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

[sweetolbob]

Ask around the local cars shows including the tuner group and you may be pleasantly surprised in the cost and quality that is available to provide a pretty durn good paint job. Bob

[Dougie]

In the past, I have decided against buying cars simply because they didn't justify the cost a paint job. The best way is to invest as much of your own labor as possible. We're all hobbyists so that shouldn't be a problem. In my mind. the concept of a Driver Quality $2500 paint job is problematic because it still costs too much. I solve this problem by prepping my cars myself and doing the reassembly as well. I also sand and buff the paint myself. The first time was scary, but it's more labor intensive than skliled work with the right tools, finishing products and technique. I've taken most of the cost out by taking most of the labor cost out. The best example I have of this is a 1969 Triumph TR6 that I had. I wanted show quality so I disassembled it, took it to bare metal in my garage, did all the body work and got it into primer and blocked it. Gave the local Maaco the paint codes and they ordered the correct paint. I first used the same paint to paint underhood and the trunk. Masked everything I could to protect it. After it was sprayed I wet sanded it and buffed it. It was a dark maroon called Damson. Took first place at every car show I took it to and people couldn't believe Macco painted it. But all Macco did was spray it. I did all the hard work. I sold it to a gentleman in the Netherlands. Total cost in 1997 was about $600. Did the same with a driver Triumph TR8 about 5 years later. I didn't even have to sand and buff that one. Total cost about $500. It can be done on the cheap, but it's a lot of work, and you can't cheap out on the prep.

[blkstu60]

I also agree with a lot of you. I have a 500.00 1960 lark, that was rusted and beat some. I did replace panels, did some body work etc. I will also paint it myself. Thousands of dollars for a 500.00 dollar car don't make sense. But yet it is a good car. It runs and drives fantastic. Couldn't ask for a better runner, but just not worth the big bucks for paint. I also worked in body shops pounding fenders and throwing mud, so I do understand why the cost. Nothing is cheap anymore. I have also seen a killer paint job on a Pontiac that was painted with TSC paint. I don't have any idea how long it will last, but looked real good. I hope you can make a go of it though. Plenty of cars I see on here are well worth the 2500.00 job.

[Corvanti]

if after researching the "rules & regs" of the State of NY and are not too ridiculous, i'd say go for it!

with your time frame of starting up, you should have everything in place. plus maybe do a "sample" vehicle of what one would expect from your work.