I am UK based and I can't say I agree with Golden re. paint standards in UK - yes, I agree with him re. paint shops doing insurance jobs on everyday cars, where they will push out any crap as long as the customer signs the 'satisfaction' form. And yes I agree re. perhaps letting an average to good body shop doing a paint job on a Vette and having limited experience with 'glass cars. Some of our smaller and better paint shops are every bit as good as anything anywhere. I can point you towards several people I know with paint jobs on steel cars that have been done 10, 15 and 18 years ago and as good now as when they were applied. A little bit more difficult with Vettes however

 

Yup, it's the same here. We have the Earl Scheib level where they'll spray your dog if you mask off his private parts and we all know of shops that struggle to do good quality work and still make a profit at the levels that insurance companies pay for work these days. That's true everywhere.

And to get show quality work one pays for that quality...80-100/hour but worth it when you are done.

Doug

 

Doug, the problem is that so many people grade stuff on their own 'worst case' experiences - I have seen guys that have bought supposedly 'concours' or 'show' standard standard vehicles over from the 'States at significantly elevated prices all based on photos or a quick visit when over your side of the pond on vacation they do not end up recieving what they thought they paid for. Its the same anywhere, any country. BTW to quote a commonly used UK term your car does look the 'dogs danglies'
Ross

 

Howdie!!

Just got back to Boston again.

Well, I didnt think it was possible to get to this point in three days, but we did it!!!!!

I wil be fixin to finish the rest of this car right quick now. (Am I starting to sound like a Texan???? I sure feel like one at this point)

Anyway, I ve been too busy to post some of my many pics from the last two phases of this project. (Getting theee hours of sleep a night doesnt leave much time).

I wil have a comprehensive Photo essay of a lot the in between work very soon!!!!

All I can say is holy smokes!!! A lot of work in very little time.

Thanks to all those who have helped so far(You know who you are)

I will have a comprehensive list of that as well soon.

 

I have to strongly disagree, I've been in and out the motor industry for the last 25 years and the standard of bodyshops in the UK has gone from hit and miss to **** poor.

My brother used to be a superb panel beater and is now a specialist insurance engineer and even he can't recommend a good bodyshop. I've never had any paintwork done on the Corvette but other cars I've had done by highly recommended 'specialist' bodyshops have been appalling.

Maybe I'm just too picky

 

Well, then you need to ship your car to us. We specialise in picky!!!!

 

No harm in being 'picky' - Can't really disagree with the general comment re. bodyshops in general - don't loose heart there ARE good places out there - finding them is another matter

 

You just did!!! Call the shiiping companies and see if you can get a multi car discount on overseas shipments!!!!

I would love to go to Boston Harbor and receive a shipping container full of vettes that need to be done over.

 

Wonderful sentiment - we do get a few cars damaged in shipping transit

 

Now that we have established our selves out in Texas, Maybe we can start an operation across the pond. 2nd Generation UK. "Have sanding block, will travel!!! "

Line the cars up boys!!!

 

I dunno...but I'm seeing a *European Vacation* coming up!~!

I can see it now....the "Stan Road Show"!

Just think of all the $$$ you can save on overheads!

JIM

 

Sorry to hi-jack this thread, but quickly - Hmmmmm - with all these offers I can feel a monochromatic black 'n' white paint job comming on here - any ideas guys ? (BTW Jim, I bought those Super Comps, so will be looking for a custom 3" system soon.)

 

 

None of this crap has anything to do with the topic; why not get off it.

 

Eloquently put

 

 

Ok, back to the subject at hand, and here is a brief history of what happened in the last few weeks.

I arrived back in Houston on Dec 6th. The goal this trip was to get Bruiser painted.

What I had to do was to wetsand the car, make sure the bodywork was where it was supposed to be,reprime and re wetsand, tie up all loose ends(including jambs and hardtop), and get the car lookin blue.

www.2ndgenrestorations.com

Here is Bruiser as I found him




I collected all my supplies,



And claimed a section of the garage as my own, warning against all intruders!!!



Wet sanding and disassembly of the car followed promptly.





Loose end





epoxy all bare glass



Any one who has restored a hardtop (not the NCRS way), knows how attrociously wavy they are (much like the rest of the car)

Hardtop restoration in a few easy steps... From zero to hero





The giant skim coat









After a week, we had to take the car to the body shop,and use a proper booth for final priming,wetsanding and paint.

gotta get those headlights straight!!










By the way, If you all were wondering Where Santa is, a few days before Christmas, HE IS IN TEXAS. I caught this pic of him when he pulled up next to me at a red light.






Car is finaly blue but far from done






Came back to Boston for a few days, then promptly returned to put stripes on the car.

We had three days to wet sand the car, stripe it, reclear the whole car, wetsand again, and buff it out, so it can go back to Doug's.

Needless to say long hours were in order. The first day we worked 21 1/2 hours, slept for two and got back at it.

















How straight is this car???


Pretty Damn Straight.




















Even where the sun wont shine







It is better appreciated in person. A lot of hard work ,but the result is well worth it.


I am back in Boston for three days. Will be returning back to Houston Sunday, and by the following week, we should have some pictures of this car all together!!!!

Happy New Year.

 

Stan Your work is top shelf, the best of the best, the only
problem I would have if you were to paint my car would be
I would never drive it, in fear I would mess up the beautiful
work you do. Your work is awesome.

Can't wait to see the finial finished product.

Riggs.

 

Stanley.........................great to see you back on the forum!!! Was worried about you.

BTW...............car looks FANTASTIC!! But I'm not the least bit surprised.

Happy holidays!!

Rex

 

Thanks for the compliment.

No matter how nice a car is , it still should be driven. I know for a fact Doug will be driving the hell out of Bruiser !!!!


A car with a very nice body shouldnt be a trailer queen. It should be a really nice driver!!!!

And that is what we help people build. Really nice drivers.