Is it ever worth respraying an old car?

[Cycleops]

We have a 2009 Toyota Matrix (Corolla estate), made in Canada for the US/Canada Market, sold as a Pontiac Vibe) which is my wife's car, she loves it and it's in very good mechanical order and drives like almost new. Interior is good with seats nearly looking unworn. No rattles or groans on the road. This is the type of car Toyota has built its reputation on.
The bodywork has had a few repairs and they had used the wrong paint which was faded and dull. No salt on the roads here so underneath was not corroded. People here tend to keep cars for longer than in Europe or US.


While I was in the UK she decided to get it resprayed. This is the result.





Ready for a few more years on the road.

 

[fossyant]

I would imagine the sun is the biggest issue in Ghana. And the fact a full respray would be a big cost in the UK.

 

[Electric_Andy]

Good to know. How much was the respray? My parnter has a Renault with only 50k miles on, but the roof has suffered sun damage and all the laquer is peeling off. We are thinking of getting it resprayed as there's nothing esle wrong with the car but the roof will start to rust soon. I am tempted to do it myself with a rattle can, as long as it keeps the weather out it won't matter if it doesn't look like factory paint

 

[Cycleops]

Yes that's right, the clear coat that is applied on top of the paint tends to peel in the sun after a few years but repairers do specialise in removing it for a better appearance.

 

[Cycleops]

It cost the equivalent of £400 here, but that included some bodywork and a replacement front bumper panel. I'd think you'd pay a lot more in UK due to labour rates.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

How much does a respray cost?

and what does this include?
does it include everything from driving is into the resprayers direct from normal use
or does assume that you have already taken off the plastic/chrome bits first?
does it include all the rubbing down?
also - is the cost for a simple respray - or is the colour changing - and hence bits inside need doing as well?


I suppose, as far as "is it worth it" goes then things matter like having it looking all shiny and new - how much is that worth

naturally -

 

[fossyant]

It cost the equivalent of £400 here, but that included some bodywork and a replacement front bumper panel. I'd think you'd pay a lot more in UK due to labour rates.

You'd maybe get a bumper done for £400 in the UK.

 

[Mo1959]

It cost the equivalent of £400 here, but that included some bodywork and a replacement front bumper panel. I'd think you'd pay a lot more in UK due to labour rates.

Almost add another zero here!

 

[Spiderweb]

At £400 definitely worth it, looks a nice car.
I doubt it would be worth having it done over here with UK prices.

 

[T4tomo]

Definitely worth spaying an old cat, save overpopulating the planet with unwanted kittens..

 

[Drago]

You'd maybe get a bumper done for £400 in the UK.

A new rear bumper - not the entire bumper, just the cosmetic bit that is body coloured - for Mrs D's Mini Electric is nearly £1400 plus VAT. The paint is almost insignificant in comparison.

 

[Electric_Andy]

It cost the equivalent of £400 here

Oh I thought you meant you had it done in the UK. In response to the original question, I would get a car resprayed if it would increase it's value e.g. a very desireable and/or classic car. I've seen YouTubers quote £2k-£3k for a spray job but that was taking the shell of the car to the paint shop fully prepared. If it was a work horse then I'd happily attempt it myself with a rattle can, you can get some good results if your preparation is good and you have the time and space. It's a real shame though that a low miles car can essentially be worth scrap if the paint goes too badly i.e. no-one would want to buy it and would cost double its worth to have it sprayed. They seem to vary wildly; I've not seen a car roof anywhere near as bad as my partner's but it's not in a particularly sunny or coastal area. Yes Plymouth is coastal but I've had older cars that are parked outside all the time with no imperfections at all. Maybe just Renault paint is rubbish

 

[Fastpedaller]

If it's an old car (but worth preserving) you can use the old methods......

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfY2LwAJIcs


I can attest to perfect results using yacht paint. The guy in the video uses paints from Craftmaster, and I've also used those on a caravan (extremely good). The finish can be better than a sprayed one if the prep and application is good

 

[numbnuts]

A couple of years ago I was quoted £2500 for a quick blow over on my Mondeo est

 

[tyred]

I really should do something with the knackered lacquer on the roof of my Toyota but I'll probably not be bother!