Restoration course
Discussion
Evening all,
In Stage 1 of my retirement plan (move to Italy and become a hobbyist restorer) I need to learn how to restore classics. Can anyone recommend a good course or person to speak to about spending some time as an apprentice? This would be alongside my full time job, however. Preferably East Mids based but will travel.
Many thanks,
In Stage 1 of my retirement plan (move to Italy and become a hobbyist restorer) I need to learn how to restore classics. Can anyone recommend a good course or person to speak to about spending some time as an apprentice? This would be alongside my full time job, however. Preferably East Mids based but will travel.
Many thanks,
Mr. White said:
Evening all,
In Stage 1 of my retirement plan (move to Italy and become a hobbyist restorer) I need to learn how to restore classics. Can anyone recommend a good course or person to speak to about spending some time as an apprentice? This would be alongside my full time job, however. Preferably East Mids based but will travel.
Many thanks,
A number of colleges have car restoration courses, perhaps there's one near you? In Stage 1 of my retirement plan (move to Italy and become a hobbyist restorer) I need to learn how to restore classics. Can anyone recommend a good course or person to speak to about spending some time as an apprentice? This would be alongside my full time job, however. Preferably East Mids based but will travel.
Many thanks,
https://www.google.co.uk/search?client=opera&h...
https://www.classiccarsgarages.com/blog/selection-...
however these courses are usually aimed at people intending to make a career of car restoration though some are 'recreational', e.g.Bolton: https://www.boltoncollege.ac.uk/courses/adult-moto...
or Bristol: http://www.cityofbristol.ac.uk/courses/motor-vehic...
It's probably best you read up on apprenticeship schemes as I doubt you'd be eligible if what you want to do afterwards is retire abroad and 'tinker'.
A thought, but if you are starting from scratch, it might be worth considering developing a specialisation in a sub-set of restoration such as restoring dashboards, or perhaps something electrical such as alternators or even brake servos. There is so much to learn to succeed as a generalist that "breaking the problem down to a manageable size" might be the way to go.
My personal opinion is that if you're going to be going into the restoration business. You're better being the manager and hiring the skills instead of trying to be a one stop shop.
Metal working is a skill that takes years to develop. You'll learn the basics in a training class but will not likely have the skills to make money out of.
I don't mean to discourage you and I don't think that I am, doing restorations requires more than one skill (welding, metal working, plastic work, sanding and blocking and painting), mechanical, electrical and interior (wood and leather).
If you want to be successful, my suggestion would be to find the skill that you'll be good (whether mechanical, welding, painting etc) and hire or farm out the rest. The hardest part of what you'll be doing is selling and estimating.
Metal working is a skill that takes years to develop. You'll learn the basics in a training class but will not likely have the skills to make money out of.
I don't mean to discourage you and I don't think that I am, doing restorations requires more than one skill (welding, metal working, plastic work, sanding and blocking and painting), mechanical, electrical and interior (wood and leather).
If you want to be successful, my suggestion would be to find the skill that you'll be good (whether mechanical, welding, painting etc) and hire or farm out the rest. The hardest part of what you'll be doing is selling and estimating.
alabbasi said:
My personal opinion is that if you're going to be going into the restoration business. You're better being the manager and hiring the skills instead of trying to be a one stop shop.
Metal working is a skill that takes years to develop. You'll learn the basics in a training class but will not likely have the skills to make money out of.
I don't mean to discourage you and I don't think that I am, doing restorations requires more than one skill (welding, metal working, plastic work, sanding and blocking and painting), mechanical, electrical and interior (wood and leather).
If you want to be successful, my suggestion would be to find the skill that you'll be good (whether mechanical, welding, painting etc) and hire or farm out the rest. The hardest part of what you'll be doing is selling and estimating.
Thanks for the advice. I'm not looking to be successful as such, more just a hobby. But you're right, I may well get sucked in to the business element in which case I might specialise and hire as you say.Metal working is a skill that takes years to develop. You'll learn the basics in a training class but will not likely have the skills to make money out of.
I don't mean to discourage you and I don't think that I am, doing restorations requires more than one skill (welding, metal working, plastic work, sanding and blocking and painting), mechanical, electrical and interior (wood and leather).
If you want to be successful, my suggestion would be to find the skill that you'll be good (whether mechanical, welding, painting etc) and hire or farm out the rest. The hardest part of what you'll be doing is selling and estimating.
Mr. White said:
Thanks for the advice. I'm not looking to be successful as such, more just a hobby. But you're right, I may well get sucked in to the business element in which case I might specialise and hire as you say.
If it's a hobby where you're not making any money, certainly. But if you're going to take somebody's money, you'll need to deliver on their expectations. I think that it's a good idea. I suspect that labor costs in Spain is considerably lower than in the UK and expect that there's no shortage of skilled labor. If you can figure out the transportation and logistics to make it 'easy' for Brits, you could have a pretty nice business that you can run for a few years and sell off when you're ready for your second retirement.
Edited by alabbasi on Wednesday 5th June 14:43
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