Paint shop in Vancouver BC

[CptMorgan]

Can anyone recommend a paint shop in Vancouver BC with experience painting a roadster with stripes?
Thx. -Morgan

[FF33rod]

Hi Morgan
You're not going to find any shops that are really familiar with FFR cars and the nuances that go along with it. As such, you can find a couple of shops that are going to do a good job but it costs big $$$. First I guess you should clarify if you're actually looking for someone to do just paint or the initial body work as well (I assume the latter).

BTW, when I was trying to figure out who to do my '33 I was chatting with "AC Bill" on Vancouver Island and he knows someone on the island that did his years ago at a reasonable price. Might be something to look into...

Steve

[CptMorgan]

Hi Steve, I'm plugging away at the rough bodywork now. I think I'll be able to get it fairly close to ready for primer. I'm looking for a shop to do just the final prep and good-quality paint.

There seems to be a real lack of paint shops in Vancouver that paint "collector" cars for a reasonable cost. The medium-high quality shops appear to be only interested in ICBC jobs. I guess Richmond has no shortage of scratched-up supercars to keep everyone busy.

There are several FFR cars running around Vancouver. I hoped to find someone with some experience in painting an FFR roadster, especially with paint stripes.

-Morgan

[FF33rod]

Hi Morgan - Collector and "reasonable cost" can't be used in the same sentence. Actually, Vancouver and reasonable cost don't go together either (as you know). The shop rates are stupid high due to the overheads of course. Very high reviews on Wicked Customs (they did my '33, Langley, they are also affiliated with the SoCal Speed shop), Jellybean AutoCrafters, mixed reviews on 360 Fabrication in Abbotsoford. Whether or not any of these guys will take on something they haven't prepped will be a crap shoot. You'll have much better luck with more reasonable rates outside of Vancouver. Valley Rods and Custom in Princeton is good and there are shops over on the island... Let me know if you want an intro to Wicked and I could dig up a name or two on the island if you wanted. Either way, post which way you decide to go...

Steve

[CptMorgan]

Hi Steve, I'm going to call Wicked Customs in Langley. I hadn't heard of them, but it looks like they do nice work and good reviews. Thanks for the advice.

[FFRWRX]

Keep in mind that most high-end body shops don't/won't paint over someone's else's bodywork. If there is an issue later (paint cracking or peeling) you get the blame, not them. Maybe find a paint place before doing more bodywork. You may get charged for them undoing what you spent time doing.

[AC Bill]

Before I took my roaster to a shop, the only prep work I had done to it, was knock down the mold parting lines so they were somewhat smoother. I also used a small brush and some degreaser to clean them as best as possible, before rattle canning some alkyd paint over them hoping to seal them from moisture and to look a little better while I drove it in gel coat for a few years. I also did a bit of sanding to make the hood and trunk fit better. I left all the final fitting for the bodyshop. The doors are usually the biggest challenge.

I told the shop I was not in a big panic, which was really good for him, as he could set it aside when he got busy with other jobs that he had to turn out quickly. It took about four months for him to finish it. he did an amazing job, and was very reasonably priced. Other so called custom car shops I took it to were twice and three times more $$. In fairness the fellow who did it for me, worked out of a well equipped shop on his own property, so his overhead cost would have been lower.
One shop refused to give me a final price quote, as he said during the estimate I went in for, that he didn't know what he may encounter while doing the work. That made me a bit nervous..lol