my '69 needs a lot of body work done to it....recently i have been doing all the work myself and have done a decent job, i have to whole front end finished and one of the doors. but now to the point of the story, i am only 16 and get my license in 4 months and i am starting to get into some serious bodywork and running out of time, i called a few places looking for estimates on how much it would cost but they wouldn't give it to me. i am on a VERY limited cash outlay but im afraid i don't have the skills to finish up the car, what should i do? try and do it myself or give it to a restoration shop to finish up?? thanks for any help!
-jd

Sounds like you can't afford a shop to do it.Most resto shops charge around $60 an hour. So if they could finish your car in 40 hours(doubtful from the sound of it) your in $2400.If it takes two weeks(80 hours) your in $4800.Get it?Plus most shops won't take it in right away, and they will have it for a long time.Ever hear of the term 'paint jail'? I would finish it yourself even if its not perfect.Drive it and enjoy it. And then later on if you want,work on it while you drive it.

i am on a VERY limited cash outlay but im afraid i don't have the skills to finish up the carIf you are only 16, then finish the job yourself...

Not only will you save money, but you will gain pride and experience, plus a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction knowing that not only did YOU do the work, but you FINISHED the job...

Sure, we all would love to have "perfect" cars, especially as teenagers, but the reality is that its often not financially feasible to have someone do all the body work, especially for someone of limited means...

running out of time What's the hurry??? Your only 16!!!

We all want something nice, we all wanted a beautiful car for our 16th birthday... Realistically, almost no one gets that... Sure, there are some with rich parents (or really talented, or started a little earlier than you), but few and far between...

My car was real nice, but I had to wait several months after I had my license before it was painted. of course, the money for the paint kept me from getting performance parts (had to keep the 2-barrel for a few years)...


Keep working on it, and don't worry if its not done until you are 17 or 18 or 25...

I think you friends and classmates will be more impressed if you show up with a "work-in-progress", and they can see the progress, rather than something you "bought" or "paid for"... They will see the work that YOU put into it...

Plus you can use the money you'll save for other things (wheels/tires/engine/suspension/stereo/women :D /college...

Especially if this will be your daily driver, high school car... Its bound to get some dings and chips because most people don't care about cars (most people think cars are for transportation only)...

Sure, you want something really nice, but what will you do when you get that first chip, scratch or dent? You'll be upset, but not only will you have the experience to repair it yourself, but you will have the realization that you got a blemish in a $1500 paint job, rather than a $5000+ paint job...

If you are going to have a pro finish it, then I would hope you would have the sense to protect that investment, and use something else for daily transportation...

i called a few places looking for estimates on how much it would cost but they wouldn't give it to meOf course not... They don't want to be responsible when the other old bodywork has problems and makes their final paint job look bad...

Hello,I'm also working on a 69,You have to ask yourself a few ?.How much do you want to learn?How much of your sweat and blood do you want in your car?Also remember you are still young and have plenty of time,Don't rush the car because you get aggrevatted or think you have to impress someone by finishing the car,these cars are very special,lots of history involved with these cars,and history takes time.Dont rush,learn what you can by doing,there are so many resources out there.Trust me,when you are finally done with her,you will look back and say,"I did all that".
And that is all you will need.Good luck with her. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

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Plus you can use the money you'll save for other things (wheels/tires/engine/suspension/stereo/women /college...
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Hey, you can even "waste" the rest! graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Seriously now... can you take a class at school that allows you to learn the skills you currently lack? If so, this would give you credits towards graduation for working on your own car. That's like getting paid. Why not see if any local shops need help. I got started by working in a bodyshop while in high school. (I also worked at a restaraunt during the same time, went to practice for whatever sport was in season, and did enough homework to prevent staying in school for an extra semester like some people I knew... again I digress)
See about working there for some type of trade plus an acceptable wage. It worked for me nearly 20 (ouch,did I say that?) years ago.
Dan
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Yep, I remember when I was going to turn 16. I had bought a '69 Camaro that was in bad shape (transmission in trunk, didn't know if the engine ran, body by bondo, etc.), but my dad and I worked on it and got it driveable. Whoo-hoo! I was in heaven driving that 200 hp bondo wreck. Almost 20 years later I still have that car, and after college, good job, a nice house and family I'm in the middle of a complete restoration. I'm going to be doing it all myself (me and my dad with advice from Team Camaro/Chevelle). It would have been nice to have a perfect car to be driving in high school and college, but I enjoyed what I had, and I still have the car to restore to my specification and with my hands. To me, that is the most important about thing. Anybody can pay anyone to do anything, but to accomplish something by yourself is a wonderful task. Just remember to be happy with whatever you decide to do. graemlins/hurray.gif

http://members.aol.com/buickfam/topchopping.jpg

Yep, that is me at 16 in 1974. And yes you can do it yourself. Just don't expect to get it done very fast. Take your time, drive it and work on it in your spare time.

Some of the best times in my life was driving this truck to high school in primer (wavy body work no less) with no thing on the metal floor, no head liner, no door panels, and not hood I might add. You don't need a painted and polished show car to have fun, don't sweat it.
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Don't let getting you drivers license be a determing factor. Set that issue aside. If you can't pay a shop to do the work, then you have to do it yourself, perhaps with some exprienced help. My recomendation is to get the car so you can drive it safely and have fun with it. Go to a local jr. college and see if they have auto body courses. Take a class or two to improve your skills. Work on the car as you learn the skills and or earn the money. Remeber the biggest mistake is trying to have it all and rush things, take your time and don't be in a hurry. I waited 30 years to get my Chevelle.

Do it yourself. It's the only way to learn. This won't be the last car you restore or paint. When your next project comes around you don't want to have to ask yourself this same question. Paint jobs cost to much now and are just going to go up. Try making friends or bribing a bodyman to come and check your work and show you a few tips.
Good luck,
Roger

thanks for all the help!!!
i think i will just finish it myself, my dad used to drive it in primer so why not follow in his footsteps? ;) seriously though....thanks again for the help as usual!!!
-jd

My car has been in primer for 4 years & I even put it in the local show & shines! I hope its this much fun when I get paint on it!

BTW I'm painting it myself & its my first time doing body & paint.

hey JD dont worry about your license.. dont rush to finish the job .. take your time and do it right. you can always drive the car when youre working on the body.. ive done it before and i was really happy with the results.. i had a project car since i was 13.. when i turned 16 it still wasnt ready because my dads not into cars so i worked on it on by myself. i drove the car covered in grey primer patches for close to a year then took it to a profesional to get the final color sprayed... the body work didnt turn out as perfect as i hoped for but looks decent.. i learned a lot and now i will be buying a 67 chevelle that will need some body work..