The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Its killing me!!!

Man. Down here in South FLA, there's not a whole lot of places to go for major body work. I found a guy...real old school fabricator. He really does great work and CHEAP! Only problem is he's not very organized. My 53 has been sitting under a tarp for a year now. I'm waiting my turn, but if there were other places to go down here, I'd go just to get the truck out of my driveway and on to a start. It's killing me seeing that poor thing just sitting there every day...

Sorry...had to vent for a minute...

For that reason here, I'm going to learn how to do it myself, in my garage. Good thing my truck in good shape w/ very little rust and only minor dings/warping. The plan is to start by taking the body to American Metal Cleaning in Portland and have it acid dipped. I'm probably 2 years away from that while I finish the mechanicals. I guess that gives me 2 years to start learning.

It seems that 2 years isn't a long time if they are working on it, If it is just setting there, I would take it home.

Mine sat untouched for eight months until I threatened to move it home. They got started and I've still felt like a hostage over the past 2.5 years. It is a difficult position to be in...

Body shop prison is not place to be! Good luck with your project.

Tony

Got any bodyshop trade schools in your area willing to take it on?
Scott

I'd add that the owner of the body shop where my truck is being worked on has allowed me to work on the truck everyday. So with me there everyday except weekends, they and I have moved the firetruck along nicely. I suggest you ask if you can "learn body work" as they work on your truck! Being there everyday has a tendancy to move things along as you can ask "what's next" over and over...

It worked for me... Good luck.

I don't think he even has it at a shop yet. It sounds like it's in his driveway waiting,
Scott

Go to some local car shows and ask around about who in the area does good work. You don't have to be stuck with someone that strings you along.

I was talking to a rod shop owner the other day and he said that a car usually sits in his shop for 2 to 3 years before it's finished.

I do this parttime in my shop. I usually take between 2 and 4 months to get one out. And that's a frame off restoration.

It seems like a lot of shops get them in and then they feel like it's money in the bank. They forget about the original estimate of 6 months to finish.

I've heard horror stories where guys pay 1/2 up front and then 5 years later they are gathering up what left of their parts (the rest of their parts have either been sold or used on other projects by the body shop) and hauling it all home. How can these guys operate a shop with reputations like that. I guess P.T. Barnum was right, "There's a sucker born every minute."

Frank

My guy up here in Brevard County would more than likely take on your project. As a matter of fact, I believe he's down your way right now going to the Dupont training school. Let me know if you are interested and if so I'll send you the info.

Don

I'll second down2sea's guy in Brevard County. He's had my '50 3100 body parts for 2 months and he's planning on delivering the finished painted cab this week. The rest of the parts should follow shortly. I've been very happy with his work to date and he's willing to travel to pick up and deliver parts. Check out down2sea's website for pictures of his work.

Hey Don, are you going to be in the vicinity of the shop this week? Can you take some pics for me?

Yes, I'll be up there and will take some photos for you. Roberto is promising that the fenders will finally be ready for me to take to the Line-X shop. I saw your cab last week and they were doing some floorboard work, which looked good.

My truck is at the point where its ready to be put together; I'm only waiting for the gauge cluster return and the radio return. I sent some hammertone paint up to the guys at D&M. Can't wait to see the finished product. They have had the radio for about 4 months I guess, and should ship it out this week.

Don

Sent a one ton truck to a local garage and each day as I drove by I saw it just sit in the compound. I bought parts for them, kept asking when the work would start, and finally gave up and towed the truck home.

Patience is a virtue... until time runs out.

These stories of years waiting for trucks to be painted are eclipsed only by the $$$ at the finish. As I see it the real problem is not that we can't do the work ourselves. I believe given the choice of two years + without the truck we would take on the job, buy the tools and learn how to get it done. The one thing that stops me is not having an area to do the work. I know how much mess sanding and painting can make and being a married man... well you get the point.

I couldnt let anyone do any work on my truck..I guess i am selfish.i want it to be done by me,,Its My truck.