ULTIMATUM For those of you following my resto saga

Agree on a day and stick to it. If you have paid for the paint, make sure you get it as well. I am sure you are on a budget, but perhaps it is time to get some estimates from "storefront" shops. At least you will then have a basis for comparison if you chose another independent guy.

I guess I am a little philosophical here. You get what you pay for...usually. That being said, a couple of the best A&P aircraft mechanics I have ever met worked "out of their trunks" and would come to your hangar or tie-down. But to me bodywork is like engine machine work. I am not opposed to spending my hard earned cash for quality work, as I have neither the technology nor talent to accomplish professional quality work. A professional paint and body shop which specializes in custom or restoration work will not come cheap, but they will have a reputation to uphold, and should deliver the agreed upon product on time. Sure they might cost more, but hey just how long do you want your car to be in somebody's uninsured shop? Paint is flammable right?

I think you have given your body guy the benefit of the doubt, and he has certainly tried. Part of the mark of a true professional craftsman is, in addition to turning out quality work at a fair price, admitting when you have bitten off more than you can chew and referring your customer to another craftsman who can perform the work to their satisfaction, even if that other craftsman is your direct competition. This can be a bitter pill to swallow if you are working hard trying to build up a business, but business is business. Stringing a customer along is just plain bad busines. Besides a desperate individual is far more likely to rush the job and stick a customer with unsatisfactory work, just to get "the monkey off their back". I am not saying your body guy would do this. However he is obviously struggling and it may ultimately be better for all parties concerned if you were to take your work elsewhere.