Well I have been trying to get hold of acouple people around my area to do bodywork and possibly restore my car. First guy hasn't came down to give me an estimate even after me calling him about four or five times. Then there is this second guy, I went in and talked with him. He told me that it would cost ten to twelve thousand dollars to do bodywork(patch the rear quarters,sand,primer,paint). Now when he said that, I just thought "WHAT!". Keep in mind that I'm only 17, with only one job. There are a few more places around me that I'm going to check and hopefully get better results. So do you guys think that the second guy is a real perfectionist and wants too much money, or is that about right and I'm just too young to realize how big of pockets I'm going to need?


-Dan

It sounds like he thinks your young and dumb. Tell him to P*ss off.

Yeah, that's just ridiculous. 10 to 12,000 to patch quarters and paint the damn thing? I wouldn't go back to him. Check with some more people, or talk to some other people with restored rides and see who did their work. I'm sure you can find a better deal. God, you can buy a nice Chevelle for $10,000.

Read into this as "I/we don't want your business. There is NO money in restorations. These guys make good money on insurance work and don't need the restoration work. Unforuntately, if you do find a guy that is willing to take on a restoration, you'll pay dearly for it.

Cam

How about this: no one on this forum has seen your car up close.

Your Malibu has seen how many Iowa winters? My point being that the rust and rot that you can see is only the beginning of all there is to be found.

Without even getting to concours quality, it is real easy for a paint and body restoration to exceed $12,000. Not hard at all. What you have no idea of is how many hours of labor good quality work will consume, then add on the cost of quality materials.

That said, if you want a more budget job you should tell any prospective body shop as much.

Also check to see if there are any vocational schools that you could take classes and do all, or most of, the work yourself. If you do I guarantee that it will give you newfound respect for quality bodywork, and the skill and effort it takes to make an old car be eye catching once again.

A post like this will almost inevitably get one or more responses about how others have spent little and received beautiful paint and bodywork. The same thing happens in the hot rod side of the hobby where a few people will get the magic combo that is insanely fast while spending little money and using many factory parts. Problem is that is not the way it plays out for the vast majority.

Thomas

I have to agree with bomber. To be honest, the BEST place for you to take your car is to a Vocational school. Register for the class and not only will they teach you how to do it yourself the RIGHT way, you'll have help, the proper and neccesary tools and eqipment, on top of only paying for parts and paint. When I had my daily driver (Honda accord) I was thinking about doing that. Unfortunalty I had to go and rear end someone and total it. graemlins/sad.gif

Anyway, most vocational schools will have major corporate sponsorship. A high school vocational school that I was in for a period of time was sponsored by Du Pont. Every tool, from the rivet gun to the paint booth was donated by Du Pont with the intention of getting the student ready for the professional world of body repair. Every color of the rainbow was to be found; except for the chameleon colors simply because that paint takes SKILL and years of experience to do properly.

Plus, they might have a frame and body jig. If so, PULL THE BODY OFF THE FRAME. You wouldnt believe how much hidden rust you'll find. The more you can get at and fix the first time, the less headache and cash you'll expend later.

Just my 2 copper Lincolns.

I did have a comment on this but I think Ill keep it to myself.

I guess go buy the tools and equipment and see how much you end up with. Oops I guess some of my comment slipped out...Eric

I have to agree with bomber. To be honest, the BEST place for you to take your car is to a Vocational school. Yes, i agree. i take auto collision in vo-tech, and its fun.. i had my velle there for 4 months and it went from this... http://img.s10forum.com/album151/acf.jpg
to this..
http://img.s10forum.com/album151/agd.jpg

now there was alot involved tho, but me and 2 other guys (i didnt trust anybody else in the shop) helped me w/ it, and there was ALOT of rust on it, i didnt get to the 1/4's or the trunk yet tho, but i did manage to get the frame patched and also the floor and get a seat mounted, w/ some body work done as well. oh yeah and im 16 btw, and painted it myself as well, that is semi-glss black as well.

just a thought, i would def look into it.

aaron

Here's what you do..... Like Eric started to say, buy some equipment and tools and begin stripping/sanding/working the body with the help from the pro's on this site and you will be amazed at what you can do yourself. Any procedure you need help with WILL be described in detail for you for FREE !!! No charge !! These guys are very helpful and you will be very proud on the day that you shoot your first panel with a nice BC/CC. Do as much labor as you can yourself and let a body shop do the "impossible" stuff. You'll have fun, save a ton of money, learn alot and you will have a very nice (not perfect) car that you can be very proud of (not to mention the equipment and tools to do your next project with :D ). graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Thanks guys for all your replies. I was taking a mechanic class this year, I considered taking my chevelle over there, but I was afraid someone was going to tamper with it seeing how at least three different schools go to that class. I am really considering doing the bodywork myself now, I am going to order some how-to books and get some equipment lined up to start in. Now the only problem with this is that my car is outside and will be outside for another month until my dad moves his junk. If I do it myself, at least then I will know if my chevelle is making some progress or not. Hopefully it will look better in the end if I do then paying someone to do it. I'll keep you guys informed tongue.gif .


-Dan

Good idea Dan!! That is exactly the path that I took. I found an "Autbody Repair for the Hobbyist" class at my local community college. For a good online site try.....

The Autobody Store (http://www.autobodystore.com)

Cam