Yes he’s talking about that 1996 Honda Civic again, talk about Paul being that “One Trick Pony”. I know, new tires, old Kano’s dinging it up. Well here is The Rest of the Story. It’s been over two years since it’s been painted and un-dinged; those trips to any market are the death of a paint job. So I put it in the body shop for two weeks to make it new again. The body shop is owned and run by my son-in-law’s cousin, and Chris and my daughter stop by daily to view the progress.
Chris and Hanna came up to the house on the 26th of March, with the repairman and a driver. I’ve found here that a lot of car mechanics do not know how to drive a car. But in the Navy I met Jet mechanics that couldn’t fly. So I guess it makes sense?
Unlike the states where they use masking tape on the car, here they strip all chrome, lights, and trim off the car, labor being cheaper than masking tape. Then sand it down (by hand) almost to the metal to smooth it out and prime it. Next they paint layer after layer, to build up the paint and improve the shine.
My factory mags were removed and buffed back to a new condition again, and for some reason they painted the rear brake drums and the front brake calipers a bright red. I have a feeling my son-in-law; Chris had a hand in that. The engine’s valve cover was removed and it was painted with heat resistant black paint and the lettering in red. Again, I think Chris was involved. I checked, they did use a new gasket when putting it back on.
NOTE: If you change the color of the car, you will spend days if not longer, putting together the paperwork to submit to the LTO. So unless its puke green or baby crap yellow, leave it alone. I’ve just saved someone from a hassle with this information. I once had to submit the dreaded “Letter of Color Change.” Something I would not wish on anyone. Well, one or two maybe!
But for two weeks I’ve was car-less and riding public transportation back and forth to town. It hasn’t changed; the music on Jeepney’s is still loud and bad!
As I’ve pointed out before, it might not be a new car, but I see no reason why it should look or run like a 15 year old car. Especially, because it cost so little, to keep any car in top condition here in the Philippines Islands.
So now it’s May 11th, the phone has rung, and those words, I’ve been waiting so long for, have been spoken, “Kuya Paul, your car is done.” My pulse quickens, I feel palpitations from my heart, and I head out the door to bring home my long lost friend. My camera is in hand, because some auspicious occasions, must be documented for future generations, and of course LiP readers. Remember in this bad economy a picture is now only worth only 500 words. That was something I posted on FaceBook, but it fit here also. It’s good to recycle.
My next project is to rework the interior, new headliner, upholster the seats and new carpet. Again, Chris and Hanna were best collage mates with the man that does that, and he does custom work. I remember we used to drive in to Tijuana Mexico, to get that done, this is a lot closer.
So there it is, shinning like a new peso in the tropical sunlight. Any Japanese guy walking by would mutter to them self; “Damn, we make great looking cars.” So that’s the rest of the story, and I know someone will ask the cost, it was P 16,000.00 complete.
I picked up the car and went to the Pancake House on Subic Free Port, while backing in to the space I hit the foot high garden fence they had there. After I got out of the car I was seen ripping it out of the ground, I thought; “Thank God, I’m the first one to ding it.” But lucky for me, the black rubber molding prevented any damage to my hour old paint job.
The Pancake House was not as lucky, they have to re-plant their fence. My best estimate is that by next week, there will be a new ding in the paint. To think otherwise would be foolish!
A strange thing happened to me last week; my puter would not allow me to upload any pictures. Luckily I had “Down on the Farm” already set to go, in case something like that ever happens. I’m a firm believer in Murphy’s Law, and at best Murphy is an optimist. Now two weeks have passed, and I’m still waiting for that first ding. Wish me luck!
Good article Paul,
Call me a little twisted but I have always sort of looked forward to that first little ding, hoping of course that it is just a little almost unnoticeable ding. I think a shiny pure untouched (dare I say virgin) car is just too big a liability to drive around always worrying about putting that first blemish on the new car.
