New England Painters - Recent Experience

[Lidodrip]

Hello,

I am in Maine and I am looking into painters. Locally, there does not seem to be anyone with experience working on roadsters. I did speak with a local custom shop who does beautiful work, but the quote I received was $50k - thought it might have been a typo, but no. I have had a couple of recommendations (Dartmouth Collision, Metal Morphous, Jennings Autobody, Connecticut Custom Car) and I was wondering if anyone had any recent experiences they would be willing to share (feel free to PM if more appropriate). I have read quite few threads, but many are quite old.

Thanks,
James

[MisterAdam]

I used 290 Autobody in Worcester. Full bodywork, fitting and paint.....$11k. Happy with the job. i am trailering to jeff kleiner in indiana when i build my next one...without a doubt.

[john42]

I've been working with RMR Restorations in Hollis, NH. I live locally to them and have toured their shop several times. The cars actively in their shop look well attended to and the couple finished cars they had looked really nice (to me). I've been working on getting a quote to paint mine. So far I've just worked with them to repair some fiberglass damage in the rear of my car. They have a dedicated Fiberglass guy that has done several Corvettes and boats.

Web link: https://restorationmotors.com/

I have yet to have them do work. So far their price for the repair seems fair (about $1k). Soon as I get time and a nicer weather day I plan on going over again and talking to them about a full paint job.

[chuckster]

I used Mikes auto restoration and collision in Dudley MA. He painted my 289, and has painted many roadsters. He’s also painted some cars for FFR. I was super happy with the job he did on my car. Body work and paint, in 2019 $7.5k160557

[CaptB]

$50K? Does that come with a small house or property?

[ggunter]

Must be doing the entire car in gold leaf.....

[Lidodrip]

$50K? Does that come with a small house or property?
They offered to take $10k off if I wanted just a "nice driver". I did enjoy talking with them and their work is beautiful, but never the less, their quote was several standard deviations above what I have seen.

[Peeker]

That means they don’t want to paint your car. Wow!

[rich grsc]

$50,000,:eek: Bit-hen Rides would charge less than that.

[CaptB]

$50,000,:eek: *****en Rides would charge less than that.

And they are pretty damn good!

[john42]

Did they paint this one for $50k?

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1965-shelby-cobra-101/

The seller is making some pretty grandiose claims. Would certainly want to verify before purchase lol. Certainly way way way out of my budget.

[Oldguy33]

Bodyworks Unlimited, East Londmeadow, MA. I had them paint my FFR MK II in 2003, painted my 1966 corvette in 2021 and will be painting my FFR 33 hot rod in the future, waiting on my kit for around beginning of March. Tony and his crew do beautiful work and is very reasonable.

[Jeff Kleiner]

The translation of that $50K quote is: “I’m not interested in doing it but if you’re willing to pay stupid money I will.”

;)

Jeff

[cob427sc]

I think Jeff got it right. My experience in Mass has been that most shops don't want to deal with it as they stay busy enough (and more profitable) doing insurance claims. I have had 3 FFR cars done by 3 different shops, all good quality finishes but it actually took some arm twisting to get them to even agree to do the work. I've also painted several others on my own, that didn't look quite as nice but were more than presentable, but just the materials alone can run in the thousands of dollars.

[FFinisher]

I have three shops I use in Mass, one has painted 19 FFR s

Dudley Ma
Dartmouth Ma
Fall River Ma

All under 10k for. Roadster or coupe.

Pm for more info

Dudley and Fall River both have cars of mine now

[rich grsc]

What is going on here? I enter the name of a TV show, and it gets blanked out. It's not a curse word any more than a female dog (a bit-h) is a curse word. this site so stupid PC that you can't use common English?

[CaptB]

What is going on here? I enter the name of a TV show, and it gets blanked out. It's not a curse word any more than a female dog (a bit-h) is a curse word. this site so stupid PC that you can't use common English?

Good point. We're all adults here (probably 99.9% males) and as long as it's not political who cares if we use cuss words....Of course I'm a retired Sailor so I'm already predisposed....

Capt. B

[Blitzboy54]

I have my car at Metal Morphous now. Be advised paint cost has increased recently along with everything else. Once all is said and done depending on what you want your looking at right around 10k

[Lidodrip]

Thanks for all the input. I have no doubts about the intent of the $50k quote, but it was so over the top, I had to share.

