Frustration setting in.. my Charger has been in the shop almost 3 months now

[russg]

Havn't posted in awhile cause my 73 is still in the body shop, getting a bit frustrated and maybe losing a little interest in the car as all this free time has me looking around at others.  Took it to a one / two man operation with a real good reputation.  After stripping all the paint they of course found more hidden bondo and what not so they are taking their time removing any hint of rust, welding in metal repairs here and there and i know they are doing it right but 3 months now and I'm losing patience as I watch everyone around here having fun in the Summer with there mucle cars.

By russg at 2010-05-21

[BrianShaughnessy]

Only 3 months            The real world isn't Overhauled.   

[russg]

To make clear, I'm not angry at the shop, just my lack of patience setting in

[CB]

well...I wish my car only sat for 3 months
it's +1 year now and still no fun.

hang in there!

[jb666]

Trust me, 3 months is nothing... I know it sucks... Believe me I do...

My car was in for 19 months.. What started as an easy thing turned into a nightmare. I lost 1/2 of 2008 and ALL of 2009 while everyone else was out enjoying their cars... Luckily, 2010 has been an amazing year.. As will yours once your car is done.

Be glad it's being done right and that the paint job will LAST. They could have done a "quickee" but you know what? You get what you pay for and it would all be coming back a year from now.

 

[twodko]

I can fully appreciate where you're at. We bought our 69 2 years ago.........waited for a guy who shot our Chevelle to paint the Charger. He got into a bind and months dragged by. Finally talked with the shop owner where he has his day job and struck a deal for 4 months to paint the car. We've watched as a couple very large car shows came and went around here and were bummed we had no car to show. Well, I just approved the paint match spray out panel and its being painted next week. 4+ months for our car is nothing compared to many here on the forum so just keep in mind your guys are being very thorough and the car will be stunning. Hand tight bro!

Tom

[dpm68]

Geez, I've had my customer's ride in my shop since late October...

[chargd72]

Geez, I've had my customer's ride in my shop since late October...

Maybe it's time to get offline and get to work  

J/k  

[elacruze]

2 years and counting.

I'm at the boat. 

[NGC414]

I learned to take the estimated time they give you and triple it, then multiply that number by 2 and then add 30 more days. At that point they have begun work on your car.

[Rolling_Thunder]

6 years for my project...    I just turned 24...    means I haven't driven my car since I was 18...    patience man...   

[Daytona R/T SE]

14 Months in the body shop and counting.

My guy is an absolute artist, it will be worth the wait.

[Silver R/T]

Only 3 months? I have been working on my project for years now. You've been watching way too much tv bud. I say go there and give them a hand. Whining doesn't get things done any faster.

[NGC414]

I am at just over one year. Dropped it off at the paint shop about amonth ago for final paint ( I don't have a booth). I imagine once I get it back I should have it back together and running by next summer.

[Back N Black]

My charger was in the bodyshop for 2 years and it took me total of five years to get her on the road. 

[MoparManJim]

6 years for my project...    I just turned 24...    means I haven't driven my car since I was 18...    patience man...   

8 years here.   

[Tilar]

I bought my 68 back in 1986 and have never driven it. My brother in law drove it home when I bought it but I was in front pulling it.  

[6pkrunner]

Told my bodyman, "Take your time, do it when you feel like it."

3 1/2 years to do the body of the runner.

[69*F5*SE]

Don't sweat it. 3 months is nothing. Your car isn't priority to them most likely.  Takes a lot of time to do things right.  It's all in the prep stages right now.  Check in on it from time to time to see what is happening.  But, be patient. 

[charger01]

Just hit 3 years for mine.  Everytime I feel like pulling it out, a little more work gets done.  Sucks, your right

[Wicked72]

looks like they got quite a bit done in that amount of time. I am taking my car completely apart for my build I hope to just get close to putting something together by next year! But I know exactly how you feel. I want to cry every time I go to a car show or see someone in their car enjoying it...... just hang in there, it doesnt look like there is much more to do before they start blasting the paint on. get some more pics!

[hemi-hampton]

3 Months, thats moving pretty quick, I've heard of cars sitting in Body Shops for 5+ years.

[b5blue]

I waited 4 months just to get my block reworked by the right guys! Just keep checking (in person) with them every week for some face to face time on progress. Keep it short but to the point by checking progress. 

[russg]

Only 3 months? I have been working on my project for years now. You've been watching way too much tv bud. I say go there and give them a hand. Whining doesn't get things done any faster.

