Paint and Bodywork Services

Located in La Paz, BCS Mexico

Ready to Reserve your spot?
​Please fill out the form at the bottom of this page to get started.

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We're more than just paint!

• Have your van restored by the best in the business. 
• Utilize my years of expertise in Volkswagen Restoration 
• Enjoy a road trip to a beautiful tropical locale 
• Tons of additional options from engine rebuilds, suspension, brakes, tinting, upholstery, and more 

I took this 1970 Bay Window Westfalia from this...

To this!

Hi, i'm Shane. In 2016 I embarked on a well documented adventure south of the border to Tijuana Mexico to repaint my 1982 VW Vanagon Westfalia. Since then, I have helped hundreds of others get their vans painted in Mexico, taking advantage of the considerable cost savings on labor here versus the United States. Helping others restore their Vans in Mexico has become a passion of mine. I now live in beautiful La Paz, Mexico, recently named by Time Magazine one of the 100 greatest places in the world (https://time.com/collection/worlds-greatest-places-2021/6079262/la-paz-mexico/) La Paz is located at the southern tip of Baja where my passion for restoring Volkswagens has continued unabated. I have spent the last couple of years building relationships here in town, with the best VW mechanics, Upholsterers, and my Paint Shop. You have many choices when it comes to painting your Van, and the process can be daunting. Even more so when you are in a foreign country far from home. You need someone who knows the ins and outs, not just of the culture, but of the vehicles themselves. As an expert in classic Volkswagens and a resident of Mexico I am uniquely suited to ensure that your restoration surpasses your expectations. But don't take my word for it. Ask around, you will find I am regarded as a well respected and trusted member of our community. I treat every build as the most important one I have ever done, and I can't wait to help you build the van of your dreams. 

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Click through the photos above for a before and after transformation of this Westy we painted for Peace Vans Rentals in Seattle, Washington

I took this tired old 1982 Vanagon Westfalia...

And created the ultimate 2wd Vanagon Westfalia. Sold for $50k in August 2019

Over the years my builds have been featured in Magazines, Youtube videos with over 1 million views, and have won best in show at car shows. I love taking tired old Vans and giving them a second life. In addition to paint and bodywork I can now assist with Mechanical overhauls, from complete suspension rebuilds, VW engine rebuilds, Brakes, interior upholstery, and even transmissions. 

I took this 1989 Vanagon Syncro from this...

And created this stunning Pop Top Weekender

This is a typical customer reaction at pickup.

This 1987 VW Syncro Westfalia came out beautifully, wouldn't you agree?

Why should I restore my Van in Mexico?

The cost of labor is dramatically less in Mexico. This translates to restoration costs that are often half what a comparable restoration might cost in the states. A typical comparable paint job in the US or Canada with body work and rust repair will easily run you $10,000-$20,000 dollars or more. And that's before you add on extras like upholstery, mechanical work, window tinting, undercoating, and all of the other services we have here with us. 

From this...

To this...

To this!

Why should I restore my Van with Live The Van Life Restorations?

Finding the right craftsmen for the job at a reasonable price is only part of the equation. When you work with us, you benefit from our years of experience building Vans for ourselves, and for others. We know the things to watch for, we know the common areas that need to be addressed, and we have relationships with all of the big players in the industry. We've also learned from all of our previous builds what works, and what doesn't. In short, we've made mistakes and learned from them so you don't have to. Mexican culture is very different from what we are accustomed to in the United States, and knowing how to navigate that world is critical to a successful outcome. Our builds have been featured in magazines, on Youtube and have won awards including best 2WD van at Syncrofest in California. 

This 1974 Bay Window Westy was super crusty from sitting next to the beach in Santa Cruz, CA

Professional "Windows out" paint job. It's the only right way to paint a car.

Complete rust, bodywork, and paint restoration with all new rubber seals.

What is our process?

When comparing paint shops it is super important to be sure that the work is being done properly. You simply cannot skip any of the steps outlined below and have a quality paint job. Many low cost shops will simply mask off everything and spray it, but nearly every single Vanagon has rust under the window seals, and so in short order, your new cheap paint job will be worthless, and you’ll need to pay to do it all over again, the right way. Masking will also leave overspray all over the vehicle, which just looks terrible. Here is how we do things...

1. Remove all exterior accessories, lights, grilles, antennas, hook up boxes, door handles, etc.
2. Remove all windows including windshield and rear hatch glass.
3. Remove all of the doors, the two front doors, the sliding door, and the rear hatch.
4. Cut out any rust, and weld in new metal
5. Pull out any dents
6. Primer
7. Paint (we use PPG paint)
8. Sand
9. Polish
10. Wax
11. Reinstall everything with brand new window seals, and other new seals as required (every van is different)

This process is lengthy and detailed with a typical timeframe for Bodywork and Paint coming in at 3-4 months. There are a lot of parts, large and small that need to come off, and go back on your Van again. Its not uncommon for some of these 30+ year old parts to crumble when removed. This is another important reason to work with us, we either have the spare parts needed to replace the broken bits, or we can source them for you. We are Vanagon experts after all. There are just too many things to know and do when painting a Vanagon and most regular paint shops just don't want to deal with the hassle. We on the other hand, live for this. Beware of shops quoting you unreasonable timeframes, the right way to paint your VW is not quick. 

