Need Paint/Body Pro. in Los Angeles

[James1970]

Hi All,

I'm having a heck of a time finding a shop or individual to paint my 70' Vert.

Here's who I've been told or have contacted:

1. Performance Paint & Body - Torrance: Paint and Bodywork only (no prep.): $10-12k. A little pricey I would say.
2. El Segundo Paint & Body (recommended by friend w/C4) - "Yes, but it's going to cost you". I may swing by to check it out.
3. J & D Corvette: I've heard good things about these folks. However, VERY UNIMPRESSIVE on the phone! Terrible customer service by body shop ...felt like I was putting them out asking to stop by for an estimate. Still, I will visit J&D in the next week or two as I WANT THEM to win my business as Vettes are their specialty and they offer the complete package of resto. services.
4. European Motor Coach Works - O.C.: ??? Euro and GM just don't go together in my book. Someone give me the real scoop on this outfit?
5. Was given the name of a gent named R. Eagleton in Huntington Beach. Understand he's excellent. Anyone got info. on this gent?

Help me our CAC members. I live in South Bay / Torrance, CA and really need to find someone EXCELLENT to put a good "Driver" paintjob on the vert. I'll remove the chrome/emblems if needed but am not prepared to strip/prep. the body.

Best Regards,

James

 

[rsmlap]

http://www.mcjackscorvettes.com/
Have not contacted them. Only visited the web site. Just another place to check out.

 

[Ken]

Depending on what you want as a result of your paint efforts, it doesn't take much to hit the 10K figure. It's hard to find anybody with a lower price than that, yet one who uses quality paint. Some of those 2-3K paint jobs use paint that resembles fingernail polish, it's so thick.

Try Jimmy Tanimura at A-1 QUALITY AUTO in Gardena:

• A-1 QUALITY AUTO
  396 East Compton Blvd.
  Gardena, CA 90248
  (310) 538-3913

Tell him I sent you; he might be able to help you.

 

[James1970]

Ken / rsmlap,

Thanks for the input. I'm taking off work on Friday to get estimats from J&D, El Segundo Auto Body. I'll give A-1 a call and see if they can be added into the mix. Same w/McJacks (have to checkout the website first)

Best,

James

 

[Ken]

James, I stopped by Jimmy's shop (A-1) yesterday, and he tells me that he prety much sticks to insurance work these days - insurance work being the bread-and-butter of most shops.

I'd still give him a call; you never know how he's going to feel about it tomorrow.

 

[James1970]

Hi Ken,

FYI: I received a monthly newsletter from a local Vette club (Vette Set, Inc.) yesterday. On the inside back cover was a full page ad from A-1 touting their restoration work and featuring renderings of a Corvette, Camaro and a third vehicle that I can't recall.

Anyway, I may stop by there tomorrow after visiting my 3 primary targets. I'm not interested in having my car used as "filler" if A-1's major push is insurance jobs.

Any suggestions for type/manufacturer of paint that will replicate 974 Monza Red? How many coats of primer/paint? Seeking good "driver" paint job.

Thanks,

 

[Ken]

Both Jimmy and myself are members of The Vette Set.

 

[Koop]

4. European Motor Coach Works - O.C.: ??? Euro and GM just don't go together in my book. Someone give me the real scoop on this outfit?

I need to look this one up, but if this shop specializes in Jags and Vettes and the owners name is Ky...He is one of the best, no bull. I think he is in Santa Ana and I do have his phone number at my office. If you want first rate paint and gel coat work (and you are not afraid to part with some serious cash) this is the guy. You are welcome to look at my car I get complements on the paint every time I drive it and the paint is now about 4 years old.

 

[James1970]

Koop,

Thanks for the input. Based on your information, I believe you're probably correct that Euro Coach Motor Works is a reputable outfit. I seem to remember someone telling me to ask for "Tye" or "Ky" if I go there.

Update:

I stopped by El Segundo Auto Body, J&D and McJack's last Friday. All appear able/knowledgeable regarding C3 prep/paint issues. They'll be faxing me their estimates this week. Hope to drop the car off at one of these shops in the next 4-8 weeks.

