I'm thinking about offering rust repair and possibly body and paint classes at my shop. The idea is that for a fee, you bring your car to my shop. I provide the tools, space and guide you through doing a repair yourself. You would need to plan ahead as to what area you want to focus on repeairing, have the new panels in hand upon arrival. No interior, no engine or transmission, that way we can put the car on a rotisserie to gain complete access to the problem areas. If the owner wanted to bring a complete car down and do a whole disassembly to learn how the car is put together, we could do that as well.

My intent is for these to be one on one classes as I don't have the room to have 2-3 additional cars at the shop. What I would be willing to do, is have one car that is being worked on by the owner, and for a very minimal fee, others could attend to observe and ask questions.

For the one on one class, the attendee would learn to weld ( MIG ), use basic air tools, lay out cuts for patch panels, make cuts, prepare surrounding metal prior to welding in the new panel. Fitting and cutting of the new panel, how to correct mistakes in fitment, controlling heat warp when welding. Hearing, eye, and hand protection would be provided, as well as an auto darkening helmet.

Cost would be around 400.00 per 8 hour day + materials, I would cover lunch and drinks. Additional attendees at 50.00 each, and I would still cover lunch for all.

Also possible would be a " tech " session where a group could come in for a day, ask questions, I could have a customers car on standbay to flip around and use as a visual presentation. This would be more of a Q&A type session not an actual hands on working class. Again 50.00 each, and all the b.s.-ing we can handle afterwards :beer2:Maybe even go for a spirited drive during the day

If there is interest I might entertain someone leaving their car at the shop if they wanted to do multiple sessions over a period of time for a full restoration.

One thing to keep in mind is a hell hole repair or complete floor pan replacement is close to a full weeks work, so do not expect a one day class to net you a brand new hell hole


Whatchu think ?

Sounds like a really great idea. Too bad your 10 hours away

I wish I lived closer to Richmond VA. Sounds fun.

I'd love it. Now just move your shop about 2200 miles to the west. Shaun was going to do something like this but I think his shop relocation took precedent.

I wish your shop was in beautiful, sunny, warm, Southern California!! There has been talks about getting one of the shops in So. Cal. to do the same thing including a welding class, but so far nothing has come together yet...

In 8 hours you could have the work done that would take 6 months for the average hobbiest going it alone and teaching himself along the way. If you are on the east coast and have a car that needs the work, rent a trailer for the weekend, load up your car and drive to Richmond.

If you spent $1000 doing this for a weekend, chances are you would actually come out ahead in cost when everything is tallied out.

Zach

I agree! It's so easy to spend a lot of time and money going in the wrong direction.

Why didnt you start this a few months ago?

Great Idea, I may not ned the whole 8 hrs but I may need a retouch session. If you are gonna be at the Hershey meet, you may give me an idea of how many hours I may need. just litle things here and there...
It definitely sounds great!!!!

I've need to replace an outer suspension console. Is that something that could be completed in a day?

I still realy like the idea and want to do it out here in San Diego but as 76-914 said, the shop move put it on the back burner. my new shop is a way bigger better location for the class. Scotty's format sounds a little different. I dont think you can fix any rust repair in a day due to chemical reaction times and drying times. the part that takes time and knowledge of proper technique is all in teh prep work that Scotty talked about above.

the PCA performance driving school is in March so after that

Scotty, when would you do your class? summer I presume. maybe we could do a web cam simulcast. I could put you up on teh big wall with the projector. we could have two instructors on two coasts. I already have a rough draft of my lesson plan. rust, rust, rust

great idea,,,,, you would have to be one great teacher,,cause I really suck at this body work stuff!!! and like the others a bit far,, but great idea.. There is nothing like getting pointed in the right direction and learning to do these things yourself!!

bodywork takes talent...or being ScottyB

Great idea. If a web cast can be done we might find a place here in North Texas to
simulcast. People here might put in $20 ? To cover local costs and send $5? to Scotty to cover broadband camera costs. If East and West get this organized and costs figured Ill be Texas point on getting this set up here.

