A family-run shop
Members of Dayton Painter's family now run the business.
Painter's Grinding is a family-run shop on S Jason St in Denver doing machine work, engine and transmission rebuilds and general repair for Volkswagens. Rated 4.8 from 168 Google reviews.
4.8 from 168 Google reviews
Builders and machinists in house
Ross works as both mechanic and machinist, Eddie builds transmissions and Keith builds engines, so the machine work and the assembly happen under one roof.
Work done without dragging on
One reviewer was shocked at how quickly Keith worked through his to-do list: carburetor, idle, brake lights and electrical. Another mentioned good turn around times.
What we do
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Machine Shop Services
A full range of precision machine work on cases, flywheels, cranks, rods, lifters and cylinder heads for various VW engine types, including waterboxer.
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Engine & Transmission Rebuilding
Engine and transmission rebuilds for air-cooled VWs, with rebuilt transaxles kept in stock for exchange.
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General Repair & Services
Brakes, oil changes, engine and transmission removal and replacement, and a variety of other mechanical repairs.
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Air-cooled vs. Water-cooled
We work on both air-cooled and water-cooled VWs.
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VW parts
One reviewer calls us a good place to buy parts, and we handle parts orders by email.
Rated 4.8 by neighbors
Read all 168 reviews on Google“Amazing shop, with super cool dude's building badass bugs.. Update!! March 2025, I've always been a bug lover. I've known about Painters Grinding for years and ive always dreamed of having Painters build me a motor. I didn't realize, the honor it would be to meet the guys at the shop in person, and get to know the "PRO'S" in person. What shop would drop what their doing, to come Tow my car back to their shop and in a flash, throw a new fuel pump into "SQUEEKS" my 1967 bug and back on the road we were in 30 minutes. I felt like I was part of the Painters Grinding Pit crew, for a minute.. 🤣🤣 Best in the business!! Thanks guys for everything helping me bring "SQUEEKS" back to Life”
“Incredibly knowledgeable, fast and efficient. I took this '69 Beetle to Painter's Grinding and was shocked at how quickly Keith completed my to-do list. My carburetor is like factory-new, my idle is now amazing, my brake lights and all electrical are perfect now. This is the kind of repair shop we all dream of finding and hanging onto. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!”
“These guys are awesome! They did a rebuild on my VW Bus, Everything they promised they delivered plus extra. I highly recommend these guys good work, Good prices and awesome customer service.”
“Picked up my bug and what a nice change, new clutch and muffler, rides and sounds sweet. Ive been in the automotive business for 30 years and can see quality repairs 5 stars for sure”
“Good place to buy parts. They know how to build air-cooled VW engines. Good turn around times.”
Dayton Painter started out as a freelancer doing Volkswagen engine work, like lifter repair and cylinder head reconditioning, out of a small shop behind his friend's shop.
He later moved to a larger shop on Custer Street, and the business grew from there. Dayton passed away, and members of his family now run the business.
The shop has expanded to offer a full range of services for air-cooled Volkswagen engines: repair, engine rebuilding and machine work. We work on water-cooled VWs too.
Ross Maitland is a mechanic and machinist who grew up around his dad's Beetle and Westfalia campers, and he owns a restored ragtop Beetle. Eddie Radillo is our transmission builder and a lifelong drag racing enthusiast. Keith Gosselin, engine builder and mechanic, got his start working on a Baja Bug and is into off-road racing.
We're rated 4.8 from 168 Google reviews. One customer picked up his bug after a new clutch and muffler and said it rides and sounds sweet.
831 S Jason St
Denver, CO 80223
| Monday | 8 AM – 5 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 8 AM – 5 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM – 5 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM – 5 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM – 5 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM – 1 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Good questions
What is the difference between air-cooled and water-cooled?
Air cooling directs airflow at fins on the cylinders and heads, so heat goes straight into the air. Water-cooled engines circulate coolant around the heads and cylinders through a water jacket and use a separate radiator for the final heat exchange to the air.
Do you work on water-cooled VWs?
Yes. Our focus is air-cooled engines, but we work on both air-cooled and water-cooled VWs.
Do you have rebuilt transaxles available?
We keep rebuilt transaxles in stock for exchange. Call the shop to talk through what you need.
Are you open on Saturdays?
Saturday hours are seasonal. Starting November 7 we close on Saturdays for the winter, and regular Saturday hours resume in April. If you need help outside our schedule, give us a call.
What should I include when emailing about a parts order?
Include your name, phone number, order number and the date you purchased your parts, and a customer service representative will contact you.