Inliners International Forums General Discussion Body & Paint Metalman

Does anyone know a good metalman in Houston? Metalman=someone who knows how to use sheetmetal tools to reshape/resore a body part with out using bondo.
Australia= Panel Beater - though many Panel Beaters in Australia are Bondo slingers today and the true art of panel beating is disapearing.

Look & see if any have posted cards (3X5) at the local (automotive)Paint Store. This is how they find work/side jobs.

A word of CAUTION though; Not all are quailified to work on older cars etc. Have them do a small dent & see how good they are first.

BTW: If you don't have 'collision experience' you WILL get fooled and "ripped off" big time. In that case (no personal exp.), just get estimates at local shops till you find a good one.

It's far better to spend more $$ at professional Body Shop, than to have your vehicle destroyed by some KLUTZ that 'thinks he knows.'

Good luck.

PS: This is a BIG problem everywhere.

The big shops must work on the newer autos, as the competition is fierce and the profit big.

I did older vehicles in my shop but only on a "selected basis".

This is because: "The quality desired doesn't match their budget." You can spend weeks fooling around with a BOZO vs minutes with a good customer.

We all know 'time is money' and it can't be replaced.

Keep looking, you'll find someone.

If you don't mind a little traveling try Geno's body shop in Clinton Ar. He did me right. My wife took my Dodge 2500 pickup in there with a finder that looked like a veniceian blind when she got threw with it. She told him...NOOOOOOO bondo...and he couldn't find a patch panel cause truck was too new....so he worked it out..and did a great job. I also saw A model he was working on and was doing a great job on.

Gentlemen;

There's nothing wrong with a little Bondo.

In fact; It's a necessity in most cases and far better than lead, which was used in the industry until about 1960.

Some 'metalmen' can/do use it to excess however.

This is why you must get several estimates from different shops.

There is a relatively new body shop on Brittmore Road just south of Hammerly. This is just outside Beltway 8 on the west side of Houston. I pass it every day. Today he had a Roman Red 53 Bel air Convertible and a black 67 El Camino out ready for pick up. A few days ago they had a 55 Bel Air Drag Car and a 63 Stingray. Ther is always a classic sitting out front as a head turner. They may be worth a look. If you are interested I'll get the contact info for you.