Body/Paint shop in northern New England

[HalcyonDays]

Does anyone have a suggestion on a good body/paint shop in Northern New England? Closer to Maine the better. I am running into two year wait times on the shops I have contacted.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by HalcyonDays

Does anyone have a suggestion on a good body/paint shop in Northern New England? Closer to Maine the better. I am running into two year wait times on the shops I have contacted.

Since I am in that business however not a viable consideration since I am not in that geographical area, would it be fair to ask the question that -if there was a shop that IS available to take on his project now, why don't they have a 2-year backlog like other reputable shops?

[31Tudor]

Maybe it is a smaller business, maybe it is a hobbiest that does painting for others, maybe it is a painter that works for a company that does other side jobs, maybe someone "retired" that still takes on a couple of paint jobs a year, to name a few.

[ronn]

all depends on the job you want- top notch and wait time- Maaco and prob only a few months out.

[HalcyonDays]

All good points. I am looking for a miracle. I would ideally like to bring the body and parts off frame to have them media blasted and painted. I would then like to assemble myself. Not sure how realistic any of this is. I also would like top notch workmanship. A lot can happen in two years. I will have to see what happens. Thanks for the discussion.

[Rochesterguy]

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I rarely read the forums but my fellow A-400 owner; why have you not asked me for a suggestion on a body shop that would take your project on a lot faster than TWO years? I think I can help you out. You may have asked but l don’t remember. Call me��

[springerpete]

Be easier to help if we knew where in Maine you are. Try the Pine Tree A site. They are in southern Maine and must have some sources. Bill

[Russ B]

I’m from California, so no help finding a shop. But if you are wanting top quality, I would suggest a go slower approach to better asses any problems before paint and reassembly. If you can get it stripped first to find any sheet metal problems, then reassemble and fit everything as you correct discovered problems, then you won’t find fit problems after painting. In my multi year cabriolet rebuild, my painter would come by and give me advice on corrections I could make before painting to prevent future problems. I got the car fitted, wired, and running; and then spent more than a year in primer continuing to perfect the fit and mechanicals. You really want to have all fitting done before final disassembly and paint. Adjusting hinges, doors gaps, rubber bumpers, and body-frame spacers after paint is a recipe for problems.

[Steve_Mack_CT]

Halcyon days,

Following with interest as I have pretty much the same plan with my roadster. I might be naive, but thinking the right shop might welcome not having to trip over a chassis while taking on sheetmetal restoration? Would be interested if anyone has done that before?

We have had success with having a body shop paint a couple gas pumps, but our guy for that retired before I was ready to have him do the A...

Russ, assume you did adjustments then painted the body once mounted, maybe that is reason not to do this, or did you subsequently remove the body, paint and re-install? I see where that is a major consideration.

[Russ B]

Steve Mack:

"Russ, assume you did adjustments then painted the body once mounted, maybe that is reason not to do this, or did you subsequently remove the body, paint and re-install? I see where that is a major consideration.[/QUOTE]

I did all adjustments and then took it all apart carefully, then painted it in pieces, and finally putting it all back together. For the hood, rivets and all were painted separately and then reassembled. It takes a lot of extra time, and would be over restoration if I had been trying to do a points car. ...but mostly just my hours. The painter does high end show cars, and we worked through all the process beforehand, starting early in the build. He has painted 3 of my cars.

[Steve_Mack_CT]

Russ thanks and sounds like you found a great partnership. Still a ways off but starting to consider paint options and how much prework I might be doing.

[ronn]

Steve,

dont do it. The roadster wont be the same "fun" when you start worrying about your 15k paint job........


LOL

[Steve_Mack_CT]

Ronn,

I get it, and lovin this now, but eventually going to want that slick Ford Maroon which judges say was not available on a 30 standard but so nice to look at...

Honestly if the paint on mine was a bit better I might leave it but it's really dead paint. Perfect really for a patina type hot rod though!

[fundytides]

Originally Posted by Steve_Mack_CT

Ronn,

I get it, and lovin this now, but eventually going to want that slick Ford Maroon which judges say was not available on a 30 standard but so nice to look at...

Honestly if the paint on mine was a bit better I might leave it but it's really dead paint. Perfect really for a patina type hot rod though!

Just had my 31 Standard Roadster painted Ford Maroon last year. Love the color and it is very close to the color originally on the car which was Canadian built. It appears that some colors were offered on Canadian cars that were different from the US versions. Paint it the color you want and enjoy! Just my opinion.