Paint Shop in S.E.Michigan for Cobra

mark peterson · #1 (**permalink**) 02-05-2003, 08:51 AM

Hi: I am located in the Troy (SE Michigan) area. I have a Lonestar Cobra that is primed and ready for finish paint. Does anyone know of or have used a good painter/paint shop/collision shop that they could recommend. Thanks, Mark

Bill Wells · #2 (**permalink**) 02-05-2003, 09:24 AM

YES ! T&W Auto Body, Waterford, Tom Shipley, owner. he has done work on all of my toy cars, in fact i just pulled my 57 Bird out of there this week and last year he did some work on my SPF ...he does great work, including many Meadowbrook award winners (English cars his specialty). he can do a complete car, 100% resto or small bump and run insurance work. Workmanship is superb, higher end of the price spectrum. Located west of Telegraph off Dixie on Williams Lake Road. phone : 248-673-3677.

when i was there this week he had a 64 Jag E , 68 Mustang, 55 Bird, my 57 bird, 64 Vette, 60s ? MG-A, 49 MG-TC and a few others all in various resto/rebuild/paint status...he has done many Mustangs and Shelby stangs as well...good variety , good experience.

Others to consider : in Keego Harbor, on south side of Orchard Lake Rd west of Telegraph , there are two: Taylor Collision (older place next to Rocket Eddies) and Custom Collision ( new bldg, but experienced painters).

Prices between the 3 vary considerably. I have friends who have used the 2 in Keego and they were satisfied. Remember, you get what you pay for ! and paint is a high visibility item !!

Better hurry up, the driving season is only 90 days away and the Dream Cruise not too far behind that...good luck. bill.

mark peterson · #3 (**permalink**) 02-05-2003, 11:18 AM

thanks, bill- very helpful response. I will contact them.

Todd Baumann · #4 (**permalink**) 02-05-2003, 03:56 PM

Ultimate Auto in Owosso, Lonnie is the owner, since he painted mine last year he has done 6 or 7 more. Very good and very knowledgeable he used to run one of the local dealerships paint shop before going out on his own. I have his number at work so I will post it tomorrow for you.
Todd

Rob of Hamburg · #5 (**permalink**) 02-05-2003, 10:46 PM

SkillTech in Howell. They do a lot of car show work, Had mine painted there after my car was backed into. Beautiful job, good price.
Eric is the operations manager
Office: 517- 552- 3493
Cell: 810- 599- 9306
Fax: 517- 552- 3460

mark peterson · #6 (**permalink**) 02-10-2003, 02:53 PM

Thanks for the tip on Skill Tech rob. I had these guys come out and look at my car and they seem real professional. Let see how the quote looks.....I may get sticker shock, but you get what you pay for.

Rob of Hamburg · #7 (**permalink**) 02-10-2003, 09:40 PM

Mark,
If the weather was nicer I would drive over and let You see the excellent job they did. If you are in my area stop and take a look.
I am between Brighton and Ann Arbor about 5 miles west of US 23 off M36.
Rob

TAB · #8 (**permalink**) 02-11-2003, 04:40 AM

Mark,
Sorry for the delay but I kept forgetting the number at work, Lonnie's # is 989.729.2886 I talked to him the other day and he says that he has one or is just finishing one that you may be able to check out also if you get there soon enough.

mark peterson · #9 (**permalink**) 02-11-2003, 09:26 AM

thanks, Todd I will give him a call. How did you get your car up there? How much if you used a rental trailer.

Bill Wells · #10 (**permalink**) 02-11-2003, 09:46 AM

you can rent a U-Haul open trailer in Troy at 15 mile road just east of the auto mall (ne corner of crooks maybe ?) , as well as other locations. requires a class III hitch and elec connections and tow vehicle that meets there specs for towing of car and trailer. there trailers are steel and heavy with surge brakes , just over 2000 pounds as i recall, so total tow vehicle tow capacity req'd is 4500-5000 pounds per their reqts as i recall. about $60 / day i believe. they will ask what you are towing and tell them a 65 a/cobra or their computer will not recognize the car ( they will generate a mustang cobra weight instead,much heavier) . their computer matches the tow vehicle and car and then says yes or no per their guidelienes. a thought for ya. other places rent trailers too and are not as restrictive . b

Todd Baumann · #11 (**permalink**) 02-11-2003, 03:02 PM

Mark,
I actually used a friends trailer to get it up there took it up on the body buck and once it was done I used Lonnie's trailer and brought the chasis up and mounted it to take it home. I don't know if he would be willing to do that again, the whole liability thing. Could always ask though.
Todd

mark peterson · #12 (**permalink**) 07-23-2003, 08:55 AM

Got the cobra back from paint today and would highly recommend Skilltech Automotive in Howell, or Brighton Michigan to anyone. As long as Todd is the shop foreman you will get a concourse type paint job and attention to detail that is amazing.. See pics attached. THis is a Lonestar with Dupont VIper Blue and Ultra White stripes.mark peterson

mark peterson · #13 (**permalink**) 07-23-2003, 08:58 AM

Got the cobra back from paint today and would highly recommend Skilltech Automotive in Howell, or Brighton Michigan to anyone. As long as Todd is the shop foreman you will get a concourse type paint job and attention to detail that is amazing.. See pics attached. THis is a Lonestar with Dupont VIper Blue and Ultra White stripes. It wont be the least expensive paint job around, but they ensure all gaps are even and not a spec of dust or orange peel.

mark peterson