Paint Jail!!

[mpro69rr]

Hey Guys, my 69 RR 383 has been in paint jail for 10 months. Don't get me wrong the guy is actually doing a great job but I want my car back because I have a lot of work to do. I'm thinking of pulling it to bring it to another body shop that is also real good to get it painted. The problem is I have paid him most of the money and would need to try and get some back. He also tore the interior apart which I don't know how to put together along with some other stuff. If I pull the car I would have to do this all myself.

I'm not sure what the new guy will charge and the price quoted me by the current guy was $6400, which I think will be more around $8000. I'm going to bring the new guy pics and see what he will charge me. Its been 3 weeks and he really hasn't done anything to it. It is almost ready for paint, the drivers side and the engine compartment need to be block sanded. He has the doors, hood and trunk painted also.

What do you guys think I should do, pull it or hang in there? By the rate he is going I don't expect it to be ready for months. It was supposed to be ready in January but then Covid hit so I gave him a little more time. Decisions....Decisions!

 

[slimt]

Were just finishing off a long box diesel pick up. Two box sides , new tail gate, 4 doors complete cab inside out and front end inside out. 1 1/2 years to do. In amongst 600 cars that were insurance jobs that took priority. That 1 1/2 year job took a 100.00 per hour stall for money that will never be recovered on that job. So that being said. 10 months is not out of line for time frame.

 

[Bb70charger500]

I would wait if he's doing good work just tell him you need to get it done! All you will do is pull it from one jail to another then second guy will complain about work already done because it's not like he would do ..... Then say it needs to be redone.......
And 1 year later you might have your car painted and be short another $8k

 

[r4sedan]

Jeez I hate hearing this, and the Prices these guy's charge. Light a fire under his Butt.
I wish you well.

 

[davek]

Leave the car because you will lose parts and time moving it. And as BB70 said no one is ever happy finishing what someone started. If paint peels whos fault? 1st guy because wrong primer or 2nd guy because he did not check what product the 1st guy used. This is a disaster waiting to happen.

 

[mpro69rr]

Were just finishing off a long box diesel pick up. Two box sides , new tail gate, 4 doors complete cab inside out and front end inside out. 1 1/2 years to do. In amongst 600 cars that were insurance jobs that took priority. That 1 1/2 year job took a 100.00 per hour stall for money that will never be recovered on that job. So that being said. 10 months is not out of line for time frame.

I agree, but he keeps promising dates, it was supposed to be painted a month ago but his excuse was it rained, then I found out they had to re-do the block sanding because a guy that worked for him didn't do a good job so he fired him and got another guy. I wish he would give me a realistic date to be done but he keeps on saying next week.

 

[WP29440SE]

I don't know if I would risk getting the guy pissed off because you pulled the plug. you may only get half your parts back and another 3,000 dollar bond just because he can. give him a little more time. I know it sucks but you don't want to throw gas on the fire

 

[mpro69rr]

I don't know if I would risk getting the guy pissed off because you pulled the plug. you may only get half your parts back and another 3,000 dollar bond just because he can. give him a little more time. I know it sucks but you don't want to throw gas on the fire

He's the type of guy that wouldn't do that, him and his wife are very nice.

 

[Hilljack68]

10 months is not out of line for time frame.

Very true. Some projects are in prison for 1 1/2 to 2 years. My body guy estimated seven months; it's now been ten. I'm still very pleased at how meticulous he is with the work. I's rather have it sit there an extra four or five months then to be back in my garage and unhappy with the result. Take a deep breath and be patient. Like you said "he does good work"... that is what's most important.
Hey Jeff ("Oldbee")... I'm ringing your bell too.

 

[Fran Blacker]

I agree, but he keeps promising dates, it was supposed to be painted a month ago but his excuse was it rained, then I found out they had to re-do the block sanding because a guy that worked for him didn't do a good job so he fired him and got another guy. I wish he would give me a realistic date to be done but he keeps on saying next week.

