The team at Daddy O’s Paint & Body, owner Roland De La Peña (left) and manager Albert Cantu, show off some of their recent custom work in front of their shop.
A master at matching paints from current to classic cars, Daddy O’s Paint & Body owner Roland De La Peña has been serving the Coastal Bend for over 10 years.
“Roland can take out any dent or scratch and make it look like new,” shop manager Albert Cantu said. “He loves a challenge. He likes to get the car that no one thinks can be salvaged.”
De La Peña has been in the auto paint and restoration business for decades. He built a reputation with industry insiders in this area as an artisan because of his attention to detail and his quality of craftsmanship. When he finally opened his own shop, it was modest in size and operation, but it kept him busy with a variety of interesting projects.
“During that time, a lower volume shop was ideal for me because I had demands on my time at home,” De La Peña said. “I ran my business with my old cellphone and secured work on a handshake. The work was steady but basically through word of mouth.”
Cut to 2014, and this skillful craftsman was ready to commit to building his business. He hired Albert Cantu, a longtime friend, to manage the shop and help build the business.
As business partners, this duo is the perfect yin and yang. De La Peña is the reflective talented artist who truly enjoys the hands-on side of the business. Cantu is more fast paced and business minded, continually looking for opportunities to build the business and initiating processes to help run the business more efficiently.
“I love to work and help people,” De La Peña said, “but drawing up contracts or developing a business plan is not my thing. Albert is bringing more business to the business.”
Since Cantu climbed on board, Daddy O’s has moved to a larger location at 1826 South Padre Island Drive and updated the processing system. The shop now has a new paint-mixing machine that gives De La Peña the ability to match any of the high-tech finishes found on newer cars as well as the classics.
“Many auto body painters only work with one brand of paint, which can limit their ability to properly match a car’s finish,” De La Peña said. “Matching paint is a very precise science. I am fortunate enough to have worked with many different brands so I can correctly match paint colors and finishes.”
Cantu calls that ability supernatural.
“I am amazed at how he works his magic and makes them look like nothing has ever happened,” he said.
The magic goes beyond the mixing to include De La Peña’s discerning attention to detail on all jobs.
“On restoration projects, customers come to Roland with a vision, and he breaks it down to bring their vision to life,” Cantu said. “Even with small jobs, Roland will go the extra mile for a customer.”
De La Peña humbly accepted the compliment.
“I like to help people,” he said. “What I provide is a service that people pay good money for, so I have to give my all for them.”
Daddy O’s offers a full-service paint and auto body shop for cars, trucks and motorcycles specializing in insurance claims. Shop services include restoration, collision repair, scratch and dent repair as well as complete paint jobs.
Daddy O’s
1826 South Padre Island Drive, Suite 1902 E
361-765-2213
