Where to work on and store cars in LA

I am looking for creative ideas where to work on and store a few projects in the LA area, near Downtown?
I have to relocate to LA for a few years, but will be living in a Loft downtown, so I am trying to come up with ideas where to work on cars, that will also be safe. I am not quite sure I am up on all the laws for what painting you can do and use, but I can find a shop with a booth for major paint jobs, but need to be able to at least spray primers, small parts etc.
I found a few commercial places to rent, but not cheap, and not in the safest areas.
Let me know what creative ideas or places you know of in the LA area!

it will be expensive and doubt you can spray water in caliphony.:LOL:

North Hollywood and Burbank are more "car guy" areas so you might want to look a few miles north.

As far as spraying anything "legaly", you can almost forget it in the South Coast Air Management Area. Best to hook up with someone that already has "a permitted" spray booth. Waterborne color is the standard and it works just fine. All base coats are still two part, and the top coats are the same.

I have always worked "late nights" and "weekends" on my personel projects at work. These are in warehouse and commercial areas, with not much traffic. In looking back on this practice "it was just crazy"! Three weeks ago, one of my VW racing friends was murdered at his auto repair shop in El Monte, CA. (just a few miles east of Hollywood) He was killing some time on the computer in the office between 8 and 9PM waiting to go to his Basketball game. Hector Urias was a every week racer at Irwindale Dragstrip and a great guy. The Police Chief spoke at his funeral and said he was "The Majic Johnson of El Monte" in always helping kids out. He just adopted a new baby after years of trying to have children. Hector was just in his mid fourties.

Seems like if they can't steal your tools, car, etc., then they will "just shoot you" So very sad times we are living currently.

I hear you, that was my original fear, lack of security while I am tinkering, but mostly, when I am away and leaving tools, parts etc for anyone crazy enough to try to steal them for the few bucks they will get.
I guess the only other alternatives are to look for a residential home that has a vacant garage to do assembly type work, and send the parts, body to be painted or powder coated.

I have some friends who rented a big warehouse space downtown a few years ago. It's somewhere around 6th & Alameda. They divided part of it into "living space" and part into "shop space." It's around 4k sq ft or so. They park their cars inside, too. Kinda cool setup. Definitely urban! :) I just sent an email to see if they know of other similar situations in the area. Will let you know when I hear back...

Thanks, let me know. I am to the point of looking for something in a safe, secure place with 24 hours security in a better area even if it is a bit more expensive than what I want. I figure what I will have to pay someone else to do at $45-$90hr will add up quick per month, so I just have to bite the bullet.
I just can't survive without having my projects to work on!
But, that would be cool to have a project 32 in the living room of my Loft! I was already planning to sneak an old Norton in, late at night, piece by piece and just say it is "Art"!!!

Have lots of friends in warehouse type places. Cars inside and do what you want
almost. Nobody likes painting smell etc...Just gotta keep a low profile and don't
let the fire dept catch ya if you live in there too.