What does it takes to prep a fiberglass body kit and install it? I want to know about cost (what supplies are needed) and how long this usually takes from start to finish.
Reason why I am asking:
A "friend" of a friend has his own body shop. He has now had my body kit (front,back,sides) for 2 whole weeks. He keeps giving me deadlines but never follows through (new excuses every day to why its not finished). As far as I know from the start, this was only to be a few day job. Of couse when he tells me it will be ready and I call, something else has come up and caused a few more days delay. I do not want this guy to think I am rushing him because I don't want a crappy job done on my kit. However, why tell someone it will be done in 3-4 days and drag it out to two weeks?
As far as I know this is what we have disscused:
1) He is going to re-inforce my kit with fiberglass and also install tabs for mesh grill inserts (to make it stronger of course).
2) He is going to build up the back bumper (bondo) to make for nice lines under each rear tail lights (at initial fitting there was about a 1" gap under each light).
3) Before painting he is going to wet sand the kit.
4) Finally primer and paint.
I just want to know if 2 weeks is reasonable for what this guy is doing. He is only charging me $525 for everything (supposed to be a hook-up).
Feedback on this is great. Hopefully this will help all of you out if interested in installing a body kit. Much more goes into it than just ordering it online! I am learning as I go. Hopefully once it's FINALLY finished I can post some good pics up here.
Take care,
toMmy fiZo
New Orleans ~~> Moving to Omaha, Nebraska in 1 week.
*now you know why i'm in such a rush! lol
Two even three weeks isnt unreasonable, depending on how busy the shop is and hom much of a priority you kit is to them. What sucks is that he told you two to three days?
it all depends on the shop, if theyre busy or not. the whole wet sanding and primer can take 2 days...if the job is done right, the paint is done in antoher 2 days...*maybe*, depending on the quality. I say u stop by the shop and check out the kit in person and see if he has made any progress on it.
Like said before, you should set a time for yourself and just go by there and see what has been done and see if you can personally get them to make it a priority to finish it quickly.
Like said before, you should set a time for yourself and just go by there and see what has been done and see if you can personally get them to make it a priority to finish it quickly.
One more day.....lol. Hmmm....... Twinkle twinkle little star, how i wonder what you are, i wish i may, i wish i might, have my kit installed tonight!
That price of 525 is a hook up especially if her does it right and paints it and two weeks is reasonable. Body Kits are a Biyatch. I have been quoted 1450 and that isn't even to mold it. I was also quoted 900 and that didn't include paint and 600 from a guy out of his spare time but he is doing it in 5 days, everyone else said 1-2 weeks down time.
That price of 525 is a hook up especially if her does it right and paints it and two weeks is reasonable. Body Kits are a Biyatch. I have been quoted 1450 and that isn't even to mold it. I was also quoted 900 and that didn't include paint and 600 from a guy out of his spare time but he is doing it in 5 days, everyone else said 1-2 weeks down time.
I hope everything works out for you. As for me.....I am still waiting. I guess it wouldn't be an issue if I was not moving next weekend. He just gave me the impression that it would be finished much earlier. I will deff. post pictures when everything comes together. One thing good, is that I FINALLY received my new mufflers and car alarm. Now I have to have someone install the car alarm! LOL! I need to learn how to do all this stuff to save money. I love working on my car, I just need someone to teach me!
yeah, i might take pretty long depending on the things mentioned, but it's still not right for him to keep saying he'll have it done in the next couple days and not do it. I'd rather someone be stright with me, or say they wont have it done for awhile, so when they do finish it ahead of schedule, it's a surprise.
I hope everything works out for you. As for me.....I am still waiting. I guess it wouldn't be an issue if I was not moving next weekend. He just gave me the impression that it would be finished much earlier. I will deff. post pictures when everything comes together. One thing good, is that I FINALLY received my new mufflers and car alarm. Now I have to have someone install the car alarm! LOL! I need to learn how to do all this stuff to save money. I love working on my car, I just need someone to teach me!
toMmy fiZo
one piece of advice....its good to mess with your car(u'll learn so quickly) but when it comes to things that are electrical, if youre not too inclined on that stuff, try not to mess with it.....electrical problems are WAYYYYY worse than mechanical problems when it comes to a car
yeah, i might take pretty long depending on the things mentioned, but it's still not right for him to keep saying he'll have it done in the next couple days and not do it. I'd rather someone be stright with me, or say they wont have it done for awhile, so when they do finish it ahead of schedule, it's a surprise.
I agree with you!
Well, he called earlier this evening, "Your kit is drying as we speak. I just need to buff it and we will be ready to install it. Call me tomorrow whenever you'r ready and we will put it on."
Yes, I was a little worried about it. Funny how attached you can become to a large piece of fiberglass. Hmmm.... that is strange. I miss it a lot! LOL
toMmy fiZo
Now I think this guy is either stupid, or trying to rip me off. Sad thing is, this guy has just moved into a new shop. Actually, there is no business name or anything posted on the garage. He does have some equipment set up so I know he must do SOMETHING there. Yesterday and earlier today (acutally the last 4 days he has promised eash day that the kit would be done) he told me to call and come by the shop so he could install the kit. I told him the time I got off work and he said "no problem, just give me a call." I called him when I got off work and he did not answer. I waited for a while and decided to drive by his shop. I waited another 40 minutes and this guy did not even return my calls. Pissed off I left him a message saying that I am tired of the "run around". Hopefully this guy doesn't try to rip me off. Since it was supposed to be a "hookup" through a friend, I did not get any documentation that I left my kit with him. I do however have witnesses and a cellphone call detail that I have been in contact with this guy. I just don't get it. Why the heck tell someone one thing, and then do something totally opposite. Either this guy is on crack and doesn't realize what he is doing, or he is trying to steal my kit. The only reason why I think this guy may be trying to steal my kit is the HUGE run around and list of excusses he has given me. It really sucks. So to all you car enthusists out there, take it from me, trying to save a few bucks will just get you kicked in the nuts. If I finally get in touch with this guy again we will see what he says. I wonder what his excuse will be this time. I also want some of your ideas.... what would you do if you were in my shoes? Revenge? Payback? What would you do? All I have is a picture of my kit and a receipt. Should I call the police? Threaten this guy? What the @(#%????????????
Thanks for your input,
toMmy fiZo (on the brink) (also needing lots of beer to ease my nerves)
Try having your friend talking to him, since he is your "hookup". And just keep on top of this. Dont stop calling and just make a random visit without his notice.
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