I've done all the interior, suspension and engine work myself over the last year or so.  I completely suck at bodywork and paint so i know when to delegate and definately won't be giving him a hand with that.  Will just keep busy upgrading the 07 Charger in the meantime.  Thanks all for putting my project in perspective!

[Johnnys70SRT]

Russ,
I know just how you feel. My 70 charger took 20 years (YES 20 freakin' years) just to get it painted. My friends?? took the car apart stating we could have it painted in 1 year. After 4-5 months they deserted me. Not to mention all the deadbeat bodyshops I had to deal with over the years who took my money and did not do much to my car. Early in 2009 I was very frustrated with the whole situation and was prepared to sell my car, but thanks to the guys here at the forum, they advised me I would never be able to replace the solid California car I had.
So, after my many discussions with them, I became determined to get my car painted. I found another body shop (#5) that said they would complete the car. I took it there in May 2009 and got it back the week before Christmas 2009. So, It still took the final body shop 7 months to do the car. After all was said and done I lost over 20 years of cruising time and spent over $22,000.00 to get my Charger painted. Mind you that this was a solid car that needed NO sheetmetal work whatsoever. Only little annoying door dings and a few dents that needed to be filled. Car looks great now, but I can assure you of one thing- I WILL NEVER DO THIS AGAIN!!! Next time I will pay the money up front on a car that was done correctly. Turn the key and enjoy it.
Good luck with your project. Keep on the body shop and get EVERYTHING in writing!!!!
 

[doctor4766]

Can't top that

[HITMAN 149]

WOW!!!
mine was at my EX-buddy's shop for over 3 yrs!! with minimal work done....
then just dropped off at my house one day!!! GRRRRRR $cumbag!!!!!!! 
but ive got some REAL friends helping me out now!! it's gettin there lil by lil!!!
keeep the faith!!

[69 OUR/TEA]

If your car is there to get restored/full body and paint,etc,and is not a collision job,3 months is the blink of an eye at a bodyshop!!!!You did'nt say if they do collision and your car is a fill in,or are they just focusing on yours? It also depends on the level you want them to do your car to.You should have been getting this into action around last Sept,Oct as not to run into this dilema.
As for your pic of the car,it is not even taken apart,and what I see pictured(just grinded off paint and old body filler, etc),yeah thats not 3 months work as far as I'm concerned,more like 2-3 days at best!!!
2 things for those who want a shiny car that can't do it themself,either buy your project and get ready to deal with some down time and $$$$$$ at the body shop,or pony up and drop enough money to buy one done,get in and drive now!!!!!!
If these two options don't work for you,go buy all the tools,spray equipment,sandpaper,etc and give it a whirl !!!!!! See exactly what is involved to even make a car half ass straight with about a half acceptable paint job so you can learn and really see how involved it actually is to do it!!

[russg]

Went to visit the car.. Getting closer, we are now in priming stage!  He said there must have been 50lbs of bondo on the thing.  He brought out lines in the body I didn't even know where there.  I decided to delete the radio antennae hole in the top of the fender to keep it real clean and also the mounting holes at the front of the hood for the ratty looking chrysler symbol that was on it.  For some reason I like the turn signal lights on top of the fenders so those are staying.


By russg at 2010-07-24


By russg at 2010-07-24

[jaak]

Looking good
My car (the '69), stayed in a shop for 2 years and in those two years a trunk pan was welded in. Finally had to go and get it out.
3 months ain't nothing, looks like they are moving along pretty good to me. 

Jason

[russg]

Update... Sounds like the car will be ready to come home this weekend.   Been gone since April and wierdly feeling kind of nervous picking it up with it's new look.  I used to drive it around with reckless abandon because I couldn't make it look any worse, left it out in the rain, snow etc... park next to other cars in a tight parking lot without a care in the world, not even flinch when I could hear my kids toys bounce off the car in the driveway.  I think this will all be changing, I don't know if Im ready for this responsibility!

[UH60L]

My car was in the body shop from February to December of 2008, so I feel your pain.  The question is, how much pain will your wallet feel?  Mine came to $24,000.00 not counting all the parts that I paid for out of pocket.  

If by some chance I ever find myself in the process of restoring a car again, I will make sure to get a "written" estimate.  My verbal estimate was around half of what it turned out to be.

Oh, and that amount did not include installing the new glass, reinstalling the front grille assmbly or front valance or front bumber support.  

