perrys4

Brian, the passenger door and rear quarter were repainted and some slight body work done (not good enough for me). The paint is clouding and turning grey. It is clear coated and from what painters have told me it looks as though to much reducer was used in the paint. Whatever the cause it can't be brought back. The rest of the car looks okay (factory) with minor scratches here and there. It is just a black twenty year old paint job, lots of rock chips and minor scratches. I would just like to start over with a fresh look and new intrior so I can be proud of her again.

dr bob

Brian--

It looks like Ron's car was 'repaired' and the prep and color coat were not up to original standards. They improved/evened the gloss with a heavy uneven clearcoat. The colorcoat is fading now and the clearcoat is clouding, and no way to get to the colorcoat without stripping and starting over. The 'blending' includes the door, and parts of the front fender and the rear quarter.

Ron--

Take the car as it is to the guy you want to do the paint work. Explain the budget and possible schedule limitations you have, so it doesn't languish in the back of the shop for a year. Let the painter describe the options, and if they are too far from your expectations then you have an easier decision process. Right now there's no nuber to work with so it's all speculation. The cost of a job outside of SoCal is probably a lot less than here, if only because of the smog ***** and their love of solvent-pased paint processes.

Let the painter describe to you the any labor steps you can do to speed the process and save some on his fees. Then go shop for those separately if you can't do them yourself. For instance, drop by the glass place we used at Sharktoberfest and see what they want to put the glass back in. Then you cut the old glass out, store it, and they just install it for you when the new paintwork is done. Avoid temptations like removing rub strips and filling marker openings unless you feel really strongly about them. That kind of farmed-out work can add a lot to a bill if it's done right. Borrow or rent a trashed seat to put in the car, and strip as much interior stuff out as you can. Get started on your trim-and-rubber list of things you'll want to replace on the way. Consider that it's really easy to blend old and new paint at lip edges on the doors (hidden by the door edge seal...) and interior corners on fenders, so the original stickers and numbers remain intact. The bumper shells get painted separately so you get to take those off and reinstall them no matter what. Make sure the investment you make in the painter's work is made doing what the painter does best-- prep and paint. Shoot lots of pictures, document the work in a positve way, and it will add to the value of the car; A poorly documented paint job is a red flag that there's hidden metal damage/repairs.

For the interim, go find a Scion XB or similar, use it for the year, and sell/give it to your daughter when the 928 is done. She's almost 15, right? She will be driving by the time the 928 gets out of the spray booth...

perrys4

Good advice Dr. Bob but I'd rather just let a pro do the work so I don't screw anything up.

My daughter is 12 so I hope it doesn't take that long to get it done....three years is a lot of labor costs, lol.

Courtshark

Don't you guys ever tell anyone to sell their 928?

Perry, I'm in a similar situation (baby on the way might mean selling the shark; see "dilemma" post). I have too many cars right now (5) and I need to pare down the fleet. I'm doing everything I can to keep the shark, but it's going to come down to doing what's right for my family. I agree with what others have said... if it's not your ideal shark (i.e. you'd rather have a blue one, or something like that), then sell it, and find the right one a few years down the road. That one might need some help, but that's no big deal. Sounds like you're willing to get dirty and to the work. 928s are rare, but not THAT rare that you won't find one at a reasonable price when the time comes.

As far as Jags go, I'm not a huge fan but I've always loved the look. Not a fan of the maintenance. Same can be said for Saabs, of which I'm obviously a fan. If you're at all interested in either of my two solid daily driver Saabs (the 9000 Aero and the 9-5 Aero) I'd give you a great deal. They definitely qualify as entertaining sedans.

Good luck with your decision.

perrys4

Thanks for the offer but my experience with saabs isn't good. I do love the way they drive though.

V-Fib

Yes....IMHO

jcb928

Not worth it!!! Just sell your car and buy a nicer S4.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...=&cardist=2076

or

http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/car/636797506.html

perrys4

Whats your guarantee on mechanical longevity? My car is sorted out mechanically..just the cosmetics that need help. My car is nice in that it has been in socal all its life and I am the second owner. No rust

Ispeed

Time to sell and go 5 speed???