Is there a real market for 'driver quality' paint jobs?

[studegary]

I do not know if the restrictions on painting cars is as tough in your part of NY as it is here. You could not make a go of it here.

I do not see a viable market at $2500 plus two way shipping. Local customers are a possibility, but that market is probably small.

With the current cost of paint (plus overhead and labor), I do not see where the cost of a paint job could be low enough for the average low value car owner to go for it.

I have painted cars for myself and professionally. I would not consider painting one now, but that is due to restrictions, age and lack of facilities.

[Bill Pressler]

Bob, I think there'd be such a market around where I live, for sure.

Speaking of paint, today I was at a Chevy dealer's and they had two C7 Corvettes in the showroom. I'm a fan, I have to say that, and from what I've read, you can't do as well, or any better, by paying twice, or more, for something else. But both had (to me) unacceptable orange peel...big time. I guess a $60K performance car isn't a $150K performance car, but still...sheesh. I pointed it out to a salesman and he gave me a knowing nod. He said, "Fluorescent lights don't help", and that's probably true, but I'd be so disappointed if I ordered one and it came in like that.

My last Studebaker was rock-solid, everywhere you looked, and the restorer had had the bumpers replated--they looked like mirrors--when NOS was still available, acceptable to me anyway, and cheap--but the paint was so-so. It could've been nicer on an otherwise-nice car I think.

[Bob Andrews]

Well, Gary, you may be right. I still need to investigate it. The restrictions on painting here are nowhere near what you have down there. One big question will be the cost of licensing, in addition to my current business licenses.

While it might not be feasible for someone to ship a car from, say, California, it may work out to be a good enough deal that most people in the Northeast would be interested. I am not confident that it could become a full-time business, more like another facet of what I already do. I am sizing my new shop addition so that it will be state of the art, yet not so expensive that I need to turn a big volume to cover overhead. And, there will be no mortgage on it. So, that will give me the flexibility to do a limited amount of work should I choose.

One unique thing I have is accesiblity to a few retired guys from the industry that would still like to work part time. Some are talented body man that are no longer interested in the grind of a production shop. And some are old-school mechanics that would love to keep their hands in older cars on a part-time basis. it might be able to work out good for everyone concerned.

[studegary]

Well, Gary, you may be right. I still need to investigate it. The restrictions on painting here are nowhere near what you have down there. One big question will be the cost of licensing, in addition to my current business licenses.

While it might not be feasible for someone to ship a car from, say, California, it may work out to be a good enough deal that most people in the Northeast would be interested. I am not confident that it could become a full-time business, more like another facet of what I already do. I am sizing my new shop addition so that it will be state of the art, yet not so expensive that I need to turn a big volume to cover overhead. And, there will be no mortgage on it. So, that will give me the flexibility to do a limited amount of work should I choose.

One unique thing I have is accesiblity to a few retired guys from the industry that would still like to work part time. Some are talented body man that are no longer interested in the grind of a production shop. And some are old-school mechanics that would love to keep their hands in older cars on a part-time basis. it might be able to work out good for everyone concerned.

I would like to sell cars or paint cars for you, but the 550 mile commute is too much <G>.

[StudeRich]

By George Bob, I think you did it! You hit the nail right, squarely on the head!
I agree with that idea 100% and also the need for it everywhere, start a CHAIN of Bob's.

When can we start sending Cars to Bob's, not cheap, not expensive, "The Middle of the Road" Paint Shop?

I can already see the Logo on the Sign, a twisty two lane Highway with a Route 66 sign on the side, going right through a "Bob's Middle of the Road Paint Shop", a dull & rusty '57 Golden Hawk going in one side and coming out the other all shiny and pretty!

Err, well maybe, make that a '59 Lark.

[Psdenno]

I have doubts about the business plan you outlined. Telling the customers that they will be getting a less than excellent product due to you taking labor shortcuts and using lower grade products is unlikely to be a very good sales approach, no matter how you word it.