PS. Since Buttercup was filmed and Dr Evil is experienced in group sessions. You might pick their brains. Hope something can be worked out. Scotty B. It's a good thing you're offering.

In a word....no. I am assuming your console needs replacing due to rust ? If so then you WILL have hell hole/long issues as well.

After giving this some more thought What I can also do, is offer a price break for anyone that wants to do multiple days, since most of these repairs take 2-5 days for me to do myself without giving instruction, with the hell hole/long being the worst. I'm thinking 400 for one day, 350 for the second and 300 for any after that, with a week long session being a set 1250.00.

There is also a possibility of having 2 students with 2 cars at a time. If 2 of you want to get together and do this I could give an even better price break. I can not do more than 2 at a time due to limited space, and I need to make certain my time isn't spread too thin, any more than 2 students and I don't think I could give each an appropriate amount of attention.

Keep in mind you are not only getting your car structurally repaired, you are also going to be learning proper welding techniques, proper fitting techniques, proper finishing techniques. This alone will save you a LARGE amount of time and headache over figuring it out on your own. My only warning is you will go away wanting to buy some tools, and when you go to do your next car, you will already know how to proceed

Sean, I'm not doing this as a one time event. I am offering this as ongoing one on one classes that can take place any time someone wants to, so I don't think the teleconference thing could really apply.

I'm open to your ideas and suggestions as well.

BandJoey this actually came about from a conversation Evil and I had last night There is also a tranny clinic possibility at my shop this year, so anyone interested in making that trek speak up

Damn, too far away!

What a great idea. I think it took me four weekends to figure out how to put on
one patch when I started. This would be such a help to anyone wanting to learn
this. I wish I lived closer so I could learn from Scotty.

John

Great idea Scotty. i'll have to send Katherine over to Williamsburg for the day (or two)

Finally home, and the compressor is in the garage

Scotty and I talked about this today while I was hanging out with him at his shop. For those of you wishing he was closer, it would make sense to fly into Richmond and take classes on repair techniques. Scotty was mentioning that he could also teach people how to weld, specifics on repairs on the cars at the shop, and other lessons and examples. Maybe at a discounted price since your car will not be getting worked on and you will just be learning the skills to take back with you and repair yours at your location.

Basically, Scotty has the skills and ability to teach you how to do quality repairs. You can pick his brain, practice your skills at the shop until you get it under his supervision, see how it is done on other cars at the shop if you dont have your own. This makes flying in for some quality time very worth while.

If any of you have ideas how this could be made better and more appetizing, post them up. Take advantage of Scotty's abilities, I have and am completely spoiled now.

PS - I am receiving no compensation for my endorsement

for Monday

Who wants to learn to weld and do body and paint???

Scott - You can always do a class on long repair and/or suspension console replacement. You already have the donor car (mine) and I'm paying the labor. Charge $/whatever per person + the group brings YOU lunch and dinner to watch you do your thing. Schedule the dates and people will show. Make that your intro class before someone brings down their own car. Then they know what and how to prep the car so you can help them get down to business and maximise their ROI.

I bet there's enough people in my area to fill up a class or 2. We can carpool down. I'm a real estate agent and it's 12 degrees and snowy. What else do I have to do?

Heck ,make some DVD's , Scotty does Hell Hole , Scotty does Jack Post , Scotty does Longs , Scotty does etc. , etc , etc . Maybe worth a shot , sell em like that evil guy ???

My . $ .02 .....

Jack / Jaxdream

I would buy Scotty's greatest hits!!

You guys are making me feel like a porn producer

not feasible or possible to get car down there but would love to see a dvd or two from the sessions that i would gladly buy in a heart beat. kinda fumbling around with my hellhole/long entire reweld of mine at the moment.

Post some short video's to youtube. Show the 911 guys what you can do. Charge 2X.

