I know how you guys feel about the paint jobs. After hearing some of the stories and length of time it takes to get one painted I decided to do the work myself. I have had past experience with the process of bodywork and painting cars from a hobby stand point. After going through the processes I totally understand why custom shops charge what they do. Most of the work and labor is in the bodywork process to get everything to fit together before the paint goes on. When all said and done no-one will know you spent an entire weekend to get the door to align up with the rest of the body after it is painted. However they will know if you only spent 20 minutes fixing a mold seam. The paint will only enhance the defects not hid them.
Michael