talking spi

I guess it depends on what shine means by restoration. If people come in asking for that, after a bit of conversation we find out they usually have no idea what a true restoration is. I tell them if they want us to help them come up with a vision of what they want their car to look like and then execute it, we can help. But if they want the right chalk marks, hanging tags, and correct hose clamps, we don't do that. Maybe I am being too picky with the word, but even most of what I see here on the forum should be more correctly termed "restomod" since all aspects of the repair are being performed with updated tech that is often not factory appearing, like bedliner on the bottoms.

The problem with sweeping generalizations is that there are always exceptions to the rule, and this forum has as members many exceptional people. So as far as SPI forum members go, I don't know if it is a fair statement to say that good collision and good resto can't be achieved in the same facility...
 
the reason i say that is a collision shop is set up to run production. it usually does not end well when they take a restoration or custom job. they take up too much room torn down, take too much time etc . just like bringing me a new car to fix, you just screwed up ! i have good friends who own collision shops and for the most part will not even talk about a custom job.
it is not meant as disrespect for either type shop. i would be totally useless in a collision shop. i stopped doing collision in 75 i think . to me they are too separate worlds and rarely mix well. i do know the ones i'm familiar with loose money every time they take a custom job because of time lost on the money makers and the room they take up .

believe me , you dont want this ole fat farmer fixin you nissan .
 
kind of like my old shop that was by a maaco... they turned down a two tone on an easy 3pc bike set. they said. its too small for them to make money... LMAO. I charged the guy 1500 for a two tone. i made good money. im sure they would have too if they knew how to do it.
 
Pricing is always a problem for shops trying to do what they are not used to. Try to write an estimate for a restoration/custom job using the software for collision repair. You will lose your shirt! A collision shop that I used to work in used to take in HD tanks and fenders for painting for a local Bike shop. The bike shop loved bringing them to us because we did them so cheaply. Since the bike shop wasa charging their customers reasonable charges for that type of work, they were making more money on those jobs as "middlemen" than our shop was making for actually doing the work.

In our area a collision shop will normally get about $4000-$5000 for a complete repaint, including repairing all dents and removing and reinstalling the trim. A custom/restoration shop would not touch it for that.

Aaron
 
My point was that it isn't that we can't do a good job on a collision in the shop. it just takes longer for me to do one than it use to take. Things are just set up different now.

I think a restoration shop can take on a collision job better than a collision shop can take on a restoration..
At least with the collision job you can get it in and get it done.
 
You mean there are other web sites out there? I only come to the SPI forums. lol But I did learn about SPI on the Chevelles forum.
 
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