Paint shop for cobra

[CobraFan460]

Hey folks,

I'm trying to find a shop to paint my cobra in our local area (Chandler/Phoenix) and I've searched posts as far back as 4 years and found the following suggestions made:

1. da Bat
2. Gordon
3. Autopro Collision
4. Hot Rods by Dean
5. Phoenix Collision and Custom Paint

I've talked with the first 2 and will check with the last 3 but was wondering if anyone has any current experience with these or other local shops or has any other suggestions.

Thanks,
Todd

[Danr55]

Scott Coaches Works
Brown Custom Auto

[moore_rb]

Paint it yourself....

[Karl Bebout]

"Paint it yourself.... "

Ask Superstition Bill about how well that goes....HA

RB, not everyone has your rattle can skills.

Danr, Browns don't paint. They farm the job out. (if you mean the "Browns" where Charlie works)

[moore_rb]

Originally Posted by Karl Bebout

"Paint it yourself.... "

Ask Superstition Bill about how well that goes....HA

RB, not everyone has your rattle can skills.

Danr, Browns don't paint. They farm the job out. (if you mean the "Browns" where Charlie works)

Superstition Bill's car has a perfectly fine paint job on it - It's just not finished yet. A lot of guys think that laying the paint down and letting it dry is the last step, when in reality, you are only about 70% done at that point....

My rattle can skillz got nuthin on my mojo with an HVLP gun...





HOWEVER- The secret to a smooth, deep, shiny looking paint job has nothing to do with spraying (at all), and has everything to do with a little bit of critical knowledge about materials compatibility (this is especially important with fiberglass cars) and how to properly sand a car (yes, there are very specific techniques to proper sanding)...

Sanding? oh yeah- A whole lot of sanding, masking, spraying, rubbing, buffing, sweating, cursing, and caffeine... Lots of caffeine...

But when it's done.... Hey, it's DONE, baby...:



Paint it yourself, Todd... The difference is about $1500, versus $6000, and that extra $4500 is nothing but paying someone else to spend their time sanding, masking, spraying, sanding, rubbing, buffing, sweating, and cursing...

You built your car. Why not take it all the way, and own 100% of the accomplishment?

HOWEVER, don't paint it black.... Only an IDIOT would attempt to put an OEM quality black paintjob on his own car, in his garage....

Now, all of that being said- The best way to get your car painted by someone else (IMHO) is to hang around the paint shops you mentioned above around quitting time, and ask the guys if any of them are interested in a side-job. Most of the paint and body guys I know like taking side-jobs for cash, and they will do the same job, for a lot less than the $80-$100 per hour that the shop is going to charge you.

You can also add these guys to your list (if you insist on going the more expensive route):

AZ Street Custom | Body Shop | Phoenix

All of this is JMHO(s)...

[nniets]

Robert is right on all counts. I'd add that a solid color paint is far easier to fix if you get a run or a wrinkle. But it's a lot of work. A possible option would be to do a lot of the prep yourself, then let a moonlighting pro finish the detailed prep and blow on the paint. Or, Robert knows where to get rattle cans in case lots at a discount...

Tell BK that you need a big raise or a bonus, and soon.

[Danr55]

So it goes in looking like an unpainted cobra and comes out looking like a corvette?

[ChiChris]

Gordon built my FFR a few years ago and did a sub-standard job.
He was 2 months late on the delivery and the (solid red) paint had orange pee all over it.

[mikiec]

I have seen many home painted cobras. They come in all kinds of types. Good ones bad ones.. More bad ones than good ones.

When it came to my car It was easier and faster to gave it painted by a pro. Cost more sure, but what everyone sees is your paint.

I had Gordon do my car, never regretted having it done by someone who knows what they are doing. 16 years later still looks good.

Use someone that is familiar with fiber glass.


Da Bat gives you a great job. Include shipping the body to him with jobs done locally.

I am familiar with Da Bat and Gordon. Either will give you a top quality job. Another to consider, is StreetRod painter.

my 2 cents.

Mikiec

[moore_rb]

Originally Posted by Danr55

So it goes in looking like an unpainted cobra and comes out looking like a corvette?

Haha no... But you can send it to Jeff Classic's shop, and have the exact opposite take place... (Corvette in, Cobra out )

and, to be 100% fair - painting a car SUCKS- especially a fiberglass one. Actually, the sanding sucks, the painting is the 4 hours of fun that takes place right in the middle of the 300 hour suck-fest - the rest totally blows.....

The more I think about how bad it sucks, the more I think you should ignore everything I posted above, and just pay someone the $6500, hahahah


Ron makes an excellent point about solid versus metallic. Metallics require much more mastery with the gun, because runs don't just sand out with a metallic color the way they do with solids.

[Danr55]

I realize that Brown Custom does not do paint on site. They do however, work with a shop in Mesa that does some of the best work I've seen. I got the card at the last party at Brown but unfortunately cannot find where I put it. Talk to Charlie. He'll tell you where to go..... Ha Ha Ha...

[CobraFan460]

You guys are great! Thanks for all of the advice.

Robert - I was thinking about painting it myself but I do want metallic so I guess I better stick with a pro and pay the money. But your pics are convincing if I were to go solid.

I will get back to you guys in a few weeks to let you know what I find out.

Thanks again!
Todd

[mto]

Haven't had any experience with this shop, but his paint jobs on cars at car shows I've attended in Phoenix are awesome. Lucky Luciano Custom Paint
Take a look.

[CobraFan460]

mto - added to my list, thank you!

[Fitz]

Had two cars painted at Gordon's. Haven't been disappointed. He is touching up where my hardtop sat on car for a year. I made a mark taking it off.

[Gofastoldguy]

Ditto on Street Rod Painter, Ken Pike and ditto on Lucky Luciano's
Ken is my first choice