Driver Restoration
Built to be driven. Reliable, clean, and durable. Correct where it matters, improved where it makes sense, without chasing every cosmetic perfection point.
Best for: weekend use, regular driving, long-term ownership
Services / Restoration
Classic Restoration
Classic restoration is where experience matters most because you're not just repairing damage, you're making hundreds of judgment calls. What's worth saving? What must be replaced? What can be repaired without destroying originality? The difference between a "rebuilt car" and a real restoration is process, documentation, and correctness.
Focus
Correctness
Approach
Process-Driven
Finish
Show-Quality
Standard
Long-Term
!
Restoration should survive time.
If the layers under the paint are wrong, it fails later: bubbling, cracking, shrinking filler, mismatch.
We Restore Well-Known Classics (and the Ones You'll Actually Drive)
We work on iconic classics, trucks like the Chevy 3100, vintage muscle, cruisers, and timeless platforms where details matter. That means correct panel fitment, proper corrosion control, right paint systems for the era, and finishes that don't look over-restored unless that's the goal. A classic should feel intentional, not trendy.
Common builds
Chevy 3100
Featured
Other placeholders:
• C10 / K10
• Tri-Five Chevy
• Early Mustang
Spotlight
Chevy 3100 Restoration
The Chevy 3100 is one of those trucks everyone recognizes. That also means the mistakes are obvious: wavy panels, wrong gaps, incorrect sheen, mismatched hardware, and "pretty paint over bad prep."
Restoration also has levels: driver, show, and concours/period-correct. We define that early because it determines everything: how deep we go, how perfect the straightness needs to be, what materials we choose, and how we prioritize time and budget.
What makes a 3100 build go wrong
- Rust repaired without proper metal prep and sealing
- Panels blocked "just enough." Reflections show every shortcut
- Wrong paint system for how the truck will be used
Typical goal
Driver + show-ready
Key risk
Hidden corrosion
What shows
Panel straightness
Restoration Results
See the transformation from weathered classic to show-ready restoration
Before
Starting condition showing wear, damage, and needed restoration work
After
Completed restoration with professional finish and attention to detail
Restoration Levels (So We're Using the Same Words)
"Restoration" can mean three different things depending on who you ask. We define the level up front so scope, expectations, and budget don't drift.
Show Restoration
Tight tolerances, cleaner finishes, higher straightness standards. More time in blocking, fitment, and detail so it looks right under harsh lighting and close inspection.
Best for: meets, shows, pride builds
Concours / Period-Correct
Correctness-first. Hardware, finishes, textures, colors, and details align with the vehicle's era and spec. This is the "nothing accidental" level.
Best for: collectors, judged events, historical accuracy
Our Restoration Process (Including Refinishing, Start to Finish)
This is the part most shops don't want to spell out. We do. Because the finish is only as good as the steps beneath it.
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Inspection, Photos, and Scope Lock
Walkaround + underbody assessment, rust mapping, prior repair identification, and goal definition (driver vs show vs concours). We set the level so scope doesn't change midstream.
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Teardown, Cataloging, and Parts Strategy
Disassembly with labeling, bagging, and documentation. Identify what's reusable, restorable, replaceable, or missing. This prevents "mystery hardware" and reassembly chaos later.
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Stripping & Substrate Evaluation
Choose stripping method based on panel risk: controlled mechanical removal, chemical stripping, or media blasting where appropriate. Evaluate bare metal, old coatings, filler depth, and hidden corrosion before moving forward.
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Rust Repair, Metalwork, and Panel Correction
Cut and repair rust correctly, not cosmetically. Metal-finish panels to restore body lines, reduce filler dependency, and achieve stable straightness. Fitment and gaps get addressed here, not after paint.
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Epoxy Primer & Corrosion Sealing
Seal the metal with epoxy systems at the correct stage. This is your moisture barrier and foundation layer. Done wrong (or skipped), failures show up years later.
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High-Build Primer, Guide Coat, and Block Sanding
Multiple blocking stages to dial panel flatness, symmetry, and reflections. Guide coats reveal truth. If it isn't straight here, it will never be straight.
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Paint System Selection (Single-Stage vs Base/Clear)
Pick the system that fits the era and the use case. Single-stage can be the correct vintage look. Basecoat/clearcoat can be the right durability play for a driven truck. We choose based on goals, not trends.
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Color Matching & Period-Correct Finish Decisions
Validate color and sheen in real-world lighting. Factory codes are a start; actual appearance is the target. Correct gloss levels and textures keep the truck from looking "over-restored."
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Spray, Cure Control, Cut & Polish
Controlled application and cure schedule, then finish correction. The goal isn't shine. It's uniform reflections, clean edges, and a stable film build that holds up over time.
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Reassembly, Fitment, and Final QA
Reassemble with correct alignment, gaps, seals, and hardware strategy. Final QA catches what photos don't: feel, sound, and function. This is where a restoration becomes "tight."
The truth about "cheap restorations"
The goal is to build something you're proud to own, and that stays right, not just looks right on delivery day.