Just got laughed at by an auto body shop

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Just got laughed at by an auto body shop

March 05, 2009, 12:51:39 PM

I just got off the phone with a local auto body shop, asking for some kind of ballpark on getting it repainted. It was the place I chose to call FIRST, because it's closer to where I live, and I've seen some pretty decent collision repair work come from there. I asked what it would cost to be repainted, and he asked what kind of car it was. '87 Thunderbird.

"HAHA. shiznit, that's pretty old. What kind of shape is it in. I don't know if it's worth my time."

I proceed to tell him that it's in really good condition, an Alberta car with very minimal rust. Less than you see on most ten year old cars. None visible, for that matter. I told him I would bring it in post any weld work and the first coat of body fill. Pretty much pre-prep.

"First you want it resprayed, now you're doing the body work yourself? I can't see it being worth it. Bring it in, I'll take a look at it, but I can't see it being less than about $3G. What do you mean, weld work?"

I asked him, "3 Grand just to paint a car? There are some repaired spots I did in the past, riveted steel, that I want to redo with welding. Nothing big, just a couple of spots around the wheel openings where someone had their bra clipped on. Maybe an inch or two of steel here and there."

"I don't know. Bring it in and we'll see what kind of shape it's in."

"That's alright." *click*

Just got laughed at by an auto body shop

Reply #1 – March 05, 2009, 01:02:56 PM

Well the 3 grand to paint actually doesn't sound too far off, I dunno...my cousin whos got a little shop told me it would be about that much to do my car.

Definitely eff him for assuming it was a rusting heap though. :rolleyes:

Just got laughed at by an auto body shop

Reply #2 – March 05, 2009, 01:27:54 PM

what a dick. I got my car painted including bodywork by a pro (he did it on the side in his home shop,cash deal) for $2500. My car looks as good (or better) than the factory paint job did. You need to find someone that likes working on old cars. It seems as if most body shops don't want to mess with a job unless there is insurance money involved.

Just got laughed at by an auto body shop

Reply #3 – March 05, 2009, 01:27:56 PM

$3k. Ouch. I was hoping my repaint + body work would cost about that, not just paint!

Just got laughed at by an auto body shop

Reply #4 – March 05, 2009, 01:31:35 PM

Quote from: 50tbrd88;259702

what a dick. I got my car painted including bodywork by pro (he did it on the side in his home shop,cash deal) for $2500. My car looks as good (or better) than the factory paint job did. You need to find someone that likes working on old cars. It seems as if most body shops don't want to mess with a job unless there is insurance money involved.

True. You have to find a body shop that does more than just collision repair. If you want really good work try to find a guy who does older cars or custom stuff on a regular basis.

Just got laughed at by an auto body shop

Reply #5 – March 05, 2009, 02:13:41 PM

sounds like he likes losing business

Just got laughed at by an auto body shop

Reply #6 – March 05, 2009, 02:50:49 PM

3K for a real good paint is fair, but I doubt you'd get it from this guy. It sounds like he gave you a high price hoping you'd go away. Many places these days would rather do collision/insurance work as it is often more profitable.

Just got laughed at by an auto body shop

Reply #7 – March 05, 2009, 02:52:37 PM

LOL...they only thing that would be worth his time, is his time. What difference should it make weather or not its an 87 turbo coupe, 66 mustang or 98 hyundai?

Just got laughed at by an auto body shop

Reply #8 – March 05, 2009, 02:56:32 PM

I had the same thing happen to me a few years ago, with getting estimates for the convertible. A lot of the body shops around here have sworn off older cars because "there's no money in it". In other words, they can't be bothered. Or, they simply make good money from collision/insurance repair and don't want to tackle a non-insurance job where they actually may have to (gasp!) deal with the customer directly. You can tell from the way that they talk that they're not interested. This guy didn't want the job.

Just keep shopping around, man. It's disheartening but you'll likely find someone. The dude that painted mine did so in his backyard garage and you'd never be able to tell. It's show quality. And it was about the price that you were quoted.

Just got laughed at by an auto body shop

Reply #9 – March 05, 2009, 03:05:18 PM

I think mjbtbrd hit the nail. These guys aren't interested unless there's big money in a job, so they go for the insurance repairs. I'm thinking he gave me a big number to either get rid of me or get me to let them do the rest of the body work so he can charge $5G. I won't be darkening his door anyway.

Ange and I are getting a fair bit of taxes back this year, so I've got a BUDGET! :hick: I already had a small budget to get it back to DD status (windshield, motor mounts, etc.), but today she said I should get some quotes on getting it painted. I just about fell off my chair, and I was belted into the passenger seat.

Looks like I'll be painting it myself again, but this time with the Base Clear, not Acrylic Enamel. I guess you just have to learn some things the hard way. Do it right or don't do it at all, and cheap is... just cheap.

*edit*
Sorry Eric, you posted after I started typing. You pretty much said exactly what I did.

Just got laughed at by an auto body shop

Reply #10 – March 05, 2009, 03:06:59 PM

One last piece of advice for all of you. OVER-PAY YOUR TAXES!!!!! :D You really won't notice an extra $20 a week and come March you've got a really nice surprise year after year.

Just got laughed at by an auto body shop

Reply #11 – March 05, 2009, 03:09:52 PM

Amen to that. I've been claiming 0 since we got married and had Spencer and believe me the money back from Uncle Sam is nice!

Just got laughed at by an auto body shop

Reply #12 – March 05, 2009, 03:34:53 PM

WOW! 3 grand!?!?!

I am really glad my son is in auto body at school! LOL I will be getting the 97 done for much less, including the repairs.

I am amazed at how much this boy has learned about painting and the paint itself. He can look at a vehicle and tell what kind of paint was used and how many steps were used for it. Many of the newer cars use a three step process. He can also tell you how much it costs to do it all.....and this is his first year.
He's going great in it and I think he really has found his calling.

Right now he is working on a fender from an old Ford truck...he has to remove the dents and repaint it.

Here are some samples of work he's done this year, and the fender he's working on.

Just got laughed at by an auto body shop

Reply #13 – March 05, 2009, 04:08:08 PM

Like said insurance is what they want. when my hood blew up on mine, I needed an estimate $1800, just to fix the damage and "color match" I asked how much more to do the whole car, they got weird with me like we don't or can't do that. I fixed it my self and bought afr heads .

Just got laughed at by an auto body shop

Reply #14 – March 05, 2009, 04:15:50 PM

Quote from: Kitz Kat;259743

Like said insurance is what they want. when my hood blew up on mine, I needed an estimate $1800, just to fix the damage and "color match" I asked how much more to do the whole car, they got weird with me like we don't or can't do that. I fixed it my self and bought afr heads .

That sounds like the time Angela got rear-ended driving the C-10. I took the cash, bought a roll-pan from Texas, and still had over $200 in my pocket after putting it on and painting it. I didn't really want another step bumper anyway.