986 Full-body Repaint Questions

[Perfectlap]

yeah if the corrosion/water damage didn't penetrate to the base layer there's no need to repaint EVERYTHING. A real pro with a Makita sander could fix most of the clear coat damage and the body shop would just need to do a once over with clear. But if the base layer was chipped then the whole panel would need to be repainted. Sounds like this is the case in Allen's Boxster. At least they could limit the repainting to only those panels.
I was watching an episode of Motorweek or one of these shows and the mechanic's personal C4S Carrera had a pencil eraser sized chip in the rear quarter. I though they were going to show some method of doing a magic fix....nope. They painted the whole quarter panel again just because the chip was down to the metal.

[Lil bastard]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

... But if the base layer was chipped then the whole panel would need to be repainted...

You won't get that kind of damage on a 6 yr. old car, especially one which is clearcoated.

I mean that's what the clearcoat is for; to provide a protective barrier for the base coat from both UV and other environmentals such as Acid Rain. Plus, automotive paint finishes are really very tough.

Think about it, if the Acid Rain was truly that strong, people would be replacing the roofs on their houses at an even greater rate since asphalt shingling isn't nearly so tough, and the roof never gets to spend a night in the garage - it's constantly bombarded by whatever Mother Nature and Industry can throw at it, and they last 20 yrs. or more.

To get damage down through the clear as you describe, you'd practically have to pour full strength hydrochloric or sulphuric acid onto the paint and then let it sit.

Either the damage is not so great and the owner is just really persnickety, which comes through to me (NOTHING wrong with that!), or he's really not at all knowledgeable about car paint finishes and the dealership and paint shops smell this and are trying to get over on him - 'course we know they'd never try and do that!

Cheers!

[Allen]

I guess I'll admit to being a little persnickety, but those spots are really noticeable, especially in bright sunlight, and they're all over the car, and all the washing and waxing I've done over the years hasn't diminished or hidden them. You don't feel them when you rub your fingers across, but car wax/polish won't adhere to those spots, making them stand out even more after the car's buffed and waxed. Note: I've never taken my car through an automatic car wash.

The reason I'm considering a full-body paint job is I really love the car and want it to look its best, and the new scrape on the rear driver's side has given me new incentive.

One of the reasons I don't just trade it in is because I've had a few mods and upgrades installed to get the car just the way I like it, some of which cost me a pretty penny to add:

-- PCM (GPS Navigation, Interactive maps, AM/FM Radio, CD Player, Outside Temperature, Miles to Empty, Avg MPG, Trip Data, Date, Time, Address Book)
-- Porsche Hi-Fi Audio, with Rear Speaker kit
-- Heated Seats
-- On-Board Computer (OBC) with 4th steering wheel stalk
-- Litronic self-leveling headlights
-- Automatic Climate Control
-- B&M Short Shifter
-- Body-colored removable Hard Top
-- Colored Porsche Wheel Crests
-- Colored Porsche Steering-wheel Crest
-- Body-Colored Rear Bumpers (replaced stock black)
-- Clear side marker lights (replaced stock amber lights)
-- Body-colored center console (replaced stock dark grey)
-- Floor Mats with Porsche embroidery
-- Chrome 986 logo on lower console (Batwing)
-- Chrome Porsche logo on glove box
-- Spoiler Raise/Lower Switch in Dash
-- Windstop
-- Non-Smoker Tray (Replaces Stock Ash Tray)
-- 17" Porsche SII Alloy Wheels
-- Body-colored Ignition Rosette

Another reason I don't trade up to the 987 is I prefer the look of the 986 interior and the 2004 model was the last year for my interior.

Here are a few pics with the hard top in the parking lot at my office and two in my garage at home with the hard top off showing the interior. Beautiful, no?:

[eightsandaces]

sorry but I have to call BS on the 10K isn't enough for a paint job as good as factory. Strip the car yourself, most of the stuff comes off so easy it's a joke, the more you remove, headlamps, side markers and the like, the better the job will be. Then do your research, I can tell you this, in central NY you could get a paint job to drool over on a Boxster for far less than 10K..

[husker boxster]

Carmon red is so hot. It's my favorite color.

[Lil bastard]

Originally Posted by eightsandaces

sorry but I have to call BS on the 10K isn't enough for a paint job as good as factory. Strip the car yourself, most of the stuff comes off so easy it's a joke, the more you remove, headlamps, side markers and the like, the better the job will be. Then do your research, I can tell you this, in central NY you could get a paint job to drool over on a Boxster for far less than 10K..

I call BS on your calling BS!

Sure if you change the equation by doing so much work yourself it's going to cost less.

Also, prices vary widely not only by shop, but by region.

Finally, the owner admits to wanting very definite quality in the final product. Paying too little or a 'bargain' price is not the best way of gauranteeing this.

If I had my DD repainted, I'd spend no more than $5k. But I'd RUN, not walk, away from any shop quoting me $5k to paint my Boxster unless they were a Blood relation.

Cheers!

[Allen]

I spoke with one of the owners of Cherry Hill Imports' body shop yesterday afternoon and it looks like I'm going to be taking my Boxster in to them for an estimate sometime next week.

I explained the situation to Bob who said he'd be very surprised if I needed a full-body repaint. The new scrape goes across two panels so he suspects both of those panels may have to be completely repainted, but he can't really make that judgment until he has the vehicle. He said he doesn't see why the water spots won't come out with the correct procedure applied.

I may not have to pay as much as I was prepared to after all. We'll see.

[Perfectlap]

I think another forum member Uncle Cracker has this color but he added the Carrera five spoke replicas and it was huge improvement in my opine. I saw a 996 Cab in that color in person once and in the sun its a bit of a double edged sword, it looks amazing but any imperfections seem to be magnified.

I don't blame you for wanting to invest some money in keeping it top drawer. Selling these cars in this economy really makes no sense. There's no way you'll get something better in the roadster category for the money you'd get. The design is a classic. I really think that 30 years from now people will view the flared fenders and fried egg headlights as still head turning. Some 17 years after its design and I still get thumbs up and "you have my dream car" comments. I see my car as a continual work in progress as I upgrade or replace worn items.
With that said, I'd be very very tough in negotiating an expensive paint repair. Just like a set of the expensive wheels, damage can occur easily, all it takes is a pot hole or some truck kicking back crap onto your hood a voila nice expensive purchase ruined. I would really encourage doing a clear bar on the whole front hood and bumper. Some shops do the entire car. Maybe a bit much for the vertical panels but definitely worth it for the horizontals to avoid stressing over the latest chip, you can only paint the hood so many times before you pull your hair out.