How to get started

[72cutlass]

Hey guys,
I am looking for some oppinions on the best way to get started in the custom car industry. Untill recently my plan was to attend a tech school like wyotech but after reading some oppinions of people on this and other boards saying that you really don't learn that much for what you pay I'm reconsidering my plans.
I just thought i'd get some feedback from you guys on good schools and maybe hear from some shop owners as to what they look for when hiring someone. would I be better off too get an apprenticeship in autobody or mechanics or is a tech school the way to go.
Thanks for any feedback
Dave

[vanzuuk1]

I can give you my thoughts and you can consider them .

decide specifically what you want to do ( paint , interiors, little bit of everything?)

spend time around people who do this for a living (or just really know their s@#$) , ask questions.

read everything you can on the subject , make a notebook of things you like or find interesting, photos , how-tos , contacts etc. this will help your focus

start a project of your own. if all you can afford is a car model, then learn to paint/practice on a car model. build a chopper minibike or restore an old motorcycle.

if you can get a job helping out at a good shop and still take classes i would say do both.

as far as what guys want when they hire someone , show up early or on time , show up alert and ready to work (not hung over or worse), keep things organized and neat, and watch and listen closely to the crabby old guys that have been there forever. your boss will not expect you do be a master but he will look for good work habits.


I am not an expert on this subject but i wish i had this advise when i was younger. or at least listened to it when i got it ! anyone else feel free to correct me. hope i gave you something to consider

[pushrod243]

The best way to get in the business and get knowledge is find a shop in your area that does the work you want to learn how to do. Then hang around see if you can help out even sweeping the floor. Work on getting in as a helper and watch what goes on and learn. Most shops are looking for a guy with desire to learn and not afraid to get dirty doing anything to get the job done. You will learn so much. My buddy has a race car shop and he has 2-3 apprentices around most of the time. He has so much knowledge but its getting harder to get in his shop since so many of his proteges (sp) have left him to open up a competing shop around the corner. The longer they stay on though the better they get. They seem to platuea after they leave. I think if you get in with a quality shop you should see what they are looking for and be honest on what you want. If you are just there to gain knowledge to go off on your own you are going to get less than if you make a commitment somewhere. If you sign on for the longhaul you will eventully gain all the knowledge of the shop and develop your own techniques and style. I know my buddy is getting older and he has so much to offer I think he is ready to teach someone that will stay there and eventually hand over the keys someday. Everyshop is different but if you look around theres a lot of talent in every city.

[colt zantop]

im gonna be attending wyotech starting this july for a year. I consider myself pretty close to a beginner so I think I will learn a ton from the place. someone who may already work in this field for a few years might think its too basic but for me..I think It will be fine. just depends on your degree of knowledge already.....

[72cutlass]

Thanks for the great responses guys. definitely lots to think about. Can anybody recommend some good shops in B.C. that I might start contacting. Preferably lower B.C (Vancouver or Vancouver Island). There doesn't seem to be very many here on the island but maybe i'm just not looking in the right places. Any suggestions would be good. I think once I find a good shop it shouldn't be hard to get hired. I took multiple mechanics classes every year of high school and came away with the mechanics award my senior year. I also took my work experience at both a local collision repair shop and a tire/repair shop. So I have a few things to go on my resume already.
Thanks again and keep the responses coming.