After all that, I am so broke, I won't be able to get the car driveable utnil at least next summer, short of winning the lottery.  So far, 2 years and 8 months since it was driven last     .

Again, I feel your pain, but 3 months isn't so bad, could be worse, and I have a feeling yours will be cheaper than mine.

Looks good so far, good luck.

[TiMopar]

To make clear, I'm not angry at the shop, just my lack of patience setting in

My GTX was in the paint shop for three years. By the time I got it back, the repro quarters were going rusty, so I cut them off and sourced some original cut-off quarters (another two years and two rip offs - that's another story). Fitted them and had another shop re-paint the car, 6 months this time. Still not on the road. Any more complaints?

[Cooter]

Here we go again with the "Instant gratification" Generation....What is it with people wanting more than they can get? Yes, I would LOVE to drive my Challenger R/T Clone, but guess what? I am doing the bodywork MYSELF and I can tell you straight up, IT ISN'T EASY and it takes A LONG TIME to get it right...If you are that flighty after 3 little months, you better hang up this hobby, begin playing the numbers HARD and hope you hit the lottery so you can just buy one done...Sorry for the little rant, but I have to wait to drive mine, I just can't seem to fathom how others seem to wonder why they have to wait too like it's an option or something....If you were doing that bodywork, 3 months wouldn't seem so long.....

[defiance]

Here we go again with the "Instant gratification" Generation....What is it with people wanting more than they can get? Yes, I would LOVE to drive my Challenger R/T Clone, but guess what? I am doing the bodywork MYSELF and I can tell you straight up, IT ISN'T EASY and it takes A LONG TIME to get it right...If you are that flighty after 3 little months, you better hang up this hobby, begin playing the numbers HARd and hope you hit the lottery so you can just buy one done...Sorry for the little rant, but I have to waitr to drive mine, I just can't seem to fathom how others seem to wnoder why they have to wait too like it's an option or something....If you were doing that bodywork, 3 months wouldn't seem so long.....

Try reading his posts before going off on some "dang kids!" rant.  They have no correlation to your accusation.


Anyway, Lump me in the "WHOLE lot more than 3 months!" category.  Just over 2 years.  Body shop had initially estimated 4-6 months  
But reading some of the stories on here, I'm lucky from another pespective, because they did a GREAT job in the end. 

And yes, the nerves go haywire.  Big time.  "Wait, my charger-sense is tingling!  I think there's a tree branch over this parking spot!!  Can't risk it being bird-crapped on, must move it to the spot half a mile away to eliminate all chances of trouble!

[russg]

Here we go again with the "Instant gratification" Generation....What is it with people wanting more than they can get? Yes, I would LOVE to drive my Challenger R/T Clone, but guess what? I am doing the bodywork MYSELF and I can tell you straight up, IT ISN'T EASY and it takes A LONG TIME to get it right...If you are that flighty after 3 little months, you better hang up this hobby, begin playing the numbers HARd and hope you hit the lottery so you can just buy one done...Sorry for the little rant, but I have to waitr to drive mine, I just can't seem to fathom how others seem to wnoder why they have to wait too like it's an option or something....If you were doing that bodywork, 3 months wouldn't seem so long.....

Cooter & others..I don't think you've read the posts.. I never had a problem with my bodyshop or the time frame at all, originally this was only telling my anxiousness or frustration of not having the car and last post was telling you it was nearly done and on it's way home, I never onced rushed or complained to the guy doing the work.  He only pretty much works on one car at a time so it's never really sitting in a corner to work on when he can get to it over a 2 year span, and I'm not telling how much this work cost me as you will never believe it, I would be happy to refer him out if you live in the midwest however you have to wait your turn as it's only a one or two man show at this place hidden amongst the cornfields of Iowa... I guess the way I worded the original heading is getting you old timers in an uproar but you havn't been reading the content

[UH60L]

""Wait, my charger-sense is tingling!  I think there's a tree branch over this parking spot!!  Can't risk it being bird-crapped on, must move it to the spot half a mile away to eliminate all chances of trouble!"


That's hilarious.......but true!      

[Cooter]

Here we go again with the "Instant gratification" Generation....What is it with people wanting more than they can get? Yes, I would LOVE to drive my Challenger R/T Clone, but guess what? I am doing the bodywork MYSELF and I can tell you straight up, IT ISN'T EASY and it takes A LONG TIME to get it right...If you are that flighty after 3 little months, you better hang up this hobby, begin playing the numbers HARd and hope you hit the lottery so you can just buy one done...Sorry for the little rant, but I have to waitr to drive mine, I just can't seem to fathom how others seem to wnoder why they have to wait too like it's an option or something....If you were doing that bodywork, 3 months wouldn't seem so long.....

