Best Body work and Painter?

[austingoblue]

Hi everyone, thinking of ordering a complete kit soon!!! My brother, father and I have built two of these cars in the past. Just cannot get these cars out of my blood:)

Anyway, is there anyone that does ALL the body work properly and Paint? I do NOT want to mess with that on my next build. I want all of that done and shipped to me ready to rock and roll. I do not want to just sent this to any old body place, because if my memory surves me correctly, the doors especially need to be fitted, and filled, etc so that the gaps are perfect. I want an experienced factory five cobra body guy and painter so it is done right! Any advice and pics would be awesome...it has been 6 years since I worked on my last roadster and I am dying to get back into it!!!

[KDubU]

There are several here that could do the work but you will have to get in line likely. Where are you located as that may dictate which makes the most sense.

[MisterAdam]

Listen carefully...JEFF KLEINER. When i build my next one i am without hesitation trailering it to him and i am in New England

[austingoblue]

Listen carefully...JEFF KLEINER. When i build my next one i am without hesitation trailering it to him and i am in New England

Sounds good, he must be good at what he does. How can I contact Jeff?

[swwebb]

Jeff Miller in Temecula, CA is excellent as well. As KDubU mentioned, it depends on where you live.

[silver_pilate]

Yep, either of the Jeffs would be my first recommendations, though there are others out there who do similar work. Jeff "da bat" Miller in CA did all my body work and paint, and it's show quality work.

https://i.imgur.com/W3Z8GRl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/nAE6FUH.jpg

Both are on the forums, so you can probably IM them and request contact info. Expect to wait a bit once you are on their list when you get to that point. I got lucky and got in right when Miller was finishing up a pile of work and looking for more, but a year wait isn't outside the question at times.

[SteveHsr]

Ken Pike at Street Rod Painter in Yuma City, CA has done hundreds of FF roadsters and I believe his work to be on a par with Jeff Kleiner and Jeff Miller.

[txboiler]

Yep, either of the Jeffs would be my first recommendations, though there are others out there who do similar work. Jeff "da bat" Miller in CA did all my body work and paint, and it's show quality work.

https://i.imgur.com/W3Z8GRl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/nAE6FUH.jpg

Both are on the forums, so you can probably IM them and request contact info. Expect to wait a bit once you are on their list when you get to that point. I got lucky and got in right when Miller was finishing up a pile of work and looking for more, but a year wait isn't outside the question at times.


Do you mind sharing the colors of the car in the photo? Thanks

[silver_pilate]

Do you mind sharing the colors of the car in the photo? Thanks

You bet. The primary color is Ford magnetic grey metallic, and the stripes are BMW titan silver. Lots of action to the grey depending on the angle and lighting.

https://i.imgur.com/gOEub44.jpg

[SteveHsr]

Ken Pike at Street Rod Painter in Yuma City, CA has done hundreds of FF roadsters and I believe his work to be on a par with Jeff Kleiner and Jeff Miller.

Street Rod Painter in Yuba City, CA.

[GoDadGo]

Jeff Kleiner didn't paint my car; however, he played a very heavy hand in the entire process.

This phase of the build was the toughest part of the entire process of creating my dream car.
Jeff graciously told me what to do, what to look for, what products work best, how to do it, and reminded me to walk away when I felt like throwing tools.

Last Bodywork Video:
https://youtu.be/po1Bb2_XDDk

Finished Product:
https://youtu.be/9WEe6-wdNtA

The car's final spray-out was done at my pal Ernie's shop in Slidell Louisiana; however, Ernie won't paint stuff like this unless you are part of his secret circle.
If you need your fender fixed or any major collision repair done and done right, then bring your car to Dependable Paint & Body in Slidell, Louisiana.

If you want your Cobra, Daytona or 33 Hotrod colorized, then Jeff Kleiner is the man.

