Has anyone had car repainted?
#16
ive never heard of a paint restorer, i need to look into this. i hope theres one by me. ill pay upto 1500 if they can restore the cars paint !
i understand maaco is only for cheap cars under 5k. but they are a last resort option. but ive asked a couple shops and i was quoted some crazy prices. 9,000 for full car and 4500 for blends or just exterior. 3000 for engine bay and trunk, 1500 for front end and 1000 for rear end.
i understand maaco is only for cheap cars under 5k. but they are a last resort option. but ive asked a couple shops and i was quoted some crazy prices. 9,000 for full car and 4500 for blends or just exterior. 3000 for engine bay and trunk, 1500 for front end and 1000 for rear end.
#17
ive never heard of a paint restorer, i need to look into this. i hope theres one by me. ill pay upto 1500 if they can restore the cars paint !
i understand maaco is only for cheap cars under 5k. but they are a last resort option. but ive asked a couple shops and i was quoted some crazy prices. 9,000 for full car and 4500 for blends or just exterior. 3000 for engine bay and trunk, 1500 for front end and 1000 for rear end.
i understand maaco is only for cheap cars under 5k. but they are a last resort option. but ive asked a couple shops and i was quoted some crazy prices. 9,000 for full car and 4500 for blends or just exterior. 3000 for engine bay and trunk, 1500 for front end and 1000 for rear end.
If your rock chips are heavily localized (as they usually are) to the front bumper cover you can have only that part repainted (must be done by experts that can match the existing paint) so that the repair is not noticeable.
Making invisible repairs to rock chips can be done by yourself, but it is time consuming and requires a good deal of patience.
First, clean the chip and the area around the chip with a wax remover (available at auto stores) and make sure it is completely dry. The paint application process involves using a toothpick instead of a brush. Dip the toothpick into the paint, place the tip of the paint coated toothpick into the recess of the chip and let gravity drip a VERY small amount of paint down the shaft of the toothpick (little is more in this case) into the recess of the chip. This method is better than the brush because unless you are using an extremely fine brush and a very trained steady hand, you will end up with paint outside of the chip and on existing good paint. This creates a higher surface and makes the repair stick out. Placing paint only in the chip recess is the objective.
Then let it dry up to 24 hours and repeat the process up to four or five times, slowly building the paint level in the chip until a bubble, slightly higher than the original paint around it, sits where the chip was (with little or no overlap onto paint outside of the chip). After it has dried up to a week, then carefully wet sand the bubble until it is flat with the paint around it. Then follow with rubbing compound and final polishing. Done successfully, I have seen chip repairs done that are virtually invisible unless you know exactly where to look.
Unless the original paint is really bad, or you need to do extensive repairs, there is no paint like the quality of the original paint, and Lexus does a superb job of finishing a car at the factory.
#18
^^^ very true but my car was burned so the paint is damaged, not to mention its got over 20 yrs of age showing. i was looking to add a coat of metallic to give it more pizazz.
#19
You might be able to get the results you're looking for with an "ultra high end" detailer who does wet sanding and paint correction. There is one here in Cincinnati that does this type of work (only one). It take a VERY long time to do it right. It can cost a significant amount of money, but in the end you have flawless finish and retain the original paint job. I'll post a link to their website so you can see what is possible. I am linking an SC430 that had minor correction (not mine) done their because it's the most relevant. Go look through the gallery photos and see what has been accomplished on other vehicles to get the full effect. I was stunned with what they were able to do with my wife's Sequoia. I bet if you look, you could find someone similar in your area and get their opinion of what might be possible for your SC430. http://www.tssdetailing.com/scratch-chip-repair.html
Michael
Michael
#20
Very true. Sorry I missed your post.
#21
For southern states, keeping the car out of the sun is more important than anything else you do for the finish. Even with the outstanding UV oxidation inhibitors in paint made in the last 5 years, UV still will win if the paint is exposed often and long enough.
#22
Yes, if the paint is burned through to the metal then you are correct that wet sanding won't help much. I did a double-take on the 20 years of age, but then realized that you must have a previous generation SC (300 or 400).
For southern states, keeping the car out of the sun is more important than anything else you do for the finish. Even with the outstanding UV oxidation inhibitors in paint made in the last 5 years, UV still will win if the paint is exposed often and long enough.
For southern states, keeping the car out of the sun is more important than anything else you do for the finish. Even with the outstanding UV oxidation inhibitors in paint made in the last 5 years, UV still will win if the paint is exposed often and long enough.
#23
If someone knows of a reputable paint restorer, like has been talked about in this thread, in the Washington DC Metro area, I'd love to know about it.
My '03 SC's paint is also showing its age and could use some "refurbishing".
My '03 SC's paint is also showing its age and could use some "refurbishing".
#24
http://autorefreshva.com/
Do not assume all are the same. Put the company name and the word "review" in Google to see if people are happy with the results. It appears that reviews for the above company's work are positive, but getting someone to show up at the appointed time can be difficult. But I would take that with a grain of salt, as everyone who works wants them on non-business hours.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/auto-refresh-arlington
#25
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Hey SC43052, I like that idea of paint restoration. My 2005 special edition has chips on the hood and a baby scrape on the side. Would love to get those fixed without having to paint the whole car.
You said: And even then, there is never a paint job as good as the factory paint. I would suggest you take the next step after detailing and look into a paint restorer who will professionally fill in chips, use paintless dent repair where possible and then buff with compound to bring back the original paint. This might be in the $1200-$1500 range but may achieve what you desire with the original paint intact.
You said: And even then, there is never a paint job as good as the factory paint. I would suggest you take the next step after detailing and look into a paint restorer who will professionally fill in chips, use paintless dent repair where possible and then buff with compound to bring back the original paint. This might be in the $1200-$1500 range but may achieve what you desire with the original paint intact.
Last edited by sdfaith; 05-29-14 at 01:19 PM.
#26
Driver School Candidate
Hey SC43052, I like that idea of paint restoration. My 2005 special edition has chips on the hood and a baby scrape on the side. Would love to get those fixed without having to paint the whole car.
You said: And even then, there is never a paint job as good as the factory paint. I would suggest you take the next step after detailing and look into a paint restorer who will professionally fill in chips, use paintless dent repair where possible and then buff with compound to bring back the original paint. This might be in the $1200-$1500 range but may achieve what you desire with the original paint intact.
You said: And even then, there is never a paint job as good as the factory paint. I would suggest you take the next step after detailing and look into a paint restorer who will professionally fill in chips, use paintless dent repair where possible and then buff with compound to bring back the original paint. This might be in the $1200-$1500 range but may achieve what you desire with the original paint intact.
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