[72projectbird]

It's really depressing that a competent body shop will drag their heels on old school stuff, while moving new vehicles thru at a rapid pace. I understand that the newer collision stuff is their bread and butter, but before everyone was just a panel replacer, these shops actually did this kind of work.

I hate it so much I've been slowly learning how to do it myself.

[Chief of the 60's]

Originally Posted by 72projectbird

It's really depressing that a competent body shop will drag their heels on old school stuff, while moving new vehicles thru at a rapid pace. I understand that the newer collision stuff is their bread and butter, but before everyone was just a panel replacer, these shops actually did this kind of work.

I hate it so much I've been slowly learning how to do it myself.

The reason being is that they get paid the going rate, usually from insurance companies. The work is almost always performed on late model vehicles with no rust to deal with and parts that fit. Therefore, the work is "cut & dry", simple, fast and a money maker for a shop.

Restoration work is very slow going and unpredictable. The bill is almost always paid by a "nickel & dime" owner that wants it as cheap as he can get while at the same time constantly changing and adding to the job as it goes then complaining that the shop is ripping him off because they want more to do the job.

I am amazed that shops still want to do the work amymore.

[64speed]

I have had the misfortune of having to deal with a body shop twice in the last year. Once when I backed into a pole that snuck up on me in the parking lot and once when I was helping my niece with her little bump up. The first time I was there I noticed all these photos of classics the guy had painted so the second time I was there I mentioned my Tempest to him and made arrangements to have him come out and look at it. Yeah he stood me up three times and I am a paying customer that’s knows what he wants no curveballs. I even have my paint codes

[tom s]

A friend of mine(3 pontiac guy) owns 2 body shops,does high end MB,Lexus etc insurance work.He will not do any classic car at all.Just cant make any money on them.When I had my 63 tempest vert that needed body and paint work he let a couple of his guys do the body work on their own time.They did great work but he would not paint the car,had to find another shop to do it.Got REAL lucky,a friend put me on the a local shop that would do it as all they had to do is scratch and shoot it in single stage.I got out alive for about $4500 for the complete job.The shops that do that kind of work and leave you in paint shop hell wanted about 10K.FWIW,Tom

[MUSLCAH]

Being in the Autobody field for over 40 years.....nothing has changed ...LOL...it's hard for collision shop guys to look and work on a car for that long..it gets tiresome and boring.....and those collision guys haven't primed and blocked a panel in years ...and don't care to either....cus they can't make any hours working on a resto job. I know another painter working flat rate....he gets paid 130 hours for 50 hours of work per week.....he's flying like a wild man though.

[Chief of the 60's]

Originally Posted by tom s

A friend of mine(3 pontiac guy) owns 2 body shops,does high end MB,Lexus etc insurance work.He will not do any classic car at all.Just cant make any money on them.When I had my 63 tempest vert that needed body and paint work he let a couple of his guys do the body work on their own time.They did great work but he would not paint the car,had to find another shop to do it.Got REAL lucky,a friend put me on the a local shop that would do it as all they had to do is scratch and shoot it in single stage.I got out alive for about $4500 for the complete job.The shops that do that kind of work and leave you in paint shop hell wanted about 10K.FWIW,Tom

Why, after doing all the hard work, wouldn't they paint the car?

[tom s]

His shop does not do single stage.Tom

[Chief of the 60's]

Originally Posted by tom s

His shop does not do single stage.Tom

Single stage vs. 2 or 3 stage has no bearing on the facility, equipment or painter. If that is what he told you it does not make sense. If anything, single stage is easier.

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by Chief of the 60's

Single stage vs. 2 or 3 stage has no bearing on the facility, equipment or painter. If that is what he told you it does not make sense. If anything, single stage is easier.

No one around here that I asked wanted anything to do with painting a car in single stage either. I don't know enough about paint to explain why but they didn't want to do it.

[Chief of the 60's]

Originally Posted by Greg Reid

No one around here that I asked wanted anything to do with painting a car in single stage either. I don't know enough about paint to explain why but they didn't want to do it.

The only thing I can think of is that they mix their own paint and did not have the capabilities of mixing single stage. If that is the case, why didn't they just buy what they needed from their supplier? Hell, even NAPA will mix up a batch of single stage.

[MUSLCAH]

Originally Posted by Chief of the 60's

The only thing I can think of is that they mix their own paint and did not have the capabilities of mixing single stage. If that is the case, why didn't they just buy what they needed from their supplier? Hell, even NAPA will mix up a batch of single stage.

If they mix paint ...they can do single stage. I like "Solid" colors done in single stage ....better than BC/Clearcoat....Would Nevah single stage a Metallic color...metallics always get clearcoated
at my shop.

[Chief of the 60's]

Originally Posted by MUSLCAH

If they mix paint ...they can do single stage. I like "Solid" colors done in single stage ....better than BC/Clearcoat....Would Nevah single stage a Metallic color...metallics always get clearcoated
at my shop.

Then why would a fully equipped shop not want to paint single stage? That one is not making any sense to me. They'll do the body and prep work but not the easy part.

[MUSLCAH]

All the shops I know...including mine ...would never paint a car that someone else did the body work on....just bad business

[Chief of the 60's]

Originally Posted by MUSLCAH

All the shops I know...including mine ...would never paint a car that someone else did the body work on....just bad business

Unless I'm not understanding tom s' posts....

Originally Posted by tom s

A friend of mine(3 pontiac guy) owns 2 body shops,does high end MB,Lexus etc insurance work.He will not do any classic car at all.Just cant make any money on them.When I had my 63 tempest vert that needed body and paint work he let a couple of his guys do the body work on their own time.They did great work but he would not paint the car,had to find another shop to do it.Got REAL lucky,a friend put me on the a local shop that would do it as all they had to do is scratch and shoot it in single stage.I got out alive for about $4500 for the complete job.The shops that do that kind of work and leave you in paint shop hell wanted about 10K.FWIW,Tom

Originally Posted by Chief of the 60's

Why, after doing all the hard work, wouldn't they paint the car?

Originally Posted by tom s

His shop does not do single stage.Tom

[tom s]

Exactly right,they don't do or want to do single stage.Tom

[tom s]

And I did not want to pay the price for a BCCC paint job.Tom

[Scarebird]

that, and BCCC does not look right on older cars. I did my TA in water-based and it has the right amount of shine.

[MUSLCAH]

Originally Posted by tom s

And I did not want to pay the price for a BCCC paint job.Tom

Tom....is the color on your car ,a solid Color ? If so...the difference in cost is a gallon of clear and hardner. You can wet sand and buff a solid color single stage paint,to look like glass too.....just need a double wet 3rd coat. There is just as much prep work for single stage as BC /CC..

[MUSLCAH]

And a single stage (solid color) paint will hold up just as well as BC /CC...because our cars don't see the UV rays as much as our Dailey drivers. Our cars are under a cover or in the garage most of the time. And up here in the Northeast....they are in the garage in from November to May 1st ....wintah time and salt on the roads. For cars that get no love and stay outside 24/7... BC/CC is a god send...and keeps them looking good year after year....with great UV protection.

[JSPONT]

If his shop is a high end shop (as stated) and busy, to paint a full car and jams takes time. It would tie up his booth and stop his production of his money makers. (insurance work)