[TAKerry]

Originally Posted by dataway

I think for 90% of us mortals it needs to be a DIY hobby. The upper crust has the money and time for expensive paint and the like, the rest of us will probably be painting our cars in the barn like back in the day. 90% (or more) of us have cars that aren't rare and valuable enough to spend gobs of money painting anyway. I always figured a $3500 car in the 1960s doesn't need a $20,000 paint job in the present day ( again excluding the rare elite that must appeal to rare and elite buyers).

I've always been a "ten foot" guy ... cause I figure the vast majority of people that see it will be at least that far away

I have to agree. I had plenty of experience waving a spray gun around, all on high end furniture work spraying lacquer. SO, when it came time to painting my car I figured what the heck. It turned out really good IMO, and seems to be above average at most of the shows I go to. Of course there are always those with the high dollar paint jobs that are outstanding. Mine is good enough for me and I only moderately worry when I drive it! I am starting to lay down some paint on my next project now and its going better than expected.

[Rob in NH]

i've been doing body work for myself in a 2 bay body shop since 82 and every so often i take in an old car to do usually for a friend. I try not to since they take lots of time to finish. I never take any money in the beginning, i wait until i do some work then after so many hrs i give a bill. I feel thats a fair way to do the job.

[MUSLCAH]

Originally Posted by Rob in NH

i've been doing body work for myself in a 2 bay body shop since 82 and every so often i take in an old car to do usually for a friend. I try not to since they take lots of time to finish. I never take any money in the beginning, i wait until i do some work then after so many hrs i give a bill. I feel thats a fair way to do the job.

Same here.....take one in ..get 1,000 up front for some materials.....get 40 hours on it....show the customer what’s been done....he pays.....then another 40 hours....I give NO ESTIMATE. If the customer feels like he’s getting screwed....we stop...and I call a wrecker and out it goes. I tell all the customers this...So it’s very clear where we stand. Iam done giving hours away for free..