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Panel swap business?
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Harleyduo
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Joined: Thu Dec 6th, 2007
Location: Adrian, Michigan USA
Posts: 11
smart car color of choice: blue with gray tridion
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Mana: 
 Posted: Mon Dec 10th, 2007 11:34 pm
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Hmmmm, I wonder if some enterprising body shop type individual could make a good business out of buying a set of body panels for a Smart Fortwo and then using his superb painting skills to pain them up an extremely desirable color or pattern, and then sell them at a reasonable price but in the process requiring a set of good used panels be traded in as an exchange.

That way, he could then re-finish and paint up a new set at very little cost and keep the 'swap' program going indefinitely, with not a whole lot of outlay of cash. This sounds very profitable to me. I cannot imagine the entire set taking very much paint, nor much work to completely re-finish them.

How about it all you body shop paint people out there. Looking for a new sideline to bring in profit? By having an extra set to start with, there would be very little wait time for the customer, just the time to swap panels. Again, much better than laying out the cost of a completely new set and then having to worry about storing the unused panels so they don't get dinged up, etc. I'd trade mine in a second for a Fire engine red set...I'd like it to look a little different than thousands of identical machines out there on the road.

ALephart
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Joined: Fri Nov 30th, 2007
Location: Rancho Santa Margarita, California USA
Posts: 593
smart car color of choice: Silver with silver tridion
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Mana: 
 Posted: Tue Dec 11th, 2007 02:39 am
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Probably not a bad idea, I could see it being lucaritive. Wonder how long until we see something like this in the mainstream. I know even our local dealership is going to offer vinyl wraps as a service on your existing panels, but this would go the extra mile.

I for one am getting a black smart now for the sole purpose of repainting it down the road. I love British Racing Green.

Aaron Lephart



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RLove
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Joined: Thu Feb 21st, 2008
Location: Plano, Texas USA
Posts: 37
smart car color of choice: Black/Black/Black Passion
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Mana: 
 Posted: Tue Feb 26th, 2008 01:25 pm
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I was commenting over the weekend how easy it would be to set up a small booth to paint panels in my garage. I know there are plenty of people out there doing spec painting of Harley fenders and tanks, and then hanging them in dealerships making good money for their hobby. I know the Harley crowd and dealers operate a little differently and a significantly larger group for now, but I would think advertising your wares on a site like this could bring in some traffic.

I know I've given thought to a set of pearlescent panels for my car..the basic black with possibly some ghost flames in blue and/or full spectrum pearl would be kind of fun.

Wrapping is always an option, but really doesn't give a finished shine. Maybe I'm just old school, but a really good custom finish should have a deep gloss - save the wraps for just pure advertising or roof graphics.

ALephart
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Joined: Fri Nov 30th, 2007
Location: Rancho Santa Margarita, California USA
Posts: 593
smart car color of choice: Silver with silver tridion
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Status:  Online
Mana: 
 Posted: Tue Feb 26th, 2008 05:28 pm
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Don't make comments like that! You will find everyone "becomes" your friend overnight!

Completely unrelated: What time should I be by? Can I bring you anything? :)

Aaron Lephart



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RLove
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Joined: Thu Feb 21st, 2008
Location: Plano, Texas USA
Posts: 37
smart car color of choice: Black/Black/Black Passion
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Mana: 
 Posted: Tue Feb 26th, 2008 06:46 pm
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I learned a long time ago how to keep this kind of stuff seperate. Friends get a better rate, but they still pay. Painting the panels will be so much easier than trying to deal with the whole car, AND no masking!

You all will be the first to know if I decide to try it. :D


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