Thread: Pro Custom Painters? New Trends?

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(QUOTE) If I didn't know how to do it myself, I'd have a hard time justifying that kind of money to my family to alot to a hobby.


I know what you mean. That's how I got into this biz, was to save myself money.

When I have a customer apologize, that an estimate is more than they can afford, I often tell them that I understand. I am more affordable than some painters, and I still can't afford me! Biggest problem is that it is so labor intensive to do it right.

As far as special paints, I don't mention them unless customers request one. I feel that most of them have a negative side, and if the customer spends $4,000 on materials, I don't usually get to do much with artwork or graphics, and that is what keeps me interested in putting 100-200 hours into a job. I'd rather get a real job......it would certainly be a lot easier!!!

Have you noticed that base colors seem to trend with the seasons? I did reds all fall and winter, now I've had 4 blacks in a row. Although a guy did talk to me yesterday about doing his Freightliner and using Chevy hugger orange as a base to a giant starburst (as in the whole cab progressionally rearward). If I do this one I'll be blinded for sure.

A LOT of cars we do in the shop are red as well. I can't stand red to tell you the truth. Every 55 and 57 Belair we do is red and white, every Vette we do is red, every SINGLE MUSTANG we do is RED!!! Man I hate it but oh well that's what the customer likes. They are still cool hot rods and cars (besides the same boring Mustangs) but the color. We have a 57 4 door that we painted this weird lightish kind of (reminds me of a old classic color) blue with some flake in it and a white top and the guy came and want's it red now and we aren't even done with it. It got painted, put under the car port on hold and all done being painted and now we gotta change it all.

Someday I'd like to have the $$$$ to just give a car to a artist/painter and tell him to call me when it's done!!! Let him pick the colors, graphics, or whatever. I can paint, but have a lousy eye for color and color combinations. Like my old pickup, it will just end up being the old standard red and white just like so many others. My artistic abilities are so poor I can't even draw stick people without a straight edge and a compass!!!!

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

Someday I'd like to have the $$$$ to just give a car to a artist/painter and tell him to call me when it's done!!! Let him pick the colors, graphics, or whatever. I can paint, but have a lousy eye for color and color combinations. Like my old pickup, it will just end up being the old standard red and white just like so many others. My artistic abilities are so poor I can't even draw stick people without a straight edge and a compass!!!!

Most people have ar least one thing that is important. Whether or not they are "artsy", They know what they like! Just keep your eyes open, and if you see something that "grabs you", take pictures, or ask what color(s) were used, and write 'em down. When the time comes, at least you can be sure you will like it!