the problem here is that bodyshops here are so busy with just collision repairs that its just about impossible to have restoration done.
what i did is i went to a local shop asked them what they would be able to do and that i would strip prep repair fill to a point and they would then finish off and high soilds primer the car. i then took the car home and sanded it and took it back for paint. i had taken the car ther a couple of times in between to have them check out my work and give me some pointers. they sold me the material i needed and treated me pretty good.
when i took the car back it was pretty well ready for paint. i spent another day along with 3 of the employees sanding after 1 more coat of primer and then they painted it. it still cost me a good buck 3000.00 canadian cash which included the materials they sold me . the shop did not have to do the grunt work and started with prev preped car. i then took the car back home and put it all together as i took the doors and fenders etc off and all the trim to paint it . job turned out ok and i got a new respect for restoration type work, and know why a lot of shops dont want to do it.