Take a video of saying "next week" play it for him anytime nothing happens.

 

[Darter6]

Mine was 10 years. Of course there were some circumstances.
I had a 67 Dart that went to 3 body shops in 4 years. First shop did nothing but let it sit outside and fill with water.
My fault as I was working and didn't check in regularly.
Second the work was done but they oversprayed the vinyl roof and the paint was so thin from the belt line down you could see the primer thru it.
Third did a great job fixing all the mistakes from the first two.

 

[Aarons Air]

I went through a total of 5 painters, getting my car done. The first four spoke a mean game, and had plenty of pics, but turned out to be feet dragging, bogus business men. The little guy, that you think youre saving money with by using, wants $ up front to get started. They do enough work to get you hooked. Then, other work comes in that they can flip quickly, for quick cash, and your car sits. Or worse yet, becomes a shelf. Of the 4 first painters i hired, 2 towed my car to their shop, to work. The first repo i had to have a sheriff present, as the painter showed me his pistol when i told him i was taking my car back. The second, i repoed after his uncle called to tell me about his nephew the " painter" sprayed first coat of clear, with no hardener. I stripped the entire paint job off, with a razor scraper. Combined upfront money, to the first 4 of 5 " painters" was $7000. Spent a long time in paint jail shops, and still had to start over, with #5. I'm not condemning every painter, just sharing my experience. I've learned, don't go by pics. Talk to previous customers. And have a clear timeline upfront.

 

[barbee6043]

Problem is these shops are juggling how many jobs at one time!? So why is your interior apart or is it just out of the car?? Like said get the guy moving, moving the car out can be disaster like said.
Body work is hard dirty work, but it ain't rocket science and should not take forever unless the guy has how many jobs going at once and a 1 man crew!? Good luck.

 

[JackR]

A little over a year here. I stop by once a week. I think that has helped keeping it moving and progress is there most every week little or big. We are down to final finishing the hood right now so should have color soon. All in maybe 18 months. The body shops need the insurance jobs to pay the bills. Those will get priority if you don’t keep it moving.

 

[mpro69rr]

A little over a year here. I stop by once a week. I think that has helped keeping it moving and progress is there most every week little or big. We are down to final finishing the hood right now so should have color soon. All in maybe 18 months. The body shops need the insurance jobs to pay the bills. Those will get priority if you don’t keep it moving.

I also make sure I stop by once or every two weeks. It doesn't seem to bother him. When work is done it is very a little but has stalled. I'm OK with it if he gets a little work done, at least its moving.

 

[mpro69rr]

I think everyone is right, maybe I'll wait a little more before I consider moving it. You guys have come up with some very good points and it may end up costing more money. Thanks for all your opinions, I really appreciate it!

 

[WP29440SE]

He's the type of guy that wouldn't do that, him and his wife are very nice.

I said the same thing about my ex-wife. just when you think you know someone.....
BAM

 

[JimCoronette]

Public service announcement: Allow 2 years for paint/restoration.

Otherwise use the Good/Fast/Cheap wheel of decision.

 

[barbee6043]

Only way to ever get a resto type job done at an insurance shop is deal with a shop that has little business and then you will find out why they have little business!!! LOL
I have always lived out in the sticks and found young guys that could do the work after work. They got the job done in very reasonable time because they put in the time on it. I had a guy that worked in a local body shop, another guy that was a mechanic, at the county highway barn, and another guy that had a small shop that did only resto stuff but he spent a lot of time drinking beer! But they all got the work done, quick enough, perfect work, and cheap enough but that also was years ago. Out in the sticks of the rural midwest!
IF you have ever actually done body/paint work you will understand the amount of work, time, and costs of it all. Two years for any these jobs is nuts!

 

[Bb70charger500]

You know I once told a guy as soon as he gets the car done I have another ready to go into paint he will get his *** in gear to get the next car coming because it's new money!
Once car is done I just tell him I'm selling or something ... Got to get them motivated