Try reading his posts before going off on some "dang kids!" rant.  They have no correlation to your accusation.

I read the whole thread thank you, and it's Not just limited to those "Dang kids"...Most older guys/gals seem to think this way as well.......From where I sit, I seem to recall something like this ("To make clear, I'm not angry at the shop, just my lack of patience setting in")
and THIS was what I was referring to, Not a change in the middle of the thread...
I restore/Build cars on the side and have been asked to "do the Impossible" by a few that just simply don't understand how old cars and working two jobs works evidently...I reallize mid way through this thread there may have been a change, but I'm referring to why this thread was started....Impatience...
I was contacted by a client that had his car at that shop in Minn. (I'm sure you've read NUMEROUS posts about the people that got screwed over by MLC Inc. and I won't go into that here). I was asked to build a car starting from a "parts car" status and bring it to drivable/show car condition in 1 ONE Year....I said that's damn near impossible...Even with a full crew of 10, it would be pushing it...Finally, after I simply told this Client NOT to even carry his car to MLC Inc., I was told later by the client his car and related parts were sitting at their shop because he "Couldn't wait the 2 year backlog of customers I had" and wanted it yesterday...I said "fine, I wish you well"...To make a long story short, He's now out of $45K and 4 FOUR cars.....One was two days from being crushed as it was waiting for MLC to pay the sand blaster and had been sitting outside Blasted and was pretty much an "abandoned" vehicle to them....

Am I gonna say that ALL bodymen are honest and won't lie to you about repairs? No, But I will tell you that Impatience can cause all kinds of heartache in the end... This was what I was referring to....Not the back end of this thread...Hopefully, to help someone else that is feeling this way as well....This is why I don't EVER send my steak back even IF it's cooked incorrectly...The same applies to bodymen that will even work on the older cars as most body shops won't even touch 'em...

[CidE]

It took me 18 months to do the body work and get it in primer. The painter took another 2 months just giving it a final primer, wetsand and paint. Looks like yours is coming along though, it's hard to have patience.

[RIDELIKEHELL]

I've been waiting since May 2006 but my 68 was a lost cause...it is teaching me patience and of course how things are done correctly...hopefully next summer

[defiance]

Here we go again with the "Instant gratification" Generation....What is it with people wanting more than they can get? Yes, I would LOVE to drive my Challenger R/T Clone, but guess what? I am doing the bodywork MYSELF and I can tell you straight up, IT ISN'T EASY and it takes A LONG TIME to get it right...If you are that flighty after 3 little months, you better hang up this hobby, begin playing the numbers HARd and hope you hit the lottery so you can just buy one done...Sorry for the little rant, but I have to waitr to drive mine, I just can't seem to fathom how others seem to wnoder why they have to wait too like it's an option or something....If you were doing that bodywork, 3 months wouldn't seem so long.....

Try reading his posts before going off on some "dang kids!" rant.  They have no correlation to your accusation.

I read the whole thread thank you, and it's Not just limited to those "Dang kids"...Most older guys/gals seem to think this way as well.......From where I sit, I seem to recall something like this ("To make clear, I'm not angry at the shop, just my lack of patience setting in")
and THIS was what I was referring to, Not a change in the middle of the thread...
I restore/Build cars on the side and have been asked to "do the Impossible" by a few that just simply don't understand how old cars and working two jobs works evidently...I reallize mid way through this thread there may have been a change, but I'm referring to why this thread was started....Impatience...
I was contacted by a client that had his car at that shop in Minn. (I'm sure you've read NUMEROUS posts about the people that got screwed over by MLC Inc. and I won't go into that here). I was asked to build a car starting from a "parts car" status and bring it to drivable/show car condition in 1 ONE Year....I said that's damn near impossible...Even with a full crew of 10, it would be pushing it...Finally, after I simply told this Client NOT to even carry his car to MLC Inc., I was told later by the client his car and related parts were sitting at their shop because he "Couldn't wait the 2 year backlog of customers I had" and wanted it yesterday...I said "fine, I wish you well"...To make a long story short, He's now out of $45K and 4 FOUR cars.....One was two days from being crushed as it was waiting for MLC to pay the sand blaster and had been sitting outside Blasted and was pretty much an "abandoned" vehicle to them....

