Question: What suggestions can an experienced restorer offer to a hobbyist regarding entering the restoration field, starting a restoration business, or restoring a Pontiac at home?
Answer: As values increase on a daily basis, it seems as if everyone hopes to take advantage of the musclecar-market boom. This has created a gross misuse of the term restored. At Jim Mott Restorations in Twin Falls, Idaho, no truer a word is spoken. Mott's work has been featured in HPP and is second to none. With just one look at what rolls from his shop, you'll quickly understand the true meaning of a total restoration.
This question was directed towards Mott because he is an independent restorer with a small shop located in his backyard. He doesn't have a staff of employees that specialize in certain areas of restoration, and rarely has he found a component of the body or drivetrain that he was unable to fix himself. Simply stated, Mott does it all and he does it well.
Mott's first suggestion for newcomers is to keep expenses to a minimum. "It doesn't pay to have a huge shop right from the start. It usually means big bills and high overhead. You'll never begin making money that way," he says. "Start as small and as cheap as you can, even if it means working from a two-car garage. A square jig and rotisserie are great assets when space is tight."
Developing a reputation in an area where a waiting list exists can be very difficult. Mott has found that for a small shop, a true restorer has to perform all the work himself. "You have to be a master mechanic that can assemble and tune engines, set up transmissions and rear gears, and track down electrical problems. But you also have to be equally experienced in paint and bodywork. It's the jobs you farm out, when you become responsible for another person's work, that can get you into trouble."
Mott has found that very few rust-free original projects exist anymore. "Today we must adapt to the situation of restoring parts cars," he says, and in his business, he refuses to use reproduction body panels. Instead, he travels to the West Coast several times throughout the year and gathers original body panels with minimal rust to maintain a complete inventory. His opinion is that without original sheetmetal, a restoration is compromised.
6.) Home-Painter Legalese
Question: Have there been any recent changes to paint formulation that affect the hobbyist who plans on restoring his Pontiacs at home?
Answer: Numerous rumors of late suggest hobbyists will no longer be able to purchase paint from local automotive-paint suppliers, and it isn't any secret that lacquer-based paints are virtually nonexistent. But what about the future of enamel paint? And how about the legality involved with painting your car at home?
To confirm or dispel some of these rumors, as well as gauge current hobby trends, we contacted Ron Stazzoni of D&R Auto Paint and Supply in Omaha, Nebraska. With over 20 years experience in the industry and as the area's only licensed PPG-supplier, we were confident that Stazzoni could shed a great deal of light on the topic.
Stazzoni started by saying, "Enamels and lacquers are going away. Replacing them are high-solid, low-VOC (volatile organic compound) urethanes. These are much more technical and have less room for error, which will make it tougher for the home restorer. The good news is that they have great durability and can produce fantastic results when applied correctly. In 2008, water-borne products will begin appearing in California. Anyone will be able to purchase them, but their use may be too technical for the average hobbyist."
Urethane-based, high-solid/low-VOC...
Urethane-based, high-solid/low-VOC paints will soon replace virtually all lacquer- and enamel-based paints, according to our experts.
When asked if he has seen an increase in home restorations, Stazzoni replied, "Yes, we have. Current television shows may have sparked that trend. They make it seem so easy."
Another facet that may fuel this trend is high restoration costs. "People usually get an estimate from a body shop. After getting over the shock, they decide to try it themselves. But once they get into the project, they quickly realize why shops charge so much," he added.
Stazzoni's company offers a number of different paint systems for home hobbyists to choose from. "PPG's Shop Line is one of the newest," he says. "It contains a high-quality resin base at an affordable price. When you consider that a restoration can cost thousands of dollars and that the finish is the first thing a spectator sees, saving a few hundred dollars buying a cheaper system isn't always the best option."
A common area of concern amongst hobbyists is the legal guidelines for painting at home. While thoroughly researching local laws before painting is strongly suggested, "around here, any area over 24-inches square is supposed to be painted in an approved booth," Stazzoni says. "There can also be huge fines for improper disposal of the hazardous waste that is produced. The fumes contain harmful products that can cause serious respiratory problems when inhaled. So investing in a paint respirator is also a good idea."
While there are certainly an infinite amount of questions we could have asked our group of experts, their answers cover a broad spectrum regarding the current state of the hobby as well as its future. Since they are so closely related to the industry, we're confident they are on the cutting edge of current trends. So no matter how you perceive automotive restorations and paint and body in particular, like any other facet of the hobby, it too is constantly changing. If we as hobbyists don't adapt, there's little hope for our future.