Hey all- here is my dilemma :(

I live in an area where working on cars is VERBOTEN according to the friendly neighborhood naz.... ummm. homeowners commission. I need to do some body work and priming, and just am not able to do it- EVEN IN THE GARAGE! The stupid furnace is in the garage, so that effectively renders that useless for priming, and the noise generated by all that bumping and grinding ;) would be too much for the neighbors I think.

SO, being that my father retired from the military, we were going to use the on base facilities. This is a big base, mind you, and USED to have a body "area". THats the problem- USED TO! They closed it down to allow some outside company to install and service car stereos! What a CROCK that is, but thats another story..

SOOO, does anybody have any suggestions, other than to take it somewhere and have THEM do the work- which isnt going to happen because its a hobby...? I know that bodyshops rent out paint booths on the weekend... DO they rent out "space" or something to do bodywork (filling, sanding, etc.)? ANy suggestions are SURE appreciated!

It might help to know exactly where Guadalupe Hidalgo is. (That's the location you gave in your profile information.) You may have some members living close by who can recommend a shop, or who may let you use their shop.

heh smile.gif

Guadalupe Hidalgo was actually an 1848 treaty in which many parts of Mexico were ceded to the United STates smile.gif I just put it in there to put something in there- it just popped into mind for some odd reason.

I'm in Southern Arizona, if that helps...which it probably will not, because there doesnt seem to be a whole lot of members here from AZ. Too bad I didnt live in CA, PA, NY, TX or down south. I was just curious, since bodyshops *well, some* rent out paint booths for hobbyists, maybe someone had some space or something rented to them, and what the best way of approaching someone for this kind of thing would be.

I really wish I could do it all at home, but for sake of living where I do, it aint gonna happen- unfortuantely. Any suggestions/alternatives would be appreciated!

Here are some members from the database who are in your area.

LIVE466 Yuma

D1_Bradley Yuma

Desert_islander Hereford

Gene McGill Benson

72TwoToneElky Sahuarita

Tys7022 Tucson

Jwagner Tucson

64 Elcamino Marana.

Some times the local joint vocational school has night classes in auto body repair. You could use the car for a project, or let the auto shop class do it.

Randy Mosier, Thanks for the list...


DG- I have thought about the Autobody class route. It seems like one of the most viable options, aside from renting some space or something at a body shop.

I know I read here at TC that someone rented some space or something at a body shop, but I cant seem to find the post via searches. Actually, thats where I got the idea for that. :confused:

You hobbyist guys that live out in the sticks (so to speak smile.gif ) are lucky to be able to do what you want on your property. True, that somethings like painting, should be done in a booth, but the other stuff is really not that much different than construction noise...BUT, a few hours after the compressor fired up and the DA was sanding, I know the cops would be at the door. Unfortunately, AZ is famous for that kind of BS with homeowner associations.

Buzzbomb, do you live in a Condo, or duplex, ect??? If your Garage is not directly attached to someone elses living quarters I'd say F-'m and just do-it. :rolleyes: Turn the furnace fan off so your not pumping any fumes/dust anywhere and have at it. If your worried about the noise start mid-day when outside noise/interference would be at it's peak. Or just turn the stereo up to full volume and rattle windows for three blocks and when the cops come play stupid, appologise and turn the stereo down ;) that should buy you some time to work in it... :D
Really, how loud is the compressor and DA ? I can have several things going on at once in my shop and not hear a thing outside unless youyr standing right next to the building.
Good Luck.

Originally posted by tblw68ss:
Buzzbomb, do you live in a Condo, or duplex, ect??? If your Garage is not directly attached to someone elses living quarters I'd say F-'m and just do-it. :rolleyes: Turn the furnace fan off so your not pumping any fumes/dust anywhere and have at it. If your worried about the noise start mid-day when outside noise/interference would be at it's peak. Or just turn the stereo up to full volume and rattle windows for three blocks and when the cops come play stupid, appologise and turn the stereo down ;) that should buy you some time to work in it... :D
Really, how loud is the compressor and DA ? I can have several things going on at once in my shop and not hear a thing outside unless youyr standing right next to the building.
Good Luck. I DON'T live in a condo or a duplex...Just a really- I mean REALLY- quiet neighborhood (which actually is kind of ok sometimes) with a homeowners association that seemed to have gotten worse since moving here. You have weeds in your yard for a few days, you get a warning in the mail in a few days. LIke I said, sometimes this stuff is good, sometimes it really steps on your toes :( . The DA and compressor arent that loud, but when you can practically hear a pin drop in the street, well- then it IS loud. It would probably be a different story if there WERE more noise from the "world". The stereo is out of the question too (good suggestion, though) :D

