Paint Chip Repair Help Please

[Jeng1rl]

Hi everyone!

I have been reading this forum for quite some time and I must admit it is a big part of the reason that my WSR business has suceeded. I started my company last year and it has been extreemly sucessful! I have read many of your posts and they have helped so much! I appreciate that you all share your wisdom and expertise to help us all achieve great results. Thank you!

I now would like to add Paint Chip Repair to my locations. I feel that the market is there and that I could really increase my profit. However, I do not know where to begin. I have been reading through your posts and I do not want to get held hostage by the companies that sell the products and pay 3x the price.

I am hoping that there is some kind souls out there that can help give me some advice on how to get started, what training system and products are the best, etc.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!
Jennifer

[just chippen away]

I just did a youtube search [ http://www.youtube.com/results?search_q ... pair+&aq=f ] (Paint Chip Repair). There is going to be a little junk in it, but It can help you check into it with out calling a or the company.... I have two companies calling me even though I told them I will call them when I am interested. You have to love caller id... Just do not answer the call and here their message later...

I have been looking into the same thing. I asked one of my dealers if there is a service they need that is not her for them.... That was it... I will pay for good training, but not a balloon payment for nothing.....

If you find something of interest let us know.
Maybe someone here is already into paint chip repair..

[screenman]

I use a Kwik-Chip system over here, I would imagine over there if you did not want to import then the Applied Colors system would give you a taste for the job. Personally I would rather sell another repair than spend a good while touching a car up for the same money, I offer it as a service to only one very good customer.

[just chippen away]

Early this morning before your posting I viewed Applied colors on a youtube and was not impressed on how they applied the paint and the final finish, but then I just viewed the Kwikchip youtube video and view it as a very similar system... as you said... and that helped see what is could do if used different....

Question? Is there any paint mixing to it or are their colors pretty close to most......? I am thinking of doing that one car lot at this time and also my retail W/S Repair or H/L customers.
It is portable to carry. No spraying as I can see.... That is the deepest I am looking to get into.

Edited add in.
I am going to add on to this post... (thanks for the edit feature) I did this on purpose. I just went to the Applied colors site, and was not impressed with them again. only on the part with the gray bondo looking fill feature... Painting with a brush and now finalizing looks cheesy... Your Kwikchip site looks better..

[mend master]

If you want to be a hack, it really doesn't matter what you use. Go to Hobby Lobby, buy some Testor's model paints and a couple of brushes and have at it.
I am a certified painter and have a full BASF/Diamont mixing system, an sprayless scratch removal program, and two other systems. I use a syringe, artist brushes in various widths and bristle length, an airbrush, a hybrid method of the squeege technique, as well as a UV cure product. No one system is all encompassing or works in 100% of cases. You are venturing into a skill set that has absolutely nothing to do with your core business. Without a mentor, training, and a variety of systems, and some natural ability, you will be a hack and will waste your time and money, not to mention making a mess for someone else to clean up. If you have no background in base coat/clearcoat application or tri-coats, and are not skilled in paint correction techniques, you have no business getting near an automobile's paint. This isn't the old days of enamel. It takes a lot to do touch up correctly. You also have to be able to deal with scratches, abrasions, gouges, etc. Forgive me if I am being overbearing, but I certainly can't imagine allowing a windshield tech or a headlight jockey loose on anything of mine. The knowledge base and skill level to do an excellent job don't come in the bottom of a Cracker Jack box. There are plenty of franchises out there just waiting to steal your hard earned dollars. Been there, done that. Paint Bull offers training and product with no franchise fees, but be prepared to shell out upwards of $35,000. The stuff you see advertised for $1400 or so is only one method and only works in certain situations. There is a WHOLE lot more to paint than there is to WSR or HLR. If you want to add to your services, why not add something that is at least related to what you do? There are windshield protectants offered by several manufacturers. Clean the glass with alcohol and rub the magic potion on with the special applicator. How about, if you are fixing a windshield and notice the wiper arms are nasty looking, offer to spruce them up. Its called black out service. Simply clean, sand lightly, prime with an aerosol primer if rusty, then shoot them with a product called SEM Trim Black. $25 of easy money and you are right there beside them working on the glass. Or how about glass scratch removal? At least its related to what you do and you hopefully at least have some understanding of glass construction by now. When people try to get way outside their core business, they set themselves up for failure. Trust me on this one fellas. Have been in the business world for a long time now and seen many fools parted from their money. Yours truly included.