[Hacksaw84]

Everyone will have an opinion and that's ok... but its your car. Not to just state the obvious bc it seems like you are doing just this but my suggestion is to do your research and double check everything you hear. Talk to people directly who have used different painters and how their experience and how that paint job came out. Most importantly, do whatever you can to see one or two cars in person by the painter(s) you are looking at. Make sure its up to your standards because everyone is different and you cannot see it all in pictures.

The bodywork is the hard part so make sure the painter you go with knows how to do a Factory Five Cobra. You do not want to be the first (or even 1-10).

Also, plan your schedule accordingly. Most of the well known guys/shops have a pretty long waiting list. Several of the popular options have been mentioned already (Jeff, Jeff, and Ken). Another one is Whitby Motorcars in NC. There is also Metal Morphous in CT and I think Gordon Levy has a painter in Arizona. Not vouching for any, just putting the info out there for you.

[rich grsc]

I think the people complaining about Jeff are more than a little inconsiderate. He is a one man shop that has become very popular, most likely too popular. I think he has a hard time saying 'no, sorry I just can't do your car'. That and anyone complaining about issues this year is just being ridiculous. I guess you think covid doesn't have any effect on him and his life, or any of his family concerns? You take the time to ask what may be happening that could be the cause he can't maintain his schedule, or just complain?
I consider Jeff a buddy, he painted my car, I didn't get a $10,000 show car paint job, BUT I didn't ask for or pay for one either. If I ever build another I'll call to see if he is still doing paint. I think he just need to tell most of you NO, and only do a select few every year.
Jeff, slow down, you don't need this kind of bs. You try to make too many people happy. Enjoy you grandkids, you wife and all your family, especially now with all this stuff happening.
Complainers, take you car to Whitby's, you'll get it back in 18 month's.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Everyone will have an opinion and that's ok... but its your car. Not to just state the obvious bc it seems like you are doing just this but my suggestion is to do your research and double check everything you hear. Talk to people directly who have used different painters and how their experience and how that paint job came out. Most importantly, do whatever you can to see one or two cars in person by the painter(s) you are looking at. Make sure its up to your standards because everyone is different and you cannot see it all in pictures.

The bodywork is the hard part so make sure the painter you go with knows how to do a Factory Five Cobra. You do not want to be the first (or even 1-10).

Also, plan your schedule accordingly. Most of the well known guys/shops have a pretty long waiting list. Several of the popular options have been mentioned already (Jeff, Jeff, and Ken). Another one is Whitby Motorcars in NC. There is also Metal Morphous in CT and I think Gordon Levy has a painter in Arizona. Not vouching for any, just putting the info out there for you.

Whitby did my car, another Jeff. They also take a lot of hits about being slow, not responding etc etc. As Hacksaw84 said shop around plan ahead when choosing a painter. I liked their work & knew the issues. Interesting thing on picking out colors. I am in Raleigh & his daughter was graduating from NCS. While he was here he met me with his color books & some spray outs to save me the trip down to Greensboro.

At the end of the day I delivered the body shortly after I got it from FFR at the beginning of the year. My side of the job & theirs came gather before Christmas the same year & I delivered the finished chassis to them. Car was ready for pickup in a few weeks but an open trailer & snow don't mix.

Finally got it home & had plates on it in March. So 5 years ago it was already a bit over a year to get a car body done. Popularity of the car and a small number of outfits that want to do the work are a big issue. Some really need to work on their customer response approach. Can imagine the more successful body shops can get overwhelmed by "are we their yet calls"

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=131288&d=1594083201

Ready for Pickup 2/15

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=138978&d=1607574726

Snow Delay in Greensboro - used time out to get a tune.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=140678&d=1610550516

Daily Driver 2020 - 6,000+ miles

[silver_pilate]

As I said in the other thread, there is no real way for a bodywork/paint guy or shop to have a true "waiting list." It's just a list of folks who are interested and a rough timeframe of when they might be ready. Ultimately, if whomever you are using for paint happens to have an open slot, and you happen to have a car ready to drop off, it might work out for you. Unfortunately, that's going to bump someone who might have been on the "list" ahead of you, but was going to be ready to drop off a week later.

