I have a '47 Chevy 3100 that needs to be restored. Of course we've always had the intensions of do it ourselves, but the time is slipping away. We have finally come to the conclusion that we need to pay someone to get it done. This truck has been in the family since '49 and we want a complete restoration to original, not a street rod. Does anyone know of anyone that may be able to do this in the Des Moines, IA area. There is not a time frame to get this done. If it takes 6 months, so be it. If you know if anyone, please let me know.
RE: Restoration Shops Rick , a few tips here : NO ONE is going to get it done in 6 moths else you pay like $100.00 for the job . Be sure to get a detailed written estimate and be absolutely CERTAIN it says in big clear print " all used parts to be returned to the owner " ~ you don't want them but it helps to keep them honest . next get a timeline in advance , each job is different , I know , granpaw only drove it to Church once a month but the shop may find a rusty , bent frame and lord knows what else so it may take a LOT more time and $$ than you thought . look at some finished jobs by the shop you take it to , before you sign anything & talk to people about the work this place does . Keep an eye on it and nver , _EVER_ say anything stupid like " take your time " as mechanics always hear this as " this old thing is _junk_ , I don't care if I ever see it again " !! . Go by and take some time to look at progress at least once a month and take notes so you don't get BS'd later on with the same old story . Take lots of good picures from various angles , turn the truck so no part you're taking pictures of is in shadow , this includes the cab interior shots , have someone hold a lamp or flashlight in the other door to fully illuminate the cab , making sure before you begin means less heartaches later on . -Nate
RE: Restoration Shops Nate is right, get at least half a dozen references. If they can't provide that many they are just starting in the buisiness or hiding something. Here's how I run my shop and I have a 2 year waiting list so I guess we do it right. One: the customer pays NOTHING, ZERO, NIL until the vehichle is finished to their satisfaction. I build it out of my pocket so if it's not right it's my loss not theirs. Number two: The job is given to one person only so continuity can be maintained and responsibility is not in doubt. My job is to make sure that worker never has to wait on anything, not for an hour let alone a week. By following this procedure we usually turn out one of these old trucks in about 60 working days. There of course can be variables with extensive rust being the number one culprit. Do not let the shop you choose use any chemical converter or paint over rust type approach. These are fine to seal SOLID metal but the only way to be sure is if the rusted panels are in the trash can. Just a few musings because I hate the crooks, cons, and ones that are just not qualified to change oil in their lawnmower let alone put their hands on these old clunks I've loved since the pre-teens for me. Be careful and good luck.
RE: Restoration Shops Nate, thanks for the advice. It's nice to have a place like this that I can get questions answered. Actually I think we may have found someone to do the restoration. One of the community college's here has an auto body course and they said that they got away from doing the older stuff, but because so many of the students want to do them now, they're getting back into it. I'm taking pictures this weekend and sending them to them. I don't want to haul it all the way there and have them tell me they don't want to do it, so I'll take the pictures first. It shouldn't be that tough, it's in good shape, considering it's age and it's all original. Again, thanks for the advice. Rick
RE: Restoration Shops Evan, Likewise thanks for the advice. Hopefully the community college will be able to do the restoration. I wish I had the time and the building to do it myself, but right now, that's not the case. Thanks again, Rick
RE: Restoration Shops Rick, I think you made a good choice because the almighty dollar is taken out of the equation to a degree. Still check on the progress regularly. Also there are a couple colleges in the midwest that have auto restoration degrees, something to keep in mind.
RE: Restoration Shops Nate, as a mechanic, I am personally offended by your statement, " take your time " as mechanics always hear this as " this old thing is _junk_ , I don't care if I ever see it again " !! . I would never think that! That statement means: " Work on it as long as a faster, higher profit job doesn't come in during the process, otherwise push it to the back of the shop!!!" It's in the extra fine print on all handshake agreements if I remember correctly. Just kidding. Very good advice, as that's reality for most shops......Mike :7
RE: Restoration Shops I just paid $4300.00 to have 49 chevy pick-up minor rust repaired,blasted and primed. The quality of the work was a joke,example;paint run on final paint of dash and the holes and dings that this crew sprayed-over were hard to believe! Owner calls,truck ready, Bed only half put together and it was wrong! Owner would not discuss partial refund(paid him weekly,red flag)Owner ask me to leave RELIABLE RODS AND RESTORATIONS ,Trenton,Ga. He said he never claimed to be an expert on these old chevy trucks and on that we agree. If you live in middle Tn. or north Ga. area be advised to avoid RELIABLE RODS AND RESTORATIONS,Trenton,Ga.
RE: Restoration Shops Sadly , most rodders have NO IDEA of what it means to " restore " anything ~ the lack of quality and attention to detail simply stuns me . As long as it's shiny and _LOUD_ most of them seem to be happy . no heater , partial electrical system function , etc. and these rigs win _trophies_ no less . I'm sorry you had a bad experience , always talk to previous customers before trusting ANY mechanicn ,~ including me ! ;-) BTW : I know several rodders who run _competent_ shops are on this board so no flames please ! I know you guys have to re-do lots of DPO & DPM mistakes . -Nate