[just chippen away]

Mind master. I am taking all what you said with an open mind...

I have been thinking about this for years and really have not found what I would be comfortable to do on some ones auto.... I do know paint restoration takes a major neck and I do not want to be a hack in any service.... I have looked into every auto appearance service and so far if I can not devote the needed time to learn it or keep the edge on it, I would not get into it.....

About the time we all think work is slow and need to find another service to add on, work seems to pick up...
I do feel I am a perfectionist at what I do, so I may just read up on it all before even jumping in even with on toe.... The repair system and resin I use has been a proven for me... The H/L system I use took me 2 -3 yrs to get what I want after doing lots of limited research and trials. I added my own touches to it and tweaked it to my standards. I do not like it if I get negative criticism. That just means I failed and need to perfect it...

I am just as picky watching someone else working.... My wife says I analyze things to much.... I say I'm just breaking it down one piece at a time and trying to figure it out or to perfect it...

Looking is one thing, buying is another thing..... I may be looking into this for yrs.... I do not feel I can devote all the necessary time needed to do it up to my own standards...

I may sound like my head is swelled, but I was brought up to do things right, not half ass... That may be why I am so hard on others here with most...

Sorry, drifting.

I just love watching how things can be fixed or restored,,,, I just wish I had all the time in the world to learn it all...
My moto is: "Everyone is born stupid, We all learn as we go" It may sound sarcastic, but it is the truth, blunt and to the point....

[screenman]

Both the systems use a tinting by eye method, both of course take time to master. That said undersell and over deliver, know both your and the kits limitations and work to them.

Make sure you concentrate your time on the part of your business that earns you the most money, that is sales.

Quiet time is sales time, not enough repairs means not enough selling going on.

[mend master]

Just Chippen, you're a man after my own heart and upbringing. Tell it like it is and let the chips fall where they may. No pun intended, but it does fit, doesn't it? Anyway, glad you took what was said as constructive and not a negative rant. Like you, I take a lot of pride in doing a good job and trying to constantly improve. Most of my customers say if the finished product suits me, then they know they'll be happy with it. I am by far my own worst critic. I have very little tolerance for poor workmanship. Someone just starting out in anything has to go through a learning curve and we've all been there. The ones I take issue with are those that brag about having 18 or 2o years of experience and their work looks like they just started. There is a world of difference between someone that actually has applied themselves and continued to hone their craft for 18 years, and the clown that thinks they know it all and has 1 year's worth (if that) of experience repeated 18 times.
My point was not necessarily to discourage you from considering touch up, but pointing out there is a lot more to master than may meet the eye when dealing with paint and specifically touch up. Also, there may be better avenues to pursue that have less investment, less learning curve, and could be added to your offerings right now. It doesn't take Picasso or Rembrandt to refinish a set of wiper arms for instance. A little sandpaper or scotch brite, a can of primer, a can of Trim Black. About a $25 initial investment that is returned on the very first set. You can either take them off the car if you are so inclined or mask off the surrounding area with a drop cloth, plastic, or paper and leave them on. For the insurance chasers, this probably isn't the ticket. But if you service fleets or car dealers, this is a no brainer.

[just chippen away]

Mend master, My last line in the previous post said a mouth full to me: "My moto is: "Everyone is born stupid, We all learn as we go" It may sound sarcastic, but it is the truth, blunt and to the point...."

Saying that, How did you start out? Everyone has to start somewhere. I know you must have started somewhere with at least one system of way of doing touch ups. Remember you were not born with a knowledge of painting, you had to learn it.... Question on the table is what and would be a " GOOD" starting place or system in your books....?

If you would rather privately email, just drop a line... I do want to learn, but I do not want to a hack lit some of the others.... We have no touch-up'ers in this town..... I have seem to be one of the first in doing most of the jobs in this town then the hackers show up with their shortcut ways cheaper... I was the the 3rd in town to do w/s chip's and now I am the oldest business, hackers are climbing all over them selves to figure out what I am doing.... Non of their F'n business.... I was the first to start doing H/L's, again the hackers are walking around with sand paper in one hand and clearcoat or car wax in the other hand.

I need to find something to do that will take them a while to master over me if they ever will master it..... YES to all..... I AM DAMN GOOD AT WHAT i DO. And my head does not feel swollen....

I have an Industry background in building different things from start to finish product. A mind is a terrible thing to waste....


PM or email if need be.....
Read ya later

[mend master]

Just Chippen, did you get my PM? I had not used this feature in the past so I'm just checking to see if it actually worked.