$7000 paint job

as I get older I think a little more bout the other ( younger) guy. the subject for my rambling here is body?paint work on a car that , lets say, shouldn't (OR need not) be treated to a typical ( for some people) a $6-7000 paint job.

what's my credentials for talking bout this. nothing more than a lot of you guys that, like me, have played with these cars off and on since maybe mid 80's. ( computes to 30 years. ) maybe older than the audience i'm targeting. i', NO bodyman. can I weld, fabricate patch panels, use cut off wheels, flap discs, torch,paint equipment, D A's, sandpaper, longboards, understand modern primers and paints, etc. yes. expert... NO!\ I quit painting wayyyy back cause I can't stand the isocyanides, but I have found some Ca stuff that is low volatility and doesn't bother me. be nice to have fresh air suit, but.....i'm back doing my paint/bodywork on my litle herd of early A cars. I wouldn't pay $6000 for paint work if I had it....
back decades ago, I had 3 different excellent bodymen at various times do some cars for me, and I learned some basics from them.


I was at a local bodyman ( pro) other day. ( NO insurance work, resto only) yea he's a chevy guy. we were talking bout these $7000 paint jobs and laughing.... this guy can build engines, he makes his own upholstery, do as good bodywork as anyone.... he agrees we are in a "low wage" area, but really!!!!!like he says, ANYONE CAN learn to do this if they want...

I read every day on here where JOE SMOE wants to buy this A body project and make it nice... he has no big garage or unlimited budget for air compressor, tools and supplies.... but the desire to have a presentable car. he's not t he guy that has the desire and disposable income to send his 318 duster to the shop and spend the $7000 for body/paint work, on a car when drivable is work WAYyyy less than what he got in it.... well that's fine..... yea parts and materials are high, BUT the labor in that $7000 job is WAYyyyy high!!!!

where i'm going here, is there is such a need for these younger guys, ( and many of us OLDER guys, TOO!), to find a group of 2 or 3 guys in your area, and pool knowledge and resources ( tools and knowledge). its great for me to have enough stuff to do my own work, ( barely!).... but look at the benefits of working together.... not just learning shills from each other, but the friendships started (many times last for life), but the interest and passion that's created for our hobby. why is FABO so popular? because it gives us people with the same PASSION to spend time together, if it is the net!??

now some will chime in and say: " I can't do the quality of work I want. "
I say "BS!" yea there is a learning curve, BUT if ya got 1 guy in the group that has some skill here, your learning curve won't be bad. ya just need some knowledge and practice. and i'll tell ya what, I've never seen a bodyman THAT is a car guy,,,, that won't give advice and info. it takes me maybe 4 times longer to get a panel nice as a real bodyman, but I CAN do it if I put in the time. sometimes ,, I DON"T want to put in the time. I like drivers, not into taking MY car to a car show, so that is my level of expectation. i'm working on an original black car, it will be pretty staright when I paint it.

i'm sure there are guys out there now doing what I;m talking about,...... and maybe they can chime in.....