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The price differential actually increases against your competitor - I thought with the quality of GRP there would be a saving on fit, prep and paint but it works out a significant amount more than the rival build agent.
It's still the kit I want to see most at Stoneleigh tho!
The price differential actually increases against your competitor - I thought with the quality of GRP there would be a saving on fit, prep and paint but it works out a significant amount more than the rival build agent.
It's still the kit I want to see most at Stoneleigh tho!
The price differential actually increases against your competitor - I thought with the quality of GRP there would be a saving on fit, prep and paint but it works out a significant amount more than the rival build agent.
It's still the kit I want to see most at Stoneleigh tho!
Just out of interest what do you think it should cost ?
Not trying to be confrontational but you do realize that business's have overheads, rent, rates, energy bills, accountants fees (mine was £600 last year) etc etc.
A skilled panel Beater/ Painter will need a wage just like every one else to live.
When I price a job I ask my customers if they want me to "work down to a price or up to a standard".
The last Lotus I painted came out North of £5,500 in fact the last 3 resprays that were what I call "big jobs" were all over 5k
I'm just comparing to competitors build agents (who I've just used) I was expecting it to match or beat not be more expensive especially considering the difference in prep required.
And yes I know all about business expenses - I've been with HMRC since 1986... (or HMCE as it was in the good old days)
Big money paint I've found Is sometimes disappointing - my mates Ram cobra was done by SMS who were supposed to be the kiddies at the time. Squared off arches, misting under lacquer and sink holes said otherwise - ended up in court and they settled just before due to go in.
There's a guy half mile from me doesn't do full resprays but panel work and charges 100 per panel. Used him to avoid an excess on a hire car that was keyed on the door. Very good job equivalent to rest of car in terms of peel/lustre.
Its interesting how the kitcar "customer" has changed over the years.
When Duttons and the likes were the norm no one would have dreamed of build agents. Part of the experience was to build it yourself.
Then came the Midas and Marcos and a few more were built by the factory but it was still understood that these were speciality cars and could not be directly compared to the main stream fit and finish.
But the new style customer pays for it to built and painted by a build agent and expects new car standards.
Many are then disappointed when after all that outlay they don't enjoy them as they drive similar to the donor vehicle which is an old car.
I'm just comparing to competitors build agents (who I've just used) I was expecting it to match or beat not be more expensive especially considering the difference in prep required.
And yes I know all about business expenses - I've been with HMRC since 1986... (or HMCE as it was in the good old days)
Big money paint I've found Is sometimes disappointing - my mates Ram cobra was done by SMS who were supposed to be the kiddies at the time. Squared off arches, misting under lacquer and sink holes said otherwise - ended up in court and they settled just before due to go in.
What do you call big money paint ? fiberglass is more involving to paint than steel, so you have extra work their straight away.
I bought a new body for a GT40 recently, the guy who makes them is very well known for turning out a quality product, nice and shiney but would still need a lot of hours to put right.
At the time - about 10 years ago it was 4K - not sure how that equates now.
I've had kit cars all my adult life - 30 odd years. I damaged the front if my cobra towing it (I actually managed to break the output shaft on the Top loader gearbox!) Anyways I had to have the whole front painted as it was metallic red and the painter couldn't 'lose it' anywhere so painted back to doors. The colour match was very close but slightly off - it was the original AK Demo car in Which Kit and no one had any idea what the paint was. Closest match was a Renault colour. Anyway I decided to have the doors and rear end re done to match. Total cost was less than 900 in 2004. Painted on Canvey Charfleets estate by a guy named Stewart.
This is the car - the stripes are vinyl. It last changed hands through a dealer for 26K. It looked stunning.
I'm glad you're happy with a 6.5K paint job - any pics? I'd like to see what 6.5K of paint looks like
I know how much prep my Tribute Kalifornia needed because I've visited regularly to see progression - the flash lines are really bad to start with plus symmetry and alignment issues - Dax cobras always had bad flash lines too.
