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Healey Painter in Westport Conn area??

jazzy

Freshman Member
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Hi Folks Can anyone reccommend a paint shop for a Big Healey in the Westport Conn area?? OR anyplace else that they like .
 
Hey Jazz, A reputable shop and a quality paint job can be very subjective.
But if your car is very solid and does not need metal and body work then you will have more options because a good paint job can be had at many shops. but of coarse you would get recommendations. Sometimes a trusted mechanic would be a good source for a recommendation. Or, if in good weather times, go to a local car show and ask the owners what shops they trust.
If your car needs rust repair. I would want a shop that has a few healeys under their belt. But that still doesn't make them good. Some foreign car restorers and "shops" don't do as good as they should. The high end antique restoration shops probably would have the skills and the patience to do a good job.
If your car hasn't had any body and paint work in many years, it probably is hidding alot of rust. Unless it is atypical, and maybe was kept in a very dry environment. Anyway, happy hunting and good luck.
Dave C.
 
Yep, It seems to be what I am running into. It seems that not many people want to touch these Healeys --and those that do want ALOT of money. Ive gotten ; No I dont want to do it,, Ive gotten $15,000.00 --- Ive Gotten 20k -- for just a body paint. And more if more is needed ,I say wow>>
 
I am currently having my Healey done at a Hot Rod shop in Reno. (Reno is world famous for Hot August Nights- A week of over 5000 hot rods) I stripped all the chrome off and separated the fender from the body. That saved quite a few hundreds of dollars. There is always bondo and body work that they will find when the paint is stripped off. I am not having the frame painted. After talking with many people, 8 to 10 K is not out of the question at a good shop and a good job.
When checking the shops out, look for cleanliness of the workers and shop, and the appearance of finished product. Look for straightness of reflections. Find out EXACTLY when it will be completed. I also looked for a place that did NOT do collision work which will get put ahead of your job. Go to car shows and ask where they got their work done (if it looks good).
The guys I'm using are sending me photo E-mails as the process goes on. They take pride in their shop. They offered to have any chroming done at their cost. They buy estates of cars to either make hot rods or classic restorations. They had many 20's, 30's, 40's and 50's cars. Four Nomads,several 57 Chevy's a couple of woodies and many more cars I love to own.
Our cars are worth a lot and you don't want to do it over. Check out Hot Rod shops and you will be surprised. Do as much as you can to save money,too.
 
hi call John at Sports and Classics he knows all the shops in Conn. You shouldn't have to pay no more than 5000 for a nice job don't let these guys bs you because of where you live
 
jazzy, I'm sort of a newbbie when it comes to posting. I restoring my own car, 67 bj8. I had Jule put a new frame under it which made it very solid. I replaced all the lower fender panels and both complete door panels myself. One of the more diffucult things were the panel gaps which took a great deal of time, (rocker panel, compound curvature) but I finally got them looking good. When it came to paint I preped all the body panels and painted them with PPG DPLF 2 part epoxy. Paint guy?
Through many hrs of networking I was given the names of two guys in Lebenon Maine by a shop in Wakefield Ma. They took it to the next step, finish body work and paint. I will try to post some pictures if I can. If I can't figure it out I'd be happy to send them via email.
peter
 
I'd recommend Stratford Collision Stratford, CT. Visit the shop. Talk to Anthony. Ask if he remembers doing Andy's red 83 Honda Goldwing 6 years ago. They did an outstanding job. They have done some nice paint jobs on classic cars.
 
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