StevenL5975

Hello,

yes, it is how the title tells. Today I went to a body & paint shop for an estimate.
The boss himself inspected the car and was quiet surprised about the condition (for its age).

Overall its nice but it faded over time. Below the doors there are 2 half inch (diameter) rust holes. The PO painted it with some undercoating stuff till the black trim. Then sprayed white over it.
The car looks good 10 meters away but dont look close. Just see the pics. But keep in mind the pics are looking better than it is in real condition.


The boss suggested to do a full rust elimination on the body and parts of the undercoating. New white paint with clear coat.
Basically bringing it to showcar level exterior wise.

Well the only downside are the costs, estimated for about 7500 $.
The shop has a good reputation, its the best one in the entire country, they are pros. They know their stuff.

What do you guys think ? Do it or dont ?

Regards
Steven

stevensimon

iTrader: (11)

not sure how rare these cars are in lux but here with that paint job, you would never get even 1/3 of your money back when you sell the car.

its up to you. how much do you like the car, how long do you plan on keeping it.

StevenL5975

Thanks for the reply.

Well over here I only know 1 running 7 ... and thats mine
The other one is my friends T2 which we are actually rebuilding. And thats a showcar btw.
So I am alone on the streets ... still rocking that old FC and pride of it !

People here tend to drive either new BMWs or Audis. Porsches are seen often here too.
I want to keep it as long as possible.

Things that sucks me the most, I have such a rare FC and it looks like ****.
As somebody wrote on the forum it sucks going out with a car looking like ...


Steven

strang3majik

iTrader: (1)

Thats what its going to cost if they do all the work. But, why don't you sand it and prep it yourself...if you have a buddy with a welder, weld new sheetmetal in where the rust is, and do the body work...have the shop just paint it.

It would bring down the cost significantly. Also, he was probably telling you that much just so you wouldn't do it. Thats actually a little high...than again, I don't know how bad the car is.

The good part about your car, not knocking on you, but, if you did the body work, and say you aren't the greatest at it...your car is white.

Ever heard the phrase, "If it ain't right, paint it white." White hides a lot. Black on the other...well...that just shows everything...lol

But, prepping a car isn't hard, just labor intensive. I've done my Conquest, my Ram, and helped with my Dad's 68 Charger, and I'm only 18, and they turned out gorgeous. And I learned while doing it. Just make it all smooth and don't hit bare metal...haha.

So...thats how I'd do it.

Also, forgot to mention, white is the cheapest color to buy next to black. So, if you did all the work, all you're doing is paying for the person spraying it...and honestly, they don't even have to be that good at it. If they screw it up, just wetsand and buff it (which I would do anyway), and it'll have a show car shine.

Wetsanding can make a crappy paint job compete with the best. So...just saying.

And, Don't be scared of Maaco, etc...if you prep the car, Maaco can do an excellent job painting it.

StevenL5975

Yes, initially it was planned that I do all that stuff myself, I got all the tools to do it. Except for welding.
I airbrushed a few years back so I have a bit of experience with colors and the technics used.

But right now, I dont have time and space to work on it to that extend.
I am doing a frame off resto. on a 81 delorean and there is just no more space and time for this stuff.

Yeah white hides a lot
But believe me If I had the space and time to do it myself I would have already done it !

For the ease and cost saving I disassemble all the parts attached (lights, trim, door joints, badges and all that stuff that needs to be removed)
So all they have to do is repair it mask it sand it and paint it.

But as said they are pros, and thats gonna be to cost something.
7500 is still not that high for the folks over here. My friend slided his impreza in the rails and damaged the bodykit. Damage to the metal was not that much, mostly scratches.

He provided all the bodykit parts and let some shop do the work, was about 5000$ shop bill.
Honestly the paint they did looked like ****.
It just depends on the shop, some do good work some just skimp on everything.

edit:
I dont think he estimated that price to scare me, he was pretty interested in the 7 and then its relatively "easy" money for them, no collision repair.

strang3majik

iTrader: (1)

sounds like you're already informed quite a bit then...lol And hell, I sanded mine down in the driveway over the weekend, had it painted Monday :p

Also...as far as costs...a friend of mine had his 69 Roadrunner restored (new quarter panels, new door skins, painted engine bay and body with base clear), all for $10k plus parts, which he supplied.

And I just realized where you were...that may have A LOT to do with it...hahaha

Isn't Luxembourg one of the richest nations in the world...along with tiniest? :p But...all that may come into play with body shop quotes. lol