So here I go with my new profession

[mikepmcs]

As some/most of you know, I retired from the Navy and I manage my buddy's body shop.  Well, here's the new scoop, I am now managing/doing the estimates and repairing cars.  SWEEEET!  I'm just about finished on a totaled 99 cougar that we saved for the kid.   You name it, I pulled straightened welded and just about have everything lined right up for paint.  Need a tiny bit more instruction on paint, then I'm golden.  So anyway a little background drama from the past week.  The owner finally fired his youngest son who didn't care and we know what that does to quality.. right?  I jumped in his role and just started taking up the slack where I could.  It is just myself and his oldest Jason that do everything now.   Jason is a phenom when it comes to mending a vehicle.  I'm not sure he even graduated from High School, but his body skills are unmatched.  He's been doing it for about 18 years for his dad and he is awesome to say the least.  Well...you can imagine the load he and I have right now cause we are it.  I just took it on and dove right in and today he told me that he can't believe what he is seeing.  He said I am a natural and also said that I'm doing really well and can't believe that I know what is going on with no instruction.  It is making him work twice as hard and everything is going really well cause "J" is happy now. I couldn't believe the compliment that came from him today, it's not his style. Even his father(owner) said the same thing.  Anyways... I'm liking the new life even though I have no money, but this fellas, and gals, is the way to go!!!

Doing what I want and found out I'm actually good at it.

More to follow.

v/r
Mike

[BMOTOXSTAR]

Body work is a form of art. So is laying down paint. It definitely takes skills.

[mikepmcs]

I have always said the same thing! I am not an artist but I can follow any line and... thank whomever... cars have lines.

This is artwork I can handle.


vr/r
Mike

[The70RT]

Good deal Mike. Hope it all works out. 

[71ChallengeHer]

Congrats Mike, Sounds like your enjoying your work. Wanna fix a Daytona?

[68chrgrwife]

Good for you Mike.. .when you get a few weeks vacation come down and help me do the body work on my 71....I'm gonna need it..hubby knows nothing about body work..I picked up some working at the shop....

[Charger_Fan]

Congrats Man, the job's always more fun & interesting when you actually LIKE what you do.
My job at the motorcycle dealership was like that for about the first two years...it stopped being fun about 8 years ago, now I'm beyond burned out & am looking for a nice change.

Good luck to you, I hope it continues to be gratifying & fun for ya!

[AirborneSilva]

Cool deal Mike, I have always thought I'd like to get  job at a body shop to learn the business.  It's great to be able to do something you really enjoy doing, makes going to work easy.  I sure wish we lived closer so you could come over and tell me what to do and make sure I'm not screwing it up!

[JimShine]

Congrats Mike! I do believe you are an artist though. Those shadow boxes and other pieces of furniture are artwork! While there really may not be much in common with those and body work, I do believe there are many things in common.

[firefighter3931]

Cool deal Mike....congrats on the new job ! 


Ron

[mikepmcs]

Thanks everyone!
My only draw is I can't get on the site as much as I would like to.

Jimmy, love ya bro, hope everything is going well. I appreciate the nice compliment, you are too kind.

very nice that you all had nice thiings to say.  I'm out for now, gotta work on the 55 pro street changin dizzy springs.

v/r mike

[AirborneSilva]

Thanks everyone!

very nice that you all had nice thiings to say.  I'm out for now, gotta work on the 55 pro street changin dizzy springs.

v/r mike

Oh yeah sure, rub it in on how much fun your having today   

[hemi-hampton]

I've worked at 20 different Body Shops past 20+ years & they all sucked.    It wasn't the cars or working on the cars as I love working on cars, mostly the older Mopar Muscle, BUT, It's everything else about it that sucks.  Only way to go is run your own Body shop, working for anyone else is total Frustration   or soon to be if not already. LEON.

[Brock Samson]

  really great to read this,.. that's so cool,.. as you may know i'm looking for greener pastures myself... it helps me to read the sun also rises... 

[Lowprofile]

Congrats Mike! There is nothing better [well almost nothing] then actually going to a job that you like/love to do. I wish you all the luck in the world bro! 

[daytonalo]

Thats great !!!!!!! Me I'm 43 still haven't figured out what I'm going to do ! Maybe next lifetime !!!!!!

[mikepmcs]

wow, how am i doing??? haven't been on in over 2 weeks and it is killing me.   been working long hours..mainly cause i like it(the whole body work thing).
I decided tonight to dedicate a little time to the site. I really miss being on here and hanging with my closest 4000 friends.
Having a good time but still trying to figure out the monetary part of this.  gotta start making a dollar here and there and that will have to be flipping cars.(no mopars as I said before)
Thanks everyone including..Lowpro, Larry, for the encouragement..much appreciated.

Anyway, i'm learning alot and had to quickly because it is now only the owner's son and myself(now i do the office, estimates, body and paint).  good thing i'm anal and worked with wood because it is coming to me easier than most in my mind.

I've painted a few cars and other things but don't want to jump too far before learning the metal bumping and become very comfortable.


ok, all for now.

Mikey out...as always V/R of course

[chargermick]

Congrats Mike! If you love what you're doing. "it aint work"

[71ChallengeHer]

Glad your enjoying it , Mike. I worked in a body shop up until I was in that car accident. And I have to say it was my favorite job. One that I really enjoyed and miss. I loved being around the cars.

[hemi-hampton]

Mike, Hows the Job Going? LEON.

[Charger_Fan]

Mike, Hows the Job Going? LEON.

[The70RT]

I hope he is ok. He hasn't posted in over 5 weeks

[71ChallengeHer]

He was on here on Aug 15th.

[BMOTOXSTAR]

 

[berna4406]

 Congradulations on the new profession I'm glad that you really enjoy it.Ive been doing it for over 20 years now full time as a painter for the last 15 years and I myself am pretty tired of the buisiness.Although I would be happier to have my own shop doing high end restorations.
                              Good Luck on your new adventure. Sam