Painting in Mexico

[Gregory OConnor]

Guy, you got to go where you feel comfortable but autobody paint is
not an art it is a science. You buy paint for your profession and
where you apply it is an art, how you apply it is a science
determined by the paint manufactures. The chemicals that are
allowable in Mexico are longer lasting proven paints and if the
applicators are scientist and not artist every thing will be ok. I
just dropped a piece of concrete on a 2003 Nissan Altima. ( my job
has no art) The Artist in the body shop wanted $2800.00 for the
repair. My Liability insurance company hired an adjuster who quoted
$1,300. and the origional shop said they would honor that quote.--
CON ARTIST, $1500.00 off over the phone!!!.-- I did the prep work
and contracted a dealer to apply the paint for under $600. I have a
Million dollar liability policy that cost $9000. per the year and I
have to post a $5000. bond to get the premiums that low. The
insurance game has pumped up the cost of autobody so much in the
states that the Artist bodyshops dont have the time to do private
work claims. They dont give private work a brake they just charge
closer to reasonable. Maybe I should have spent the $2800. and
passed the cost onto honest hard working customers. I pass the
insurance premiums on! . It takes 7 months to paint a bus because too
many unshopped insurance work comes in and the private work gets
sidelined. I think giving in to the insurance game is bad for the
country. If you go to mexico and save $15,000.00 that is money you
can spend in our economy for productive things like .... New concrete
in your driveway..... or Art work for your house.... or airoperated
dump valves on your bus.

Gregory O'Connor
Dino Bus conversion, TJ Mexico


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "guysmalley"
wrote:
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gregory OConnor"

> wrote:
> >
> > Mike gives good advice for job completion details. I find
craftsmen
> > in Mexico trustful and honest but slow. I would motivate
completion
> > by scheduling pay draws ie prep, undercoat, colorcoat, clearcoat,
> > reassembly. This way you control the progress. I like to stay
> > removed from any deviation of the contract by acting as a
> > representative of the owner. Owners complain and bitch, whereas
> > a 'rep of the owner' respectfuly demands.
> > Greg O'Connor
>
> Greg
> In your exprience you have worked with trust worthy people. but not
all are so what
> happens then, you have a major investment in the hands of people
who are outside our
> legal system. when you compare the cost of the coach to the amount
saved vs risk. not a
> good gamble. We all are in business yes it is cheaper but I look at
the fact I can support a
> company in my case Truckcenters inc who painted my coach using
people of all
> backgrounds whos average time there is 16 years. yes I could have
shopped around but I
> could talk directly to the crew who was on my project, they had my
number and no money
> changed hands til they finnished. Those craftsmen buy stuff, stuff
I produce so the circle
> goes around, yes it is a globle community but I would like all
countries competeing on an
> equal ground
> my two cents
> guy smalley
>