My only experience before I bought my truck with older cars was stripping the laquer paint off a '68 Firebird for 2 days with a razor blade at a body shop I helped out at from time to time. When I bought my truck I'd wonder next door to the mechanic and say hey "How much $ for you to..." The guy would say "I'm too busy. Here's the tool. Here's how to do it. If you have problems come back." That was worth alot as far as confidence but I am at a different point now. I have been stalled out on my truck because I am at the sheet metal stage and I don't know shit. I'm with you 3's&8'sHigh I'd be willing to trade labor for knowledge too but it's tough. My old man was an office worker and taught me how to change a flat but that's about it. I wasn't born into this either and the guys that were seem to sniff out guys like us and it's hard to fit in. I see alot of wasted sheet metal in my future but hopefully it will be work out in the end. If you lived closer I'd say come to my shop and you can watch me fuck up and learn what not to do. Best I can say from my very limited experience is never give up and oppurtunity to shake a hand and listen to what someone can teach you. If there is anyone out there in the NYC / Long Island area who needs some help I sweep a mean shop and know where I can get some cold beers...
""Working on cars for a living is quite another. You pit your mind and strength and soul against a car...giving it everything you have to solve its' riddle. You dream about them. You bust your ass over them for people who think you're a "grease-monkey" and you're dishonest. You work in shit conditions with broken, dirty hands and a sore back. And then, when you've pitted your very being against some fat bitches Volvo, who hates and disdains you for what you are...and you SOLVE her problem so her and her fat kids are safe and happy......"" Well said! ""A top-notch Diag Tech here in the Bay Area makes 6 figures...not including side-jobs"" But housing cost are wayyy outta sight!! as is everything else there
The Jalopy Journal
