1970-something 240 z

[showcar]

This thing is a pile. Every panel has dents and dings and a lot of them are on bodylines where you have to sand both planes(2 dents in one). I counted 40 alltogether.

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[Len]

The last 240 I worked on was a real rust bucket so some dents would be a step up from that. :)

[another2centsworth]

It's kinda cute.
What did you quote him?

[Serge]

Like the one len did, the ones that lived up north are just rust buckets....These cars just disintegrated in the road salt...that one is a cherry...:D

[showcar]

It's kinda cute.
What did you quote him?

$850 like a dummy. I'm supposed to prime some pieces to but he seemed to throw some into the trunk I wasn't aware of. I was going to paint his engine bay but for all the dents and extra crap screw that. I'll just tell him that's something he can do. I'm sure that's a much better option than painting on dents with a smooth engine bay. I'm kind of dissapointed in that I had to take this crappy job

[showcar]

I just learned a very valuable lesson...don't deal with kids. This guy's car had like 6 hidden dents behind the door mouldings(which I couldn't see when doing initial inspection) and they're on both sides of the bodylines. It even had like 6-10 dents on the panel in front of the windshield. It also had an edge that needed welding or it would have cracked later. So in my mind I'm thinking this kid wants a really good job so I do all the extra work. I then show him the pics and say I'd like to not prime the engine bay cause of all the extra work and now he's saying he's only gonna pay $650. I then told him to just come get his car and give me another $300 (already gave me $150 deposit)for all the work done to this point... which is all 40+ dents and priming all his flares, spoiler, and mirrors. He's now saying he wants the deposit back or the materials. I told him he could have a half gallon of primer and that's it!

I mean seriouisly, this guy thinks that $300 is enough for mudding up a whole car. I know it's my fault but some people you just can't work with. If he came and gave me $300 than that makes it $450, which is a steal if you asked me.

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[showcar]

Ok, so the kid got his marbles together and said it was ok to not do the engine bay so I went ahead and primed. Learned a lot this time and even got a slap in the head again on grit scratches.

This was an incredible car to deal with. They sanded a lot of it by hand so there was tons of junk everywhere.

First I learned that bulldog must be sprayed very lightly and it will run in pockets so you gotta be light when gravity is gonna make it gather in a pocket. Also learned that little filter under the cup is a job KILLER. Out of nowhere my gun just got clogged. At first I thought I was having a problem with deep scratches but it was the clogged gun. Cleaned it good than figured it was the filter cause when I'd lightly bang on it upside down the particles would make their way to the cup. Soon as I got that dealt with the gun was laying it down wet as can be. That tiny filter might have made the front clip look like crap. I'll see when I block it.

Also learned that when you do mud onto old panels that are painted with old paint it's best to run a da on them to get them flat or keep the block on the mud cause a block wants to dig especially deep into old paint. Only feather it into the paint when it's near flat. One of the most important thing I learned besides the scratch thing is swallowing my pride. This car was in NO way a car to be perfectly straight and primed and blocked for $850. It was upsetting to see as I was priming but then again I gotta remember this guy is getting a bang for his buck and it's this mind set that got me good to begin with. Just gotta learn to work it more and be ok with myself for letting things go. The fact that this thing had about 40 dents, not feathered well and random deep scratches everywhere, it was a task and I shouldn't be so hard on myself. However, it was a reminder that even though I'm learning how to do things I need to realize in production I need to put my pride to the side and bang them out. Weird cause I never had that problem but when I see an old school I think of plaque and getting my name out there. As I learn more I'll also learn how to separate production from resto bodywork/metalwork. I know now but it's just hard to not wanna do your best.

Last but not least...bodylines. My bodywork is becoming journey level with the exception of my bodylines. I guess I never really focused on them til this car came. I tried them two ways just to see. I did them the way I've been doing them. Just running one side flat and then hit the other plane and sand flat across. It's really fast but the results weren't that good. On the other ones I got a good technique going. I tried the tape and sand up to the tape but didn't like that cause the tape would move so I put the tape on one side and guide coated. I didn't have to guide both sides cause all I needed was that line and my hand for the other side. Soon as the guide was gone I'd reuse that same piece of tape and spray and remove and sand again. It worked AWESOME! The lines are almost perfect and well defined. I'm sure when the lines are blocked they will be for sure.

Overall, pretty bummed it's not gonna turn out perfect but learned some good things. I think I was on more of a roll with the Ranchero I'm doing but that paid a lot better and I was able to focus on the small things more. Not to mention nobody else touched it so I wasn't dealing with someone elses stripping.



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[showcar]

Like the one len did, the ones that lived up north are just rust buckets....These cars just disintegrated in the road salt...that one is a cherry...:D


I don't know how you non Californians do it! I've seen non Cali cars that'd just knock me over with intimidation. I guess I should consider it as lucky to not have to see cars like that. yeah, I guess it is pretty cherry for a pile.

[88GT]

I wouldnt touch a full paint for what your charging. Not even if it was a scuff and shoot. Id lose my ass

[showcar]

Yeah but I gotta really nice house that needs to get paid for and there's no work out here. Learning lots and getting it done fast. I'm also learning how to evaluate stuff better with each job so naturally my next job will be more accurate in terms of cost. I got a lot of people requesting work and I'm surviving, learning, and actually enjoy working part time and doing sidework the rest of the time.

I think for only working three years and being a hybrid I'm doing a damn good job. I'm more concerned with being the best I can be at this point. I'll ask for the big bucks when I pay my dues and get more experience.