I refuse to have any sense that someone "owes" me something. If I pay money, I hope to get a good product for my dollar (assuming I've done the research to ensure I'm using a good provider). However, this idea that "I'm the customer and paying money so he/she had better do what I want and keep me happy" doesn't really fly for me, either. Of course, I'm also the guy that is going to go out of my way to thank a server or provider for doing what they are getting paid to do. Ultimately, a lot of the cottage guys do a job at a level that should cost much more than it does. I feel like they're doing me a favor more than anything, even though I'm the one paying.

[Cutter 54]

Gentlemen; a few newby questions if I may. Brief background is I will soon receive my first Roadster Mk4 complete kit end of next month and want to plan body work early.

1) I have used Xpel on 2 of my own factory built cars in the past and was very happy with the paint protection. Is this popular with FFR owners to protect your pricey paint?? I have read about rear fender "spats" which seem an excellent idea, but am curious about the nose especially. For a show car maybe not a good idea, but for a driver it seems money well spent.

2) I briefly reviewed GoDadGo's link to his preparatory body work and also wonder how commonly builders widen the tops of the doors. I understand that space between the door and steering wheel is tight and some have commented on the improved driving comfort.

3) Not paint related, but more a generic Roadster issue. Many have seen the recent Mecum auction of Carroll Shelby's 427 Gray Roadster selling for $5.4 million recently. I love the understated look of the car and want to DELETE the roll bars on my build. Yes, it's my life, car, money, etc. but realistically, how many of you have either experienced, witnessed or heard of a rolled Roadster? Opinions welcome.

Thanks to those who may respond. Ed K

[steno]

If I build another it’ll be going to Kleiner!

[nuhale]

Sten, aren't you building one now???

I'm using Spotlight customs in GA. I'm in the throws of it now but other builders have used Mike with great satisfaction.

[silver_pilate]

I can't speak to the body work or xpel, but related to the rollbars, that's your preference. You do need to consider what you will be doing with the car. Do you ever want to run it at the track or in a parking lot event? If so, no rollbars is going to be severely limiting. If it's street cruising only, you're just taking your own risk. I've seen some badly wrecked cobras, and there are surely some that have rolled on the street. I know Dave rolled his when he was racing, and they were able to get it upright and he actually returned to the race in the same car a short time later if I recall the story correctly.

I ended up doing two bars. That's not a popular option for most, and some downright hate the look. However, I wanted my wife to have the same protection I did. My problem is I'm 6'2", so I stick up far enough that I'm probably losing some skin in a rollover. But at least I won't be completely smooshed.

Anyway, there are lots of cobras running around without rollbars on the street. It's your life, so you can choose the risks you take. If that's the look you want, go for it and have fun living your best life.

[steno]

Yes I am finishing a car got a friend. And yes, it will be going to Jeff Kleiner. I wish mine went to him back in 2007.

[Vegasjack]

Can never figure out why people block out their license plate. They drive around all day with it exposed, then want to block it when posting to a web site. No big deal, just find it funny.

[silver_pilate]

Mostly because it's noneya business. ;) And the internet is a scarier place than the real world. Some of the things I've seen done.... :)

[cv2065]

Sten, aren't you building one now???

I'm using Spotlight customs in GA. I'm in the throws of it now but other builders have used Mike with great satisfaction.

X2 for Mike at Spotlight. Really nice guy that knows his paint.

[chuckster]

Where is the original poster located

[rich grsc]

I think he said Grand Rapids

[D02G]

Metal Morphous in CT.

[kobra01]

Cutter 54. I had xpel ultimate plus paint protection film applied on my car last week. Very happy with the company in Corona, CA that did it, it looks great and the price was very reasonable. They did the front of the car up to the hood, up and over the fenders, top of doors, front of rear fenders and behind rear tires. If anybody locally wants to check it out your welcome to come to my house and see it. I should also be at Huntington Beach this year if it happens.
https://www.facebook.com/100006783693463/posts/2996426097260151/