Central Valley, California - Advice needed - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Lugnutt · 07-09-2007, 07:47 PM

I live in San Jose, California and need to find a body repair shop to fix some rust damage and re-paint my 72 Chev 4x4. I talked to my regular body repair shop that fixes my two cars, but he and others say they are not interested in working on older vehicles.

My regular "car" bodyshop owner recommended that I find a shop in the central valley of California close to the bay area like Tracy or Merced to get the work done. He said that bay area shops are going to need to charge between 12 and 15 k to do the work I discribed where a central valley shop may only charge about 7k to 8k.

The problem is that I don't know which shops are good and which shops are not-so-good out there. Price is important, but so is the quality of workmanship, knowledge & experience, and most of all, the "time element". I don't want the repair process dragging on for months.

Can some of you that have had body/paint work done in this area of Califonia recommend some good shops. And also if you've had bad experiences; I'd like to know of them too. Any feed-back would be helpful.

Thanks

PanelDeland · 07-09-2007, 08:18 PM

I know this guys schedule is extremely busy but if you're willing to wait and he is close enough to you......Lets just say he does awesome work.Here's a link to one of his posts.You can do a search to see some of his work and what others have to say about it.

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=248428

neonlarry · 07-09-2007, 09:57 PM

I recall a place in stockton on the west side of south airport that did some really nice work but I can't find any info in my paperwork or roledex with the name. You could probably find it easy enough with a phone book and a map.

**John Fabris** · 07-09-2007, 11:47 PM

If you want to come up to Vallejo (about 45 min north east of SF) there is the guy that painted my truck. Eric at Hot Rods by Lew. He mainly works on older cars and trucks. Like I said, he painted my truck and he currently has a 72 short fleet in his shop getting a complete color change (cab swap, motor swap, all sheet metal blasted clean) and that is running around $9000. His basic paint job starts at $5500. Let me know if you are interested.

*72CSTC5* · 07-09-2007, 11:50 PM

John's truck looks awesome and if you can convince Rok to do another one he is worth the wait too.

sighlurr · 07-09-2007, 11:58 PM

I've found a couple of people on Craigslist here in Sac. One guy is an instructor at Wyotech looking for sidework on the weekends. He is charging $25 and hour, but is now booked thru the next 6 months. Your best bet is finding guys that are able to spray in the evenings or on the weekends.

Lugnutt · 07-10-2007, 07:23 PM

thanks for the feed-back guys; keep em coming. I'll look into the couple of suggestions so far and see if they might work out.

Again, thanks for your help

Lugnutt · 07-10-2007, 09:01 PM

Update,

I sent a message to Rok to see if he's interested or can recommend someone; waiting for a reply.

Couldn't find any body shops in stockton anywhere near the west side of Stockton Muni Airport. They all seem to be grouped around the downtown quite a ways to the north. Maybe he moved.

Also couldn't find the shop in Vallejo; googled every combination of key words I could and even tried Vallejo Yellow pages to see if something matched the info you gave me. If you could think of any other info, please let me know.

I can see, this is gona take some time, but I'd gladly trade time for trouble anyday.

Thanks again, all, for the leads

lbpd719 · 07-11-2007, 12:55 AM

Ricks Auto Body here in Los Banos does excellent work too..

there are a few places here in LB that would be interested for sure.. and most to pretty good work

**John Fabris** · 07-11-2007, 12:49 PM

Just sent you a pm regarding hotrodsbylew...

hotrodhomi · 07-11-2007, 01:57 PM

I don't want to hijack the thread, but will any of these shop smooth and paint my blazer top?

**John Fabris** · 07-11-2007, 04:58 PM

PM sent to Hotrodhomi,

PanelDeland · 07-11-2007, 07:57 PM

Rokcrln is probably busy for a while.

Check this http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=249192

07-09-2007, 07:47 PM	#1
Lugnutt Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 194	Central Valley, California - Advice needed I live in San Jose, California and need to find a body repair shop to fix some rust damage and re-paint my 72 Chev 4x4. I talked to my regular body repair shop that fixes my two cars, but he and others say they are not interested in working on older vehicles. My regular "car" bodyshop owner recommended that I find a shop in the central valley of California close to the bay area like Tracy or Merced to get the work done. He said that bay area shops are going to need to charge between 12 and 15 k to do the work I discribed where a central valley shop may only charge about 7k to 8k. The problem is that I don't know which shops are good and which shops are not-so-good out there. Price is important, but so is the quality of workmanship, knowledge & experience, and most of all, the "time element". I don't want the repair process dragging on for months. Can some of you that have had body/paint work done in this area of Califonia recommend some good shops. And also if you've had bad experiences; I'd like to know of them too. Any feed-back would be helpful. Thanks

