So, I'm thinking about having my car painted over the summer. It's not something I'm going to skimp on, so if I do it, it's probably going to cost me a pretty penny. It has the original paint right now, which looks great, unfortunately there are a bunch of dings, dents, and scrapes that I'd love to get rid of. There's flaw I'd like repaired on just about every part of the car (roof, doors, all the quarterpanels, the rockers, and the usual rock chips all over the front). I could just try to get all these things fixed and keep most of the original paint, but then I have to worry about them blending it right since it's metallic, and I don't think I'm going to save all that much money over just getting the whole thing repainted. What would you do? Any suggestions for good body guys near NYC?

 

It seems that there are about 5 or 6 of us here that are getting a paint job right now or within a week or two.
You may as well join the club!

 

I will paint mine for the same reason as yours. Friends say, Why would you paint it, it looks so good." Yeah, well it looks "good" to them from ten feet away. I see all the flawas and after the other omney I've put into it, the paint is the only thing lacking tyo make it right and me happy. But I won't scrimp either. I'd be even less happy with a poorly done, gloppy, orange peelie, El Cheapo paint job. If that's my option? I'll keep polishing what I've got.

 

Do you think it's worth it to pay for a repaint which would cost more than the car is worth? That's the dilemma that I face.

 

The question is - what is it worth to YOU? Who cares what some book says - the book values are designed by bankers to keep people buying cars. If you like it and want to keep it and (yes) don't mind assuming a little risk - go for it!

 

No it's not. But Porsche-o-phile is spot on. If you like the car, and want it to look good, paint it. Little or nothing we invest in these cars is ever going to net a return to us if we sell. What was Tony G's loss when he sold with all those goodies...

Fix it. Paint it. And forget about what worth, cause there isn't a return.

 

Well, with regard to what the car is worth, since it's an 89 it still has a good bit of its value. I'm just not sure I'd be happier spending the money on something else (MPA/MAF?). I'm leaning towards painting it, which seems to be the consensus anyway.

 

bump

Anyone else care to chime in? I need people to make this decision for me

 

I'm afraid if I paint mine and get it looking great someone will total it on me. It's just my luck..

I dont think it really looks like it needs a re-paint from your pics Kevin.
Have you tried touching up chips, wetsanding and buffing it out?
My .02, I would try to keep the original paint..

 

I'd lean towards keeping the original paint too. As long as it's wearing well (e.g., not oxidizing badly) and you're not looking for the car to be concours, you can probably do very well cosmetically and economically touching things up. The front may be an exception, but it's not difficult to respray. My car had the front resprayed at some point (to fix paint chips, not accident damage) and it is indistinguishable from the rest of the car, which is metallic gray.

 

Think about this...IF you were to resell it, there would be a lot of people who would be MORE interested in original paint with a few blemishes than a perfect respray...look at the guys that surround you in this club (and really any other club would be the same)...if it ain't broke, don't fix it!