very angry at the body shops

[03knight]

so today i figured i would go around and see how much the local body shops are charging to do the s55 treatment...so far after 3 shops, first shop said $300 and the other two claimed they can't do it cause the paint will just flake off

and after all of that explaining and the dumb questions they asked me i.e

"if you get them painted how will you see the brake lights?"
or "do they sell them painted?"


i guess its a fail unless someone here can chime in and maybe i can send them my lights to paint??? :beer:

[fastblackmerc]

so today i figured i would go around and see how much the local body shops are charging to do the s55 treatment...so far after 3 shops, first shop said $300 and the other two claimed they can't do it cause the paint will just flake off

and after all of that explaining and the dumb questions they asked me i.e

"if you get them painted how will you see the brake lights?"
or "do they sell them painted?"


i guess its a fail unless someone here can chime in and maybe i can send them my lights to paint??? :beer:

If you remove the lights, take them with you with a picture of what you want done I bet you get a better deal.

I could check with my body if you want.

[03knight]

i did exactly that, i bought a couple cans of UA black paint and some clear coat and sand paper I'm going to give it a shot, these body shops charge ridiculously amounts

[sailsmen]

Why don't you open a Body Shop and make a fortune!:)

[justbob]

i did exactly that, i bought a couple cans of UA black paint and some clear coat and sand paper I'm going to give it a shot, these body shops charge ridiculously amounts

Mine have been rattle canned for years and are still mint. It's all in the prep and proper finishing. Tape off the lens very well, lightly wet sand with 800 or so, light consistent coats of black, and many light coats of clear. Wet sand to a smooth finish and buff. I even did this to Takedowns replacement mirror cover a few years ago, problem was it almost looked better than the car! Still perfect today as well.

Don't get me wrong, I like using the real stuff more, but the thought of having to clean out the guns, and stocking the reducers, activators, paint, clear, thinners.... Seems I am always short on something. Rattle can paint can achieve a beautiful, long lasting look if done right. I am amazed at how much of a danger most people are with such a simple thing in their hands! :)

You should see Sherminators front bumper. 100% spray paint and unbelievable show room quality! I told him he was a liar.


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[8UWITH6]

Stop doing stuff to your car and lets trade already! Hahaha

[BODYMAN]

Why don't you open a Body Shop and make a fortune!:)

LOL Theres a reason why I always managed large dealership BS's , Owning youre own shop & making good profit is harder then people think many try & many fail. What some others said bring just the lamps & pic's of what you want done & you will most likely get a better answer. Most shop's are set up for production & Collosion repair minded hence the way most reacted.

[ctrlraven]

If you do it on your own, take lots of time to prep and take your time when doing so and you should be fine.

[03knight]

update- took about a whole roll of masking tape and a xacto knife took me about 2 hours for everything....now I'm just waiting on my spray cans that i ordered to come in the mail

[ajdereicup]

My inputs not going to be any different then anyone elses. Do it yourself its a LOT cheaper. Just make sure you prep it really good and take your time. DO NOT RUSH. Leave yourself a lot more time then you think you'll need just incase. And use light coats. Runs are massive PITA. You might want to use a plastic prep spray but its not necessarily needed

[03knight]

@8UWITH6 ill be happy to take that GN off your hands, shoot ill even throw in cash for it.

i had a 87 GN about 2 yrs ago and i miss every moment of it

[8UWITH6]

@8UWITH6 ill be happy to take that GN off your hands, shoot ill even throw in cash for it.

i had a 87 GN about 2 yrs ago and i miss every moment of it

I enjoy every moment of mine, and have for 13 years. Sorry man, people that say "everything is for sale" just have never owned a well tuned Turbo Buick. :beer:

[sailsmen]

LOL Theres a reason why I always managed large dealership BS's , Owning youre own shop & making good profit is harder then people think many try & many fail. What some others said bring just the lamps & pic's of what you want done & you will most likely get a better answer. Most shop's are set up for production & Collosion repair minded hence the way most reacted.

When I started in business 30 years ago profit margins were 10% - 25%. For the past 10 years 3% - 15%. Most have no idea all the "things" a business is required to do and pay for just to be legal and no business ever is because there are over 300,000 Federal Laws.

Whenever I hear people complain about what a business charges I have the same answer - start one and make a fortune!

[Baaad GN]

Yep ya don't sell GN's! at least most of us don't, I havn't sold my 64 chevy SS eighter, maybe it's a sickness!

[8UWITH6]

Yep ya don't sell GN's! at least most of us don't, I havn't sold my 64 chevy SS eighter, maybe it's a sickness!

:burn:

Not a sickness....... :)

[montyd]

If you were closer I'd do it for you. I usually charge 50 a pair to smoke a pair. And thats with3 coats of urethane clear and wet sand and buff when im done. Sounds like you have it under control tho

[03knight]

http://i49.tinypic.com/hugg0k.jpg

how did i do??

[03knight]

http://i48.tinypic.com/25tysg9.jpg

[ajdereicup]

The pics tiney for me?

[ajdereicup]

There we go! Looks great! Just picked up half a pint of SB paint today for mine. Lets see how it goes on the taillights first

[03knight]

yeah the clear coat was a PITA cause i kept getting overspray some where

but i did get a little dust in the paint...whats the best way to get that out the paint?? i no wet sand but with what grit?

[montyd]

id use 1500 grit or finer. what did you end up painting them with?

[03knight]

factory UA black rattle cans...i forget the brand but it was recommended by a member on here

[burt ragio]

What part of the tail lights are you painting ?
What are the materials needed ?
1500 gritt sand paper for wet sanding.
Factory UA black
Urathane clear

[03knight]

- i did the s55 treatment its all over this website if you search it
-one spray can of paint and one of clear coat and a assortment of sand paper
and patience when you are masking off the taillights