Believe me, if I could crank up the stereo full blast and have at it with the body tools, I would do it in a heartbeat. However, I know the wrath of these people would come down on me really quick. Thats why I am looking for an alternative (doesnt have to be a free one- needs to be reasonable though) that will allow me to continue to enjoy this hobby, and keep the peace with my neighbors at the same time.

I know one thing though, If I move again, it will be more than likely be on to a piece of property where I am the only member of the homeowners association- like say to Alaska?! graemlins/beers.gif

Buzz,

I took a body shop class when I didn't have a place to work on my car. Community colleges are a bargain!

Mike

Originally posted by Unclepennybags:
Buzz,

I took a body shop class when I didn't have a place to work on my car. Community colleges are a bargain!

Mike graemlins/angry.gif :mad: graemlins/clonk.gif

Mike,

I agree about the community college being a good place to do the work via a class. SO, I called them today. Seems as if there has been little interest in Paint and Body stuff as of late; everything centers around tuneups, AC (understandable down here tongue.gif ), brakes, etc. I basically learned that if there is renewed interest in "cosmetic" auto repair, there might be a return of the classes. Until then, they are on hiatus. I'm not kidding either! THAT SUCKS and I'M P***ED!

Back to the drawing board to figure something else out, I guess. I ain't giving up, I'm sure something will work out- but MAN is this frustrating! First the military base, now the community college... Kinda like a carrot dangling in front of a rabbits nose :( .

graemlins/angry.gif :mad: graemlins/clonk.gif

Buzzbomb, have you checked out any storage rental places? It just occured to me, some have units big enough to work on a car in and have decent lighting and power provisions. Be honest and let them know what you plan to do. It might just work out, plus a couple months of rental couldn't be too much. I know of a guy who built his car in one, I guess his wife wouldn't let him in the garage.
Good luck

I spent some time in the NAPA stores in Yuma and Sotherton (you might as well be in Mexico) and we sold a LOT of paint in those stores. SOMEONE is painting around there! You should be able to find someone you can buddy up and get your car done.

Adios! graemlins/waving.gif

Originally posted by tblw68ss:
Buzzbomb, have you checked out any storage rental places? It just occured to me, some have units big enough to work on a car in and have decent lighting and power provisions. Be honest and let them know what you plan to do. It might just work out, plus a couple months of rental couldn't be too much. I know of a guy who built his car in one, I guess his wife wouldn't let him in the garage.
Good luck You know, thats a pretty good idea about the storage units. I'm going to check that out! At least there are a ton of those around here.. smile.gif

MartinSR, I know there are a people painting and doing body work too; there are a lot of old cars that have been redone driving around here, and they had to have been done somewhere! ANd judging from how some look, it sure wasnt a professional job! I also read a post from you during a search here explaining neigbors vs. your hobby, and you made a lot of valid points. I agree with those points, and want to keep on good terms with the neighbors, hence me trying to find an alternative place to do my paint and body work. Actually more the body work, because for whatever reason, the paint booth is STILL open on the military base, and my father will "buddy up" with me on that one, so that is ok! You just have to prep it and do the body work elsewhere... :mad:

Buddying Up is a good idea too, the only problem I have with it is getting to the point of stepping on somebodys toes after a while. I know you know this stuff is dirty and messy, and after a while it gets to be a drag to listen to it, smell it, the WAF *Wife Approval Factor* comes in after a while, etc. Its a good idea, and since I know a few people with old cars, one I can explore a little more. I sure appreciate all this feedback, and if anybody has ever rented space or something from a body shop, Id like to hear from you here!