Jim - I think you have hit on a universal problem in the industry. I talked to alot of people to get a recomendation for a painter, and most of them said well so and so did a great job on my car but I would not go back to that *#!*#**.
I'm having a similar problem, the guy that's doing my truck does fantastic work BUT he has had my truck 2 YEARS. The body work is all finished and I have some pieces painted but for some reason he just can't seem to get the job finished.
Sorry I don't have a solution but I think it's the nature of the business.
George