rust repair/body shops in maryland

mdgunnut80

anyone know of some good vw body shops in Maryland that are priced reasonably?

schell '59 · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 6:44 am Post subject:

there's a few down there...goto services on here and look em up.

....Cooker's first or Econo i would guess.
_________________
WWW.401RESTOS.COM

see my "gallery" for more pics other than the website.

Schwing · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 6:34 pm Post subject:

Metric has their own paint booth now.

http://www.metricautohaus.com/

Metric Autohaus, Inc.
8207 A Rear Cloverleaf Drive
Millersville, Maryland, 21108
(410) 544-9196
_________________
Shadetree Westy
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=657279&highlight=

Single Cab - BBXXVII Long Distance Winner
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

mdgunnut80 · Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 6:00 pm Post subject:

Im hoping to try and fine a shop a little closer to me, but Im not having any luck

JayneHH · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 1:37 am Post subject: Body shop Maryland

Stopped by Metric yesterday at the Cloverleaf address to talk about my 69 beetle, they were closed and the building was empty. Any suggestions for good shop in Maryland ?

swhitcomb · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 6:13 am Post subject:

Cookers in Clear Spring. Trust me, it's worth the extra drive.
_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

JayneHH · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 6:56 am Post subject:

Cookers in Clear Spring, Thanks ! Ed's in Clinton was another one I was looking at trying. Any thoughts ? Crazy thing is, I never thought it would be this much of a challenge finding a shop for my project. Maryland must be some cosmic oddity .....no one to work on the beloved REAL beetle.

swhitcomb · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 9:56 am Post subject:

Well, problem is insurance shops won't work on them. To do body work on a Bug, very often exceeds the value of the car. It's a real limited market, in a real limited group. Add to that people such as me who are willing to buy all the tools and learn to do it on my own, it's hard to sustain a business doing it. Cookers has done so by turning out top notch cars, and occasionally working on things other then VWs.
_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

L378 · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 10:29 am Post subject:

It really depends on what you are wanting to have done. Sean is right about Cooker's, but it really depends on their work load, and how much you're willing to spend. Frankly, I had a fender done by a local body shop here in Frederick - Auto Craft Inc. A whopping $225 (5-6 years ago) with spot on match and a touch up tube to boot. Heck, I had friend do my rims at a dealer body shop in Martinsburg, WV for $100. My point is it kind of depends on what you want done - full resto, a fender repair or something in between - and when do you need it. So you might want to look into non VW specific resto shops or body shops staying away from collision shops (as noted). Good luck.

JayneHH · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 12:22 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all the information ! The body is not in bad shape but I am trying to be proactive about making a good solid car with the correct color, interior and engine rather than just do a quick fix to get it on the road. Fortunately the folks at the collision shops were not interested and I was totally sold on them either. So I e mailed Cooker's and they have already gotten back to me, which is wonderful !
Basics I don't mind doing but when it comes to body and paint I would rather have someone who has the talent to make the car right because I know I'm not that person.
Thanks for all the help, I really appreciate it !

manydubs · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2013 1:40 pm Post subject:

Econogerman in Hagerstown. John is an honest guy.

Mack8743 · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2013 7:07 pm Post subject:

yep he does very good work
_________________
66 beetle and 67 baja both projects

schell '59 · Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 4:38 pm Post subject:

...being a bit far away...i cant tell you who is better than the other..but seeing cookers stuff at shows and suchs i would roll Bob all day long and his brother is a hot s--t!...Gene.

i bet you'll spend more but in the end its worth doing it right once and pay for the difference.

my 2 cents.
t
_________________
WWW.401RESTOS.COM

see my "gallery" for more pics other than the website.

Ian M · Samba Member Joined: August 21, 2004 Posts: 222

Cookers labor rate is $50hr,which is on par if not cheaper than other shops.

Comparing restoration work is like comparing restaurants,which ones do you think have the better food and service-the ones you wait an hour to get into,or the ones that are always empty? Most importantly,you see cars FINISHED and at shows by Cookers ,not put into long term covered storage.

Caveot emptor.

swhitcomb · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 7:33 pm Post subject:

Wow Ian $50 an hour? That's a great price. Another well known shop I know of charges $85 an hour.
_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

schell '59 · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 4:32 pm Post subject:

....50 is the going rate across the board...over head dictates a slight vary here and there as well....mine is $65 and is 2013 compliant 4000sqft shop.
_________________
WWW.401RESTOS.COM

see my "gallery" for more pics other than the website.

Ian M · Samba Member Joined: August 21, 2004 Posts: 222

Yep,$50! I think folks people assume it's more because they only see the magazine cars. Of course,when you are talking a really nice 800hr deluxe bus restoration it becomes expensive really quick.

I know exactly the other shop you are talking about,from what I understand they stay busy too!

schell '59 · Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 8:32 pm Post subject:

Dude hit it right on the head for sure.... 50 sounds cheap until you factor in the cost of high end materials these days and for a rotisserie type resto an easy 3-4k is possible and then factor on metal work, body work and then the paint and detail... 3-400 hrs for a nice detailed, drivable. And show winner is not out of the question... Those numbers will add up to:

20k easy!!!
_________________
WWW.401RESTOS.COM

see my "gallery" for more pics other than the website.

investomatic · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 5:25 pm Post subject:

JayneHH · Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 4:04 am Post subject: Restore shop in Maryland

Thanks for all the help concerning looking for a restore shop in Maryland. I was not looking for a show car restore but a solid "drive it when the weather is nice" car. A friend of mine directed me to CR Cars in Philadelphia. I figure by the time I drove to Hagerstown or Virginia for a shop it was just as easy to go to Philly. Mark and Dave have been great!


Hello! Log in or Register \| Help \| Donate \| Buy Shirts	See all banner ads \| Advertise on TheSamba.com

	Forum Index -> Body/Paint	All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time Page: 1, 2 Next
Page 1 of 2