[American]

I tell ya... this is the trickiest part.

A few stories...

Had a 55 Chevy, race car, just needed a hood and trunk lid painted as we eliminated the pinned versions... simple prep and paint black. 2 Weeks turned in to 3 months.

Same painter, 57 Chevy frame up restoration, after a year we had to get the landlord to let us in the building to retrieve it after the the guy skipped town. Luckily it was finished except for some polishing. Why he didn't call us we never found out. Heard he was gunned down a little later...I think there was meth involved.

Had my 98 Buell S1 painted ($1000.00) by a local guy in Saginaw/Haslet, TX. Shop was loaded with some very nice street rod projects. Work seemed good but he seemed just as flaky...turns out his work was good (initially) and yes, he proved to be flaky. Took him almost 6 months to paint a small tank, front fender, fly screen and tail piece. Same factory color red and two silver stripes...simple.

3 months later the tank bubbles. I take it back to him and after 3 more months he just leaves it outside and calls me...basically go screw yourself. There will be a reckoning one day I can assure you.

New painter, nationally acclaimed guy (I'll leave un named now) has my tank and 3 months later....still don't have it. Supposed to be a 1-2 week job.

They seem to all have personal and/or financial problems. Never get the work done on time and it seems the better they are the worse their personal problems are and the longer they will blow their deadlines.

So... finding a good shop is key...not just for the quality of work but also to know you will actually get your baby back!

I'm in Fort Worth and am looking as well...