We discussed the DVD idea, but it will still be inferior to hands on classes. Possibly in the future? Oh ya, this is in no way limited to 914s. He is well versed in all makes and models of classic cars and said he would do them as well.

Whole different ball of wax when you pick up the tools and go at it.

I'm down if you could do a fender flare install. How long do you think that would take? I'm in the HR area and have plenty of leave saved up.

I live close to Mark and am getting ready to do my long. I'd be up for a weekend class if the price / timing was right (bonus to carpool with Mark).

Sean if you want a one on one class working on your car send me a PM

A set of flares typically takes 35 hours to do. That is metal finished and body work roughed in. If there is enough interest in a flare class, I could easily have a car prepped at different stages to use as a visual, and actually begin welding one of the flares on.
If you guys want to start speaking up as to your REAL interest in doing this we could make this happen within the next month or two. That could then be folllowed by other classes such as a long, floor pans etc.

If there is enough interest in a one day floor pan "demo " type class, I am supposed to have a car coming in in a few weeks for a whole floor replacement. I need to contact the owner and make certain he is still planning on brining it, and assuming he is, I would need a week to get everything ready to do a class Again, this is a major, week long job, but I am certain I could show enough in a day to get everyone well informed and motivated. It would be best if all interested parties could bring a welding helmet, that way we could work on some actual welding

Anyone interested in the floor pans, or flares speak up as they are jobs I currently have scheduled and could make for an easy multi member sesion. A multi party tech class could easily be done for 50.00 each.

I'll speak up! I need to do part of my floor pan as well. Again, depending on the weekend, I'd like to attend (don't do it the weekend of the MidEngine Invasion III, of course). Thanks - Scott

Looks like I need to get my suspension console back on there so I can drag it up there for a flare install. I'll send you a PM with my thoughts.

Great idea! Would like to "audit" as many classes as my schedule will allow . . . .

Steve A-

It seems like there is a bit of interest in multiple person classes. As far as a schedule, mine is very open so if you guys want to start throwing out dates you are or are not available, as well as what class you would be interested in attending we can start planning on the first one I would need at least 2-3 weeks advance notice so I can make certain I have a car available and properly prepped to start on.

As for a one on one private class, just PM me if any are interested in that

Looks like you need to put up an ad in the vendors section with a link in your sig, like me Glad to see people are interested.

I would surely attend a class (or two) if I'm free when they are set up. I'm only about an hour north, but have kid schedules and my other hobby (triathlon) to work around.

Will have to sit down with the wife and crunch numbers to see if I can trailor my car down for a one-on-one session...

I hope this works out and has a good turnout like Evil's trans clinics.

Scotty, did you want me to have the lawyers draft a waiver for you?

Unlike my clinics, Scotty lacks that flatulence that so many have come to...er....expect? Probably a good thing considering he plays with hot metal and fire.

It would be like trying to learn Kung Fu from a DVD. You can mimic the moves but you will still get your ass kicked!! However I still like looking at instructional videos as a guide. It's better than nothing and it would at least give you an idea on what tools are required and what steps are involved.

I bought Jake's engine video and watched before I tore down my engine. My family called me a geek.

I'm down for a $50 class. And whenever I get my suspension console back in, I'm down for getting my flares put on. I just need a few weeks notice to put a leave request in.

What class would you be interested in? I would like to get at least 5 people for a class to happen.

Floors
Flares
trunk
hell hole
general welding, body work

Wanking Sheep loving

I don't know Mr. Dr. Evil... I think those pictures are self explanatory!!

Can I sign up for the Rock Star tequila shooting class?

Flares and/or general welding for me, whichever is first, but I'd more tan likely go to both.

Scotty,

If you are making a list of potential attendees, count me in. I don't need to do the resto on my car, but I'd love to be one of the "observer/grunts".

Dates, plans?

Tim

I would be interested in:

1 general welding/body work
2 trunk (is this the back or front?)
3 hell hole (mine is actually solid, but the engine shelf on the opposite side has a rust hole in it).