paint frustation
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 39
Likes: 1
From: Deltona Florida
paint frustation
Hey Guys.
I haven't post for a long time.
I just want to share with everyone my frustrating experience caused by my decision to hire someone from craigslist in orlando fl.
everything was ok before the job was done... the guy was a good sales man(lots of empty promises)..he had some pics from previous jobs and they looked amazing!
but the surprises just piled up after he was working on the car.
the agreement was to fix some damage on the pass door and hood and pray and re-spray the body with color match plus clear and the roof in black for $1500.00
I know the price was really good!!!!
to starts the hood damage was fixed but the shape of the left side wheel is not the same as the other side. and I can see the repair on the door as well.
the guy polish the car and trying to remove all the dust marks that he left on the paint, so the car is a mess plus over-spray on the wheels and tires!
now I don't know what to do and I'm out 1500.00
I hope that my bad experience with this guy helps someone else in the future.
here are some pics from the back of the car, i'll post more later
I haven't post for a long time.
I just want to share with everyone my frustrating experience caused by my decision to hire someone from craigslist in orlando fl.
everything was ok before the job was done... the guy was a good sales man(lots of empty promises)..he had some pics from previous jobs and they looked amazing!
but the surprises just piled up after he was working on the car.
the agreement was to fix some damage on the pass door and hood and pray and re-spray the body with color match plus clear and the roof in black for $1500.00
I know the price was really good!!!!
to starts the hood damage was fixed but the shape of the left side wheel is not the same as the other side. and I can see the repair on the door as well.
the guy polish the car and trying to remove all the dust marks that he left on the paint, so the car is a mess plus over-spray on the wheels and tires!
now I don't know what to do and I'm out 1500.00
I hope that my bad experience with this guy helps someone else in the future.
here are some pics from the back of the car, i'll post more later
Last edited by UGABUGA; Sep 4, 2014 at 05:44 PM. Reason: misspelled paint on thread head
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
I'm not picking on you, and I'm sorry for your experience, but.....
He probably figures you paid for a $1500 job, so you got one. You're lucky you didn't pay some shop $3000 for a job and got the job you got for $1500 - happens about as often. Finding good help is hard no matter what you're looking for....that's why so many of us do our own work. Pictures don't really tell what kind of job he does, references, references, references. Not trying to take his side here, but one reason shops won't work on vettes or charge more, is because of some ultra picky customers who want to pay nothing and get everything. Not everyone, but enough to make them remember them and think life is to short for the hassle when there are a lot of insurance jobs out there.
He probably figures you paid for a $1500 job, so you got one. You're lucky you didn't pay some shop $3000 for a job and got the job you got for $1500 - happens about as often. Finding good help is hard no matter what you're looking for....that's why so many of us do our own work. Pictures don't really tell what kind of job he does, references, references, references. Not trying to take his side here, but one reason shops won't work on vettes or charge more, is because of some ultra picky customers who want to pay nothing and get everything. Not everyone, but enough to make them remember them and think life is to short for the hassle when there are a lot of insurance jobs out there.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 16,089
Likes: 819
From: Dallas Texas
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Wow, sorry about that. I know no one on CF will believe me, but my dad got one of his Vette's painted for $1,000. Came out nice, seriously. Paint shop is nice to.
. I know no one on CF will believe me, but my dad got one of his Vette's painted for $1,000. Came out nice, seriously. Paint shop is nice to.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,429
Likes: 605
From: Minneapolis Mn
Paint
Sorry to hear of your results. Painting a Vette seems to be one of those 'you get what you pay for' in this scenario. One thing I did was join the local Corvette Club to gain access to info on others experiences. Check with your local clubs and see who they've used and recommend.
Happens a few months ago I was curious what it would cost to repaint my 86 convertible. I talked to a shop that specializes in Corvettes (recommended by some of the Corvette Club members) and asked some general questions. They said if I drove in and dropped off the keys without doing anything myself ahead of time, to strip, prep and paint it the same color to expect it to run around $13K. That's way out of my price range especially based on the value of my car. There are many who have painted their own cars and I admire their ability, unfortunately I'm not one of them. It takes more talent (based on what I've read) to properly paint a Vette vs a metal bodied car, so I assume that's why it's so expensive to get done.
Happens a few months ago I was curious what it would cost to repaint my 86 convertible. I talked to a shop that specializes in Corvettes (recommended by some of the Corvette Club members) and asked some general questions. They said if I drove in and dropped off the keys without doing anything myself ahead of time, to strip, prep and paint it the same color to expect it to run around $13K. That's way out of my price range especially based on the value of my car. There are many who have painted their own cars and I admire their ability, unfortunately I'm not one of them. It takes more talent (based on what I've read) to properly paint a Vette vs a metal bodied car, so I assume that's why it's so expensive to get done.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
I'm sorry to hear of your bad experience.
As a former body/paint man, I can tell you that this is one of the most time consuming jobs around. It takes Time, Patience, Experience and Skill to produce satisfactory results.
