Body and paint SOS-911 help


Hi folks, I am currently on the horns of a dilemma and feelI have come to a crossroad on my 63 Dart convertible rebuild. I have rebuilt thetranny and am working on the engine but I don't want to put the engine back intoa nasty old engine compartment so I have been trying to get the body paintedand of course I need to get the body ready at the same time you know body work done and paint stripped so its all ready to paint.

I have been working by myself atgetting her ready for paint, I have tried sanding with my DA and chemical stripping and thework is just kicking my hinny-butt. It does not have a lot of body damagefortunately but there was some frontend damage at some point and some poor bodywork done and some cheesy paint put on. The paint was obvious so I wantedto go to bare metal there. The rest seems to be original paint. Thereis some dents and dings on the front of the hood and the left fender has a fewbends. There is obviously some rust in the usual places such as the front doorlower panels, etc.

I have gotten the hood and theleft fender stripped down to metal but I have found that the work is just toophysically demanding for my 64 year old body but for some reason my brain stillthinks its 35 and it says "you can do it!" However I think nowthat I have got to get some outside help if I ever want to drive this girl again. It feels like giving up and it sucks but reality can be prettyconvincing. I vacillate on getting a sand blaster but I have to do it inmy driveway and figure the neighborhood will not like it too much plus it meansI have to paint there.

So I am looking at taking thestripped down body to get sandblasted and I found a place in Marysville I canget it done for $800-$1000. Then I thought I'd take it to a paint shopand have the body work and paint sprayed on. I have contacted KustomCollision and Rods in Marysville but haven't heard back from them.

I am wondering if anyone has anyexperience and suggestions for places in the Marysville area or Seattle area ofcourse great work reasonable price. I figure the outlying areas arebetter (read that more affordable.) I would like to find some help from aforum member who does the work if possible but sure do want to get my girl backon her new wheels.

Thanks and I appreciate anysuggestions and help guys.

John