So as my mini restoration project comes to an end on the mechanical and interior side (See https://rennlist.com/forums/993-foru...ahh+joy+spring) I have a big question on my hands.

My car is a 1996 C2 blk/blk. Here are the issues currently w/ the paint...

1. I bought a Euro Turbo front bumper w/ S scoops to replace my foglights. The bumper is black but needs to be refinished as the paint in rough shape.
2. My hood has a nice gouge in it from a painters ladder!
3. Front end is pitted with stone chips
4. Aerokit side skirts are pitted badly before rear wheels
5. Sunroof panel has some oxidation
6. There is a decent size dent rear of the drivers side door that almost looks like someone tried to take a crowbar to the door lock (paint isn't too roughed up but paintless dent won't touch it)
7. Turbo tail has clear coat pealing in 1 spot
8. Rear window corner has some rust that is not terrible but needs to be fixed

There are some additional nicks and dents here and there but above is the worst of it. Overall, when the car is polished up it looks pretty good from 10 feet until you get up close and see the trouble spots I speak of.

So here comes my question. I am moving to Australia in 2 years time for anywhere from 2-4 years. I cannot take my car but I do plan on keeping it for when I get back (put to much into it, need to enjoy it!). In the meantime I would like the car to look nice and presentable but I am faced with the question is doing a full respray, getting two years of enjoyment and then putting the car in storage (father will drive it occasionally) really make sense? At the same time its such a shame to have a mechanically strong car with a brand new interior in such poor shape externally.

The alternatives are to do paint piecemeal which I think will look terrible, possibly vinyl wrap it? (don't know much about this) or do nothing. If I do the respray I am planning to do most of the prep work myself to make it more affordable. It will be a windows out respray (have to fix the rust and have a new front windshield to install). The respray will be done at a paint shop used by one of my friends that owns a MB dealership (sends all customer cars, including Maybachs there).

Any thoughts, recommendations, experiences from you guys would be greatly appreciated!

Regards,

Kevin

P.s. Has anyone that has done a lot of the prep work themselves for a respray have a $ amount estimate of what I can expect?

 

If you are sincere about keeping the beast for many years, get a proper (complete) respray handled now. You'll be happy you did when you return to it years later.


Andreas

 

You could also store it as is and re-spray when you get back.

 

I could wait but the thing is that I need to get the front bumper resprayed regardless as the paint is in terrible shape. I have bought a Bra for it in the mean time, but I don't know if I could go two years w/ a Bra on a Porsche! Maybe I will get the quote and see where that goes.

 

If it's not about the money, then sure I'd do it sooner rather than later. HOWEVER, and as one who absolutely, positively sucks at doing bodywork, I think you're kidding yourself if your desire to do the prepwork comes from wanting to save money. By that, I mean anything beyond the trim/bodywork R&R.

 

I definitely do not plan to do any kind of sanding, paint prep etc. I am more talking about pulling trim etc. Half of the reason is to save some $ and the other half is that I know if I do it, then it will be done right rather then leaving it up to someone else to cut corners.

 

You are obviously concerened enough about the painwork to install a bra. If you have the $ paint it, enjoy it and it will still be looking good when you return from Oz to further enjoy your car. If you can get a great deal on the paintwork with someone prepared to do the work at 'off peak rates' then that would be well worth considering/ exploring.

 

What ever happened with your seats? You posted you were not happy with initial results. Pics on the final version, please?

 

If it's the bumper that is the most troublesome right now, I would do the following:
Get the bumper sprayed. It's quick and not that costly. Enjoy all your recent upgrades and drive car for the summer. Consider doing the full respray next winter or the following winter when the car would normally be sitting. Pulling the trigger right now on afull respray will likely mean you'll miss the summer unless your friend can make your car a priority. Just my $0.02.

 

Bottom line is that they came out terrible. Then by luck of course I ended up storing the back on top of the bottom cushion (seat was broken apart) and when I went to remove the two, they ended up sticking together! Now there is a nice line where the Surflex as been removed. I am going to install 997 seats which are more comfortable and the leather is brand new...


I like that idea, to be honest I didn't even thing about the time... I am so sick of not being able to drive it, having to remove allll those pieces again would be a nightmare! It would be a good winter project and the shop might be slower then as well.

 

Completely agree with doing a full respray and with doing it after the summer. Winter is generally a busy time for bodyshops (weather-related accidents) so I would aim for the fall.

I've done a full respray but didn't do any prepwork. Mine was ~$13k IIRC. I have a friend from PCA who has a Targa SC and did all the prepwork. His came to $4-5k IIRC. Both were done at top quality shops.