To repaint or not to repaint.....is it worth it???

[redgtxdi]

So, I've got my '98 maroon beauty. Despite having purchased an '11 Venza and my dilemas there, I have to say that my '98 has been darn near dreamy for the 13 years I've owned her since new.

I recently had the control arm bushings changed which brought her back to smooth & straight and after doing a few things here & there to get her back up to snuff I can't help but imagine driving her another ? years.

I have that clear-coat "rash" that most aging cars have and it's on the roof, trunk, mirrors & a couple of the door handles as well as on the skyward facing surfaces of the door right at the window sashes.

I'm contemplating whether it'd be worth it to spend the $x,xxx dollars to do a quality repaint on her or just let her get a lil ugly & enjoy a mechanically sound car?

Not mine, but this shows what I'm talking about...........

[71Corolla]

Seeing come actual pics of your car would help. But if the base coat is still okay, then clear coating it yourself with a spray can is actually really easy, of course it depends on how much you need to touch up. Or you could do the prep work yourself by wet sanding the entire car, then have someone give it a new coat of clear.

If the base coat is no good and the entire car needs to be repainted, then I would say no it is not worth it, you could probably find another one with good paint for the price it would cost to get a proper paint job.

[redgtxdi]

Originally Posted by 71Corolla

Seeing come actual pics of your car would help. But if the base coat is still okay, then clear coating it yourself with a spray can is actually really easy, of course it depends on how much you need to touch up. Or you could do the prep work yourself by wet sanding the entire car, then have someone give it a new coat of clear.

If the base coat is no good and the entire car needs to be repainted, then I would say no it is not worth it, you could probably find another one with good paint for the price it would cost to get a proper paint job.

Well, I really don't think I'd find one in as good of shape as mine in all other ways except paint, however, I don't know exactly what prices are gonna look like. I'll also add that the front & rear bumpers have been repainted prior based on some fender benders and the hood is still good for some reason. What's sad is this car was always beautiful (it's the purply-maroon, not the gold-maroon) so it's sad to see the clear coat ruin an otherwise beautiful paint.

I thought I had pics somewhere but I need to look a little harder. If not, I'll take some daytime shots tomorrow.

[carsrus]

Look up how to wet sand and buff properly. Done right it can bring a bad paint job to life.

Wet sand, then use rubbing compound and then a solid wax and buff on the bad areas. Then clay bar the entire car and wax/buff. Follow directions on each product, I know a lot of people that dont even let wax dry before rubbing it off.......

There are tons of detailing forums online. BMW and other luxury car forums have great detailing forums in particular.

A complete repaint is not worth it. A paint job that will alst more then 2 year will be easily over 1500$. OEM paint is pretty good so you can wet sand and clay it good and still have plenty of paint left.

[D0UG]

The clear coat over the paint has died. No amount of buffing or polishing will help it. UV rays and ozone did it. It is not just faded. While it will peel easily in spots, other areas will be VERY difficult to remove even with a power sander. I have known guys with trucks with this same problem who settled for a whole-body decal in camoflauge. The wraps are guaranteed for severla years and look great. I don't know what is available for cars though.

Due to the overbearing EPA laws in the USA, repainting cars is usually cost prohibitive. Thank our federal government for that.

[Zembonez]

I'd opt for an inexpensive respray from somebody like Maaco (or similar) if the car is still in decent condition and you want a few more years out of it. If you remove a bunch of the trim items and lights, they can actually come out looking pretty good for 5-700 bucks.

[Chris Crash]

Problem solved. Paint job for under $150 (that includes supplies, tools, equipment, safety gear, and all the pieces needed to make the paint booth)

[PhatRoyale]

Repainting a car that old isn't really worth it IMO. Just do a spot touch up if you're really concerned about appearances.

Save your money for repairs and other wear and tear items. Cosmetics are just that. Cosmetics.