Oh and for the record it doesn't matter if your booth is spotless or you paint it in a dusty shed
Yes you may have more dust and bits to nib out on one over the other
But it's more about the paint prep work that counts tbh !!
Have seen many much more expensive paint jobs put to shame by cheaper jobs done elsewhere
Rather than go and look at an empty booth as suggested elsewhere and use that as a basis how good the job is I'd ask to see examples of work done and go off that
Shop around there's always that one or two local guys that do the job without overcharging and with a bit of passion or pride but just remember the cost of raw materials has risen lots over last year or two in terms of paint
Any 1k job you will easily spend at least £200 on materials so factor this in aswell
Good luck anyway
I did know of one bloke who was as good as you say despite not having a booth. He did however do near flawless prep work as well as finishing it off well. He was a £1k kind of bloke. But IMO there were reasons for that:
-He owned his own place with no rent etc. to pay ; this IMHO massively affects most places now. Back then his place sold for £50k ; find me a building for that much that is workable in now. Without me travelling I'm looking at £120k+ for a unit like his in the same area.
-He was retired ; he just did it so as to keep busy. I know if I was doing that work minimum wage would not cut it after materials, expensese for the stress and health risks involved. FWIW he passed away when he was barely 60, like a few other painters I know of . I guess the body can only take so much cyanide over a prolonged period.
If the above makes me selfish so be it.
Such people still do exist but they are few and far between and IME now exploited a little by traders and dealers. I know a bloke like this that did my Stag's roof.
Put it this way. I can paint reasonably but I'm also aware of the stress and how long it would take me.
Firstly I agree totally with what you say and by no means am I trying to be flippant
I've been in the game long enough and have access to a booth during normal working hours
I don't deal with traders myself personally like you said but it's quite common now as most painters just want the quick in and outs in terms of quick scuff repairs etc
I'm an enthusiast first and foremost hence when I paint stuff weather in work in a booth or at home in a dusty garage lol I make sure my works as good as can be
It's mostly as you know yourself in the prep anyway for a nice end product
For me I like seeing them leave with the owner both smiling (car and owner haha)
And besides for a 1k blow over would you complain if there was a few specs of dust etc that didn't nib out on final flat and mop ??
Like you say were few and far between but do exist haha
Either way I'm always busy both during normal work hours and also after hours
Most people like me don't usually advertise either
Tbh I've been tempted posting up some of the interesting stuff I've done also helps me appreciate other brands and Marques I've not seen
Not a vw fan in the slightest personally ,but after recently doing a karmann ghia for a local pal I really enjoyed turning it about from a rusty wreck (well sort of) into a lovely car with such flowing curves
Total transformation and probably the best money the owner spent so far on said car haha