Local paint shops experiences please...

[GTBradley]

Okay, so I'm agonizing over what to do about paint. The problem is, where I want to go, the shops that specialize in roadsters in Bloomington, Indiana - Temecula, California - the other one (way down south) and maybe one in Oregon are more than a thousand miles away from where I am in Denver. I know there are good shops here, but I don't know how they will handle this kind of specialized work.

So who has taken a chance on their local shop (wherever you may be) that has no experience in FFR roadster's but good otherwise? And how did it turn out?

GTBradley

[Jdav]

I shipped mine 500+ miles to the shop in Bloomington, Indiana :)
I realize this isn't an answer to your question, just wondering if you had considered shipping it rather than agonizing about what you might get from a local shop that isnt as familiar.

[GTBradley]

Definitely, the experienced shops are at the top of the list, but the agony or more accurately the consternation is spread equally across local quality, distance traveled (and expense involved with it) and lead times.

[GTBradley]

I shipped mine 500+ miles to the shop in Bloomington, Indiana :)
I realize this isn't an answer to your question, just wondering if you had considered shipping it rather than agonizing about what you might get from a local shop that isnt as familiar.

Love your paint, BTW.

[Derald Rice]

Quality, time, and money are the three criteria that I would use.

An experienced FF painter knows what combination of materials work well with our cars, and they also have a reputation to maintain. They also know what expectations their customers have of the finished product. A shop not experienced with FF bodies may have great reputation with metal, but without FF experience, problems may arise that the experienced guys have already worked a long time ago. Especially with the fitting of the bodies to the frame.

An experienced shop will already know how long your car will take to finish. And since this is all the Jeff's do, it will not be pushed into the back corner while they work on insurance jobs that pay more than what you are paying.

In my world, I would choose a guy that knows what he is doing, how long it will take, and what it will cost. I would not go with any unknowns in any area.

You only want to do this once. Any compromises will haunt you forever.


EDIT: If you can, go to the London Cobra Show next month, the Jeff's will be there, and you can talk to them, see their work, and talk to past customers about their experiences.

[Big Blocker]

If the "Jeff's" or Ken are out of your range, find a shop that specializes in Corvettes . . . There has to be at least one in you neck of the western states.

Doc

[GTBradley]

Thanks for the input guys. I started this post after searching the forum for paint experiences and realizing that I was only coming up with the same thing, where people shipped or towed the car to far flung locations. I’m probably going to do he same. I may even buy a Serpent Express trailer to get it there. It just would be nice to know what experiences people have had with a shop that has not done a kit car before.

[Richard Oben]

We have a guy that does them in KC. 600 miles but doable. He is on his 8th or 10th car for us. HTH, Richard. Email me if you want richard@northracecars.com PMs are not checked often or at all.

[GTBradley]

Well doesn't that take the cake! I lived in KC for 48 years. :eek:

[wareaglescott]

I would keep in mind tha shipping a car isn’t all that expensive. It doesn’t take many hours of hourly shop rate to negate shipping cost. Going with one of the tried and true guys is a known. With someone else you take your chances. They may do just as great of a job but is it going to take them an extra 30 hours labor while they figure it out for the first time? Will that cost more than the shipping cost?

[ckrueger]

Mine went to Bloomington, In. The wizard did his thing and couldn't be happier.

[GTBradley]

I would keep in mind tha shipping a car isn’t all that expensive. It doesn’t take many hours of hourly shop rate to negate shipping cost. Going with one of the tried and true guys is a known. With someone else you take your chances. They may do just as great of a job but is it going to take them an extra 30 hours labor while they figure it out for the first time? Will that cost more than the shipping cost?

That is a very good point. That’s why, even though my dad and I painted cars together back in the day, I would never take the job on myself - too much time! And more power to ya to the guys who do! That’s got be a long row to hoe!

[acmikee]

get a group together and ship 5-6 cars to offset the shipping costs and send them to jeff or ken

[BEAR-AvHistory]

After all your work & money the only thing visible in the skin & paint. Is it really a smart play to go with an inexperienced FFR body finisher & painter?

[slpro1207]

You spend thousands of dollars and countless hours building your dream car, but what most people see is the beauty of your paint job. Go with the Jeff’s. They know how to fit and finish these cars. I’ve had daBat do 3 of them and could not be happier.

