by Allison Tunstall from https://valpo.life
From custom jobs to throwback styles, Harley-Davidson of Valparaiso’s Paint Shop is a unique service offered in-store—one of the only Harley-Davidson dealers in the Midwest to house its Paint Shop right in the service center. Dealers from surrounding states from Ohio to Kentucky send their parts to the shop located on US 30, where the “Dynamic Duo,” John Galloway and Randy Melton, have been creating one-of-a-kind motorcycle looks for decades.
It is easy to see why so many riders and dealers trust Galloway and Melton with their bikes. Galloway, who started his painting career in his brother’s motorcycle shop and has continued painting for over 30 years. He and his team use only the most state-of-the-art technology and methods to create custom and industry-standard style. They are commited to creating quality, lasting work their customers love.
“We don’t do any shortcuts,” Galloway said. “We have a reputation of creating lasting work. We don’t want people to come back in a few years saying they’ve had problems, so we use the best product you can get as far as paint, primer, paint guns, air brushes, and more. Our spray booth is top of the line, which helps us get a better product out.”
“Recently, two riders brought their bikes to us and said that we’re the only ones they trust to create the look they want for their bikes,” he continued. “For years, I’ve worked with dealerships in Ohio, Kentucky, and Wisconsin, which continue to send me parts and tell me how satisfied their customers were with the job. It really makes a difference.”
Galloway and Melton specialize in repair and refinishing Harleys. If a bike has a scratch, dent, ding, mark, you name it, the duo gets to work repairing and detailing so it looks as if the damage never happened.
The Paint Shop also offers custom jobs, like the signature Harley-Davidson hot rod flames and custom graphics and airbrushed work. Galloway remembers a bike from a few years back that was Celtic-themed with Celtic symbols around the entire bike. They even recreate beloved styles that Harley-Davidson no longer makes. Currently, Galloway and Melton are recreating a stock paint job, one that is no longer available, on a 1997 bike.
“Tastes change and styles come back now and again,” Galloway said. “Harley-Davidson came out with a CVO with the Harley-Davidson number one on the gas tank, which was a little different than styles before. I’ve recreated that paint job probably 15 times. The hot rod flames come and go. Some people know exactly what they want for their bike, some people may only have a general idea of what they want and will let us run with it. For jobs like those, we spend a more time on doing a good job for them to make sure, in the end, they have the bike of their dreams.”
“I’ve had so many customers who are just overwhelmed and excited about the work we did,” Galloway said. “It’s gratifying to hear customers tell you that your work is even better than they could have imagined. I don’t interact with customers as much as I have in the past, so when I do, I love seeing that twinkle in their eyes when they see their fresh bike for the first time.”
Stop in the Harley-Davidson of Valparaiso Paint Shop today to see what Galloway and Melton are creating. Make sure to say hello to Willow, the dog, who comes to work with Galloway every day.
For more information about Harley-Davidson of Valparaiso’s Paint Shop and how to make an appointment, visit their site at https://www.hdvalpo.com/Services/The-Paint-Shop.