Once its been nicked, you can drive the hell out of it without worrying about putting that “first” scratch on it.
Rich;
I for one could not fault your logic, I’ve been leaving it at the market all day just waiting for the “First Ding”!
Paul,
What a paint job and for only $375.00 USD Wow. The labor alone in the US if it was done that same way would be several times more than that amount for a quality job like that. I would rather spend that little bit of money to recondition a car inside and out than have to buy a new one any day. Hondas will run forever as long as you take care of it. I will have to remember the body shop if i happen need that service. I wouldn’t worry about a ding there, because the cost is so cheap to repair unlike the US where a ding can cost at least a few hundred dollars. Now go drink a few cold ones and enjoy looking at your “new” car. Take care brother.
Papa Duck;
It the price that prevents lawsuits (not allowed here) and we settle most fender benders on the spot with cash. A kinder gentler system, that keeps lawyers poor.
Wow,thats a cheap respray Paul,here it would cost you that to repaint one wing,lol.
Regards,
Chas.
Chas;
After my Lincoln Town Car was hit buy a pickup truck, just the paint job was $2,100.00. As I said above there is no good reason in the Philippines for your car to look old. Someone will have to steal it or distroy it before I’ll replace it.
Sounds good to me Paul.
I still run my 10yr old VW Golf,drives like new,it will last me until i re-locate.
Chas;
Ten years old! That a new car here. (lol)
Chas, Paul
I’m going to keep my 1999 Nissan Altima for 3 more years till i relocate there. Has over 200,000 Kilometers. Was made in Canada. Runs great.
Papa Duck;
Again someone bragging that their car is newer than mine. (lol)
Hot dang, Paul, are you kidding me? $370 bucks for a complete paint job? And they stripped the chromes and headlights instead of masking them? On top of that, they sanded it down to the metal and primed it? Never mind that they buffed your mags and jazzed up your valve cover, they probably did it as a favor to you because of Chris. Geez, around here $370 pays for nothing when it comes to body work. Midas probably paints over the old paint and charges you $2,000 for their cheapest paint job. The only people I know who would charge less than $500 to fix a dent in your car on the spot are those fly by nights hanging around supermarket parking lots. Funny thing, they drive cars with dents all over. LOL
Ricardo;
Quality work at a good price. I won’t haggle with a guy that’s repairing my car or working around the house on a project. If the price seems unfair I just thank them for their time and shop around. When Chris’s cousin (Whom I’d attended many family parties with) quoted the price, I shook his hand and gave him a beer. He said ten days to finish the work, and again I just shut my Kano mouth and told him fine with me. When I picked up the car, I could see his pride in his workmanship, as I admired the work and thanked his employees. I left his wife a thousand pesos for food and beverages for their a Friday night get together for them all, just to again, thank them.
I meant Maaco, not Midas. LOL
Hey I’d paint my Muffler too!
Good idea, Paul, since they painted your brake drums and front calipers, might as well paint the mufflers a matching red, too. I can see you driving around Olongapo like a teenager in a tricked-up Honda. LOL
Ricardo;
A bobble head dog with eyes that light up when you hit the brakes, and a string of monkey balls across the rear window, with the painted muffler, now that’s cool!
Don’t forget to lower the front end and raise the rear end so that people driving behind you can see the red muffler, Paul. No sense getting the muffler painted if people can’t see it.
Ricardo;
My 1951 Mercury was raked like that, but I felt like sliding off the seat every time I hit the break, I don’t think I’ll do that again. They’re just gonna have to get down there and look. (lol)
Paul
Don’t forget about the hydraulics in the front so you can do wheelies when your stopped at a traffic light and also a nice set of spinner rims. You will then be ready to cruise the strip at night hahaha.
Papa Duck;
I believe there is a law that only a Chevy can be made into a Low Rider.