[swwebb]

You spend thousands of dollars and countless hours building your dream car, but what most people see is the beauty of your paint job. Go with the Jeff’s. They know how to fit and finish these cars. I’ve had daBat do 3 of them and could not be happier.

Totally agree. I'm not too far from you in New Mexico, and I took my car to daBat (Jeff Miller). You'll obviously need 2 trips - one to drop off and one to pick up. Pick up where you drop the rolling chassis off and pick it up in a few days. I just did it around a vacation in Phoenix. High quality job at a reasonable price. But you have to put up with his sense of humor!!:)

[Papa]

Bradley,

You already know what I'm doing, but if you want a fantastic local painter, I know of one. In fact, I was originally going to use him to do my car until I spoke with the "Jeffs". The local guy wanted to do the car body-on, which isn't necessarily wrong, but it put all the pressure on me to get the body fit perfectly, which I doubted I could do. Also, the guy is a great painter and just as in demand as either Jeff. He has similar lead times an is pricey. His quote was actually more than what my Indiana guy quoted plus shipping both directions. Like others have said, the first thing people will see is the fit, finish, and paint.

Dave

[Big Blocker]

GTBradley,
Quote: "It just would be nice to know what experiences people have had with a shop that has not done a kit car before."

FWIW, I had my car done by the local "Vocational Training Center" where they teach body work and paint. That was 17 years ago and the paint still looks like the day they delivered it. I have received many comments on how great my paint looks at several shows, including the Huntington each Cruise-In and the [old] Knotts Berry AHA show.

So in answer to your original inquiry, I've had GREAT experience with someone who has never done one of these cars before (mine was the first one they did, they are still doing them for local builders).

https://i.postimg.cc/N0CS91jb/PB100003-Re-Size.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Doc

[Ducky2009]

I went to two local shops. The first, a regular body shop. The second, a custom shop. Both quoted me 10k plus. I ended up painting it myself.

The guys on the forum are familiar these car, and from what I've seen, do a great job. Make some calls and get on a list now. Good luck.

[rychi1]

What is the ballpark rate for shipping a car 500 miles for paint? I am starting to think about the same thing, but never considered shipping my car to one of FFR pros.

[Papa]

My shipping quote for an enclosed trailer from just outside of Denver to Bloomington, IN is $1,100 each way. I couldn't rent a trailer and drive it out myself for that, plus it's a 20-hour drive each way.

[GTBradley]

My shipping quote for an enclosed trailer from just outside of Denver to Bloomington, IN is $1,100 each way. I couldn't rent a trailer and drive it out myself for that, plus it's a 20-hour drive each way.
My wife is onboard with Bloomington, she went to school there. I like the idea of a SoCal trip, but KC is home. However, I'm with most everyone else here. You can't substitute for experience. So, it'll come down to quality; price; lead time - in that order.

[GTBradley]

I went to two local shops. The first, a regular body shop. The second, a custom shop. Both quoted me 10k plus. I ended up painting it myself.

The guys on the forum are familiar these car, and from what I've seen, do a great job. Make some calls and get on a list now. Good luck.

Nice work!

[GTBradley]

GTBradley,
Quote: "It just would be nice to know what experiences people have had with a shop that has not done a kit car before."

FWIW, I had my car done by the local "Vocational Training Center" where they teach body work and paint. That was 17 years ago and the paint still looks like the day they delivered it. I have received many comments on how great my paint looks at several shows, including the Huntington each Cruise-In and the [old] Knotts Berry AHA show.

So in answer to your original inquiry, I've had GREAT experience with someone who has never done one of these cars before (mine was the first one they did, they are still doing them for local builders).

https://i.postimg.cc/N0CS91jb/PB100003-Re-Size.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Doc

There's an exception to the rule. Love the color.

[GTBradley]

Bradley,

You already know what I'm doing, but if you want a fantastic local painter, I know of one. In fact, I was originally going to use him to do my car until I spoke with the "Jeffs". The local guy wanted to do the car body-on, which isn't necessarily wrong, but it put all the pressure on me to get the body fit perfectly, which I doubted I could do. Also, the guy is a great painter and just as in demand as either Jeff. He has similar lead times an is pricey. His quote was actually more than what my Indiana guy quoted plus shipping both directions. Like others have said, the first thing people will see is the fit, finish, and paint.

Dave
Thanks. I'll look into the local one, but I'm not crazy for pricey and not as experienced.

