JessicaR

I'm planning on a toner black or a metalic black. Don't know if I'll have close to $4000 to paint mine, but I'm gonna adjust my budget and save up about $2500. I know I might need more since I'm changing the color but I'll save a little by only painting the underside of the hood and not the engine compartment (i think it's called "engine bay" huh?).

Another thing, the only rims I've seen that'll fit my car are the Kosei. Are there any others that I've missed?

Aviator 902S

Not sure about the rims, although I'm sure there are a couple others besides the Koseis that are available in the (rare) 4 x 110 bolt pattern that you require.

As for not painting the engine bay, the white bay with the black exterior will not help the re-sale value at all. But this would only be an issue if you are selling the car, it which case it may be wise to pull the engine and have the engine bay painted before advertising the car for sale.

If cost of doing the engine bay are too much at present I'd say let it go for now, but if and when it becomes necessary to pull the engine for any reason that would be a very good time to paint the engine bay.

Again, for $2500 you should be able to get the paint job you want--- if you're willing to do most of the prep work yourself and if you know a good autobody painter who can do it for you under the table. Even re and re of the engine for this purpose isn't a big deal and can be done in less than a day.

Hades12

Pics of your car?

custom13B

Jessica.
PPG paint is good quality paint. 1,600 for a quote is a damn good price..if his work looks good you would be wise to spend your money there. As far as cleaning your engine goes I have a suggestion. Get yourself a couple cans of gunk engine brite..walmart has it. Grab a large garbage bag and a handful of quarters. Go to a 24 hr car wash at night and park over the drain in the floor. Take out that garbage bag and rip 3 holes in it to make it a disposeable rain coat. Like motorcycle guys do when getting caught in the rain. Spray down your engine with the engine cleaner and keep it running.Soak everything really well. Start the car wash up and select hot water wash...get the high pressure sprayer goin. Spray the hell out of the engine and dont worry about getting too close with the sprayer even a inch away at times. This makes a mess and you will get wet but workes really well. Of course doing this before painting the car is best. A clean engine is a happy engine+ youll see any leaks easier. I do this once a summer on my car and my engine is always nice and clean. Also clean engines run cooler and in Texas that may be a problem. As far as door panels/interior goes I would suggest having a upholstery shop recover anything thats not up to par verses buying a new panel. Its usually cheaper and gets you exactly what look you want. PPG also makes interior color dye professional grade stuff not spray can junk. You could have your painter remove the plastic parts that are faded etc and recolor them. If the dash is cracked you can get a dash cover thats molded to fit for about 80.00. Ask any questions you have lots of very knowledgeable rotorheads here. Pictures of your car would be nice too.

JessicaR

Here are the pics you guys wanted. She's in good shape isn't she?

bliffle

You make a good point. Ordinarily I would never consider a brown car, but seeing the gorgeous finish on your 7 makes me want it!

B

Hades12

Nice looking car.

JessicaR

Thanks Hades. Can't wait till I get it look just the way I want!

Hades12

I would leave the car that color. Everything just matches nice. If you change it then it may not match the interior so well.

But thats just me.

toxic_d

Thats a very nice car as is... I vote leave it. There is a lot of work to change the exterior and then tear every interior piece out to change it.

PATZ

i second that vote

custom13B

Jessica,
You probally dont want to hear this but I agree to leave it alone. The paint is in good shape as it is,people like me in NY cant find first gem's this nice. Because of snow and salt,,,grrrrrrrrrr. Save your money and if it needs something else before you have enough to paint at least your prepared for it. These cars are cheap to buy but not maintain. Any woman who likes RX-7's and can drive a 5 speed is ok in my book. Any plans on relocating to NY? Im good at painting cars..lol. Just my opinion on the paint,good luck.

gilmore03

Why would a new paint job start peeling and flaking in a few years if taking care of?

Aviator 902S

If the trim items were simply masked off rather than removed before painting the flaking will start at the edges of said trim items--- the hatch hinges and wiper arms for example. It's nearly impossible to get the surfaces close to these items properly prepped and clean before painting unless said items are removed first. If the surface isn't completely clean with no traces of old car wax the paint will not adhere properly and begin to flake off.

These same el cheapo body shops are also likely to do a rush job on properly cleaning exposed surfaces. I've seen paint jobs begin peeling off in gobs on hoods, trunk lids and roofs because the shop rushed things and "gave the customer the paint job they paid for." Even if properly cared for after the fact, the damage was done before the paint was applied.

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

When the trim pieces are not removed, you cannot clean and scuff sand close enough to the edges. The paint will fail to get a good mechanical bond and begin peeling around these edges. My 2nd gen is doing this with the clear coat.

crazy_ugly_coyote

So has anyone done metal door pannel's?

gilmore03

i know a really great shop by me that paints classics and such, so unless i prepare everythign correct, like having them taking all trim off ECT and painting, i should be good if i take care of it? I have a 83 gsl...id really like to get it painted, but i dont think its worth it if its only going to last a few years

prelude106

Awesome car! I know people that would kill for paint that looks that good.
I repainted my rx-7 wrx blue, and did the engine bay with flat black spray paint (shows fluid better if you have any leaks). This was a cheap alternative and I was happy with the results. If you take your time and do good prep it should look fine as long as you dont take it to car shows. just my 2cents

1985GSL

iTrader: (4)

Im getting my paint re-done when I get my bodykit and I am repainting it a black to red fade. What do you guys think about that?

1985GSL

iTrader: (4)

Im gettin my paint re-done when i get my body kit and i am thinkin a black to red fade. Front of the car starts gloss black then fades at about the front of the doors and slowly fades into a nice brighter red and is completly red by about the rear wheel well. What do you guys think?





Sorry about the double post.

tracer

Jessica, welcome.

I say you should sell your car to someone who likes that color, make a small profit on it, buy a well maintained black car (maybe w/bad paint = cheaper price), and repaint it black.

You would save sooooo much money 'n effort, get a car that's PERFECT (maybe find a black 'SE!), and your beautiful car could be enjoyed by someone else who appreciates that beige.

For the record, I know how you feel. I have the dark brown, which I don't like, but I'm going to go ahead and fork over the cash for a similar brown color: the one found on Nissan Muranos. Just the outside, so any chipping won't show up AS badly, and it could always be painted original brown again without too much fuss. The engine bay, etc. will be slightly different, but I can live with it.

1985GSL

iTrader: (4)

Bump

rotornoob

iTrader: (2)

was gonna repaint mine a pearl silver and leave the engine bay the stock silver. i dont mind the 2 tone and i still keep the nice look of the silver rx7. =) i think that yours looks good though jessica. btw, if you get new rims and want to part with your factory rims pm me

Snapshot

Mine started out as white. I've had it mystic type pearl white (in the photos) -damn most beautiful turn silver to blinding white paint - but hard to fix. ****, to find that in a white paint is heaven. Paint it like it’s the last car you’ll ever have. Yeah.

d0 Luck

i like the factory cream color.. very subtle and nice.