Am I gonna say that ALL bodymen are honest and won't lie to you about repairs? No, But I will tell you that Impatience can cause all kinds of heartache in the end... This was what I was referring to....Not the back end of this thread...Hopefully, to help someone else that is feeling this way as well....This is why I don't EVER send my steak back even IF it's cooked incorrectly...The same applies to bodymen that will even work on the older cars as most body shops won't even touch 'em...

So in spite of the fact that this guy is very clear about being patient with the body shop and OK with it taking a long time, you want to rant at him for being frustrated when more problems than expected popped up, calling him "instant gratification generation", inserting something about working two jobs (which has nothing to do with his post) and talking about some guy that annoyed you by doing the OPPOSITE of what he's doing...  Whatever man.  Have a beer and a good relaxing evening, sounds like you really need one.

[elacruze]

Whatever man.  Have a beer and a good relaxing evening, sounds like you really need one.

Ah, pshah. That's just Cooter. Enjoy, it's only the internet.

[defiance]

It's all good   Lord knows we've all been driven crazy by these cars at one point or another - what's needed is encouragement

[russg]

It's all good everyone.  I love this forum as I've learned so much regarding suspension, engine work, tuning etc.. couldn't have done it without everyones help here and try to pass on info to others on projects I've already been through.  Regarding paint and body, mine is not a full blown tear down to the last bolt type thing.  It was just strip all paint, fix, weld where needed then prep, prime, undercoat, paint and reassemble.  Still fairly involved but not nearly as much as some of you have gone through.  Look forward to posting pics when I get it back but I think I'll start a new thread so I don't have to go through the other stuff again!

[69bronzeT5]

My Charger has been a project for 11 years....

[hemi-hampton]

Here we go again with the "Instant gratification" Generation....What is it with people wanting more than they can get? Yes, I would LOVE to drive my Challenger R/T Clone, but guess what? I am doing the bodywork MYSELF and I can tell you straight up, IT ISN'T EASY and it takes A LONG TIME to get it right...If you are that flighty after 3 little months, you better hang up this hobby, begin playing the numbers HARd and hope you hit the lottery so you can just buy one done...Sorry for the little rant, but I have to waitr to drive mine, I just can't seem to fathom how others seem to wnoder why they have to wait too like it's an option or something....If you were doing that bodywork, 3 months wouldn't seem so long.....

Try reading his posts before going off on some "dang kids!" rant.  They have no correlation to your accusation.

I read the whole thread thank you, and it's Not just limited to those "Dang kids"...Most older guys/gals seem to think this way as well.......From where I sit, I seem to recall something like this ("To make clear, I'm not angry at the shop, just my lack of patience setting in")
and THIS was what I was referring to, Not a change in the middle of the thread...
I restore/Build cars on the side and have been asked to "do the Impossible" by a few that just simply don't understand how old cars and working two jobs works evidently...I reallize mid way through this thread there may have been a change, but I'm referring to why this thread was started....Impatience...
I was contacted by a client that had his car at that shop in Minn. (I'm sure you've read NUMEROUS posts about the people that got screwed over by MLC Inc. and I won't go into that here). I was asked to build a car starting from a "parts car" status and bring it to drivable/show car condition in 1 ONE Year....I said that's damn near impossible...Even with a full crew of 10, it would be pushing it...Finally, after I simply told this Client NOT to even carry his car to MLC Inc., I was told later by the client his car and related parts were sitting at their shop because he "Couldn't wait the 2 year backlog of customers I had" and wanted it yesterday...I said "fine, I wish you well"...To make a long story short, He's now out of $45K and 4 FOUR cars.....One was two days from being crushed as it was waiting for MLC to pay the sand blaster and had been sitting outside Blasted and was pretty much an "abandoned" vehicle to them....

Am I gonna say that ALL bodymen are honest and won't lie to you about repairs? No, But I will tell you that Impatience can cause all kinds of heartache in the end... This was what I was referring to....Not the back end of this thread...Hopefully, to help someone else that is feeling this way as well....This is why I don't EVER send my steak back even IF it's cooked incorrectly...The same applies to bodymen that will even work on the older cars as most body shops won't even touch 'em...

I gotta agree with Cooter. unless you've done the work yourself you don't realize how much time & money it takes to do a Resto. LEON.

[RD]

6 years.. doing it myself.. low funds, lots of patience.. stay in there, its worth it.