Pricing

A basic exterior paint job and bodywork without changing the base color starts at $7500 USD (plus the cost of window and body rubber, and any required replacement parts). More complex jobs, changing exterior and interior colors, more bodywork, rust, etc will increase the cost.  A complete interior, with carpeting, front seats and rear bench seat reupholstered and door panels, starts at $2500 USD. I also work closely with the best VW specialty shop south of the border, Geraldos VW's who can help with a wide variety of mechanical repairs and upgrades. Estimates are free, contact us to start the conversation. 

Some Add-ons and approximate costs:

• Truck Bed Liner along the bottom: $399
• New Vanagon Window Seals: $400
• Vehicle undercoating: $350-450 depending on vehicle
• Ceramic Vehicle Tint Complete Van: $699
• New Pop Top Tent Installation: $499 depending on vehicle 
• Complete Interior Upholstery (Front and Rear Seats, Mattresses, Carpet, Door Panels): $2500
• Stereo and Speaker installations
• Power door locks and Alarm System: $650
• Lighting upgrades and installations
• Powder Coating
• Solar and Battery Systems design and installation
• Westfalia Specific Repairs and Upgrades
• Inside Secure Van Storage in La Paz, Monthly: $100

For more details on some of our extra services, head on over to our "Optional Extras" page under the Van Restoration Services tab above.

I took this tired, abandoned Syncro...

And created my ultimate Vanagon. My 1991 Syncro Westfalia, Miki

My 1992 VW Syncro from Austria, restored right here in La Paz, Mexico.

We are located in beautiful tropical La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
​ An incredible and easily accessible drive from Southern California and the West Coast

Frequently Asked Questions

how do i get my vehicle to La Paz?

There are two options, you can drive your vehicle from the US to La Paz through Baja (an epic road trip), or drive your car to Tijuana and ship it to us via truck (we can assist with this). We ship vans for approximately $1000 from Tijuana to La Paz and $500 from La Paz to Tijuana through a third party truck transportation company (prices subject to change without notice). You could also ship it down, and then drive it back, flying into La Paz or Cabo San Lucas is very easy.

What are payment terms?

50% is required at vehicle drop off and the remainder is due at pickup. Due to the nature of business in Mexico where cash is king (our paint shop does not accept credit cards, nor do any of our other vendors), we ask for all payments to be made in cash in Pesos. 

Can you supply parts cheaper in mexico than in the uS?

No. In general most parts need to be imported from the United States and thus are much more expensive and difficult to get in Mexico than in the US. This is especially true for Vanagons which were never sold here. Your savings comes from the much lower cost of Labor here in Mexico, any parts that you'd like installed should be brought down with you. In an emergency where parts may be needed, they can be shipped to La Paz from the states via DHL, though there is often the need to use a customs broker, and pay import taxes (customs brokers fees plus 16% typically). Its a pain, so plan ahead and bring your own parts.

I have a Pop top tent, and some parts id like installed on my van, can they be installed?

Yes, between the paint shop, my upholstery shop, and my good friends at Geraldos VW's we can install just about anything for you for an additional cost. You will save a lot of money on labor. The parts, you should bring yourself (see above)

I would like to have my camper painted inside and out, can that be done?

Yes, although a few things you should keep in mind. Disassembling and reassembling a Westfalia camper interior is a time consuming process, having us remove it, paint the inside of your vehicle, and then reinstall it can be done, but it will increase the cost of the service. 

Can I change the color of my Van?

Yes, however based on my experience having painted many vehicles now, I can tell you that the best results will be had when you keep your Van the stock color. Inevitably with use, your van will get chips and dings, and you dont want to see a different color underneath when that happens. Also, it is nearly impossible to paint every nook and crevice of a van to change the color, for example behind the dash, without tearing the van down to a bare shell (think lots of time and $$$) so there will always inevitably be little spots that you see that were the old color. If your willing to live with those caveats, then go for it! I have! But that being said, the best results will be had by keeping with your stock color. There are things we can do to make it more interesting, for example adding more metallic flake to the paint to make it pop and glisten more. 

What is the turn around time from drop off?