Paul, my second car since first arriving in the U.S. as a teenager was a lacquer-black ’53 Chevy with extra teeth in the grill, and lowered to the ground so low, I kept getting stopped by the California Highway Patrol for safety violation. I just kept paying the tickets, but never raised the car up. Papa Duck, hydraulics in hot rods and customs were unheard of back in those days. That would have been the perfect solution for keeping the “fuzz” at bay while maintaining the car’s low profile.
Then, the scavenger pipes craze came along. They’re dual chromed pipes that hang from the bottom of the car. Scavenger pipes take the place of the exhaust pipes and were bolted to the manifold, but they were mainly for looks. The car had to be raked with the rear end raised and the front end lowered to show off the scavenger pipes, just as I have suggested to Paul to rake the Honda with the rear end raised so that drivers behind him can see the Honda’s red muffler. LOL Paul’s problem with a car raked this way was that he slides off the seat everytime he hits the brakes. My problem was worse. My front tires got completely bald when I arrived in Sta. Maria after a 4-hour drive from the Monterey Peninsula at high speed on U.S. 101.
Ricardo;
A true California hot rodder. I never used the scavenger pipes on my Merc. but lake pipes for sure, those were a sure cop stopper and a ticket to boot.
Hey Paul,
last month I’m teaching my wife to drive. While sitting at a red light in my brand-new 2011 Malibu, we get slammed from behind. Of course the gal that hit us had no insurance. Thank god for uninsured motorist on my policy. The body shop tells me it won’t be ready until the first week of June. The Studebaker only gets 10 mpg, and I need a car to get to work. Insurance won’t pay for a rental. Hmmm?
Looking on craigs List I found a ’95 Lexus with 218K miles on it for $2,500. It had a good mantenance history so I went for it. The wife liked the exterior but not so much the interior. I explained to her that in the future, we could take a drive down to T.J. to get the upholstery done. T.J. may just remind her a little bit of home also… lol
Hudson;
When an insured guy trashed my parked Lincoln Town Car, I rented a Town Car . His insurance company said I was being greedy, I told them that if I wanted to drive a piece of crap Chevy Geo, I would have bought one. They paid for two weeks rental on the Town Car.
Enjoy the weekend at TJ, leave your wife at the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego, she’ll not complain. (lol)
32 Rooms Match Your Selections Filter Results USD 270.00 – USD 1,180.00 average nightly rate
Do I add this cost to the upholstery? This car is getting more expensive all the time…lol
Hudson;
But it’s “The Del” you can’t put a value on the comfort of your wife! Okay, I understand the last time I stayed there it was $350.00 a night, but the lady was well worth it, and the Sunday Brunch was free, or as free as something can be after just spending that much money for a room. (lol)
Okay Rosarita Beach in Mexico has great hotels restaurants and fun, just a short distance from TJ. And the price is good!
Be careful going over to TJ. These days the gang warfare does not make getting a cheap tuck and roll any sense.
Used to go down to Rosarito and Ensenada over spring break. Those were the days, $5 for a case of Coronas after you returned the empties.
Don;
TJ unsafe? I’m shocked that you think it ever was. Just joshing, I know what you mean. I spent many a great weekend in Ensenada.
I remember driving to Tiajuana to do the upholstery in my car Tuk N Roll (remember that phase)? It was early Saturday morn…They right away took the seats out and we did not get home till Monday Morning ( good trick) But it was worthwhile at $150.00 complete with door panels….
Lenny;
Rolled and pleated was another style. I did two cars down in TJ, and the handovers were well worth it. My 240 Z with headliner, seats and door panels. I remember they used the skin from that endangered animal the “Nauga” I always felt a little bad about that! (lol)
Lenny;
My finger slipped, I meant HANGOVERS, but you knew that!
Paul- not to worry- altho the nauga is very rare in the wild these days they are still raised in captivity so as to provide an abundant supply of skins for those who still like the look.
Apparently its the ones with the little buttons that are the hardest to breed.