James

 

[Koop]

Koop,
Thanks for the input. Based on your information, I believe you're probably correct that Euro Coach Motor Works is a reputable outfit. I seem to remember someone telling me to ask for "Tye" or "Ky" if I go there.

Update:

I stopped by El Segundo Auto Body, J&D and McJack's last Friday. All appear able/knowledgeable regarding C3 prep/paint issues. They'll be faxing me their estimates this week. Hope to drop the car off at one of these shops in the next 4-8 weeks. James

I researched paint shops before mine was done.

I saw some cars at McJack's, I don't remember the specifics but I went in back to see how things were being done. I watched for quite a while and I left.

I looked at a couple of J & D paint jobs and they looked real good, but I wasn't comfortable leaving my car at a dismantler (junk yard) for paint. God forbid it be mistaken as a parts car.

My car is a driver but paint lasts for a long, long time and since I plan to die with my Vette I went for a high end paint job. As the fiberglass ages the gel coat starts to deteriorate and as old as your antique is, a few heavy layers of primer would fill in the aging gel coat but in a few years your paint will become dull as a result of the aging gel coat. If you intend on driving this Vette to your grave you might consider a new gel coat. I doesn't matter how good the paint looks the day you leave the paint shop, how will it look a year or two down the road.

European motor car works (I think they altered the name) (714) 957-1290. My '69 was last painted in February of 2001 by Ky and the paint still looks great (no fading or oxidation at all, bright Yellow like Red fades fast and blotchy). If you are going to show the car be concerned about an exact match, but stick with good product from quality manufacturers and Ky will get you an exact match. He went a few shades brighter on my car, you'd never know it's not the factory color. Ky does show quality work.

 

[James1970]

Thanks again for your input Koop.

I've received two quotes back: $7k & $11.5k (can you guess from which shops?) Both excluded body work until the existing paint is stripped. As my car is only driven a couple weekends per month, I'm not looking for show quality.

Update: Price became a factor last Friday as I was driving home from the paint shops. Got a call informing me that my wife and I were chosen to adopt a boy to be born on June 4. Talk about throwing a wrench into ones plans!!! Now if I can just find a baby-seat with flames......

Still Stunned

 

[Koop]

Thanks again for your input Koop.

I've received two quotes back: $7k & $11.5k (can you guess from which shops?) Both excluded body work until the existing paint is stripped. As my car is only driven a couple weekends per month, I'm not looking for show quality.

Update: Price became a factor last Friday as I was driving home from the paint shops. Got a call informing me that my wife and I were chosen to adopt a boy to be born on June 4. Talk about throwing a wrench into ones plans!!! Now if I can just find a baby-seat with flames......

Still Stunned

I would say $11,500 from J & D

$7,000 from McJack's, maybe things have changed at McJacks I would take a long hard look at the prep work (while it's being done) before I would consider using them.

 

[James1970]

Koop:

You win and I agree with your analysis.

PS: Adoption fees start at $15k. So begins my New Reality!

 

[Koop]

Koop:

You win and I agree with your analysis.

PS: Adoption fees start at $15k. So begins my New Reality!

Quote "Adoption fees "START" at $15,000"...Yeah right, get out the Gold Card!

Make sure you look at Ky's work when you are ready, it cost me $11,900 (Feb 2001) but that included rechrome of bumpers, new windshield, new rubber door and window seals, gel coat, painting all the black black again, install and align a replacement hood that I provided, some minor shaping of the rear deck lip, repair of the front spoiler (forklift damage) and removing lots and lots of very thick existing paint!
Good luck with both

 

[James1970]

Koop,

Unbelievable! We have almost duplicate statements of work. Here's mine:

Rechrome bumpers, new front spoiler (never had one), new windshield & passenger door glass, new door handles, paint (body, under hood, rims and wheel wells), complete weather strip, soft top, buff rocker moldings and windshield chrome/metal. $11.2k. Price does not include body work...TBD after paint is removed.

Thanks for your input. I've enjoyed dialoging with you. All the best,

James