[Papa]

Thanks. I'll look into the local one, but I'm not crazy for pricey and not as experienced.

I sent you a PM on the guy I was referring to.

[Big Blocker]

GTBradley,

Just to clarify what you see, it was body prep'd by the "learning under-classmen", primered and undercoated by the Seniors and clear coated by the class instructor. Car was actually shot twice, 1st time with a color that FORD discontinued (FORD Royal Blue) and the 2nd time with the replacement color, FORD Royal Blue Pearl. We added a touch more pearl to the mix and used a pearl primer to bring out the color. We also used a new brand of clear coat that was experimental at the time (17 years ago).
Worst part was the 3 month delay as the school closed for Summer Break - Bummer!

Doc

[GTBradley]

GTBradley,

Just to clarify what you see, it was body prep'd by the "learning under-classmen", primered and undercoated by the Seniors and clear coated by the class instructor. Car was actually shot twice, 1st time with a color that FORD discontinued (FORD Royal Blue) and the 2nd time with the replacement color, FORD Royal Blue Pearl. We added a touch more pearl to the mix and used a pearl primer to bring out the color. We also used a new brand of clear coat that was experimental at the time (17 years ago).
Worst part was the 3 month delay as the school closed for Summer Break - Bummer!

Doc

That is a fantastic story. And what an experience those kids got!

[Jdav]

What is the ballpark rate for shipping a car 500 miles for paint? I am starting to think about the same thing, but never considered shipping my car to one of FFR pros.

Mine was $625 each way for Atlanta to Bloomington

[swwebb]

Just remember that there is body work and there is painting. I know Jeff Miller will not just paint - he needs to do the body work as well. He won't paint over somebody else's body work because it has led to problems in the past. So look at both, not just paint, in comparing prices, etc.

[japollon]

I did a lot of research on paint shops in California when I got to that stage. I have a local painter that I have used for years who is very good and I thought he would do my Cobra. He does a lot of high end, custom work. When I went to chat with him about it, even he suggested that I find someone who has lots of experience with fiberglass and specifically "replicars." I finally went with Ken Pike in Yuba City who has been great. He is very knowledgeable having done hundreds of FFR cars. The difference in talking to him and other paint people was obvious, and I think when all is said and done, you end up saving money because they know exactly what to expect and how to solve problems particular to these cars quickly and efficiently. I could not be more positive about Ken. Joel

[Bob-STL]

What do you really expect or want from your paint job?

Bob

[GTBradley]

What do you really expect or want from your paint job?

Bob
Hi Bob, loaded question, I think :confused: The short answer is, I’m not after show-car quality, this will be nearly a daily driver, weather permitting. So, protect the car and make the young girls go wow!

[Papa]

Hi Bob, loaded question, I think :confused: The short answer is, I’m not after show-car quality, this will be nearly a daily driver, weather permitting. So, protect the car and make the young girls go wow!

And with that, this discussion is sure to take a sharp left turn... :p

[Richard Oben]

Let me be a little clearer. I am friends with Da Bat, Ken Pike and Jeff K. All are top notch guys, and if any we were closer I would go there, no question. The local guy has done 10 +/- and almost all of them are local, why, price and no travel. We had a shop that did 18, they just priced themselves out of the market $12K.

We found this guy and gave him a shot. Firefighter full time and body shop guy part time. (since retired from FD) He made his own fairing for his harley and has done a bunch of glass work on boats etc. his glass skills are great. Sure he can hang a fender on a Honda, but that gets really boring. Before we started, we had him go through all of the ask SRP on the other forum and he learned a lot and confirmed a lot more. His work is great, does some custom touches like stripes under the hood and makes his own scoops, we are not fans of the plastic part FFR sends, I am sure it works but we do not care for it.

We have been doing FFR cars for 20 years and I would put a job we have done up against any jobs out there. JMHO, Richard.

[mburger]

The short answer is, I’m not after show-car quality....

Both Jeff's are going to give you show quality, and the best paint job you could possibly get, period.
As one of the Jeff's told me, "When the car leaves my shop, it leaves with my name on it."
If you really are not after show quality, then I would look closer at the local shops. The girls will still go wow!

[GTBradley]

Let me be a little clearer. I am friends with Da Bat, Ken Pike and Jeff K. All are top notch guys, and if any we were closer I would go there, no question. The local guy has done 10 +/- and almost all of them are local, why, price and no travel. We had a shop that did 18, they just priced themselves out of the market $12K.