@Roadster - I totally rebuilt the interior of my Noble P4 (fastest car I've ever owned - over 500bhp per ton) - clad in alloy with alloy seats (recently sold for 49K - not by me!), I rebuilt the engine on my AK cobra and completely retrimmed the interior (it was horrible magnolia when I got it), I helped my brother build his Midas Gold back in the 80s. I've worked on all my kit cars - thus is the first one I've used a build agent for. I did this cos I'm 50 now, I don't have a proper garage to build in and frankly, I haven't got the time nor can I be arsed to do it. Plus the build agent has done, in my opinion, an unbeatable job at a very reasonable cost.
That was 2004 - 12 years ago - and he was thinking about retiring then so not sure he's still around - Google suggests he's not there any more but the unit number was 01268 511114.
If I were you I'd get Richard @ Nubodi to paint your car
That was 2004 - 12 years ago - and he was thinking about retiring then so not sure he's still around - Google suggests he's not there any more but the unit number was 01268 511114.
If I were you I'd get Richard @ Nubodi to paint your car
I didn't think Nubodi had a paint shop they farm the work out.
I didn't think Nubodi had a paint shop they farm the work out.
I don't know of any kit manufacturer that doesn't, so...unless you know who the paint shop is, and have the relationship with them he has to get whatever preferential rates he may get.....go through Richard (its not rocket salad!)
I don't know of any kit manufacturer that doesn't, so...unless you know who the paint shop is, and have the relationship with them he has to get whatever preferential rates he may get.....go through Richard (its not rocket salad!)
I guess you mean "you don't know any kit manufacturer that does"?
Nobodi is not a manufacturer he is a build agent.
Any preferential deal that he gets he is not passing on to the customer, he is in business .
So I guess your advice is to chat to paint shops close to Reading or just ask for the car to be painted to your budget.
It doesn't make sense to go to a build agent to get your car put into a paint shop.
I meant I don't know a kit manufacturer that doesn't farm out its paint work
I guess my advice is, and it makes sense to, go to the person who can get a show standard finish for a pretty much unbeatable price and whose work you can see several examples of on cars similar to the one you want painted. Whether that be Richard or someone else.
I guess you mean "you don't know any kit manufacturer that does"?
Nobodi is not a manufacturer he is a build agent.
Any preferential deal that he gets he is not passing on to the customer, he is in business .
So I guess your advice is to chat to paint shops close to Reading or just ask for the car to be painted to your budget.
It doesn't make sense to go to a build agent to get your car put into a paint shop.
I would guess Nubodi add a percentage to the paint work price, as you said they are in buisiness.
From the pictures that I have seen on here they do look very good, looking forward to seeing some of their work up close at Stoneleigh if I get the chance to go.
Good paintwork is rarely cheap, and cheap paintwork is rarely good.
I guess you mean "you don't know any kit manufacturer that does"?
Nobodi is not a manufacturer he is a build agent.
Any preferential deal that he gets he is not passing on to the customer, he is in business .
So I guess your advice is to chat to paint shops close to Reading or just ask for the car to be painted to your budget.
It doesn't make sense to go to a build agent to get your car put into a paint shop.
Just for your information, although its really none of your business, I funded the paintshop 20 years ago. I had a car painted by an apprentice at a body shop, I saw his potential, good painters are born not created. I put up the money and he now works for me, he does his own crash work when he can but he I keep him very busy. You can call every paintshop in the country if you like as he does not advertise, and would not take on anyone trying to go through the back door. You may find this hard to believe but what he charges me I put £100 on top to cover collection and delivery. We make our money on the build and preparation. That's why we can do these jobs for under £3000 and no one else can to this standard. For anyone on this forum that has not seen our work, here's some examples
Sorry I do not mean to hi-jack this forum, all our work is on the Tribute forum. We are the build agent for Tribute.
I have spoken to Brian on several occasions and I am in awe of the quality of his GRP. I believe his prices are justified as the development that goes into these kits are immense. There is room in this industry for all types of kits.
Top of the pile is DNA but reassuringly expensive.
Tribute produce more varied models and much faster. They need more sanding and fettling but are cheap.
Choice is a great thing.
(or HMCE as it was in the good old days)
