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Any auto body guys here?

Discussion in 'General' started by JBraun, Dec 23, 2024.

  1. JBraun

    JBraun Well-Known Member

    Contemplating a paint job for my Land Cruiser. The body is straight and clean, but I want it to be a different color so the door jambs will need to be refinished also.

    Anyone know what I can expect to pay?

    *1996 FJ80
     
  2. Jedb

    Jedb Professional Novice :-)

    @JBraun are you still in San Diego?
    If so, figure out where to go in Tijuana. They do awesome re-upholstery and paint and much better cost.

    Alternatively, check out: https://holygrailgarage.com/
    I went to elementary, jr. high and high-school with Brendan. Does amazing work and could steer you to the right painter.
     
  3. JBraun

    JBraun Well-Known Member

    Yep still in OB. TJ is probably the move. Not sure why I didn't think of that. Need the back seats reupholstered too.
     
    Boman Forklift likes this.
  4. skidooboy

    skidooboy supermotojunkie

    No disrespect meant but, everyone thinks their autos are clean, and straight and just needs "scuffed and shot", that is rarely the case, and I mean RARELY. Everyone also remembers Earl Scheib and Maaco pricing... This is faaaaar from those days. A decent paint job with no real body work, dings, chips, rust repair, will start at 10,000, and only go up. Wanting a color change, it will be more, expect to lose the vehicle for a year or more. Also, more on the color change... If you choose a high solids, or tri-stage finish (pearl look), it will be even more. Production collision shops, dont have the time, or the want, to take on complete paint jobs anymore. You may be better off, refinishing the "high wear areas" in the same color, and having the vehicle paint corrected, detailed, and possibly ceramic coated, to restore "showroom shine". Or find a buddy, that does it on the side, and at home, instead of a shop, that does good work. Where is @Cortez, when you need him? 30 years in the collision repair industry. I do wish you luck, in restoring your FJ. Ski
     
    HookieRooker and Cooter! like this.
  5. WillMill

    WillMill CRA MN #633

    +1
    I spent 20 years working in body shops, I 100% agree with everything here. Its a Land Cruiser, embrace the patina. If you want a nice shiny one, it will be way cheaper to buy one in the condition that you want.
     
    cincigp, Jed and skidooboy like this.
  6. Cooter!

    Cooter! Sarcasm level: Maximum

    and you'll probably stop driving it because you just paid $15k-25K for a very basic restoration and waited a year (or 5) for it to be finished (if it ever does). In the auto industry we call it a pain job.

    Do it yourself :beer: or leave it alone.
     
    skidooboy and The Todd like this.
  7. Boman Forklift

    Boman Forklift Well-Known Member

    My wife’s cousins husband runs an auto body shop in Vista. He’s a good guy and I can reach out to him to see what he says if you like?

    This past weekend at the San Clemente cars and coffee a guy showed up with a wrapped Porsche that was incredible. They did the jambs, wings etc. Didn’t do inside engine compartment or underside of hood, but the best wrap I’ve ever seen. Then he ceramic coats over it.

    He said that job would be 4500. I got his card if you have any interest in that. I think it is guaranteed for around 5 years
     
    JBraun likes this.
  8. WillMill

    WillMill CRA MN #633

    I work in a large industrial building with a few different businesses in it. One of my neighbors is a business that does wraps. It’s pretty incredible how nice the new vinyl has gotten. If I wasn’t a body guy, I probably wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between a wrap and paint.
     
    Boman Forklift likes this.
  9. JBraun

    JBraun Well-Known Member

    Thanks Rob! I'm going to head to TJ after the holidays and visit a few shops. If I'm not feeling good about it I'll get in touch with you. I don't want to be a time waster.

    My only complaints are that I don't love the color, and also that the hood and front quarters were painted before I got it, and it's not a panel match. No one has ever said anything to me about it, but when I look at it in the sun, it's all I see. I thought about the wrap option, but it's a Land Cruiser that does Land Cruiser things. I can buff scratches out of paint.
     
    Boman Forklift likes this.
  10. tony 340

    tony 340 Well-Known Member

    Find a pro wrap guy
     
  11. dtalbott

    dtalbott Driving somewhere, hauling something.

    You mean you actually drive it off-road?
     
    Boman Forklift likes this.
  12. Boman Forklift

    Boman Forklift Well-Known Member

    Fill us in after your TJ visit. I haven't been down to Mexico in probably 20 years. Interesting to hear what the price would be down there. When I first moved out here at the end of 89, I heard they do great work down there.

    Just yesterday a couple of my Hispanic employees were talking about how they or their friends get their medical work and dental work done down there. I guess I'm to chicken, because cheap doctors scare me a bit.
     
  13. CBRRRRR999

    CBRRRRR999 Well-Known Member

  14. JBraun

    JBraun Well-Known Member

    Crazy concept innit?
     
    dtalbott likes this.
  15. ChemGuy

    ChemGuy Harden The F%@# Up!

    I messaged a buddy who lives in TJ to see if he knows anyone. Ill let you know what i hear.
     
    JBraun and Boman Forklift like this.
  16. nigel smith

    nigel smith Well-Known Member

    I just buy a gallon of gloss rustoleum in the appropriate color, splash a little hardener in it, and spray in the back yard. The results are fine for a driver, and saving $9900 is a decent bonus. It's a land cruiser. Olive drab is the answer.
     
    CBRRRRR999 and dtalbott like this.
  17. Boman Forklift

    Boman Forklift Well-Known Member

    That probably looks pretty cool on one of those.
     
    CBRRRRR999 and dtalbott like this.
  18. JBraun

    JBraun Well-Known Member

    I had stem cell injections in my lumbar discs in TJ. No complaints, although the third world vibe is a bit unsettling at first. The care was top notch though.
     
    CBRRRRR999 and Boman Forklift like this.
  19. dtalbott

    dtalbott Driving somewhere, hauling something.

    Yeah.

    Why would you even consider a high dollar paint job?
     
  20. tony 340

    tony 340 Well-Known Member

    My brother in law flew to Turkey for a half priced hair transplant

    Now his is a chia pet.

    I buzz my shit like a man, but I'm also not doing much in sales so I kinda get it if you're doing sales .
     
    CBRRRRR999 likes this.

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