Never knew it would be this hard finding a shop to do a complete paint job.......

[UATahoe]

Been on the phone all day. Everybody i call only focuses on insurance collision work nowadays. Found 1 shop and one gentleman who has a personal shop at home. I have probably called 15-20 shops around my area. Always hate going in blind without references for something this big but looks like i will have to this time.

Seems extremely hard to find if you are looking for a decent paint job and not a quick Maaco re-spray.

[RandyP]

Call one of the local cheesy used car lots, ask them who does their work. What could go wrong?

There is a reason most modern shops don't do restoration work. Most want show car results on a rattle can budget. Just sayin', it is easier for the shop to say "we don't do that" as opposed to explaining it 3 or 4 times per day. Just my .02.

[68Timber]

What was wrong with the transmission?

[UATahoe]

Lol I hear ya. I am willing to pay though. I fully expect a good paint job to run 4-5 grand. I will keep looking though. I get the logic, just surprised I struck out so much.


Been meaning to update the transmission issue! I will revive that post this evening. Ended up being a stuck servo combined with a torque converter pr

[JWall]

Do you have a local cruise night to ask around at or local car club you could get a hold of & see who they use?

[UATahoe]

Problem. Finally got it back from the shop last week but they tore the tailshaft seal and fluid leaked out. Got it back in and fixed.

The truck runs amazing now. Will get sideways at WOT. Lol. It's a blast to drive and is night and day different now that the transmission is working right. Feels like the 383 I was expecting!

[Gotenntitans]

I priced an entire paint job in my hometown of around 13K people. I think we have 4 body shops in town. One said "no" on the entire truck, one (the best in town) said $8,000 and 3-5 months time, one said $3,000 and at least 6 months time, and another kinda said he really didn't want to, but he might when he was caught up and less busy, but never really agreed to it.

There's too much easy quick money in replacing fenders and doors on insurance jobs that really pay well. That's the exact reason. I like patina anyway! GTT

[UATahoe]

I will ask around at some of the local events. That's a good idea.

Yeah, 8k is a no go for me. Lol. That's way too much. I don't around 4, bug much higher just doesn't seem smart. 3k and I would be very interested. Nice crappie by the way. Lol.

[whtsierra68]

Contact the Line-X dealer in Muscle Shoals and I bet they can put you in touch with someone that will do an all over paint job. I've been there several times for work and seen some custom painted cars and trucks sitting out front. They sell truck accessories so I am sure they know the people you want to find.

[UATahoe]

Awesome! I will give them a call

[77c10]

I found a guy where I live that does work at his house to paint mine. He advertised on Cragislist.

[gramps77]

Had mine done for 3500. To include welding in new refuel pockets with the 81-87 design. It'll be nice not spilling every time I want to refuel now. They did awesome work and used Eastwood products for the body work.
Couldnt believe how straight they got it for a long bed either.

[UATahoe]

Did he do a pretty good job? Mind shooting me any details (cost, time, contact info) in a pm?

[77c10]

Got my bed & tailgate last week. He is currently working on the rest of the truck.




This is what it did look like...

[UATahoe]

Nice. You mind sharing what it ran? Wouldnt have any problems driving it up if the price was right. Thanks!

[77c10]

It will end up being about $2900 once it is all said and done. I did have some rust repair and some bodywork as well. I am sure it would be less than that if yours does not require repair or bodywork.

[UATahoe]

sweet. Yeah, the body on mine is amazingly straight with no dents or dings, no rust either. Shoot me the contact info if you dont mind and i will give him a call.

[77c10]

Originally Posted by UATahoe

sweet. Yeah, the body on mine is amazingly straight with no dents or dings, no rust either. Shoot me the contact info if you dont mind and i will give him a call.

Ok, i will PM it to you shortly.

[UATahoe]

Awesome! Thanks again!

[tgh117]

My dad owns a shop here locally. He won't touch a full car paint job because there is simply no money involved in doing it. Ends up being 40-80 or more hours depending on what you start with, and its simply a lot of work, tied up resources, and having to turn away other stuff that it easier to make money doing.

Around here (eastern Pa) a good high quality paint job probably wouldn't come for less then 10k for a full paint job.

Good luck with your hunt. My dad always sends people to shops that specialize in classic cars, and car restorations, as they are usually willing to pick up the work, but sometimes have a long waiting line.

[cleansquare]

You have to know people. I went to a local shop (huge dealership) where my buddy works as a bodyman and they said at least two months, cause they do $30k a day in insurance work and my $4,200 paint job is nothing to them.

So i called my stepdads painter who has a crew who helps him. He said same price, $4,200 but have it back in a week and a half.....going in saturday. Cant wait. He said if i find a flaw in it after hes done, it doesnt leave.

[cleansquare]

Oh and the 4200 price is with me removing all the trim, bumpers, glass and bed bolts.

[meatwagon83]

you think yours is hard try finding someone to do a crew cab dually!! they basically tell you to go to hell, so i am doing my own this summer, it might look like dookie, but it will be one color!

[UATahoe]

Lol I hear ya man.

[gvchevy]

I manage a collision shop in Missouri, the issue most customers dont undestand is that it is not hard to spend $1000.00-$1500.00 just on paint and materials alone. For quality poducts. At that point you have not even touched the truck yet. Our shop has Direct repairs for several insurance companies, they have an expectation of when you should have that car or truck complete. This being said most collision work is on vehicles that are daily drivers for families. I know this does not solve your problem but it needs to be looked at from both sides. At a price range of $3,000-$4,000 after materials leaves $2000.00 for labor devide that by $50.00 an hr. and see whats left. Forty hours to strip,repair rust and deal with sheet metal that does not fit. And 8 hrs of painting to do a complete. For most shops it does not add up. Back yard shops is a billion dollar industry so your budget falls in a category with a guy charging you $20.00 an hour, while we spent over $150,000 on a frame machine and paint booth last year alone. Please compare apples to apples. Remember a $20.00 per hour tech working out of his shop at home, probably has a family or at least friends if they tell you 3 months figure a year. Never leave a deposit for materials. Your money will just be used to catch up on the last job they did because the jobs are not bid correctly. Its a vicious circle dont be taken advantage of.