| Author | Message | ||
| Neil Green (Neilg)
Junior Member Username: Neilg Post Number: 75 Registered: 2-2001 |
An update on my '77 308GTB. The car is completely stripped now, doors off, etc. Priming begins next week. Will take more pics at that time. With respect to the door plunger switches, mine were the old circular-base style, not the newer teardrop mounting base style where they are installed with a screw. The old ones are impossible to locate. I ended up repairing my broken one with a nylon washer to retain the spade connector tab. But for the newer style door jamb switch, try International Auto Parts as Ed Salla stated - they are $2.50 ea, vs $15 and more) from Ferrari suppliers! | ||
| John Ames (Ameshouse)
Junior Member Username: Ameshouse Post Number: 80 Registered: 1-2002 |
I got replacement plunger switches from Evans Automotive about 4 months ago. He said he had just bought out someones supply. $15 as I recall. | ||
| Neil Green (Neilg)
Junior Member Username: Neilg Post Number: 72 Registered: 2-2001 |
Guys, is there a product which can be used to strip fiberglass (i.e. the front bonnet) of a 308, rather than the painstaking effort of stripping by hand? Any information would be greatly appreciated....thanks in advance........... | ||
| Paul (Pcelenta)
Junior Member Username: Pcelenta Post Number: 232 Registered: 7-2002 |
great article by michael sheehan on why it costs so much to paint a ferrari vs a mercedes. titled "the $7000 paint job" www.ferraris-online.com/Articles/SCM_0006.html | ||
| Ron R (Ronr)
New member Username: Ronr Post Number: 45 Registered: 10-2002 |
Rob, I talked to James at Norwoods about having some places fixed on my car, and they use a place in Euless. He could probably give you a guess, or their number. | ||
| Paul (Pcelenta)
Junior Member Username: Pcelenta Post Number: 230 Registered: 7-2002 |
It is a sprayed on yellow colored filler that smooths out the rather rough stamped sheet metal. | ||
| Dr Tommy Cosgrove (Vwalfa4re)
Member Username: Vwalfa4re Post Number: 444 Registered: 5-2001 |
I know this is a stupid question but what is this body filler and why do Ferraris have so much? | ||
| Neil Green (Neilg)
Junior Member Username: Neilg Post Number: 71 Registered: 2-2001 |
Robert, thanks for the recommendation of Sikkens as well. I learned of this quality paint from here on FerrariChat, as I have so many other things about my car - I'm really grateful for this site, as I'm sure others are as well... | ||
| Robert Davis (H2oquick)
Junior Member Username: H2oquick Post Number: 217 Registered: 8-2001 |
At our paint shop we charge no more to paint a Ferrari as we do a Corvette or a Mustang or a Honda. The only difference in additional charges would be for any bodywork, dents, rust, ect. I do not understand where the hell these shops justify the high cost in charging owners of Ferraris and other sports cars. By the way we use Sikkens finishes...excellent choice you will be happy for many years to come. Enjoy and good luck. | ||
| Neil Green (Neilg)
Junior Member Username: Neilg Post Number: 70 Registered: 2-2001 |
We're figuring about $1K for the Sikkens paint supplies to do my car. The painter was surprised at the amount of body filler under the paint, but he's doing his best to stay within my budget. He's in the process of removing the doors then will strip the jambs. I did locate a source for the door plunger switch (Continental in Hinsdale, Il - a dealer - Randy 630-655-3535)...he said these have gone end of life - he has several left. I checked on the cost of the rain drip rails (those riveted to the car above each door) -$385 each! I think I will just touch up the scratches on mine! Also, my ' 77 NON-CATALYST emissions sticker has to be replaced since it is a decal - believe I found a supplier (Kilimanjaro Design, Ltd of Mississippi, but have to call them first)..... | ||
| Paul (Pcelenta)
Junior Member Username: Pcelenta Post Number: 227 Registered: 7-2002 |
based upon the work that is being done on neils car I'd say that the $6500 is a fair amount...when stripped to bare metal F-cars are a problem due to all the filler that the factory used (read..more $$/labor)....I spoke to someone who recently repainted a 275 gtb and he said that they did not use any chemical strippers on Ferraris for fear of disturbing the original filler..basically, they wet sanded the car down to the original primer and work from there...still very time consuming... I think that the 20k figure is somewhat fluffed up due to the Fcar status...Martin is correct in that you are looking at perhaps $1000 in materials tops...there are many talented painters out there that do great work...with the smaller non-boutique shops you'll get a more realistic price... | ||
