Looking for a body shop in the south bay UPDATE

Campindog · 12-26-2011, 10:58 PM

2012 may be the year I get my car painted. Does anyone have a recommendation for a body shop around San Jose? I'll be looking for a color change.
thx,
Derek

aslan · 12-26-2011, 11:58 PM

I would highly suggest Tommy's Auto Body in Hayward. I don't know of a place closer to you but it would definitely be worth the trip. I can give you more details if you want.
Stan

vphan119 · 12-27-2011, 01:56 AM

Hey, theres a shop i took my 67 mustang and prior cars to called Almaden Collision and Kenny Auto, Inc. They always kept me up to date with photos on the whole build and also helped me out with other restoration needs. I only trust them with my car.
Here is their facebook page
Almaden Collision & Kenny Auto, Inc. | Facebook
and here are a couple pictures of my car painted by them

vphan119 · 12-27-2011, 01:57 AM

i forgot to mention that their shop is located on the south side of San Jose right by the golfland near Oakridge mall

trkpny2 · 12-27-2011, 11:15 AM

I agree with aslan, Tommy's is the place to go. I am sure that there are good body shops out there, but if you are asking for recomendations,Tommy's is my vote for sure! I have seen their work first hand on both aslan's car and my wife's '66 coupe and it is flawless. Our minivan got rearended a week ago, its going to Tommy's tomorrow.

Campindog · 12-27-2011, 06:39 PM

I've seen Aslan's car in person as well and I agree it is beautiful! But iirc it took a year to paint : ( Just the same if someone will shoot me their contact info I'll go by their shop in January.
Vphan, I'll swing by Almaden next week. Your pix look good. Sounds like it's on Winfield. Not far from me.

vphan119 · 12-27-2011, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Campindog

I've seen Aslan's car in person as well and I agree it is beautiful! But iirc it took a year to paint : ( Just the same if someone will shoot me their contact info I'll go by their shop in January.
Vphan, I'll swing by Almaden next week. Your pix look good. Sounds like it's on Winfield. Not far from me.

Ya it's on Winfield. Turn around time was Very fast also. Let him know vu phan refered you

aslan · 12-27-2011, 09:30 PM

Here's the info about Tommy's: 22383 Meekland Avenue Hayward (510) 581-1889
The reason it took so long was 1) I told them to take as long as they needed and 2) obviously, their bread and butter is insurance, but if you set up a time frame, they would be able to do it.
And one more thing: they were extremely accommodating me in letting me come down and take as many pics as I needed and able to talk with the guys whenever I wanted (usually a couple of times a week).
Stan
If you go by, definitely tell them you know me and Chuck.

cmayna · 12-27-2011, 11:10 PM

Sorry but I strongly believe that especially for body work, you need to work with someone somewhat close to you, not Hayward if you live in San Jose and visa versa for if an issue arises you need to be close enough to go and put the fire out, not blame east bay traffic for not getting the issue resolved. There are too many hungry body shops out there that should prevent you from having to go very far. Look around, ask for recommendations.

Craig

aslan · 12-28-2011, 12:06 AM

Derek, you've seen my car and I don't know if you have seen Chuck's but a recommendation like his is hard to turn down. Don't worry about the proximity of your shop. In all the time my car was a Tommy's there were no "fires" to put out because of the professionalism by Drew and his workers. I definitely would not choose a place just because it is close.
Stan

ceswert1 · 12-28-2011, 08:09 AM

Try Mustang Ranch. 1375 El Camino Real Santa Clara. 408-247-9005. Excellent!

cmayna · 12-29-2011, 10:15 AM

Does the Mustang Ranch do their own body work? or sub it out? If the latter, why pay for their middleman mark up? Just something to consider.

Campindog, How nice of a paint job are you seeking, daily? showqueen? and do you have the budget for it? I'm sure you can find some decent shop in SJ if you just ask around.

Another issue to consider which will infact hit the bottom line is how much involvement will you be on the car prior to taking it in for painting? Will you strip it down? Will you have it as a rolling chassis? If so, will you consider having it media blasted first?

Campindog · 12-29-2011, 05:06 PM

Not to speak ill of the dead, but Rod and I had our differences going way back (anyone remember Autotopia in Sunnyvale in the 70's?) , so I won't be going to Mustang Ranch. I don't know who owns it now though.

I'm looking for a nice DD. I have small kids and I've had to rub out more than one smudge from handle bars from my existing paint. I certainly want more than a Maaco/Miracle job, but not a show stopper either. I'm not willing to give up my car for long periods of time either.
I painted a mustang in my garage in the late 80's. I'd do that again, but I'd prolly go to jail if I tried it in Campbell. I'm thinking I will pull the trim, then drive it somewhere and hand over the keys. I'm still at that stage where I need to talk to shops and get a better feel for labor rates, time involved and what I get for my money. I want the hood, fenders and doors pulled and painted separately, but I'm not convinced the car needs to be stripped. Maybe it does, maybe it doesn't. I'm pretty convinced I don't need BC/CC. I want straight panels and gaps and no orange peel.

trkpny2 · 01-03-2012, 10:12 PM

You will not be able to get anything but BC/CC. The restrictions on the VOC,s at body shops has stopped the use of single stage paint jobs well over a year ago. They are all forced to use water based paints now. Unless you go really far away to get the job done, any shop in at least the 9 bay area counties will be using water base paints. They really aren't that bad, its not like you can expect the same results from a Weatherbeater paint. Paint technology has come a long way, and... if you have kids, they will grow up in a better enviroment.

steven65stang2893speed · 01-23-2012, 02:14 AM

well i live in san jose and i havent seen your car here before. anyways i would suggest the place i might take my car to it is a shop i used to intern at. I interned at the service center but their is a body shop right off it and i am friends with everyone back their. Anyway if i dont paint my car myself the car is going over their for body refinishing witht he body work and paint. not sure what the name of the bodyshop is but the name of the dealership is capitol chevrolet and it is in the back of the dealership. I know all of the guys that do body work back their and they can do some refinishing for u probubly but i dont know the painter but i talked to him and he is down for paintings. I saw his work and he does flawless work and has been doing it for a long time he can also do small things on plastic and not have it drip at all. if your interested private message me and i will send you my number and i will give the guys a call.