Seeking Good/Reliable Paint & Body Shop in Central FLA or anywhere FLA in General???

[Bigmanz]

I've got a few cars that need some restoration, paint and bodywork (one at a time of course). My 72 Buick Skylark needs more love than the other two. I live in Orlando, FL but am willing to drive to a good and reliable shop here in Florida if there is one. I've reached out to a few shops in my area but they seem to start at $50-$75k without even seeing the cars that I'm looking to have painted. If anyone has any recommendations, it'd be greatly appreciated.


Cars:
1967 Buick Wildcat Sport Coupe
1970 and 1972 Buick Skylark Coupes
204908 204909

[F-Body International]

Some food for thought…

It will cost you. To pay a shop, you have to pay someone’s 40hr/wk job plus all other material and overhead costs. A lot of shops are $100-$200/hr to do that type of work and it’s very labor intensive. You easily have a few months of someone working a full time job on those cars.

[dhutton]

I would try to find a better car than the green one. It looks like a money pit.

Don

[Bigmanz]

Some food for thought…

It will cost you. To pay a shop, you have to pay someone’s 40hr/wk job plus all other material and overhead costs. A lot of shops are $100-$200/hr to do that type of work and it’s very labor intensive. You easily have a few months of someone working a full time job on those cars.

I understand that completely. I have restored worse looking cars in the past and the initial quotes weren’t nearly as steep. Nor was the overall bill at the end of the 3 past projects (all of which were in the past 7 yrs).

I can probably attribute this rise in pricing to the current price of materials and the impact of the Pandemic of course. The previously restored projects were also in different locales Tampa, Cleveland and Atlanta.

Seems as if I may just have to ship the car off to another location for similar pricing when it comes to bodywork and restoration. Regardless, I understand your point and truly appreciate your input. Thanks for responding!!

[Bigmanz]

I would try to find a better car than the green one. It looks like a money pit.

Don

Definitely considering it. The car runs/drives, solid engine/trans and great interior. Its just the common GM A-body problem areas. It’d be a shame to get rid of it. We’ll see how it goes. Thanks for your input and responding!

[Steve68]

i would be weary of anything in Orlando, I've seen more orange peel in there 2K paint jobs, it's actually sad, My friend has a body shop on the east coast, awesome paint and body skills, He's getting older, prices are through the roof for supplies, and its hotter than hell in Florida anymore, and then everyone wants 20K paint and body for 1200.00, I don't think he'll take on any crazy restorations but I have seen him do some major work, and like its been said collision repair pays big,