Projects Rust Repair and Paint - So Cal

Any recommendations on a shop in so cal who will do rust repair/panel replacement (for restoration not hot rod) and paint for a '40 Ford? Not afraid to travel but located in Orange/Riverside/San Diego county. Thanks

 

Once upon a time I lived in Temecula. Search out Kutty Noteboom. Last I knew he lived in Hemet and did old cars. It's been 13 years since I lived out there. But that's who I'd be looking for to do custom work. Ian Rousell is in Death Valley.

 

buy one all ready done its a lot cheaper. sell the one you have

 

The minute you get into panel replacement and heavy metal work, be prepared to spend some pretty serious $$$. Make sure you understand a shop's hourly rates and also work with them to understand the time/budget and $$$ involved. It is quite easy to spend tens of thousands on metal work and another couple tens of thousands on final body and paint. It is not a cheap world for professional work these days. The quality of the final product is always related to quality of the metal work, quality of the finish work before paint and the quality/brands of materials used. Also, pretty much everybody is going to use at least 2-stage products . . . and the more stages, the higher the material bill.

Hell, when I started a gallon of black lacquer was about $15, quality primer about the same. Now days, you'll spend $200+ on a gallon of primer (or more). The cost of materials has skyrocketed in the last 30 years - especially in places with tight controls on all the products (like CA).

By no means am I saying to not go down this path . . . if you have a car that you really love and have the $$$ for quality work, then go for it. Just know what you're getting into before you drop your car off . . .

 

yep, always best to spend more money on the front end of a deal than on the back end

 

What they all said!
Warren

 

Until you find out it's not as pretty as it looks, then it will cost you a lot more.

 

It is difficult to buy conventional automobile paint in California, and it is tremendously expensive. I think auto body shop flat rate is about $150 per hour. So, think of a price you would be willing to pay for your work, and then triple it. That is about what the costs would be, providing they work on your project. Most shops will take in collision, and insurance work and save your hot rod project for fill in. There are lots of stories about hot rods being in the body shop for years unfinished. Even if you are successful finding a shop that completes your job, you will be buried in the costs of the restoration, and will never get your money out of the car. Community Collages offer body and paint classes if you are interested. Do it yourself.

 

I also found out that most shops won't do rust repair anymore, preferring to work on collision repair instead.

 

There are plenty of hot rod shops in Southern California. You read about them all the time here on the HAMB. But I bet you will have to pay well.

There are probably more cave it and pave it type shops than nice shops. And I bet they are lots cheaper. But you wouldn’t want to take a 40 Ford to one of them.

 

I would say, find where the autobody shop row is, either Riverside or San berdoo--- there gotta be one, Im in DTLA and there are a few auto body rows. If I had to I def find someone that can handle some sheet metal replacement.

Also check to see and collect the panels you want to use, like EMS or something and get an idea of cost for just that.

I would say find what you need to done to make the car a runner (floor boards), if its a runner, find out how to break up the sheet metal work in steps.

Dont leave you car in some paint ship/ body shop jail, that is the worst for project. it then decrease in value and you loose interest quick.
Note that even after some takes your car, your just another person in line.

I have a few cars that do need metal work, but most it can be done on the fly.

 

There is a distinct difference between a typical collision repair shop and one that builds hotrods, knows the bodies, knows how to replace panels, knows how to TIG weld and hammer weld, etc..

If you want quality for a car you care about, then you need to find a place that specializes in metal work. As others mentioned, it may be a lot cheaper to buy things like new steel fenders, than reworking badly damaged ones. Look around at the folks that supply the panels, fenders, floorboards, quarters, etc - new metal might be a lot cheaper than one-off panel repair. Also, know that almost nothing is bolt-on . . . everything requires fitment and finish work (to be right).

CW Moss, Bob Drake, etc..

Again, know your budget and really try to nail down the costs with a shop. Also, in many cases the places that do metal work may not do final body finish work and paint -- those are frequently different shops.