| Dr Tommy Cosgrove (Vwalfa4re)
Member Username: Vwalfa4re Post Number: 443 Registered: 5-2001 |
That's about $24,000 in labor only. That's a lot of labor. Don't get me wrong, I believe that you get what you pay for and I don't mind paying for a good job. I just can't understand why the numbers are THAT high for these cars. | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Advanced Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 3451 Registered: 5-2001 |
paint: $710 paint booth rental: $ 200 painter to paint my Ferrari: $ 200 taking off every piece myself on the car: very pricy! (I'd break every single piece. Heck, I'd break the screws that hold the door latches in) overall cost $ 25,000 | ||
| Edward G. Salla (350hpmondial)
Junior Member Username: 350hpmondial Post Number: 228 Registered: 2-2002 |
If that plunger switch is similar to any one in the Fiat Specialist Cataloge, "International Auto Parts" (Good pictures) You can buy a similar switch, and use the plastic plunger out of a fiat switch to rebuild the origional Ferrari one. (I did this with the emergency brake plunger switch.) | ||
| Dr Tommy Cosgrove (Vwalfa4re)
Member Username: Vwalfa4re Post Number: 441 Registered: 5-2001 |
How can these quotes we get vary so much? Assuming a stellar job can run 5-8K, what's included in the 20K quotes? Even if the guy charges $100/hr that's another 130 hours or 16 days work running solid 8-5 all day long. What gives? | ||
| Neil Green (Neilg)
Junior Member Username: Neilg Post Number: 69 Registered: 2-2001 |
I'm planning on spending approx $6.5K on my car, but I feel it is worth it. He has a very good reputation in these parts, and is thorough and doesn't skimp on the amount of labor which will be required to obtain a smooth finish. When I first looked into a repaint job, the other local quotes were ranging from $5K to $7K ballpark. Wide World of cars in NYC quoted me $20K over the phone, so of course I stayed local with an independent...by the way, FORZA magazine is working on an article for repainting 308's (was hoping it would be in this latest edition, but didn't see it) - the timing would have been great for me, since I'm going through this process right now.... | ||
| Dr Tommy Cosgrove (Vwalfa4re)
Member Username: Vwalfa4re Post Number: 440 Registered: 5-2001 |
It's price-gouging Ferrari owners unless it's the same labor rate to strip and paint an Accord. | ||
| Paul (Pcelenta)
Junior Member Username: Pcelenta Post Number: 226 Registered: 7-2002 |
2 years ago I was quoted from classic coach in NJ aprox $10-12k for a repaint on my 308...depending upon the amount of bodywork needed....seemed a little outlandish to me...but they were talking concourse quality and they handled the dissassembly and reassembly (where a lot of the cost is). To give you an idea...I had a very clean P 924 stripped to metal and painted (I dissassembled it)in glasurite 4 years ago for $1900...it placed 2nd in its class at the Porsche parade...the shop did a great job...it wasn't pebble beach but it was top notch and better than OEM...In my opinion, I wouldn't spend more than $5k to repaint a regular production car like a 308..infact, if you prepped the car yourself...I would bet that you could find someone (word of mouth preferred) that would do a high quality job for $2500 to $3000.. | ||
| Matt Lemus (Mlemus)
Member Username: Mlemus Post Number: 893 Registered: 8-2002 |
Rob, There is a guy here in LA called Junior's house of color. He is in a really bad part of town. His prices are 30k and up. Regardless of model. There was an article about him about 10 years ago in a ferrari magazine. People were taking their cars fresh from the showroom for a repaint. I was shocked. It took him like 2 years to paint the cars. He really took him time. The pic's were incredible. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 2926 Registered: 12-2000 |
What is the range of Ferrari paint jobs? From say a track car job to a concours condition? | ||
| Neil Green (Neilg)
Junior Member Username: Neilg Post Number: 68 Registered: 2-2001 |
Dave, didn't realize the plunger switches would be hard to find (I recall purchasing one a few years back, but have to look at my records) - at that time it was a readily available part (I thought) - I do have the broken off tab from the back of the switch....will give your method a try..thanks for the tip! | ||
