Custom Shop Masters Pro-Spray to Make an Artistic Statement
Written by Ed AttanasioTo view a pdf file of this article with photos, click HERE.
While most teenagers were playing Little League and going to summer camp, John Wargo, the owner of The Custom Shop in Flanagan, IL, spent his spare time restoring and painting cars. Now 43 and a highly-acclaimed car fabricator, builder and painter, Wargo uses Pro-Spray paint on all his creations, many of which appear at major car shows nationwide and sell for as much as $80,000.
Every year, he wins an average of 25 best paint awards for his show cars. And even though he’s worked on literally hundreds of cars and motorcycles during his highly successful career, Wargo still vividly remembers the first vehicle he ever painted.
Glass and Windshield Installs Must Be Handled by the Book
Written by Toby ChessTo view a pdf file of this article with photos, click HERE.
The other day I heard about a lawsuit that I would like to share with you.
A Toyota dealer contacted Safelite to install a windshield into a 2005 Toyota Tundra. The vehicle was involved in a rollover accident and the windshield allegedly “separated from the pickup” resulting in two fatalities.
Safelite contends that they only handled the claim and contracted with a independent class company to handle the installation and they should not be named in the multi million-dollar lawsuit. I’m not going to comment on the merits of the case but it reminds us of the importance of correct windshield and glass installs.
Renowned Painter Mickey Harris Co-Designed the SATAgraph 4
Written by Ed AttanasioTo view a pdf file of this article with photos, click HERE.
If you know anything at all about airbrush art, you’re familiar with Mickey Harris. He’s a household name in the airbrush world, known most for his military art, but also renowned for his realistic style, his patriotic zeal and his willing to use his art to raise money for charity and just makes people happy. By teaching other fledgling artists about airbrush techniques and creating breathtaking scenes that have appeared at car shows all over the globe, Harris is enjoying his busy life as a painter, consultant, artist, teacher, inventor and mentor.
Harris, 56, has been painting for 34 years and has produced thousands of murals on metal, including cars, trucks, motorcycles and assorted mediums. He embarked on a career as an airbrush artist at the age of 19, in Ft. Walton Beach, FL, painting on T-shirts to learn the trade. After absorbing as much as he possibly could about airbrush art and refining his skills, Harris made a significant impact on the car paint art industry and today he is considered one of the finest airbrush artists in the entire world.
I-CAR Responds to Associations’ Questions on Repair Standards, Clarifies Stance on OEM Procedures Gaps
Written by staffI-CAR responded to questions posed by repairer associations regarding the training organization’s position on repair standards, as they relate to OEM repair procedures, and I-CAR’s ultimate decision not to take an active role in the identification of gaps in OEM repair procedures and forming a council to foster closing those gaps, something the association’s had requested of I-CAR in 2011.
In an April 12 letter to I-CAR, the three repairer organizations had questioned I-CAR’s reasons for not accepting this expanded role in the development of repair standards, and questioned statements made by I-CAR that “seem to suggest a belief within I-CAR that not all industry segments support using OEM repair procedures as a standard of repair.”
Over 2,300 students from 84 trade and technical schools in New York competed in trade and leadership contests at the New York State Leadership Conference and Skills Championships April 24-26 at the State Fairgrounds.
Hosted by the New York Association of SkillsUSA, the convention showcased the skills of vocational students and their instructors.
The contests tested skills in automotive technology, auto collision repair, carpentry, cosmetology, culinary arts, electronics repair and health care. In addition, students competed in public speaking, job demonstrations, job interview and other contests related to their course of study.
Scholarships and tools worth a total of $250,000 were awarded to student winners at the awards ceremony on April 26 at the Center of Progress Building.
Kirby, TX, Mechanical Shop Owner Found by Brother Stabbed to Death Outside His Shop
Written by staffA business owner in Kirby, TX, was found on March 13, dead from stab wounds, behind his auto repair shop, Absolutely Affordable Repair off Ackerman Road. The victim was identified as Gary Weise, 43. According to Sgt. Michael Alonzo, Weise’s body was found by the victim’s brother behind Absolutely Affordable Repair. He had been stabbed several times and his throat was slashed. Alonzo said they were following up leads but they hadn’t identified any suspects.
“We’re still looking into the case,” Alonzo said. “We’re just going to go where the truth leads us right now and just see who basically wanted him dead.”
Family members reportedly hadn’t seen or heard from Weise for a few days. Around noon on March 13, the brother went to the repair shop to look for Weise and found his body outside by the back corner of the building. Investigators said it appeared the body had been outside for some time but they hadn’t determined when the crime occurred. Weise ran the shop alone and lived less than half a mile away, Alonzo said. No arrest has been made.