We found this guy and gave him a shot. Firefighter full time and body shop guy part time. (since retired from FD) He made his own fairing for his harley and has done a bunch of glass work on boats etc. his glass skills are great. Sure he can hang a fender on a Honda, but that gets really boring. Before we started, we had him go through all of the ask SRP on the other forum and he learned a lot and confirmed a lot more. His work is great, does some custom touches like stripes under the hood and makes his own scoops, we are not fans of the plastic part FFR sends, I am sure it works but we do not care for it.

We have been doing FFR cars for 20 years and I would put a job we have done up against any jobs out there. JMHO, Richard.

...and judging from the pictures you sent of the hood scoop, he seems to really know his fiberglass.

[GTBradley]

Two assumptions there. First, that you don't get show quality for a fair price and second, that local (inexperienced) is cheaper. At least that's what I'm finding. Interesting to me because the good local shop here is way more expensive than the others I'm looking at for their experience with FFR cars. All while keeping in mind Scott's comment above about the inexperienced shop adding hours to the job to get the experience.

My mistake is thinking you have to pay BIG to get show quality.

[Jdav]

Hi Bob, loaded question, I think :confused: The short answer is, I’m not after show-car quality, this will be nearly a daily driver, weather permitting. So, protect the car and make the young girls go wow!

You can do that in gel coat ;)

[Avalanche325]

Stay away from the typical shops that do collision work. Your car could be sitting there almost untouched a year later. It wouldn't be the first...or the tenth time that has happened.

Here is the real deal with "I don't want a show quality paint job". A lot of guys say that until they pick their car up. One of the non-Jeff shops used to offer both show quality and a near show quality paint job. That is until every single person that got the cheaper version starting picking things apart and asking why their car didn't look like the show quality one parked nearby. Now there is one choice. Show car. So very likely, Yes you do. Whether you want to pay for it or not is a different story. See next paragraph.

Two of my friends used a large local custom shop. They paid some serious money and aren't that impressed. It would have been cheaper for them to ship the car to one of the Jeffs. That is from Florida. If I hadn't painted my own (With phone help from DaBat), it would have been on a truck headed for a Jeff.

[GTBradley]

Stay away from the typical shops that do collision work. Your car could be sitting there almost untouched a year later. It wouldn't be the first...or the tenth time that has happened.

Here is the real deal with "I don't want a show quality paint job". A lot of guys say that until they pick their car up. One of the non-Jeff shops used to offer both show quality and a near show quality paint job. That is until every single person that got the cheaper version starting picking things apart and asking why their car didn't look like the show quality one parked nearby. Now there is one choice. Show car. So very likely, Yes you do. Whether you want to pay for it or not is a different story. See next paragraph.

Two of my friends used a large local custom shop. They paid some serious money and aren't that impressed. It would have been cheaper for them to ship the car to one of the Jeffs. That is from Florida. If I hadn't painted my own (With phone help from DaBat), it would have been on a truck headed for a Jeff.

I'm finding this to be true. The advice here is valuable.

[GTBradley]

On another paint topic does anybody know where I'd find paint codes for this?

107772107773

[Jeff Kleiner]

Appears to be Guardsman Blue and Wimbledon White, same as I did for Jdav:

https://scontent-ort2-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/39777222_1678674395588595_5469634241501331456_o.jp g?_nc_cat=104&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-2.xx&oh=cdfdbd84f61bb0a3b6ae9366c3de6975&oe=5D57C5D8

and FMJ:

https://scontent-ort2-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/11214072_730055460450498_3047473807888194495_n.jpg ?_nc_cat=106&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-2.xx&oh=85c9b968b1da2da5935f7be56d3808c3&oe=5D9DD29C

Cheers,
Jeff

[GTBradley]

Thanks Jeff.

I've tried and tried to get myself interested in something non-traditional...to no avail. Love that Gaurdsman!

[Jeff Kleiner]

I've tried and tried to get myself interested in something non-traditional...to no avail. Love that Gaurdsman!

The color by itself is not very special but goes through some magical transformation when it gets on these cars ;)

https://scontent-ort2-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/11701080_738315466291164_6553720884945171306_n.jpg ?_nc_cat=104&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-2.xx&oh=b9d4901982ef850ef72b593d7e138214&oe=5D5FF2A7

Jeff