Need help picking a paint shop
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 130
Likes: 1
Need help picking a paint shop
Guys,
I'm almost ready to get my 72 convertible painted. I haven't had a car painted since 2001. All the guys I used to deal with are either out of the business or are only doing collision work. I have a couple guys that have agreed to come look at the car at my place. What can I do to help decide who will get the job? I will go look at their shop to see how their shop looks and look at some of the work they have done. What else should I do to evaluate the shops?
Kevin
I'm almost ready to get my 72 convertible painted. I haven't had a car painted since 2001. All the guys I used to deal with are either out of the business or are only doing collision work. I have a couple guys that have agreed to come look at the car at my place. What can I do to help decide who will get the job? I will go look at their shop to see how their shop looks and look at some of the work they have done. What else should I do to evaluate the shops?
Kevin
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 7
From: Wentzville MO
Post the question in the paint section of the forum. I would look for shops that paint older fiberglass. Do you need a lot of body work?
=bbcngineer;1586371585]Guys,
I'm almost ready to get my 72 convertible painted. I haven't had a car painted since 2001. All the guys I used to deal with are either out of the business or are only doing collision work. I have a couple guys that have agreed to come look at the car at my place. What can I do to help decide who will get the job? I will go look at their shop to see how their shop looks and look at some of the work they have done. What else should I do to evaluate the shops?
Kevin[/QUOTE]
=bbcngineer;1586371585]Guys,
I'm almost ready to get my 72 convertible painted. I haven't had a car painted since 2001. All the guys I used to deal with are either out of the business or are only doing collision work. I have a couple guys that have agreed to come look at the car at my place. What can I do to help decide who will get the job? I will go look at their shop to see how their shop looks and look at some of the work they have done. What else should I do to evaluate the shops?
Kevin[/QUOTE]
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,682
Likes: 3,135
From: Shamong, NJ
I would suggest finding a shop that specializes in restoration and/or Corvette work.
Taking a Corvette, or any collector car, to a regular body shop, rarely works out well. Body shops are not geared up to do paint jobs. They do collision work, where the costs and time needed, all usually known up front. Body shops make much of their money on the parts they install, and not necessarily on labor. When they take in paint jobs, which are all labor, they usually become filler work for down time in the shop. As such, paint jobs are a low priority in a body shop, and body shops rarely spend the time needed to do a quality paint job on a collector car.
If your not familiar with anyone in your area, that does restoration or collector car work, reach out to some of the local clubs in your area. Most Corvette clubs, street rod clubs, antique auto clubs, etc., know and can recommend experienced shops to do collector car paint work.
Taking a Corvette, or any collector car, to a regular body shop, rarely works out well. Body shops are not geared up to do paint jobs. They do collision work, where the costs and time needed, all usually known up front. Body shops make much of their money on the parts they install, and not necessarily on labor. When they take in paint jobs, which are all labor, they usually become filler work for down time in the shop. As such, paint jobs are a low priority in a body shop, and body shops rarely spend the time needed to do a quality paint job on a collector car.
If your not familiar with anyone in your area, that does restoration or collector car work, reach out to some of the local clubs in your area. Most Corvette clubs, street rod clubs, antique auto clubs, etc., know and can recommend experienced shops to do collector car paint work.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,279
Likes: 4,372
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Kevin,
I agree that finding a shop used to working on Corvettes is very important.
I think you need to be extremely upfront/clear as what you want done, and what they're going to do as part of this paint job.
I personally don't think a painter can give you an actual $ figure until the paint is off the car and he can see what preparation is going to be needed.
Looking at cars that have been recently painted and talking to those owners about their experience is more important than what the shop looks like.
Everyone's definition of a terrific paint job is different… the painter needs to clearly UNDERSTAND what your expectations are.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
I agree that finding a shop used to working on Corvettes is very important.
I think you need to be extremely upfront/clear as what you want done, and what they're going to do as part of this paint job.
I personally don't think a painter can give you an actual $ figure until the paint is off the car and he can see what preparation is going to be needed.
Looking at cars that have been recently painted and talking to those owners about their experience is more important than what the shop looks like.
Everyone's definition of a terrific paint job is different… the painter needs to clearly UNDERSTAND what your expectations are.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Mar 11, 2014 at 03:22 PM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
Hi Kevin,
My buddy has a restoration shop if you are looking for other options. You might even be able to visit his shop next week if he's available. Let me know if you might be interested. Here's a link to his site.
http://www.curtismotion.com/
My buddy has a restoration shop if you are looking for other options. You might even be able to visit his shop next week if he's available. Let me know if you might be interested. Here's a link to his site.
http://www.curtismotion.com/
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 130
Likes: 1
Guys ,
I am in upstate ny. I prefer to do business locally. Both shops that I am talking to have experience with corvettes. My car has been soda blasted so there are no surprises. I just don't know these guys personally, but have been recommended by people that I trust.
Kevin
I am in upstate ny. I prefer to do business locally. Both shops that I am talking to have experience with corvettes. My car has been soda blasted so there are no surprises. I just don't know these guys personally, but have been recommended by people that I trust.
Kevin
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 769
Likes: 36
From: Goose Creek SC
My only recommendation would be to look at some of their work and then make sure you get their quote on paper with the understanding that if there are changes they will discuss them with you and you must approve them. I had some body work done on mine and although the workmanship was excellent when I went to pick it up the charge was nearly twice what they quoted. Need less to say they got no more work from me. On the other hand the folks that did the paint took somewhat longer than expected but kept their word to the penny on the quote.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 130
Likes: 1
My only recommendation would be to look at some of their work and then make sure you get their quote on paper with the understanding that if there are changes they will discuss them with you and you must approve them. I had some body work done on mine and although the workmanship was excellent when I went to pick it up the charge was nearly twice what they quoted. Need less to say they got no more work from me. On the other hand the folks that did the paint took somewhat longer than expected but kept their word to the penny on the quote.
Kevin