I wanted to get wheels and get them painted the same color as my xb, trying to find places or communicate with places to paint them is impossible, I just got off the phone with the wheel connection and I never got past being put on hold, #$CK them. I had already emailed them last week and never got a response so I thought I would call. Through out the whole time being put on hold, I could here them pick up and keep putting me on hold, NICE!. I also wanted to get some goldline springs and have them painted. but that seems to be and impossiblity to. I was referred by a hugely popular vendor on this site someone to get my springs powdercoated, I actually just want them painted but I thought I would ask, he gave me there email and no response. I wanted to do something extra for my xb instead of just buying the straight part and slapping it on but if this is going to be the way it goes, I will keep my money and just ride stock and not deal with angst of dealing with zero customer service companies.

 

Keep it local. It's easier.

 

gyeah.
you're in Cali...anything is possible there.

 

sorry to hear that

 

when I did paint local, I had to do it under the table for my wifes EVO wing, which was not bad but just kinda sucks that they do not want to have any history of it being painted there, and the second time I got my mom a metal license plate frame and had a shop color match it to her scion tc, and they charged me 90 bucks, it was a rip off, but it was so close to her bday I had to do it. I have said this in another post, regular paint and body shops seem to not like to do side stuff like this.

 

I agree with the comment of getting work done locally. And if you are having problems with one shop in particular the solution is simple, choose another shop. Don't let bad experiences with a couple of crappy shops ruin your customizing experience.

For the wheels you have a couple of options. First order a set of cheap wheels from one of a million online vendors and then have them painted, powder coated or anodized locally. The other option is to order a good set of custom wheels from a reputable company and order them in the color you want. Companies like Into, I-Forged, J Line ID Luxury Wheels and Boze Forged will do this for an additional cost. In the end, there is no comparison between the two options.

As far as the springs, sometimes a deal to good to be true is just that. Pass on a vendor giving you problems and go with someone else. And again, get any painting or coating done locally. I am not sure what you mean exactly by "under the table" but any paint or powder coat shop worth a $h!t is going to stand behind their work. If they aren't willing to, find yourself another shop. You may have to pay more, but you will be happier with the work in the end. And don't expect to get off cheap. They charge what they do because they can. If their work wasn't worth what they charge, they couldn't charge it.

The only other thing I could suggest is talking to shops that specialize in customs. They are always willing to do "side jobs" or smaller projects. That is the majority of their work. Just be prepared to pay a premium price for a premium service. Otherwise, learn to do the work yourself and you can begin charging others.

 

Thanks for your help. What I meant by under the table was exactly that, the shop had a guy there that did these side jobs and he got paid directly, no reciept no write up nothing, he did a good job but, just strange that a body shop would not want cash, they want to be paid by insurance companies on smashed cars thats it, money is money I thought. As far as wheelconnection goes I just called them again on my way home and they only put me on hold for a minute and answered my question they said 50-100 a wheel which is about what I expected. I do not understand though why companies put a contact email address on there web site and never respond to you. I agreee with getting things done locally its just seem like its hard to find shops that will. As far as the springs go I will just order them and get them done around here. The vendor was not at fault it was his contact that was for not answering my email. If there are in Ca Paint shops out there that do this kind of thing or anyone that has a suggestion I would greatly apprectiate it, I am on the LA San Berdo County line. They will wind up getting quite a bit of work from me if they do a good job. That is if I don't continue to have experiences that I have had so far

 

I know this may seem like I'm bein a smarty but I'm not. Go to West Coast Customs or somethin and maybe the will paint the parts for you. Or even the dealer or somethin.

 

Bwahaha!!! Don't waste your time with those jokers. They have become too "cool" for their own good. I remember way back when, they were lucky to be getting minitrucker business. Even back then they had big heads and thought that their $h!t didn't stink.

Just keep an eye out there around Chino Hills for a local shop that does custom work.

And the reason the company had their employee do it on the side is because he chose to. It kept the time off the books of the regular company hours and kept the cost down for you by going directly to the painter's pocket. The company could have painted it during regular hours but you probably would have paid 2-4 times as much.

 

Do you have a suggestioin of where I can get the TIG 07 wheel at, any recommondations from place you have been?

 

It is strange about body shops. Most are now known as collision repair facilities. I worked in one for a few years as a parts guy, and then for a auto piant supply chain. Body shops like insurance companies because once they are a authorized repair facility the can go on and fix cars they way they see fit. some shops use o.e.m. and some use generic for a higher profit. and the last thing these shops want is any kind of custom work where it will slow down the timeline of getting other cars fixed. Insurance companies pay for rental cars by the day and the faster the turn around , ( sometimes ) the more that gets paid for fixing the said vehicle. not to mention dealing with a picky customer ( not you in particular ) and him wanting something done" just a certain way or painted some strange color or shave this, can you do a wild ten color paint job on my 20 year old caprice , that I primed myself" this type of work is hard for a shop to do because of the time and sometimes extra work it takes to make the finished product look good. and when they charge out the roof for that type of work it is because it is a lot of hassle, and sometimes so much prep work has to be done or redone to get it right. And then some shops just think they are to good to fool with $200.00 worth of part painting and you have to go "under the table" get work done. good luck.

 

Thanks for the insight, did not know all that was going on in the back ground, but now that you said it , it makes sense.

 

I know what you mean about not getting answers to Emails. I think that computer literacy does not always go hand in hand with dealers and shops......

 

yeah best thing might be to go to a custom car shop. alot of shops do painting for all sorts of things. and yeah regular body shops HATE to do anything other than insurance , almost all can do it , most will but none WANT to .

 

andizbox, that is hilarious!!!! [/quote]

 

another good source to find a shop that does this type of work is to go a auto body supply shop like finishmasters or A.P.E. and ask them who they sell to that does this stuff on a regular basis. they know these shops very well because they supply them with every paint can and roll of tape that is consumed or sprayed.

 

this is a good example of why you should try to do it yourself. I got into car audio after I had an install done by a shop, costed me a good bit of money, and it was stuff that I knew I could do myself.

try to do it, I bet you will be surprised with the results.

 

Yes, I did mine myself with BSP and they turned out great.