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I'll pass this address along, too.  Thanks.

Thanks!  I appreciate the recommendation.  :-)

enjenjo, I would appreciate it.  Being in the local LasVegas paint biz, he could either be a possibility, or know "the word" on local custom painters.  Thanks.

Is Carl a Las Vegas member?

I am going to do some design drawings for a Vegas builder.  He doesn't have a favored paint and body shop, and I am a little too far away to help, so we are asking for recommendations.

Looking for full service....able to produce quality work.....and the artistic ability to do murals, flames or lettering.

First hand experience with the shop would be a plus, so we know how they do business.  (I've been in this biz long enough to know that many shops have talent....or responsible businesses practices, but many businesses don't have both.)

enjenjo, I am waiting for the day I have a reaction to the isocyanates in catalyst.  I know guys who haven't been doing this nearly as long, that can't paint any more.  I have been using a remote air mask for about 12-14 years.  Maybe that has been the difference.

Thank God there is some pretty good waterbase paint now....though I would have to have someone else do the clearcoats.....unless I can hold out for another 20 years.  :-)

Thanks for the encouragement....but reputation is not a problem.  Like most painters, I work for people within a hundred miles....except for bikes, which can be mailed if someone likes your style.

Like you, I started out painting my own stuff.......mostly because I didn't like the quality I was getting from others.  As I improved, my friends hired (and encouraged) me.

BTW, whoever did your flames did a great job!

That's about when I started painting, too.  I have a couple bikes coming that will include some psychedelic graphics.  I'll have to get my old record albums out to put me in the mood.  :-)

I use a combination of old and new spray guns.  I believe that you could give the latest equipment to a painter, and that will make the job easier...but his work won't look any different, because that is not what makes someone pay attention to the details, or set the standard for his work.

I really don't know what the top three lines of paint would be.  Every painter has a different opinion.  If there were a poll, I bet PPG would make the cut, and HOK for custom colors.

I remember hearing stories about early paint "tricks".  I always stuck to the basics.  It keeps me out of trouble.

If you are an old van painter, here is a '60s-style job that you might like.  I just did this for a guy on the east coast.

Good looking job!  Black is the hardest, since the bodywork, and finish work have to be near perfect.

I've got a black one coming....and what is worse is it is a truck from the thirties.  That means it was beat up for 70 years....and now it needs to be better than new.  :-(

If it didn't have a big nasty Hemi, I would not be so quick to take it!  :-)

I use mostly R-M paints, with some HOK and X-Otic paints mixed in.  If anyone ever needs some advise, I am always glad to share.

One question.......now that you have done a job that requires a lot of effort.......will you do another.  A lot of people say "no more" after the first big job.

I love to talk shop, and see what others are doing, that might be interesting.

Great coverage!  Thanks for sharing it with us.  I have told more friends about your site.  :-)

The canopy express is probably the rarest of the production Advance Design trucks.  Anything rarer was probably coach built.  In truck circles the serious collectors seem to want them, but most the hot rodders (like me) don't see the point.

You can sell tacos.... to help pay for your trips?

I know this is conservative compared to a hot rod, but I think some may appreciate it.

Here is the famous thumpin'...tire smokin'....rear end bustin' "4-speed, dual quad, positraction 409"!

I still have pictures of some of my stuff from the 60s.

I could describe some of the old stuff, but I'll wait until I dig the pictures out.  :-(

Sorry if some of these are badly dated.  For the last 25 years, my best work has gone onto other people's toys.  I have pictures of several more builds I've done, but will need to dig them out.