Ian;
Well I’m pleased to hear that there is a good supply of Nauga’s around. I think using whale skin would cause to much trouble. The buttons, how do they do that? (lol)
Paul – nice story. Because i used to be in the car business in Canada I have had many many cars fixed and painted. There bondo is considered just a temporary way to do things- and is really looked down on. But there is a reason for that. When over the course of a year the temperature that the car is subjected to ranges from 90 degrees above to maybe 20 degrees below zero all that change makes the metal expand and contract- which caused the bondo to fall off eventually. Here, as you say bondo is king, but without the temperature changes it seems to work exceedingly well.
Also in Canada for a decent paint job i would shop around to find a paint shop that not only had a spray booth- but a superior quality booth ! Here they spray outside mostly- and with the large amount of hand sanding still turn out a great job. I really am impressed !
And of course the fact that the repairs cost maybe 1/5 of the price in Canada is even more impressive
Ian;
Bondo I figure was made for the Tropics, being from New England I’d never allow it on my car there. But you are right it does work well here. How the get a good paint job here without the booth I’ll never know, but they do. I ran my hand over the paint and could not feel any grit at all. There is truly talented people here in the Philippines, it worth searching them out.
Paul
WOW, I have painted many cars and even more motorcycles and I can tell you that I could not even buy the paint, primer, color and clear, here in RI for the price you paid for the whole job.
If they are painting outside and not in a booth they would have to spent hours wet sanding it and buffing to get out any dist bugs etc. Impressive!!
Neal;
I don’t know how they get the paint so good without using a booth, I think you’re right about the sanding. As long as I’ve been here they still have the power to amaze me.
Neal;
I know you’re right about the sanding, how they do such a good job with equipment that you and I would have thrown away still amazes me.
Neal;
I just couldn’t deside which responce I liked better so I used both. You didn’t buy that answer for a second, did you? (lol)
Hi Paul – I read the part 1, 2 of my new old car. It’s cool. You like cars and beers. ^_^. Uh, still don’t wanna by a new car? He he. Time to for a cool car change.. perhaps? A new second hand once again? Just don’t get a Toyota, most new taxis are that brand. He he.
Sugar;
Beer and car’s? You got that right, but I won’t drink beer and drive a car. I think I’ll never own a another new car, and I’ll replace this on when it falls apart. (lol)
When we used to live in Flint, MI, hubby repainted the used Volvo he got for me. I didn’t really see the logic why someone would drive drive a Volvo in a GM town, but hey, it’s free, can’t complain on that one. 🙂 Anyway, he spent around $2k. It did look good, but for a newbie Pinoy in the US, I was telling myself, that could buy a small subdivision house or at least a sizable downpayment for a house in Gensan at that time. ^!^
Lea;
For one minute do we believe that the heads of the big 3 car makers don’t ride around in a Mercedes. The Volvo is a safe car, and with a two thousand dollar paint job, it must also look good. Next time ship the car here, I’ll get it painted and ship it back, I’ll bet it’s still cheaper than painting it in the US. (lol)
Looks awesome Paul. I may get the Everest done…..someday.
Mike;
I show you the place when you’re ready!
Senior;
Now that’s a good looking new used car and engine job. Heck all you need now is some carrage lights. a big round muffler pipe big old 40inch speeakers w/ bass to blair your country and some dice and you’ll be blinging. 🙂
Paul you don’t have to worry about Murphy for awhile he’s renting a room at my place. Trying to evict him but you knoe the US court system.
Bruce;
You just wanna’ “Pimp My Ride” too much bling will get it stolen from the mall parking lot. That’s another reason not to buy a new car, their the ones that they steal. My 15 year old new car is left in the lot as the 2011 car is driven away by the crooks.
Senior;
If you did pimp out your ride the youngins around would look at you as if you were either crazy or one bad MO-FOO. OH thats right i’m still living in Jay-ville scratch that. You could always have Mto San guard your car at the mall?
Moto San!!
