Currently own a 2004 evo with 13k miles. I am currently planning on keeping the car forever being it took me so long to find exactly what I was looking for. Although the car is in exelect condition and has low miles the paint is about 8 years old and as many of u know the factory paint was never all that great to start with. What I'm considering although the paint is fairly decent is repainting the car. It probably sounds kind of pointless to many but being I have the money I figured I might as well. My question to u guys is should I repaint the door jams and all or just the exterior. I'm sure painting the entire car would look better but I'm just worried that the body shop may not put all the panels back in the car correctly causing things to not fit exactly how they did from the factory. I'm also worried about the engine bay and the fact they may not know what they are doing when taking the motor in and out. So basically if u guys had the money would u paint the entire car or just the exterior to save a headache? The body shop is probably the most reputable in the area but it still gives me an uneasy feeling. At the same time if I'm going to paint the exterior I figure I might as well do the entire thing so it matches. Idk I'm torn on what to do??

 

Unless it was in an accident you are going to kill the car's value if you paint it. However, if you do it, get it done at a shop you trust and they'll take care of your interior.

 

Are you saying you want to paint the car the same color just the exterior or paint the whole car a different color ? I would just paint the exterior as its the most worn out, theres no need to paint the door jams and engine bay unless you want it just like it came from factory.

 

Ya I suppose i was overlooking the hurting the value part. Witch I really don't want to do to be honest. Is there any other options, maybe wetsanding it and re clearing the car? Would that mess with the value?

 

Was just planning on painting it the same color. I would like to make it look like it came from the factory to be honest but I just don't know if it's worth it if I ever do decide to sell it. I just don't want someone getting upset that its not original even though it might look better. Kind of a tougher decision than I thought it would be.

 

I would see where a claybar and a nice wax gets you. You may be surprised.

 

claybar, buff, polish and wax and see if it helps you out. Otherwise try to get it professionally detailed

 

Wetsanding and painting are very drastic steps that are rarely necessary on a car like yours. Sounds like the paint has oxidized a bit, it has some marring, and you'd like to have a car that looks as young as its mileage. Fair enough.

http://www.autopia.org/forum/forum.php#regional-forums

Above is a link to Autopia's regional forums. Go there, post on the board appropriate to your area and ask for a referral. You'll be able to hire (an Autopian) detailer who'll restore the paint and make it look better than it did when it left the showroom. Just keep in mind that a detailer is not a detailer is not a detailer; just as there are varying grades of competence in any profession, the same idea applies here. This is why you want a referral from Autopia. Good luck.

 

A good detailing can do wonders for cars. I have a buddy who details at Lexus and he made my paint that is over 6 years old look new