 day shops by you also, as it really all depends on the management. It appears that the important part is buffing out the clear coat. The rest is not rocket science. Good luck. Check their web site.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Specialty painting shops have a reputation to protect. They use high-end paints and employ skilled craftsmen. They charge what is necessary to keep the doors open. The "1" day painting operations have no rep. to protect. They don't care if you ever come back, or bad-mouth their shop. They have a much larger market, do low-end work, and charge accordingly. They make their profit on low quality, high volume. You still get what you pay for.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,089
Likes: 43
From: Native Californian CALIFORNIA
Army
For $1,900 are they removing emblems, door moldings, etc painting then re-installing or just masking and spraying. The later does not give you the same result as it is not acceptable to have paint where it does not belong. I think a car looks terrible when you open the door and the molding and interior light switch is painted.
But if they remove, paint and re-install I would be interested.
But if they remove, paint and re-install I would be interested.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,226
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
Specialty painting shops have a reputation to protect. They use high-end paints and employ skilled craftsmen. They charge what is necessary to keep the doors open. The "1" day painting operations have no rep. to protect. They don't care if you ever come back, or bad-mouth their shop. They have a much larger market, do low-end work, and charge accordingly. They make their profit on low quality, high volume. You still get what you pay for.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,226
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
For $1,900 are they removing emblems, door moldings, etc painting then re-installing or just masking and spraying. The later does not give you the same result as it is not acceptable to have paint where it does not belong. I think a car looks terrible when you open the door and the molding and interior light switch is painted.
But if they remove, paint and re-install I would be interested.
But if they remove, paint and re-install I would be interested.