[cnutting]

Another vote for Mike's in Dudley. Nice work, fair price.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=92499&d=1535933386

[egchewy79]

Thanks for all the input. I have no doubts about the intent of the $50k quote, but it was so over the top, I had to share.

I had a local shop here quote me $30k starting price.

[Lidodrip]

Another vote for Mike's in Dudley. Nice work, fair price.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=92499&d=1535933386

Gorgeous! Is that Viking blue?

[cnutting]

Thanks! Yes, it's Viking Blue. Springtime Yellow stripe.

[rich grsc]

Not a fan of blue, but in this case Viking Blue looks good. Nice ride.

[AGL302]

Prestige Auto Body
200 Frontage Rd
Manchester NH
603-669-0015
Owner : Dave Ludwig.
Big Shop
Not sure what he would charge since he did my Mark III in 2011- unbelievable job.

Drew

[cob427sc]

Guys in Dartmouth (mentioned above) did my first FFR back in 1998 and did a great job. A friend took his there 3 years ago and it is outstanding! Just for reference, my roadster in 1998 body work was handled through FFR and they sent it to the Dartmouth shop. Cost $4000 back then including the stripes.

[Avalanche325]

I'll do it for $49,000. Forum member discount. Order before midnight tonight.

[Lidodrip]

I used Mikes auto restoration and collision in Dudley MA. He painted my 289, and has painted many roadsters. He’s also painted some cars for FFR. I was super happy with the job he did on my car. Body work and paint, in 2019 $7.5k160557

It think Mike's Auto Restoration might be closed - their phone number no longer works.

[Lidodrip]

Prestige Auto Body
200 Frontage Rd
Manchester NH
603-669-0015
Owner : Dave Ludwig.
Big Shop
Not sure what he would charge since he did my Mark III in 2011- unbelievable job.

Drew

Thanks Drew - spoke with Prestige and they are no longer doing custom work / FFR cars.

[cob427sc]

2 of the 3 cars I had done at shops stated they would never do another! I think that the amount of labor involved was way more than they anticipated and they both said that they prefer to do insurance claims as the work turns quicker and they can make more $$$$$$.

[wrenchhead]

I suggest you speak to Walt Jr at Connecticut Custom Car. They painted my MK4 Roadster in 2021. I'm very pleased with the results. PM me if you have any questions.

[michael everson]

Jennings in Fall river has done 19 and counting for me. Really nice paint and they get them done quick. 6-8 weeks.


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[michael everson]

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Mike

[michael everson]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51837862878_0ef5e5d495_k.jpg

[Lidodrip]

Mike - Thanks for all the pictures.

James

[FFinisher]

Jennings has done 2 for me, great guy, good work, speedy and fair.

[GoDadGo]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51837862878_0ef5e5d495_k.jpg

Sing It Kermit, Sing It For Us All!

https://youtu.be/rRZ-IxZ46ng

[rhk118]

There's a shop in Portland that does a lot of fiberglass work. Hopefully they aren't the ones who quoted you, PM sent.

[Ray from Long Island]

Hi James,

I have just started a conversation with Ron from Metal-Morphous in Ct. (info below).
Ron seems like a great guy. I have never used him as my MKIV still being held up by me....

Check his website, he has painted quite a few beauties.

Good Luck,
Ray

Ron Randall
Metal-Morphous Inc
222 Elm St. Suite 11
North Haven, Ct. 06473
(203) 239-0411
Metalmorphousinc@sbcglobal.net
www.metal-morphous.com

[egchewy79]

Hi James,

I have just started a conversation with Ron from Metal-Morphous in Ct. (info below).
Ron seems like a great guy. I have never used him as my MKIV still being held up by me....

Check his website, he has painted quite a few beauties.

Good Luck,
Ray

Ron Randall
Metal-Morphous Inc
222 Elm St. Suite 11
North Haven, Ct. 06473
(203) 239-0411
Metalmorphousinc@sbcglobal.net
www.metal-morphous.com

the metalization of materials is very fascinating. Not sure how much it would cost to get a FFR to look like a Kirkham!

[metalmorphous]

172409

Aluminum plated the entire body with a very different paint scheme

[metalmorphous]

172410

A better use for our plating is to add some bling under the bonnet

[RFracer]

Metal Morphus in CT does great paint work too. Ron is a great guy to work with.