Possible Cheap Painting Source

[90grad]

I am in the middle of redoing my Vendo 110 and really want to turn out something nice.  However, like many folks, there is always the money issue when you cannot do something yourself.  For the repainting, I have taken my machine to the local Vocational-Technical High School.  They have a complete auto body facility.  Another teacher there, who is a friend of the family, said they painted her daughter's car and it turned out great.  The charge will be minimal.  I think it's going to cost me pizza for the class plus a shop fee.  I will post pictures when I get it back.  The teacher said it would take 3-4 weeks.  So, if this turns out decent, it might be an alternative to those of us who don't do the painting thing and want to get a good paint job at a well-below market price.

[mznb1u]

I will be interested to see those photos.  That sounds like a good option and I would think that the kids would get a kick out of working on something quite different from a car every now and then.

  Tim

[Jim]

That's an excellent alternative; especially, if the shop is using decent paint products!

[msanborn]

If folks on here have access to a military base, most of them have an auto hobby shop that is minimally priced.  I do all my sandblasting there, usually costs me 15.00 shop fee, and I use their machines all day.  Many also have a paint facility, and the ones I have been to are more than happy to help. 

[90grad]

If folks on here have access to a military base, most of them have an auto hobby shop that is minimally priced.  I do all my sandblasting there, usually costs me 15.00 shop fee, and I use their machines all day.  Many also have a paint facility, and the ones I have been to are more than happy to help. 

I work on a large military base, and we have an auto shop.  We (I am a civilian) can use the facilities, although I haven't done that yet.

That's an excellent alternative; especially, if the shop is using decent paint products!

The instructor said they use all Dupont paint.  I gave them the codes and he said no problem.  I can't wait to see what they do with it!

[90grad]

All,

I picked up the 110 today.  They did it in the proper 2-tone scheme with Dupont paint.  It cost me $399.04, not including the pizza I am buying for the class next week.  The fixed some minor rust, too.  In short, they did an AMAZING job.  I couldn't be happier.

Yeah, I owe you pictures.  But, in the meantime, if anyone is looking for possible painting cheaper than a pro shop, try your local Vocational School.  I only paid for materials.

[collecture]

Was blasting the cabinet included in that price?

[90grad]

Tom,

No, they didn't blast it.  According to the instructor, they sanded it down.  I'll try to get a photo or two this weekend.

[SIGNGUY]

If the machine was pitted, sanding would be hard to get the rust out of the pits? cant' wait to see photos.

[90grad]

Here are a few photos.  Some pictures of the machine when I got it can be found here...http://soda-machines.com/discussions/index.php/topic,10404.0.html.  The rust was all surface stuff except around the bottom of the bottle door.  The school class filled and fixed it.  It looks great.  There is a VERY slight wave in the paint on top of the main door, but I can certainly live with that.  I've already spoken with the teacher about getting another machine to the class next year.