| david handa (Davehanda)
Member Username: Davehanda Post Number: 331 Registered: 5-2001 |
Neil, those plunger switches for the dome light are awful hard to find. Save the pieces, you can probably fix them. I did on my 308. You just need to make the little retaining piece to hold the metal contact...I used a hard, fiber washer, and cut a small notch in it to slip into place.. | ||
| pete gorrell (Rufus)
New member Username: Rufus Post Number: 28 Registered: 2-2002 |
Go to an upholstery shop. Buy some piping fill (it's a cheap plastic solid tubing used to make the 'tube' around the edge of pillows). Slide it under the rubber window trim (to raise the rubber free of the metal surface) before painting. Cheap. Simple. | ||
| Neil Green (Neilg)
Junior Member Username: Neilg Post Number: 67 Registered: 2-2001 |
Paul, to answer your question about the door frames, the painter removed all that hardware. I'm sure it will be a fun time when it comes to reassembly, and getting the windows adjusted! I see there is a recent post pertaining to this very issue, thanks guys! Already have it printed out. With respect to rust, the car is very clean. I never drive it even in the rain, and it looks like previous owners did the same. No rust spotted anywhere that he/I could see. With respect to the rear glass, I think I will have him leave it in, and carefully work around it... | ||
| Neil Green (Neilg)
Junior Member Username: Neilg Post Number: 64 Registered: 2-2001 |
The painter (the one wearing the blue cap in the last pic) is a big Porschephile, and wanted to tackle the Ferrari job. After getting recommendations from multiple FerrariChatters, I decided to have him keep the windshield and trim in place, and dig out the rubber sealant underneath, and be very careful when stripping (I believe he is going to work around this area by hand - tape over the trim with some aluminum-based protectant tape), as he knows the danger of leaving aircraft stripper residue in crevices. I was leaning towards leaving the rear glass in as well - need to talk with him more. It looks like it is sealed in very well - I think with newer 308's the glass removal would be much easier. To save $$, I stripped parts off the car as far as I could go, and he took off all the door hardware, including handle, keylock, glass, etc. He said it wasn't too bad a job, but lots of rivets! However, one piece of trim got slightly damaged by the drill slipping off the rivet, so I am in search of a replacement. Only other casualty was a door plunger switch (activates dome light) got broken (driver door side). You don't realize how many parts are on this car til you start taking it apart! My cellar is full of them...with respect to the rear 1/4 glasses, I took them out myself prior to delivering to the shop...mine had 3 rivets hidden behind a leather strip panel, weren't bad at all to remove. He is very surprised at the amount of yellow filler the factory sprayed on. The casting is crude when all this stuff is removed...can see lead, weld lines, etc..this of course means it will probably cost more than I originally anticipated if I want it the finish smooth, not wavy....will take more pics when he begins the priming, etc.... | ||
| '75 308 GT4 (Peter)
Intermediate Member Username: Peter Post Number: 2267 Registered: 12-2000 |
Looks like they're doing a good job with your car Neil.  | ||
| magoo (Magoo)
Advanced Member Username: Magoo Post Number: 3695 Registered: 2-2001 |
The 1/4 glasses pop out and the seal around them. Not too big of a job. | ||
| Paul Newman (Newman)
Member Username: Newman Post Number: 792 Registered: 12-2001 |
I was going to ask about the glass. I plan on removing the glass except the windshield for my repaint. How much of a pain is it to remove the quarter glasses? I see rivets and they look like a major headache as well as the backglass seal. Im assuming the door glasses were removed along with the window frames as well? Did you find any hidden damage or rust? | ||
| Mark Eberhardt (Me_k)
Junior Member Username: Me_k Post Number: 202 Registered: 5-2002 |
I need to do that to mine. i'm surprised to see the glass in, I thought the chemical strippers would damage the rubber. Maybe next year. | ||
| Neil Green (Neilg)
Junior Member Username: Neilg Post Number: 63 Registered: 2-2001 |
Here are a few of recent pics I took of my 77 308gtb at the paint shop. I was amazed at the amount of yellow body filler than was underneath. Going to be repainting it red using Sikkens:     |