What to ask and look for when searching for a paint shop?

[vindiCAtor]

Getting the kit painted and just needed some pointers cause there are a lot of shops out there. I am of course bringing the kit with me for estimates when I go but what questions do I need to ask them?

My buddy said to also try to speak to the shop's painter directly to see if he would do it on his own time so I can save some money and he can make some more, so when I'm going in for estimates should I always be asking to speak to the painter?

[Acct4me]

One suggestion that usually will work if you're looking for the higher quality shops - go to the Audi/Porshe/BMW dealership(s) and find the one sales guy who really knows the cars (this may be difficult, but there's usually one) and ask him where they get any transport damage fixed. Chances are if they use the same shop over and over to make their $100k cars like nothing ever happened, that it's about the best one available. You can also try dropping that salesman's name when you go to the shop for a better price. The Porshe dealership here will supposedly only use one place...

[vindiCAtor]

^^^^
Ah, very nice tip. Thanks man, I'm going to stop by their dealership later, but yeah like you said the hard part is finding the salesman that really knows the cars.

[GT-S Caliente]

My pointer is to always see the work of the shop, and not just their "show car." Look for things like orange peel, and paint continuing over the edge and under all panels not just the side that is seen. Also make sure the paint is free defects that would be the cause of poor prep work.

[Acct4me]

Also, make sure the shop mixes their own paint on site. If they do, they will have the ability adjust the tint between coats for a better color match, if necessary. If they're ordering in the paint pre-mixed, they may not have that option.

[Jesse IL]

You can ask what kind of paint they use. Most shops offer multiple levels of paint. If you're doing a partial paint and just matching a kit to the factory paint, the cheapest they have will do.

Beyond that, all the quality is in the prep and how the paint is sprayed. The suggestion above is good, but most high end car dealerships will use multiple shops depending on the nature of the work. You don't want the shop they would use for full paintjobs and very high end work. You would want the shop they use for partial paints and minor damage. Shops like that will be better for taking on a kit paint and install. Many shops that do very high end jobs aren't interested in doing low dollar kit paint and installs.

[Curt705]

vindiCAtor...I'll rent a bigger compressor and paint your kit for ya ;)

[vindiCAtor]

vindiCAtor...I'll rent a bigger compressor and paint your kit for ya ;)
Ah I dunno man, no offense but I would just feel better if it were done professionally, spectra blue is a very hard match to come by too.

Wow, appreciate all the other tips, helps me out a lot.
Before I take the kit in for estimates, should I unfold the lip?
It's still in the box folded in half (poly-urethane) and was curious if this needs to come out as soon as possible or is it okay that it keeps sitting in there folded up?

Does it have to sit in the sun to form or can it just sit inside my house for a while?

[Curt705]

Ah I dunno man, no offense but I would just feel better if it were done professionally, spectra blue is a very hard match to come by too.

No offense taken..its ur kit. But I am very good with body work..

[vindiCAtor]

Wow, appreciate all the other tips, helps me out a lot.
Before I take the kit in for estimates, should I unfold the lip?
It's still in the box folded in half (poly-urethane) and was curious if this needs to come out as soon as possible or is it okay that it keeps sitting in there folded up?

Does it have to sit in the sun to form or can it just sit inside my house for a while?
Does anyone know whats best?

[SickCelica696]

Unfold it definitly, sun is good, or some light weights

[BHam00GT-S]

best idea is to see in person a bunch of their work. If the cars aren't available, ask for a portfolio at least. Still best to see the work in person first

[sbocaj55]

Before I take the kit in for estimates, should I unfold the lip?
It's still in the box folded in half (poly-urethane) and was curious if this needs to come out as soon as possible or is it okay that it keeps sitting in there folded up?

Does it have to sit in the sun to form or can it just sit inside my house for a while?


I got a polyurethane vizage kit which came folded. I would unfold it and set it in the sun or something. I think I used old shoe strings or something to tie around the fold and the fold came right out in a couple days.

When looking for a shop, it's VERY important to make sure that they have had experience painting polyurethane before, and have done it successfully. You have to use heat and certain product...(I forget what the stuff is exactly) that brings the oils in the urethane up to the surface and removes them. If you don't do that, the primer can't bond (as well) to the urethane, so your paint will peel sooner or later. It's not that hard to do...but could cause a lot of trouble if it is overlooked. You might be charged a little extra because of the extra prep time.

I'd imagine some older shops that don't keep too up to date about stuff wouldn't know this about urethane, and might paint them the same way they paint other cars.

[vindiCAtor]

Ah thanks a lot guys, really.

Haha, yea I know you got a complete polyurethane Vizage kit for free, sbocaj55. But then paid $200 or something like that just to be fair to JP. Freakin' nuts, I remember your story.

[vindiCAtor]

Alright, well its come down to 4 shops.
One is where the Toyota and Lexus dealers take the vehicles that have been damaged during shipping, that is actually the Dodge dealership, they have a body shop.
Two others are body repair specialists and probably the two best in Lincoln.
And I was considering taking it to the Honda dealership here because I know they have a body shop as well.

I think I'm going to go to all 4 places and ask them about the process they go through and of course a price.