Still seeking out a good paint shop around the VA/MD/PA area

[Cadillac Jack 82]

Hello folks.  As I mentioned in a previous post I'm trying to get my 1937 Lasalle painted in the near future.  I'm fully committed to cost associated with getting her back to 100% but what I don't want to deal with are shops that want a massive deposit (like 15k or more) and who claim it'll take approximately 280-300 hours to strip, prime, paint, and assemble a Series 50 Opera Coupe.  I can swallow sinking 15-18k into my car but I'm certainly not going to sink 30k into her.  This being said does anyone have any recommendations?

[Scot Minesinger]

You may want to try Manassas Quality Autobody 703-368-5715, owner Tom.  He does what you want, and he does work on old cars.  He also has a huge warehouse and so your car is never outside.  He did some amazing work on my 1970 Cadillacs.  Reasonable rates, no deposits, and only takes cash or checks - no credit cards.

[harry s]

Tim, There is an individual near me in PW County that does very nice work. I have not had personal experience only know several that have. He will give an estimate of price and time. Please consider bringing you LaSalle to the Capitol Cadillac show on May 19. There is another '37 LaSalle cpe that was sold new at Capitol that is planning to attend.     Harry

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

It sounds as if that shop you quoted included potty breaks, coffee breaks, and picking up pizza in the hours needed. It also sounds as if the deposit takes care of the whole job and anything else is pure profit. Of course, I live in the Mid-West and rates are bound to be slightly lower here. And I know that paint has really gone up in price. But gee whiz, that's a lot of $$$. 

I just had the trunk lid painted on my '91 Seville. It had about three slight dents in it, and a door ding on the RR door as an after thought. When I went to choir practice last night, I finally remembered to look at the door, and didn't find any evidence of damage at all. And if you stare at the trunk lid hard for five minutes, you might notice a hint of color difference. (The guy took the gas door off the car and made a fifty mile round trip to get matching paint.) He re-striped it with a factory appearing stripe. I handed him four hundred dollar bills.

(Oh, he has his teen-age daughter wash and sweep out every car that leaves the shop as well.)

What you might do is wander around the area for a few weekends. Try to find a one/two man shop like the one I had do my work. (He has an "in" with the local paint-less dent remover guy and passes the savings along.) He's not starving but  I think he watches all the money that comes in (and out) carefully. He is also proud of his work. If you find such a shop, ask for references on any cars that he's done. Look around his shop. Mine is in a former body shop that in the interim had a repair shop. This guy took everything out of the building and painted the walls white. It now looks clean and inviting including the office.

(Another thing to check on is whether or not you are welcome in the shop to "check on things.") If the guy doesn't mind your stopping by, he's less liable to take short cuts, or leave your car out in the rain. And if he deserves it, praise him on how happy you are on the progress he's made since you were there before.

Good luck.

[76eldo]

Penn Dutch Restorations in Glen Rock, PA is an excellent shop.
Talk to Devon Hammers.  He is a second generation owner of the shop.

Brian