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Re: shaved handles and paint

To: Terry Thompson <firespiter@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: shaved handles and paint
From: Joe Curry <spitlist@gte.net>
Date: Thu, 06 Sep 2001 11:23:24 -0700
Terry Thompson wrote:
> 
> Well, the shaved handle kit was installed last week
> and the last of body filling and stripping of paint is
> taking place today.
> 
> I took my Spitfire upto 3 places for paint estimates
> today...ranging from $1,000 (maaco) to $2,800 (a
> specialty shop).
> 
> Issue 1) I'm not getting the bonnet painted as it's
> still coated in laquer (also it's too far gone with
> dents, rust and bondo, and a bad job of a fender
> replacement, so I'm going to hold off and get the
> fiberglass bonnet from one of the kit places when I
> have money). 2) I'm also not asking them to paint the
> inside of the tub, doors or trunk. 3) all accessories
> have been removed (panels, carpet, trim plates, lamps,
> windshield, gaskets) so masking will be minimal 4)And
> I've stripped all of the body panels (where paint is
> to go) down to the bare metal, and done patch and
> filler in all of the hole-ridden/rusted and majorly
> low areas.
> 
> Since I'm doing the majority of the body filling and
> prepping, and all they'll have to do is prime,
> wet-sand, level, paint, paint, & clear-coat. Don't you
> think that $2500 is a bit harsh?

Probably not!  The reason being that they will have to defend their paint job 
against problems that are due to a poor preparation job.  Your best bet
is to have them re-quote and include the prep work as well.  That way they know 
exactly how the car is going to be when it is shot.

On the other hand, Maaco doesn't really care what condition the car is in when 
they spray it.  But if all you are getting is a spray job, you may be
well advised to go with Maaco.  They do as well as anyone else at spraying.  As 
I said before, the difference is all in the prep.  If you do it right,
there is no reason the Maaco job won't look every bit as good as the other more 
expensive shop.  (If they use the same paint)!


> I'm not asking for
> metalic paint or any special paint. Just regular
> enamel + clearcoat. He also asked that I get into the
> deep crevises, corners and places that won't be seen
> under the trim strips all the way down to bare metal
> before he paints. Otherwise he's going to charge me
> even more than $2500. (which is why I'm still
> stripping paint today). And also that it will take
> approximately 2 weeks to complete.

If you stop at removing the old paint and repairing any cracks and/or rust 
damage, letting him do all the smoothing work, you might save a bit and
still get that show quality job you are after.

Joe

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