These days, many in the body and paint industry just want the money as fast as they can get it. MANY corners are cut as the result. Some, (as you have found out) lack the basic skills and knowledge to perform even a routine repair.
Body and Paint work is very costly in many situations because of the time involved to do the repair Properly. I've learned over the years that you should always spend a little more, to get the job done right the first time!...
As a former body/paint man, I can tell you that this is one of the most time consuming jobs around. It takes Time, Patience, Experience and Skill to produce satisfactory results.
These days, many in the body and paint industry just want the money as fast as they can get it. MANY corners are cut as the result. Some, (as you have found out) lack the basic skills and knowledge to perform even a routine repair.
Body and Paint work is very costly in many situations because of the time involved to do the repair Properly. I've learned over the years that you should always spend a little more, to get the job done right the first time!...
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,789
Likes: 7
I'm sorry to hear of your bad experience.
As a former body/paint man, I can tell you that this is one of the most time consuming jobs around. It takes Time, Patience, Experience and Skill to produce satisfactory results.
These days, many in the body and paint industry just want the money as fast as they can get it. MANY corners are cut as the result. Some, (as you have found out) lack the basic skills and knowledge to perform even a routine repair.
Body and Paint work is very costly in many situations because of the time involved to do the repair Properly. I've learned over the years that you should always spend a little more, to get the job done right the first time!...
As a former body/paint man, I can tell you that this is one of the most time consuming jobs around. It takes Time, Patience, Experience and Skill to produce satisfactory results.
These days, many in the body and paint industry just want the money as fast as they can get it. MANY corners are cut as the result. Some, (as you have found out) lack the basic skills and knowledge to perform even a routine repair.
Body and Paint work is very costly in many situations because of the time involved to do the repair Properly. I've learned over the years that you should always spend a little more, to get the job done right the first time!...
I spent over 1k on materials when I painted my white '88 with PPG Deltron. The clear was over 400 bucks/gal alone. Painting the red 73 was even more. So if decent materials were used, it doesn't leave a lot for the labor...especially if there was repair work. Maybe someone can recommend another shop in the area to just "fix" his job for reasonable price...IDK.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,234
Likes: 14
Depending on what he painted it with, Id buff the car out and get some overspray remover for the wheels. Then put gas in it and drive it.
Fixing a 1500$ messed up paint job will cost more than 1500$ to get it back to the point it was before you started.
Im with the others do the paint work your self.
Fixing a 1500$ messed up paint job will cost more than 1500$ to get it back to the point it was before you started.
Im with the others do the paint work your self.
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Racer
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 328
Likes: 2
From: Mesa AZ
I have only painted a couple cars myself and used just single stage enamel. I do know this, the prep work to do a paint job is a very time consuming job. You can sand and guide coat and sand again and guide coat again. It seems every time you guide coat you will find impurities. Plus having a paint booth can make all the difference in the world. Then when you are done painting, clear coating and wet sanding takes forever. You have to wet sand in stages which takes forever. And black is the worse color for a painter as it will show any little imperfection that you might have and you may not be able to sand it out. Sorry for your loss but sometimes if the price sounds too good, then buyer beware!
Tommy
Tommy
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 993
Likes: 3
From: Iowa
While I'm all about painting them yourself (I did paint and body to help put myself through college and some industrial painting as well) you really need to be careful as there are some serious health hazards that most people never know about. Even a lot of guys in the body shops really don't appreciate the chemicals and hazards that they are exposing themselves to. It's totally possible, but be careful and talk with someone that sprays paint everyday for a living about what you need to do to protect yourself. Just my .02
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Longwood FL
Paint Shop
Hello,
I have an 89 convertible and live in Longwood Florida, which is close to Orlando. I moved from Ohio about 3 years ago and always wanted to get it painted. Long story I had the 11K estimate, a 5K estimate and a 2800.00 estimate. Obviously the advice is take your middle estimate. Well I went with the low and the paint came out great, only one issue. They didn't sand the hood and the new paint started bubbling in the sun and the heat from the engine. I took it back and he had fixed one spot on the hood and it had no issues, so he's going to sand down the whole hood and repaint. The guy lives in my neighborhood and has a small off the beaten path shop. He does Insurance work, so he's going to have the car for a few weeks, but he's going to fix it. I can provide his info if you want to check him out. Send me a message.
I have an 89 convertible and live in Longwood Florida, which is close to Orlando. I moved from Ohio about 3 years ago and always wanted to get it painted. Long story I had the 11K estimate, a 5K estimate and a 2800.00 estimate. Obviously the advice is take your middle estimate. Well I went with the low and the paint came out great, only one issue. They didn't sand the hood and the new paint started bubbling in the sun and the heat from the engine. I took it back and he had fixed one spot on the hood and it had no issues, so he's going to sand down the whole hood and repaint. The guy lives in my neighborhood and has a small off the beaten path shop. He does Insurance work, so he's going to have the car for a few weeks, but he's going to fix it. I can provide his info if you want to check him out. Send me a message.