As mentioned earlier, I think MAACO currently owns the "Daily Driver" paint market. If you go into the business, no matter how much you explain the quality limitations of the paint job to the customers, a percentage of them will always expect more than you provide. So, you'll either have to smile and try to make them happy by correcting their areas of concern (more time & money from you) or try to talk them down. Either way, it will eat into your profit. An unhappy customer will bad mouth you and business will drop off. If you can make a go of it by factoring in the "do overs", it might work. Just remember to advertise the finished product as the best quality for the money. As Studebaker used to say, "Give them more than you promise".

Dennis

[HUDSONBROTHER1]

You can also do what a friend in Oregon did and wait till winter Maaco sale. You could pull the bumpers and whatever else is easy to remove and just get a single stage. I would recommend washing the car REALLY well with a strong solution of tide and water 1st tho. I've even done this with some Earl Schieb paint jobs in the past and had them live a long time. The tide wash helps a bunch. Make sure to scrub around all the edges too.

[Bob Andrews]

[qsanford]

Maybe you could feature an array of spot on Studebaker Colors to eliminate some of the guess work. If you offered the correct Ermine white, for example, that would give you a leg up on the Maaco "off white".

[Ron Dame]

Perhaps the "Driver Quality" paint would more closely approximate the original factory applied finish? My first car was a 1960 Morris Minor and we treated it to an Earl Scheib paint job in 1977 and it stil is on the car and looks fairly good. We splurged for Matador Red as the advertised low price paint job colors weren't so hot! One that still comes to mind was Celery Green!

I like this definition, and there might be a local market. I've always painted mine in my dirty little 1940's wood garage and been satisfied. Many are surprised how well my paint comes out, not show, but probably about like what came out of South Bend, maybe a bit better because of the quality of paint. But I do have to do a lot of post paint correction for dirt and poor lighting. I've not been happy with MAACO for modern DDs, so I'd probably be interested in this option... except shipping would be the deal killer.

[garyash]

Gary Hearn [where are you in this thread!?!] swears that the answer is Tremclad, now a Rustoleum product. It is designed for painting rusty surfaces. The correct technique is buy a gallon at your local hardware store, along with a couple of short-nap paint rollers of various widths, and go to town. I see it listed at $42.47 per gallon on the Home Depot web site. Oh, yes, you do need to wash the car first. But, after that, just roll on the paint and let it dry. Looks bright and shiny from 20 ft. No EPA or OSHA problems, no overspray issues. What else does a CASO need?

[gordr]

You know, Bob, instead of offering the whole enchilada, perhaps you could make an arrangement with a local paint shop, maybe even a Maaco, and have them spray the cars you prep, using your materials. The final spraying is the least labor-intensive part of the whole job, and the prepping and block-sanding is the most. Let your spray shop deal with the environmental hassles, all you would have to deal with is primer and filler, and dust.

[JoeHall]

I think its a great idea, but bet you'd quickly become inundated with cars that need a whole lot more than a respray. But folks would still want it to look good, at a low price, and ready for pickup in two weeks. The labor and bodywork involved in most old Studes, is just not something most folks can fathom, nor would want to pay for, but they'd still expect the car returned looking good. Driver quality is subjective, and I bet it would bite you in the behind more often than not.

[Bob Andrews]

No thanks, Gary, I have no interest in doing a cobbled roller or brush job with patio furniture paint that is embarrassing to the owner. Remember, my goal is a presentable job that will look decent in person. In between show quality and a farm implement job.

Gord- Your idea isn't a bad one. But if I'm going to have a paint booth, I may as well make use of it. Besides, painting is the most satisfying part of the job.

[Sketchy26]

Bob,
This is exactly what I think many people will take advantage of. For me it's my grandfathers '66 Daytona that we are currently working on. It's not a frame off resto, but floors, a fender and a door. With one in college, and one about to enter college, a $5000-$7000 paint job just isn't in the cards. I'm looking to make her shiny and fresh while driving down the road and all ONE color. I do bring her to shows, but people almost love the story (my grandfather bought it new) as much as they are concerned about the condition and current paint. I don't think it will ever be a 390pts car, but my goal is to drive her more than I do now, honoring Studebakers. I would be more comfortable to have someone in the Studebaker world paint her as opposed to a Maaco shop. I would like to think that someone like you would take just a little more time and care making sure that the color is right (Mount Royal Red). Keep us posted if you get up and running, I'm about 10 months away from being ready. Your target market, I believe would be people like me.