[another2centsworth]

Quote (Showcar)
First I learned that bulldog must be sprayed very lightly and it will run in pockets so you gotta be light when gravity is gonna make it gather in a pocket. Also learned that little filter under the cup is a job KILLER. Out of nowhere my gun just got clogged. At first I thought I was having a problem with deep scratches but it was the clogged gun. Cleaned it good than figured it was the filter cause when I'd lightly bang on it upside down the particles would make their way to the cup. Soon as I got that dealt with the gun was laying it down wet as can be. That tiny filter might have made the front clip look like crap. I'll see when I block it. (end Quote)

Yeah Bulldog is thin be careful as you know now. I throwed away my gun filter for primer a long time ago. Just strain it. That car is a perfect candidate for 3 wet coats of Slick Sand.....block.....3 more wet coats Slick Sand.....Block.....you would be amazed. Work the worst of it out by feel first.
Hope this message encourages you more than anything else. And always remember..... If you don't like Christians... Next time you need help call a crackhead hippie. See Ya Showcar.

[showcar]

two apps of slicksand would be definitely do it! I felt it today and I think it's gonna turn out pretty good. I'm more happy to know there won't be any surprises and I knew ahead of time where it'd be imperfect. I just didn't wanna fix every dent. I think they'll barely be detectable when it's said and done and the rest of the car will be near perfect. I'm more concerned about this guy taking a while before he wants me to block it. He's coming to get it and will bring it back for blocking. I'll be sure he washes it good. I was almost tempted to put in less hardener due to the fact that he might drive for a month before blocking but thought otherwise. Thanks for the tips. Btw, I actually used featherfill cause they didn't have slick sand and I thought it wouldn't spray out of my 1.8, but now I'm thinking otherwise if I take that stupid cup filter out.

[another2centsworth]

two apps of slicksand would be definitely do it! I felt it today and I think it's gonna turn out pretty good. I'm more happy to know there won't be any surprises and I knew ahead of time where it'd be imperfect. I just didn't wanna fix every dent. I think they'll barely be detectable when it's said and done and the rest of the car will be near perfect. I'm more concerned about this guy taking a while before he wants me to block it. He's coming to get it and will bring it back for blocking. I'll be sure he washes it good. I was almost tempted to put in less hardener due to the fact that he might drive for a month before blocking but thought otherwise. Thanks for the tips. Btw, I actually used featherfill cause they didn't have slick sand and I thought it wouldn't spray out of my 1.8, but now I'm thinking otherwise if I take that stupid cup filter out.

Throw away that gun filter and use a funnel strainer. I know.
Thin either 5-10% for 1.8..... (2.2 builds better though.)
slick sand is almost identical (label-wise)to feather-fill.

Just to give the guy something to think about and look forward to shoot his fender or hood nice and slick with something you have laying around. This can give you leverage on the price for color and it might speed him up in anticipation to have it topcoated. Or make him mad.:nono: ...you decide.:scratchch

[showcar]

I'll just scare him by letting him know what can happen. I think I'm gonna get another tip for my gun but my compressor barely hangs right now. It's on at all times and if I don't give it a break water will come out of the screw in filter. I imagine with a 2.2 it will have to work harder, but not sure.

My eyes would just light up to see that stuff come out of 2.2. Probably more peely but that's ok for prime.

[showcar]

this guy now claims he's gonna sue me.:D He's the biggest ignorant idiot I've ever done a job for. When I looked at the car it had mouldings and when he dropped it off they weren't there and I guess he just expected me to weld them shut for him without even discussing it. Btw, I fixed about 6 dents that were from the mouldings that I didn't see on the estimate. Fixed about 20 extra dents for free and even welded his cracked hood. When I gave him the car I showed him 2-3 very small dings that I ignored cause I knew the prime would get them after blocking. He didn't say a word other than looking upset that I didn't read his mind on welding his moulding holes. So then he emails me today and said he had it in the sun and can see 6-10 dings(lying). I asked him how he somehow didn't know they were there when Inspected the car but now he sees them? I also said I showed him all the tiny dings and that they'd be blocked out and be gone when it's said and done. He could barely speak english so he then threatens to take me to court. I said fine. He later recanted his words and said, "ok, I bwing my cawr back to u so u block". I told him I was sick of dealing with him. He then said, "I'll show you".

I try and I fricken try to be fair to everybody but some people are just idiots. I handled it well.

[All Dry]

When you deal with cheap people thats the kind of things you run into,If you are going to continue to do that I would advise you to put into writing what you are going to do and if the person is a certified cheap-o make sure you explain in writing that for undiscovered damage there will be additional charges when it is encountered.Also add verbage such as some dings/damage may still be present upon completion,of course you will word this according to how much the customer wants to spend. Dont give people the impression they are going to get a champagne job on a malt liquor budget be very clear up front.Mike

[showcar]

Thanks. I'll do that. Gotta watch my self. I told him that priming would only leave it with a showcar straightness but not guaranteed showcar on every square inch unless he pays for it and the metal work. I never said it'd be a showcar. It was a pile of shit but next time I'll protect myself in writing.

I'm also thinking he maybe staged the incident cause he was to cheap to pay me the remainder of $280 after blocking it so he probably had someone do it for cheaper. I thought if he did that than he's gonna get his kharma cause I don't think it's gonna get blocked as good as I can block it.

What a fool.