Anyone know a reasonable priced paint/body shop in Melbourne?

[Hebe]

Hi Everyone,

I am almost finished with the renovation and was thinking of getting a new coat of paint, inside and out. Plus it has one dent in its right nose. (Series 1, 1958, 88", 12V, 2.0 ltr, Petrol)

But, I got a quote that shocked me a little. Roughly 4000... I said, what Italian Lire, or Laotian Kip? No 4000 AUD...

"Hebe" was previously painted white. The story is that they did this at assembly off the ship in '58. White benefiting the reflection of the sun/heat etc.

It looks good in white and I think to keep it the same and make it look like new. Anyone know a reasonable address in/around Melbourne? I'm living in Melbourne in an apartment building... frustration of not being able to paint it myself.

Also,... last items I am looking for:

1x Fuel Tank Sender Unit
2x Wiper arm (I believe 22 cm)
2x Wiper blades and blade holders (I believe 26 cm)
1x Oil presure switch (screw into engine, for instrument light not gauge)

Thanks,

Kris
hebe.land.rover@gmail.com
http://familyveen.com/LRS1/Hebe.gif

[Scouse]

$4000 sounds a little too cheap for an inside/outside paint job including a repair.

Most of the $$ is in labour to do the stripping and preparation for painting - can you do any of that yourself?

Or enrol in a TAFE course to do it yourself.
White on a Series would have to be the easiest paint job of all ;).

[Hebe]

Really? Well I am new to Australia and Melbourne... Maybe I am too stingy. You know I am Dutch and married to Chinese... so we always try to save on just about everything.

Anyone else any advice or recomendations?

Thanks

[Scouse]

Maybe I am too stingy. I am too which is why I do my own :).

[Shonky]

Yep - as Scott has said, just do it yourself. If you know someone who can teach you, great. If not, enrol in a TAFE class. (TAFE is a country wide technical college. They have courses in everything from painting to welding to aged care to hairdressing to basket weaving etc etc.)

Certificate II in Automotive Vehicle Body - Courses - TAFE Courses Directory (http://www.tafe.vic.gov.au/tafecourses/search/Courses/Detail.asp?ID=33325&AllRegions=yes)

You can probably arrange to just do the painting bit of the course. ;)


There are a few main different types of paint too:

2-pack is the nasty stuff that paint shops use. It is tough and great when dry, but dangerous to spray without the right gear. Not really amatuer territory.

Enamel is the stuff you get in spray cans. It is easier to spray but can still have some nasties in it and sticks to EVERYTHING.

Acrylic (what I use) is easy, safe and cheap. It is not quite as hard wearing as the other two, but certainly tough enough.

(PS - I'm no expert, but the above is how I understand it. I have got very good results using a cheapish spray gun and acrylic paint. :) )

[**Discovery300Tdi**]

G'day mate,

being a panel beater myself i'll give a little pointer...while i was in school doing my apprenticeship we had alot of ppl donate there cars to the school to either get repaired or painted. As i mean donate it just letting the school have the car for the studants to get some hand on experiance while the teachers are watching very carefully. Only downturn is that it might take a little time getting her back but i'm sure yoy can work it out with the teachers.

While i was doing my time i can remember repairing a RRC front guard and read quater panel and once i was finished (1 week) it then went into the paint shop where it took another 3 - 4 weeks and the guys was very greatful and pleased for the work. So thats 1 ave you could look at, if you are interested just give batman tafe a bell which is located in melbourne cbd and ask for the panel beating/painting department.

cheers simon

[chris1983rangie]

hey Joker thumbs up...........what a great idea.........!;)

Chris

[**Discovery300Tdi**]

hey Joker thumbs up...........what a great idea.........!;)

Chris

cheers matey......save some dollars doing it that way and plus he'll be getting a quality job done as well because the teachers end up doing most of the work :p.

[Hebe]

Indeed a few great ideas and alternatives...

I got myself an air pressure tank with a spray gun a month ago... but, the thing is I am new to Australia and Melbourne and we live in an apartment in the city. Nowhere, I can do this... Sure, I could drive somewhere quiet... but than I still can't use the presure tank (electrical)... and I would also feel rather bad in spreading more toxins into the nature...

I will have a look at the Tafe courses... Meanwhile, keep your responses coming. Very helpful indeed.

Thanks and take care,

Kris