WANTED: Competent Bodyman/Painter in Western WA State..............

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

camarosrus

I have a 73 Camaro Resto Project. Everything was sandblasted and primered with SPI Epoxy.

Small shop that applied primer doubled his verbal estimate and I removed project from his shop.

Looking for man to either prep misc original GM panels/pcs OR pre fit and paint complete car
for a set labor bid.......(I will pay for or furnish all supplies)

Contact Chuck at CamarosRus@gmail or text/cell 253-263-5190
 

Attachments

  • 20170719_150735.jpg
    20170719_150735.jpg
    161.2 KB · Views: 229
  • imagejpeg_0001002003.jpg
    imagejpeg_0001002003.jpg
    112.9 KB · Views: 241
  • imagejpeg_0001002003004005.jpg
    imagejpeg_0001002003004005.jpg
    142.4 KB · Views: 256
Only Shops who are going to give you a set price are inexperienced ones. Like Crash said every car is different, every owner different expectations. Those of us who do this for a living have learned over the years that it is nearly impossible to accurately estimate a restoration at the beginning of a job. Usually because we did and lost our a**es. I don't like working for less than minimum wage.:mad:
As for the Shop that doubled the estimate, I would imagine that you took the car to this guy, he looked at it and tried to do the mental calculations in that initial meeting with you and came up with a figure. Only as he was working on it and could actually see what was needed and the totality of the project did he realize what he needed to charge to in order to make a profit. Restoring a car isn't cheap and you get what you pay for.
If you insist on a set bid, prepare yourself to be disappointed in the end result as the likelihood of corners being cut to meet that estimate is pretty high.
 
This is RUST FREE 73 Camaro. NO RUST No Panel Replacement. Original GM everything. You can SEE from my above pics that I had the shell (and all [panels media blasted)
I will NOT pay your hourly rate and get screwed every time you answer the phone, go to the toilet, have a cup if coffee etc. Nor will I pay your $50-$75 hourly rate
while your shop is doing some low skill "grunt" work on my project vs high skill body blocking, painting, polishing etc.
I am not wanting any shop to finish and build the car....only fit the panels, finish the panels, paint shell with doors and deck lid on, paint fenders, hood, upper header,
lower valance off the car and then reassemble......Subframe was powder coated and I as going to reattach and install engine making car into a "roller"

1st shop gave me verbal quote of $7500.......as he had just done a complete on a 68 Camaro for similar money. Then painter says he wants over $13K to paint this
car ......If Im lucky completed car with rebuilt EVERYTHING will sell for $25K......

Anyway I'm done defending my position and my $$$$$$$

I can appreciate your opinion, your business......but that wasnt the intent of this thread....I'm a small time SPI customer and have been buying
from SPI.....

I'm still looking for a PRO that will either moonlight prepping my panels and shell OR a painter that can LOOK at my 73 Camaro, use their EXPERIENCE
and come up with a price that WE CAN BOTH LIVE WITH.....
 

Attachments

  • 20170903_153149.jpg
    20170903_153149.jpg
    186.8 KB · Views: 235
  • 20170915_184355 (2).jpg
    20170915_184355 (2).jpg
    152.9 KB · Views: 241
  • tn_Misc.10.25.09 077.jpg
    tn_Misc.10.25.09 077.jpg
    131.3 KB · Views: 237
I've finished several projects that were started by other shops. What happened EVERY time was that set price was given, work started, half way or three quarter way thru money runs out. Car gets moved to corner of shop and not touched. Owner upset, shop says more money, owner says but you said x amount of dollars. Shop says took longer and more to fix than we thought. Owner says no. Car sits in corner or outside because it isn't helping to pay to keep shop doors open. Hate to say it but it's all about staying in business. You have to find someone who is trustworthy and a good reputation to do this kind of work while staying away from the con artists. There isn't as many people doing this kind of work due to all the hassles. It really does have a lot of headaches. Not being mean here but this is the reality of this type of work. As Shine has said before and it really is true, the cheapest shop is the busiest and the first to close
Why is that? Simple, NO CASH LEFT OVER AFTER BILLS WERE PAID.
 
Last edited:
I don't do resto work but have watched a friend that does. The headaches he encounters from the work and customers is mind boggling. He certainly doesn't charge enough.

