Trusted body shops in the Bay Area (East bay (Tri valley) area. how to pick one?

[cactuss4]

I'm not sure how i'm going to start and if I'm going to start, my car is a 5' car and once I'm done with the suspension etc, it will be time to consider digging under the paint etc. I know the floor has 2 patches, 1 clean one not so clean, but it may be nothing to many here, but for me, it makes me angry So I would be looking for a floor, but would be interested in getting an idea what else is needed, just so I know before saying yes, that I have an idea on costs. Would think someone that is used to doing restorations or work on classics they would know and would not need a torn down car to make an initial questimate?

I think I have to have the glass pulled because some jack off put so much window goop that its all over around the windows. I want to be happy with the car and I know that I can't until I get the body worked out. I bought 3 point seat belts but the surface rust on the floor made me so angry I buttoned up the car and put the belts back in a box .

I just need to know that I can trust who is doing the work and that there is a $$ in mind going into it, understanding that may move, but I hear horror stories when folks go to pick up their car and find their bill is 2*+ more.. Just never had to work with a body shop/restoration place before..

Thanks
Tory

[buddydog1]

Might be presumptuous of me in my first post but here I go....

If you are interested I am a stay at home Dad that has years of experience, a fairly open schedule and reasonable hourly rates. I am located in Paso Robles a few hours south of you but I will be in your area on the 15th.

I'd be happy to take a look at what you have going on and get you a better idea of what you are in for when you run it to a shop. Send me a private message if you are interested in my help. It would be my pleasure.

I'm currently restoring a customers 67 SS so I'm intimately familiar with the model.

Geoff

[Quikbrd]

If something were to happen to my car, I would start at Gilbert's body & paint in Hayward
I have seen their work and I trust them.

[cactuss4]

If something were to happen to my car, I would start at Gilbert's body & paint in Hayward
I have seen their work and I trust them.

Thank you sir, guess I would have to call since it appears to be a normal bodyshop/paint vs one that does restorations (I'm so new to this idea of restoration that it seems kind of specialized, replacing a floor, vs replacing a fender type of thing).

[BBBluey]

Here's who I recommend.

http://www.meanstreetsperformance.com/about.html

Doesn't hurt to give them a call...ask for Vince.

[cactuss4]

Here's who I recommend.

http://www.meanstreetsperformance.com/about.html

Doesn't hurt to give them a call...ask for Vince.

Thanks will do..

[mikes70]

Vince doesn't paint though.

Locally your hard pressed to find an affordable/reliable paint shop as all the good ones around the tri-valley are almost all collision shops. This is an expensive area to do business, i run a small shop (not body, but glass) in Dublin and the clientele (being non realistic on how much things cost) and employees pay/expenses make it non-affordable for most (hence the collision shops, people bring em in, repair, back out=cash flow).

My car was painted here in Livermore, it only took 8 years for a mediocre paint job (7 on a 10), but it was a friend and i value the friendship more than the paint job and i wasn't in a hurry. I wish i got a better job though...