Legendary Painters (Jeffs, Ken,...) of this forum, what are your lead times?

[facultyofmusic]

Dear Jeff Kleiner, Jeff Miller, Ken Pike, and other well known painters of this forum. I'm in NorCal. When should one contact you about their car body plans? I assume there's a waiting time and we'll have to wait for our turns as you're busy with work. What kind of things we should talk to you about before we attempt it ourselves. To what level should we complete our cars before sending it off to you?

Some examples I've heard are:
1. windshield mounting
2. carpeting
3. car body trimming
4. Roll-bar fitment
etc.

[j.miller]

You can call me anytime. 951-676-0191. I don't do carpet. Trimming and roll bar fitting are included. I charge $250 to install your windshield (not liable for breaking) * have never broke one. As of today I have work through November....da Bat

[Jeff Kleiner]

As for level of completion before sending it depends on the painter. I get cars that have been registered and driven hundreds or even thousands of miles and get others with the untouched body sitting on the chassis and everything else (windshield, roll bars, lights, etc.) still in boxes.

I’m a little different than some; every car has the exterior 100% completed when they leave. Doors, hood and trunk installed, adjusted and latching, windshield and roll bars on, all lights installed. I tell the owners that all they need to do to finish the exterior is put a license plate on it.

I’m a one man show…if you contact me today it will be about a year before I can take you.

Jeff

[Gordon Levy]

Current work load we are booked through the end of the year for paint.

[facultyofmusic]

Thank you all! As there's quite a long time before I get mine in to one of your shops, what CAN I do meanwhile (or what would you recommend we do)? If possible I'd like to not touch door trimmings and all that myself, but I do need the roll-bar, windshield, and lights there in order to move forward with things like registration. What are things you wished that people did before they drop the car off?

[j.miller]

I prefer that nothing is done before I get it. That being said there is not much you can do that I cannot undo if needed. When you get to that point you can give me a call (weather or not you use my service) and we can talk about what you need to look at while you are setting it up for registration...Da Bat

[Fman]

The CA SB process can take 4-10 months so just keep that in mind. I chose to finish the car then begin the SB process, you can still drive it with a temp permit the DMV will issue you while going through the registration process. Also when you "start" the process and pay your initial fees/sales tax at the DMV is when your tags will expire next year and CA sends you the $550+ reg fee :cool:

[Jeff Kleiner]

I concur (again) with my esteemed buddy Bat. I'd just as soon get them untouched but that isn't always possible, particularly if the car is going to be driven in gel coat for a while. I tell my guys to please only do the absolute bare minimum trimming to make the doors, hood and trunk function---don't worry about trying to match body lines or set gaps. Just get them so that they open and close. Before doing any fitting of panels be sure that the body is in the right position front to back and side to side. We've explained it here a bunch of times so a quick search will tell you how to get there. When trimming you need to know which end to start from or it can cause problems later (passenger door from the front edge, hood from the front, trunk lid from the bottom). If you're going to apply undercoating to the underside keep it about 2" back from the wheel openings and side louver cutouts. Please don't try to cut the scoop hole or mount it! Please again! Times 2 if you want stripes! The center of the hood isn't the center of the car and if you put it there we're going to have to fix it or else the stripes are gonna' go all // \\ //

You know that saying "Sometimes better to ask forgiveness than permission?" You don't have to live by that in this case...if you're unsure contact Bat, contact me, contact your painter...a 5 minute conversation could save an hour of work ;)

Jeff

[zee]

I concur (again) with my esteemed buddy Bat. I'd just as soon get them untouched but that isn't always possible, particularly if the car is going to be driven in gel coat for a while. I tell my guys to please only do the absolute bare minimum trimming to make the doors, hood and trunk function---don't worry about trying to match body lines or set gaps. Just get them so that they open and close. Before doing any fitting of panels be sure that the body is in the right position front to back and side to side. We've explained it here a bunch of times so a quick search will tell you how to get there. When trimming you need to know which end to start from or it can cause problems later (passenger door from the front edge, hood from the front, trunk lid from the bottom). If you're going to apply undercoating to the underside keep it about 2" back from the wheel openings and side louver cutouts. Please don't try to cut the scoop hole or mount it! Please again! Times 2 if you want stripes! The center of the hood isn't the center of the car and if you put it there we're going to have to fix it or else the stripes are gonna' go all // \\ //

You know that saying "Sometimes better to ask forgiveness than permission?" You don't have to live by that in this case...if you're unsure contact Bat, contact me, contact your painter...a 5 minute conversation could save an hour of work ;)

Jeff

I'll have to register my car to send to you (it'll cross the border), but I don't plan to trim anything. The goal is to do only what's absolutely necessary to register and nothing more.

If there's a Canadian builder who has sent you the car without registration then i'd love to speak with them.

[cv2065]

If the other timelines don't work for you, you can also contact Mike Bowen at Spotlight Customs in GA. Great guy. Does really nice work in a reasonable time frame. I think his waiting list is long as well but just another option.

[facultyofmusic]

@Jeffs, before I send the car to you should I install ALL the aluminum panels? Are there any panels I should hold off to let you install or install after the body is on? E.g. elephant ears, radiator aluminum...

[j.miller]

@Jeffs, before I send the car to you should I install ALL the aluminum panels? Are there any panels I should hold off to let you install or install after the body is on? E.g. elephant ears, radiator aluminum...

Nailed it ! Those go on after the car gets final assy...da Bat

[webtrix]

Hi folks! I'm in SoCal and looking to schedule paint for late December, any of you AMAZING guys have time to paint then? Also, how long does paint typically take? Thank you in advance!

[egchewy79]

Hi folks! I'm in SoCal and looking to schedule paint for late December, any of you AMAZING guys have time to paint then? Also, how long does paint typically take? Thank you in advance!

jeff miller is likely the closest to you and per his previous post, scheduling into Nov currently. probably best to call him at the number listed above to discuss.

[webtrix]

jeff miller is likely the closest to you and per his previous post, scheduling into Nov currently. probably best to call him at the number listed above to discuss.

Thank you! I'll do that.

[DJDJDRAM]

Jeff, do you want the body on frame when delivered? Do you paint it off the frame?

[egchewy79]

Jeff, do you want the body on frame when delivered? Do you paint it off the frame?

Jeff Miller has hung up his paint gun since this last post, if that's the Jeff you're addressing.
what part of the country do you live in?

[Jeff Kleiner]

Jeff, do you want the body on frame when delivered? Do you paint it off the frame?

I don’t know which one of us you’re directing your question to but whether it’s Jeff Miller, Ken Pike or me the answer is the same…body is painted off of the chassis BUT a certain amount of fitting and shaping must be done with it mounted on the chassis. I’ve had some who are within a few hours driving distance pick up their chassis/go cart to take it home and work on it once I have the body off for the final time for paint and then they bring it back for me to reassemble.

Jeff

[rich grsc]

Jeff, left a message on your cell

[DJDJDRAM]

Thank you. That helps a lot.when I do get to that stage I’ll remove lights, etc. and trailer it to whomever paints it. Your reply is appreciated.