I say, grab a gun and go at it. Even with my little business when I hear the words: ONLY or JUST, I turn it away. The customer is saying they know what needs to be done.
 
body shops should not do restorations and restoration shops should not do collision. you can not mix the two worlds.
that being said never pay labor up front . period . i bill weekly for hours worked up until paint work starts . i have a set price for paint . i will also refuse to use your paint supplies. i have my own . when i order materials for the job i bill for them. this is only for primers , paint , reducers and activators. i dont need a lot of product setting on the shelf if you decide not to finish the car. these supplies will leave with the car.
not trying to be rude or uppity but i run my shop not the customer. you pick your colors and that is it.
good luck with your project .
 
after rereading this i found this " Nor will I pay your $50-$75 hourly rate
while your shop is doing some low skill "grunt" work on my project vs high skill body blocking, painting, polishing etc. " this alone would make you the customer from hell . for some reason you seem to think you own the shop while your car is there. i can assure you any professional restoration shop will tell you they are not interested in the job. you will never be satisfied and will complain you paid too much. your post need to be made a sticky for what young tradesman need to watch for and avoid when stating out .
 
A good relationship between customer and shop personnel is vital for a successful project. Sure there will be differences of opinion and most likely things will show up that were not expected.
Doesn't matter how neat and clean a car is it will always require some 'grunt' work to get it done.
Show up at most shops with an "I'm the boss and I tell you what to do" attitude and you will never get what you want.
 
Time and materials (I buy them not the customer) and a written contract agreeing to it is the only way I will touch a restoration.
My name goes on the job and there is no way a customer is going to tell me how to do it and with what materials. They can pick the colors and authorize changes but that's basically it.
 
labor prices:
if you watch-$100/hour
if you offer advise-$125/hour
if you supply parts-$175/hour
if youre the expert-$250/hour

with that attitude, i doubt if theres a painter in your area that would be on this forum that would read this and even speak with you.

i suppose you punch out every time ya get a cup of coffee, use the toilet........
 
This is RUST FREE 73 Camaro. NO RUST No Panel Replacement. Original GM everything. You can SEE from my above pics that I had the shell (and all [panels media blasted)
Sounds like an easy job that a beginner could handle, and you are at the right place to get help to do it yourself. Then you don't have to worry when someone goes to the bathroom.
 
Wow. Dear original poster, I carefully read what you have posted in this thread and I must say you may have accidently upset respected professionals. Suggesting that when we answer the phone and use the bathroom at work, that we are charging you for that, that is unbelievable. It almost comes off as if you are trolling us. Furthermore, all our work is professional. Not wanting to pay professional rates for "grunt work" suggests to me that maybe you should do the "grunt work" and take some time to paint it yourself. That is my recommendation for a Bodyman/painter in W. WA.
 
Last edited:
I would guess after 30+yrs doing this work I have no skills and I guess am nothing more then a grunt, comming from someone that can't even do this type work you must be right.

Make no mistake with that attitude I would personally escort you out of my shop and off my property.

What a tool, your mom must be proud.

Like Shine said make this a sticky.
 
Nor will I pay your $50-$75 hourly rate
while your shop is doing some low skill "grunt" work on my project vs high skill body blocking, painting, polishing etc.
I am not wanting any shop to finish and build the car....only fit the panels, finish the panels, paint shell with doors and deck lid on, paint fenders, hood, upper header,
lower valance off the car and then reassemble......


I'm still looking for a PRO that will either moonlight prepping my panels and shell OR a painter that can LOOK at my 73 Camaro, ..


Your description of "low skill grunt work" vs what you say is "high skill" and what your looking for some skill less grunt to do is completely out of wack. You are very confused and stupid.

You have come to the wrong place to talk smack. 90% of us have paid our dues in this business and really don't need or want your attitude. I'm guessing there's another one next to that in the pic someone didn't finnish for you. I would highly suggest you check the attitude at the door, you will never get a dam thing done if you don't and will more then likely not get any advice from anyone here either, you already burned your bridge as far as I'm concerned.

So as far as I'm concerned..... piss off!!!
 
Not an intentional troll it seems, he has been a part of Nastyz28 for a while.

http://nastyz28.com/members/camarosrus.846/

Maybe he's just not the best at conveying his meaning or was upset when he first posted? Either way, didn't come off very well. I am in the beginnings of a shop and I can tell already you couldn't quote out a restoration. Amazing how much things drag out and how much you find along the way.
 
The best thing both customer and shop can do is to build a relationship of trust. That might mean starting with something small. I tell people that their car is never hostage, we proceed in dollar increments set by the customer, and if at any time either of us gets unhappy, there's no huge bill hanging over anyone's head.
 
I'll be Mr Brightside & say this is good thread.
Future customers reading this shall realize there's no true way to set a price.
As they say in medical field- every body (vehicle)'s different.
Don't know what damage bullet did till ya open patient up.
Think of poster as removing patient in haste not meaning harm, but did.
Dr knows best? Not always, get a good read on him first.
Future resto Dr's reading this- choose patients wisely.

I had surgery by local general surgeon. Yes he saved me but 4 months later i traveled 1000mi for revision by pro.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top