All depends on the scope of the work, however for a basic paint job and minor rust and or bodywork the typical turnaround time is 3-4 months. We've found this amount of time allows for us to do the best possible job on your Van while keeping the pace sustainable for us. Sure, maybe you can find someone who says they will do it quicker, but is this really something you want someone to rush on?  More complex jobs, mechanical work, upholstery, etc will require more time than stated above. It is not uncommon for a full buildout of a Van to take 6 months to a year. Please do not schedule work to be done with us if you are on a super tight timeframe, need to get back home, and are in a rush. We work as fast as we can but things do come up and it's very stressful for everyone involved if there isn't some flexibility.  If you have any concerns, please talk to us before booking. Most folks find it best to roadtrip or ship their van down to us, then return home while work is done, and then return to sunny La Paz and ship or road trip home in their shiny new VW.

Is my vehicle safe? Am I? 

La Paz is one of the safest cities in Mexico and enjoys one of the highest standards of living. Your vehicle is absolutely safe and secure when it is here as are you! In addition, the baja peninsula from California to La Paz is VERY safe, really there's not much except open desert, and deserted beaches for almost 800 miles. Every single person who makes the drive (for paint or otherwise) comments how safe they feel here, and how wrong all of their friends/family and the media is. 

Can I fly to or from La Paz?

La Paz is easily and very cheaply accessible via Tijuana with flights to be had often for $100 or less each way. Coming to or from San Diego is super easy via CBX (Cross Border Express) which allows you to access the Tijuana Airport from San Diego. Direct flights from the US can be had to Cabo San Lucas easily and inexpensively from many destinations. Cabo is approximately 2 hours from La Paz. Taxi service can be arranged and costs $50 to $75 each way. 

I'd like to schedule to get my van to you, whats the next step?

In order to give your van the attention it deserves, and our full attention, we limit the number of Vans we work on at any given time. When we have agreed on a date for your drop off, we require a $500 non refundable deposit (this amount will be deducted from the full cost of the work) in order to guarantee you a spot on our calendar. This means we are setting aside this time for you and your van, and not double booking. This also means that if you later change your schedule, we will not have anything scheduled for your slot, so in order to help respect our time, we ask for a small deposit up front. If you pull out after the deposit is made, it will be forfeited. 

Do i need to insure my vehicle when its in mexico

Yes, I would recommend checking out BajaBound insurance for a quote. It is inexpensive. ​www.bajabound.com/

id like to stay in La paz during the restoration, what do you recommend?

Spending some time here at the beginning or end of your restoration can be a great way to get to spend some time in our beautiful city and explore more of Mexico.  That being said, we have found its not ideal when folks are staying here solely to wait out our services as the exact timeframes involved in this process are typically not exact.  Your best bet if you'd like to stay here is to book a monthly rental through AirBnb. There are lots and lots of options for every budget, from very affordable to fancy and everything in between. I would recommend a central location if your budget allows so you can walk around the city. Please understand when thinking of staying for the restoration, that we cannot guarantee a finish date, and things can and do come up that can increase the scope of the work and time required. For this reason we do ask that you remain flexible with your stay. 

I'D REALLY LIKE TO BE A PART OF THE PROCESS, CAN I HELP? WHERE IS YOUR SHOP? 

WHILE WE APPRECIATE YOUR ENTHUSIASM, WE KINDLY REQUEST THAT YOU LEAVE THE HARD WORK TO US AND REST AND RELAX WHILE WE COMPLETE THE WORK FOR YOU. OUR SHOP IS NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND WHILE WE DO NOT ALLOW VISITORS, WE MAKE SURE TO KEEP YOU POSTED WITH REGULAR UPDATES AND PHOTOS OF YOUR VEHICLES RESTORATION PROGRESS. 

I'm in a rush, can you work faster?

Our focus is on doing the best possible job, not cutting corners and rushing jobs. Haste makes waste as they say. That being said our services are way, way faster than any comparable restorations that we're aware of in the states or elsewhere. Ask around, it's not uncommon for vehicles to languish at paint shops for 6 months to a year or more without progress or completion! While we work as quickly as we can and understand that you miss your favorite car, we kindly ask that you try to bring your vehicle during a time that you are not in a rush to get it back. There are also things that sometimes come up that are out of our control, such as discovering parts need to be ordered,  more damage than stated before drop-off, etc. 

What's the best itinerary/route to take from San Diego/California

I recommend the following route, though it depends on how much time you have. From North to South: Cross at Mexicali, Stay the night in San Felipe, next day drive to Bahia de Los Angeles, then San Ignacio, then Mulege, then La Paz. Of course you could spend as much as a month or more driving down, or as quick as two days. Skip driving through Tijuana if possible, the Mexicali route is much nicer and safer. 

Do you offer storage of my van before or after my scheduled drop off/Pick up?

Yes! We have safe and secure indoor parking available for your Van if you are unable to pick it up when it is finished, or if you would like to drop it off before your restoration appointment. The monthly cost is $100. We do ask that you please pay your invoice when the restoration is complete, at which point we can arrange for vehicle storage for you if needed. We do offer a grace period, as its not our intent for vehicle storage to be a money maker for us, rather its an option for folks who cant make it down or need more time. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, simply chat with us and we'd be happy to assist you with this.