Re-spraying a car

[Prudie]

I love my car and don't want to change it but the paintwork is looking dull and faded. I want to have a re-spray but all the men I say this to tell me I'm mad and not to bother. Why would they say this?

[Bob69]

Maybe the spray-job would cost far more than the car is worth.

[chas2008]

sorry, full resprays are very rarley done, £1,500-£2,000 + for a decent job

[Prudie]

That's still less than I'd spend if I changed the car so don't understand why it's a bad idea plus it would look stunning.

[TWR]

Hi Prudie, what colour is your car? is it Red? Red is one of the worst Colors to Oxidise, But can be cleaned up to a Very good finish given the time, what makes you say the paint work is dull? has it started to Blister? the problem with re-spraying a car, if you intend to sell in the future people are very suspicious about a car that has not had a proper re-spray, let me know what your paintwork problem is & I will hopefully help you, ( I car valet in my spare time)

[philkool]

go for it but ask friends [i mean] friends as the price dont allways reflect the quality of the work, i know as i work in a large bodyshop and repaints though rare are expensive. some small bodyshops do a far better job for a lot less dosh.

[Prudie]

Hi TWR no it's plain black (Jap import). The front of the bonnet over the headlight has gone almost light brown as if the paint has been buffed off but generally all over it's mottled when you look close up and T-cut or polish doesn't really get rid of it. When I wash it ands it's glistening and wet it looks amazing but then dries dullish. Difficult to explain really.

[chas2008]

just be aware that black is a soft paint, scratches easily and shows all the imperfections, looks great to start with but takes great care to keep it that way...

[Prudie]

I wasn't aware of that but obviously if I was going to do it I'd want to stick with black.

[TWR]

Hi, first wash the car & Dry off all over, the products I use which is not for sale to the public has very fine sand within, It's on the same line as T.Cut but better, have you heard of Autoglym? if you go into any auto spares shop they should sell it, It's not cheap but does the job, if you are prepared to spend time the results will be A1, do not use in direct sunlight, do not use on the Plastic trims only the metal, if you start from the front Off/S headlight by the time you have come around to the N/S Front, ( Passenger side, then start to buff the Drivers side ( Off/S all the way round again, If your car has alloys again this takes time but you can get good results It depends on your effort. Autoglym also sells Window polish but do not use on the front screen. Good luck & happy polishing.

[Prudie]

Thanks TWR, I will look into that as an option but it seems an awful lot of hardwork.

[TWR]

Hard work will be cheaper than going into your Bank account Prudie, to get a proper re-spray you are taking in the region of £500 to a £1000, I am not implying that the car is not worth it Prudie, I have just done my Sons Ford Cougar the paint work had never been polished, It came up like new, the wheels are alloys again been left, the acid I use is furious stuff again that's not sold to the general public, they have come up really well, but the time spent on the job was in the region of 5hrs, as said if you want results & are prepared to do the hard work it's good to see the end product, I hope your arms are with muscle LOL because after the work done, you will have some LOL.

[chas2008]

the only way to get a 100% answer is to get a professional body shop to cast there eye over it, believe me they wont try and talk you into a respray unless they think its the only option...They really dont like getting involved in repaints unless they really have to.

[AlBags]

correct Chas ...
Some Japanese cars, especially grey imports, have a very thin paint thickness (probably as they are tropical spec or something) I have seen primers showing through before. I think Prudie has this problem.
Extensive work to prep.
All trim/seals/brackets/add-on panels off .. Some like all glass out.

[Prudie]

Lawks looks like a right pain whichever way I go. I work with a large number of mechanics/engineers and was hoping one of them might do it for me (those with spraying skills that is).

[AlBags]

One may well prep car for you tho, Prudie, if he/she knows what's required.
First thing is to get local bodyshop recommendations from people that had cars repaired/painted there!

[Prudie]

Like the PC he/she !!
Have you had a good day AlBags?

[AlBags]

Hi, yes thanks .. I am renovating a really old period farmhouse kitchen for someone. Been there today. Taking weeks!

[Prudie]

Are you getting paid or doing it for a friend? I'm sure it will look lovely when you've finished.

[AlBags]

Paid work ... and I'm not cheap! : )
I have been doing old building restoration for quite a while now, although I am really an Aircraft Engineer .. However, I have always preferred job satisfaction : )

[Prudie]

Please read my post about your work in the BH thread.