Recent conversation with a co-worker of mine that came to mind when I read this thread:
He has a '83 Chevy truck that was this daily driver back in high school....that has lived at the farm since....and he wants to restore now that he's in his mid-30s. He's a handy sort of person, with some bodywork experience. He's gonna do the filler/prime/sand thing himself....and hire out the painting.
This friend has a friend with some sort of 70s Mopar (can't remember details). Really sharp-looking car, He asked who painted it....and it was ______ out by _______ (spot in the road way out in the country). My friend had heard of this painter, but never knew his name or where he was located. "______ out by ______" is an eccentric old British fellow....sort of a hermit. But apparently he can paint the heck out of a car on his dirt floor barn. There are certain rules of engagement with this hermit painter. He doesn't advertise, and doesn't take on just any work....you have to have some sort of connection to even get him to speak with you. When listening to the story it kind of reminded me of the "Soup Nazi" episode of Seinfeld. My friend is hopeful that he can use his friend connection to get in good with _________.
Anyway...I see this as sort of a "best case scenario" for those of us who can't/won't paint ourselves.....and can't hire the big dollar restoration-shop. You have to find your _____________ out by _________.
