Joe
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I am a shop owner, have been for 15 years now. Their is still some money left, but you will never make enough to justify the amount of tools you need, trust me on that one, unless you plan to be a painter 🙂 When I got in this business in 89-90 a good painter in this area (chicago land) was making 50k easy, body tech was 55k,mid nineties I worked in a shop most painters were making close to 90-100k a year.. A good painter now in the same shop is making 48-58k. I opened my shop in 1995 we did 1.2 million my first year in business, working up to 3.2 million in ten years, we are about back down to what we started at in 1995 for 2010, we did close to 1.5, and I am guessing this year will be 900-1 million if we are lucky.. The point is if you already own all the tools you need and they are paid for you will do just fine, but if you have nothing you will find it very hard to make a living and pay for tools at the same time.. There are too many ups and downs in this business and you never know when they are coming.. Also remember the new guy is the first one to get let go when things get tough.. Remember the trades schools are going to tell you what you want to hear, they are a business after all.. I can give you the name and numbers to about 10 guys who went through these programs to only come out making minimum wages, trying to pay for tools and school debt is near impossible, they all ended up leaving body shops to find higher paying work..
In all honesty I would stick with the Mcdonalds gig, and work your way up to management.. Much more stable than this business and I am sure much better benefits.. The good days are long gone in collision repair, yes their is still money to be made, but not like in the 90’s.. Will it ever come back around? I dont think it will, not for many many years.. The investment in tools, equipment is just to much to for a 12-18 dollar an hour job.. Keep it as a hobby and keep looking for a better career. My 2 cents.
Maybe we need an approval committee before we let people on this site anymore…… :wak
guess they dont teach you guys how to take anything apart.. Would make sanding go much faster if some things were removed..
Only right way is to weld them up.. You could glue them, even after smoothing them with body filler you will see the outline of the hole after time from the metal expanding and contracting at different rates. I would personally just leave the grommets, doesnt look bad.
Tried 2 gallons of LV couldnt seem to make it spray the way we wanted, was a pita. 250 clear is the way to go, but like Ryan said the Lesonal clear is really nice for the money..
Hit the nail on the head.. SPI isnt in the same ballpark as 250 clear………..
I think you would be hard pressed to find a better booth for less money than Ameri-Cure. They are made in Arizona, so parts are easy to get. All burner parts are Honeywell and can be bought almost anywhere. I have one that is 10 years old 10,500 hrs, only thing we have done is replaced the light bulbs a few times. All original burner parts,fans,and motors.. I think I paid 25-28k installed w/ heat, side down draft..I also have a Spraybake full down draft, its nice, but doesnt do any better job than my side down draft. I would go with another Ameri-cure in a heart beat..
Everything said is right on.. I think we are heading for another great depression..I personally think 2011 will be a horrible year for most business..
Also another thing to keep in mind, if you put the base on to dry you can have adhesion problems with your clear down the road.. A wet bed will help with that, especially when blending difficult colors.
Nice video. I would work on your gun control. Dont use the gun like a spray can, you can leave the air pressure going and close the fluid off. Should have a 2 step trigger, not familiar with that gun. Make nice long strokes with the gun, not short fast bursts, more likely to have problems with metallics flowing out, even in small repairs. Try to use your whole arm to move the gun not your wrist. Looking good otherwise.. It all takes time.. Your on your way though!!
You need to pickup some real wax and grease remover as well as water based cleaner. That will solve most of your problems..
I know around here ac clear cant be used, but maybe the lv is different? Not sure, best to contact your rep.
I am pretty sure that clear is to not be used over water.. Atleast with the autowave system, it will peel down the road..
What Sikkens clear are you using?