07-09-2007, 08:18 PM	#2
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	Re: Central Valley, California - Advice needed I know this guys schedule is extremely busy but if you're willing to wait and he is close enough to you......Lets just say he does awesome work.Here's a link to one of his posts.You can do a search to see some of his work and what others have to say about it. http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=248428 __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

07-09-2007, 09:57 PM	#3
neonlarry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,745	Re: Central Valley, California - Advice needed I recall a place in stockton on the west side of south airport that did some really nice work but I can't find any info in my paperwork or roledex with the name. You could probably find it easy enough with a phone book and a map. __________________ 70 C/10 Light Red 350/TH350, HEI, Duals w/40 series Flows, 91 seat, LED taillights 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI

07-09-2007, 11:47 PM	#4
John Fabris TOTY 2006 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Magalia CA USA Posts: 2,270	Re: Central Valley, California - Advice needed If you want to come up to Vallejo (about 45 min north east of SF) there is the guy that painted my truck. Eric at Hot Rods by Lew. He mainly works on older cars and trucks. Like I said, he painted my truck and he currently has a 72 short fleet in his shop getting a complete color change (cab swap, motor swap, all sheet metal blasted clean) and that is running around $9000. His basic paint job starts at $5500. Let me know if you are interested. __________________ John Fabris 67 C10 SWB Last edited by John Fabris; 07-09-2007 at 11:47 PM.

07-09-2007, 11:50 PM	#5
72CSTC5 Account Suspended Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Deer Park, Tx. Posts: 2,522	Re: Central Valley, California - Advice needed John's truck looks awesome and if you can convince Rok to do another one he is worth the wait too.

07-09-2007, 11:58 PM	#6
sighlurr ______________ Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Danville, CA Posts: 1,285	Re: Central Valley, California - Advice needed I've found a couple of people on Craigslist here in Sac. One guy is an instructor at Wyotech looking for sidework on the weekends. He is charging $25 and hour, but is now booked thru the next 6 months. Your best bet is finding guys that are able to spray in the evenings or on the weekends.

07-10-2007, 07:23 PM	#7
Lugnutt Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 194	Re: Central Valley, California - Advice needed thanks for the feed-back guys; keep em coming. I'll look into the couple of suggestions so far and see if they might work out. Again, thanks for your help

07-10-2007, 09:01 PM	#8
Lugnutt Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 194	Re: Central Valley, California - Advice needed Update, I sent a message to Rok to see if he's interested or can recommend someone; waiting for a reply. Couldn't find any body shops in stockton anywhere near the west side of Stockton Muni Airport. They all seem to be grouped around the downtown quite a ways to the north. Maybe he moved. Also couldn't find the shop in Vallejo; googled every combination of key words I could and even tried Vallejo Yellow pages to see if something matched the info you gave me. If you could think of any other info, please let me know. I can see, this is gona take some time, but I'd gladly trade time for trouble anyday. Thanks again, all, for the leads

07-11-2007, 12:55 AM	#9
lbpd719 Zappaphile! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Los Banos, California Posts: 228	Re: Central Valley, California - Advice needed Ricks Auto Body here in Los Banos does excellent work too.. there are a few places here in LB that would be interested for sure.. and most to pretty good work __________________ 1969 C20 LWB Camper Special - The Beater.. 1998 Cheyenne V6 - 4/6 Drop - For The Son

07-11-2007, 12:49 PM	#10
John Fabris TOTY 2006 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Magalia CA USA Posts: 2,270	Re: Central Valley, California - Advice needed Just sent you a pm regarding hotrodsbylew... __________________ John Fabris 67 C10 SWB

07-11-2007, 01:57 PM	#11
hotrodhomi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,737	Re: Central Valley, California - Advice needed I don't want to hijack the thread, but will any of these shop smooth and paint my blazer top? __________________ '72 2wd blazer, bagged w/ watts link & EDC '72 C10 "Lowered Farm Truck" STOLEN 5-18-11 '66 impala ht

07-11-2007, 04:58 PM	#12
John Fabris TOTY 2006 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Magalia CA USA Posts: 2,270	Re: Central Valley, California - Advice needed PM sent to Hotrodhomi, __________________ John Fabris 67 C10 SWB

07-11-2007, 07:57 PM	#13
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	Re: Central Valley, California - Advice needed Rokcrln is probably busy for a while. Check this http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=249192 __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"



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