The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Body Shop Question

Hi all,
Need some help.
I have had my truck over at this body shop since March. I am into just the body work about 30K. The last 2 months I have seen very little done to the truck. The owner of shop says there was work done that I would not be able see. I am now at a point where I want to bring the truck home and maybe find a different shop to finish. All the bodywork is done on all the large parts. Inside of cab and roof are painted and done. Jams are painted on bed, doors and fenders. The gaps for doors fenders and hood done. I am told what is left is wet sanding, paint, clear coat, and rub (buffing). All the smaller parts like bumpers, spare tire mount, stepsides, pedals, column, steering wheel, etc...still need to be painted.
The owner says he can have everything done for $4500. Should I go through and just have him finish?
Can I refuse to pay him until job is done and do my satisfaction?
Can I demand a date for when the truck will be done?

Are you serious? $35,000 for a paint job? darn right it better be done to your satisfaction, and pronto. I would make him set a date for completion and make him stick to it with a three figure $/day penalty. I also wouldn't ever pay in advance for any work done to a vehicle. Tell me how much and I will pay when it's done if the price is reasonable. Did you get an estimate from the start?

Hi Fried,
I am doing a frame-off resto. That price includes painting all the parts on the frame, tranny, rear-end, springs, front-end driveline.etc..as well as rebuilding the frame.
I had him re-use alot of the original parts. There was alot of work on the bed panel, fenders, and tailgate. Plus, living in the bay area does not help!

Thanks!

Are you building a concours truck? Is this shop a well known Hot Rod shop or a local small time shop. The first thing you should of done is got a estimate of work to be done and a time of estimated finish.The next thing would be to take pics. of the progress. For $35000.00 you should get a break down of what was done by the shop every step of the way and time it took. I would bring in a trailer and load up your ride and find you another shop if he can't provide a breakdown of work done. In Calif. you have a option of a state office called the state office of automotive repair to investate this shop. That paint job and work would have to be show quality all the way.
62Blue
Don

Hi Don,
Once I get my truck back and all its parts and supplies I will let people know the shop. But, yes I doubt he has a break down of what hours were spent doing what. Heck he will not even tell me the name of the sandblast shop he took all my parts to.
Yes, I know I am doing the right thing by pulling the truck.

Hate to say it, you might need a little legal advise regarding what rights he has in your specific jurisdiction regarding his mechanics lein he may have against your vehicle. You need to have any and all paperwork between you and the shop for your attorney to review as well, concerning what type of contract between the two of you actually exhists if any. My .02...I wish you the best and hope for a positive result for you.
Hank

let him finish it or one guy will blame the other guy and u will have no warranty from either and 35k lost.It does take a long time but usually people cut deals and charge less in a slow time to keep cost down but dont go elseware or it will be trouble and he will blame the guy who finished it and so on

Hi Hank,
I hope it does not have to come to that.

The drama continues,
The shop the truck is at, had me buy all my paint supplies about 2 or 3 months ago. California just passed a law banning oil based paints. Now I have all these illegal chemicals. The shop has no paint booths and has to rent one. I am now very concerned the paint shop will not allow him to use the paint...I had him also agree to finish the truck before getting his last payment and he hit me up for money today...maybe this thread should be moved to "Greasy Spoon!"
Thanks all,

You should not pay in full until the vehicle is delivered.

Is it a high end shop? $35k is hard to imagine but also not out of line for concours work.

My only thought is that "rent a paint booth" and not dictating the type of paint being applied seems off. They should be spraying what they know and use with concours results.

California outlawing all petroleum based autopaints? So everything has to be waterbased there now?. You can resell your paint to the other 47 states with no problem - the paint supplier may be able to help you - i'd talk with them.

Maybe I will just move the truck across state lines!