Bruce
I would pay good money to see Paul “Pimped Out” you know with the Pants hangin with his crack hangin out, with the hat on sideways. lol
Neal;
And it would be a lot of your good money, before anyone would see that. (lol)
Senior;
Common get with the times. Almost everything I read say you have to have a job in the Philippines or you’ll get board. Well you could be the PIMP DADDY of BATAAN. And for a small cut I’ll let you run Subic too. OK if you don’t like the baggy pants and crack show’in than a leisure suit, wing tip shoes and a big feature hat and shades. I’m sure you have a few of those suits still hanging around. LOL
I’m a trouble maker yes I am!!! 🙂
Bruce;
Don’t believe everything you read about jobs, work is nothing but another four letter word that ends in “K”, I have no need for something as foul as that. Shorts are the prescribed Uniform of the Day. Leave those long pants at home when you come over! (LOL)
Bruce
Sounds like you are describing “Sport James” from Starsky and Hutch, yes I am showing my age.
Paul
Never underestimate the influential power of SanMagoo to do stupid things.
Bruce, Neil,
Don’t forget about the gold chains and the gold grill. Paul would look good with that grill when he smiles. lol
Bruce;
Moto San the wonder dog, will be the father of that puppy I promised you.
Guard my car, Moto San is more likly to lift his leg on my rims and go to sleep!
Senior ;
Wait a minute I want a high grade superdog that fears nothing not even a wild asawa with a sandle in her hand. I mean prime stock baby. OK any dog will do it’s free Thank You!!!
How about a short sleeve leasure suit and shorts with a feather hat and rims LOL
I don’t plan on working did enough of that in the states just want to have fun and stir the pot a little
Mike;
Unconditional love is all any dog can promise.
I’m glad you mention about the hustle of changing colors. I’ll make sure not to buy a puke green colored car. I truly enjoy your writings! 🙂
Miss August;
I made the mistake of changing my car color in 1996 here in Olongapo, the paperwork was as much fun as having my molars extracted.
P.S.
I also enjoy your comments!
Great article, Paul T, thanks. Regarding your comment “Remember in this bad economy a picture is now only worth only 500 words. That was something I posted on FaceBook, but it fit here also.” On Facebook a picture is only worth 420 characters, and I think that includes spaces. Strange how you can upload a picture or video of megs but only 420 characters in words.
Steven;
Funny we both noticed the Face Book shortcoming. But think about it, there are some who would try and post “War and Peace” as their life story. So maybe 420 words is a good thing. (lol)
Tommo.
That spray job is 100%. Put it top of the list to celebrate when i am next in town.
Frank;
It’s item number one!
Paul,
The engine compartment also looks very shiny. Did they pull the engine and paint that also?
R,
Steve
Steve;
No they just painted the valve cover. I have the engine power washed every couple of months and I detail the hoses and shine the bright work when I wax the car. That’s a habit I’ve had since I was a kid. My big brother Bill had a 1954 Pontiac Convertible, and I’d detail his car so he’d let me borrow it. Then when I got my first car, I did the same.
Hi Paul. I have read you article. Did you change the car’s color? Since I’m planning to change my car’s color. I’m just confused with this one:
“f you change the color of the car, you will spend days if not longer, putting together the paperwork to submit to the LTO. So unless its puke green or baby crap yellow, leave it alone. I’ve just saved someone from a hassle with this information. I once had to submit the dreaded “Letter of Color Change.” Something I would not wish on anyone. Well, one or two maybe!”
Can you further clarify this one. Would it be hassle process once I’ve submitted the Letter of Color Change?
Gian;
I didn’t do it on this car, but I foolishly did do it in the past, and the hassle was forever. But my advice if you are planning on it is to go to the LTO and see if the rules have changed. I was speaking to what happened to me about 9 years ago, and in 2011 it could be a new ballgame. I’m sorry if I confused you! Check it out first, and maybe you’ll be pleasantly surprised, or not!