Is there Real Money in Paint & Body?

[theoriginator]

I've been working in the paint and body game for about the past 5 years after graduating from high school and went back to school last year to get my associates degree in auto body technology, because I'm good and I enjoy it. The biggest concern that I have with the paint and body industry is that there is a stereotype that this field is for the uneducated, ex-con, illegal alien crowd, and that most people are payed unfairly in respect to their skills and expertise. I will finish my degree but I'm also considering going to school to get a mechanical background as well. I've heard of top techs making over $100,000 a year but insurance companies and too many mediocre shops are driving down the industry pay. I'm a full blown painter at 22, having worked my way up from detail/porter and am making good money. I've done a lot of research and don't want to invest my time and effort into something that's not going to be profitable in the future. What do yall see as far as this industry goes, is it worth it?

[TonyL]

As long as a human is doing the driving, wrecks will occur. Often.
So long as that's the case, the auto body repair business will be a profitable one.

[rjsjea]

That's not the "stereotype" in the NW......at least for my family and friends who are in the paint/body industry.

Get a working knowledge of not just painting, but body and restoration work as well. It will open more doors for ya.

If we are driving space cruisers in the future, they will still need body/paint work....

[Taylor1969]

Do you have some examples of your work? I need to have my car painted early next year and I am looking for a good painter.

[BRIAN]

Name one shop that charges more to an off the street customer than they do to insurance work? There are good and bad in all walks of life. Insurance work is what brings in the money plain and simple. Don't blame an insurance co if your shop doesn't now how to write an estimate an get the proper amount out of a job.


if you want to make money in the auto body field learn how to write estimates. That is what earns money. Once you know the ins and outs of that you will be surprised of the addtl cash you have been missing.

[Tony_SS]

Just make sure it's what you love to do. In the long run doing what makes you happy is more satisfying than any paycheck.

[MarkM66]

Get paid flat rate, work fast, you can earn $100k a year doing body work. It was hard for me to believe, but I've seen it done.

[ProdigyCustoms]

I have seen it done also. Flat rate guys can really kick ass on insurance work if they are strutured and talented.

[69keith]

I make $15-$20 k a year doing body work after hours. I just do it as a hobbie to support my habit (69 camaro).

[CRead01]

Tony SS has it nailed. If you love what you are doing it's always worth it. I do know it is like alot of other things though. Good customer service with quality work and good word of mouth will make any business make money. learn to work your estimates to a fair price and you will make money.

[B Schein]

I have a friend who works flat rate and makes 130,000 plus I did not believe him then he showed me his tax returns.

[danbob67]

It really depends on how you want to work I make 60 where Im at I could drive a extra hour to work and make a 100 but also add a bit extra stress and time from home I always have second thoughts about working in the paint/body field Insurance companies are really taking over and you need to be at the top to make the better money. I got to get certified for this and that it really gets aggraviting at time because most of the classes teach about the same thing, like right now im ase, I-car, dupont. Gm and ppg certified to paint. basically if you like doing it do it probally be better on your own doing it than with a big shop that does ins work like me.

[theoriginator]

I'll post some pictures of my work

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

the biggest problem with bodywork is the fact that theres a ton of guys that SAY they are good,

but really arent...

[Bad Bowtie]

Just make sure it's what you love to do. In the long run doing what makes you happy is more satisfying than any paycheck.

This can't be stressed enough.
BB

[theoriginator]

I didn't want to post these pictures for legal reasons but now that I found out that the company shut down ( Unique Performance ) along with the fact that they still owe my money, I changed my mind. I worked at Unique Performance for about a year and here is some of my work. I won't take credit for everything because many other people were involved but I still have the contacts for these people and am capable of delivering even better quality because it wouldn't be under crazy deadlines. These are pictures of mostly finished cars. Please contact me for more info or what I can do for you.

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[CRead01]

sweet work... wish you were closer I would give you some business.