AMD (Auto Metal Direct) Installation Center

[Chaos-N-Mayhem]

The AMD Installation Center likes to have the cars blasted then epoxy primed. On mine I was planning to do the work myself so I already had it completely cut down to the bare bones, blasted, then I epoxy primed it. So when I changed course mid stream and decided to let Craig and the team do the work we decided additional blast n prime wasn't needed. I would say 70% of the metal is being replaced also. Craig is very detailed and will tell you they go thru a lot of weld thru primer in the shop. So that is good. They only do metal work, no body and paint and that is his niche. Get en and out. Also they use a pretty pricey, high end spot welder to spot the car together. This is close to how the factory put these cars together originally. So that is a bonus for many.

[soundcontrol]

Too much to hope for but wouldn't it be cool if there was a place near there that could E-coat dip the shell after the welding?

What is E-coat dip?

[RUNCHARGER]

Electronically charged Primer, so the inside of the framerails would be coated and other hard to access spots.

[rhamson]

My metal man is just getting to the end of a 70 Challenger convertible....I'd be interested in comparing the amount of work and price.
Do you have a list of the metal being replaced on your car ?

Go to the site. It gives you all the pricing straight out.

[anlauto]

My metal man is just getting to the end of a 70 Challenger convertible....I'd be interested in comparing the amount of work and price.
Do you have a list of the metal being replaced on your car ?

Go to the site. It gives you all the pricing straight out.

That's like going to buy a suit at a place that says "one size fits all"

[rhamson]

My metal man is just getting to the end of a 70 Challenger convertible....I'd be interested in comparing the amount of work and price.
Do you have a list of the metal being replaced on your car ?

Go to the site. It gives you all the pricing straight out.

That's like going to buy a suit at a place that says "one size fits all"

Not quite. Have you dealt with them? If you did you would not make that comment.

[anlauto]

No I have not dealt with them, but 32 years of experience restoring E Bodies tells me no two cars are alike when it comes to rust issues. If they say $500 to replace a quarter panel, and run into other issues behind the quarter, what then ?

There WAY TOO MANY unknowns to give an accurate "on line" quote when it comes to rust repair.

I had a very long and informative phone conversation with the original poster of this thread yesterday, I'm certain he's done his research and is making the right decision.

[303 Mopar]

No I have not dealt with them, but 32 years of experience restoring E Bodies tells me no two cars are alike when it comes to rust issues. If they say $500 to replace a quarter panel, and run into other issues behind the quarter, what then ?

There WAY TOO MANY unknowns to give an accurate "on line" quote when it comes to rust repair.

It does say that AMD will get on a call with you after the quote and before you send your car in, so maybe that is when they go over all potential costs and unknowns.   

[anlauto]

No I have not dealt with them, but 32 years of experience restoring E Bodies tells me no two cars are alike when it comes to rust issues. If they say $500 to replace a quarter panel, and run into other issues behind the quarter, what then ?

There WAY TOO MANY unknowns to give an accurate "on line" quote when it comes to rust repair.

It does say that AMD will get on a call with you after the quote and before you send your car in, so maybe that is when they go over all potential costs and unknowns.   

YES...that's 100% true and in the OP's case they came back with a lower price because of overlapping jobs. ie: Cheaper to do a trunk floor if both quarters are being done etc...

[rhamson]

No I have not dealt with them, but 32 years of experience restoring E Bodies tells me no two cars are alike when it comes to rust issues. If they say $500 to replace a quarter panel, and run into other issues behind the quarter, what then ?

There WAY TOO MANY unknowns to give an accurate "on line" quote when it comes to rust repair.

I had a very long and informative phone conversation with the original poster of this thread yesterday, I'm certain he's done his research and is making the right decision.

I too have a number of years at this and I see you are upset and will leave it at that. 

[anlauto]

Upset ? about what ?

[Chaos-N-Mayhem]

Every car is different and will require its own game plan to fix. As for AMD installation Center they are the first that I know of that will clearly display their prices up front which allows the customer to get a good idea of what they are getting involved. However it is possible with any estimate to come across unexpected things regardless of who is doing the work. As for Craig and the team I have found them to be up front and personable.

In my particular case my car was pretty cut up and every conceivable thing could be seem upfront without additional digging. I sent Craig about 20 pictures of the car and we discussed what I wanted beforehand. Additionally, I drove down there with car in tow and we looked it over together and then made the deal as I am not the type to do it over the phone only. With the full scope of work the car is getting I don't expect any movement, however if there is I will share that experience with everyone as it should get underway soon.

I think what Alan and others are saying is the website is a tool and only hands on digging into the car will truely tell the full scope of the work needed and cost and that would be true any where you might go. The website gives people a good starting point of reference especially if you have a car that only needs smaller jobs. Craig includes several videos on how to inspect your car and things to look at to determine as part of the assessment, then can take that info to come up with an estimate.

[ec_co]

 

for me, having the initial pricing up is a HUGE help in determining what direction I'm going to go on a few things. I fully realize the pricing is a starting point, but it's a much better starting point than I've seen anywhere else (in my head the work I need done would have been 4x what they have listed) and I appreciate having a starting point # to work off of to see if it's something I can afford

[rhamson]

Upset ? about what ?

Very good then.

[MoparDave]

I wonder how they are at fabricating panels they don't manufacture ?

not really, My buddy took a 70b/cuda vert to them in December. they are suppose to get on it in may I believe. they only do  All metal parts only, no major fabrication and no painting.