Paint vs Polish

[sandhuatt4r]

Have a white coloured 2001 T4R. The paint isn't peeling or anything but it is oxidized. A good detailing shop wants $350 to polish and restore the finish. A discounted paint job, I hear, costs $200. If I go with the same colour again, isn't painting a better option (and cheaper too)?

Sorry, never got any auto painted ever - so noob question

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

DOOOOONNNNTTTT get a $200 paint job!! Your old and faded factory paint is far superior to the stuff you'll get for 200. shop around for better deals on the detail but its legit. A skilled detailer can really do wonders on old paint.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I'm just wondering where in the SF Bay Area you can get a $200 paint job ...?

 

[GergDees]

I would be quite skeptical of any paint job that costs $200.00. Normally that's what it would cost just for the paint and supplies such as masking paper, tape, etc. A quality, full car paint job of the same color should cost at least $1000.00 and that's on the way low end. (like if you had a buddy do it on the side)

If your paint is just oxidized but otherwise is in good shape, I would shop around for someone to buff it out for you. You might be able to get a good quality, multi-stage buff done for around $200.00. Just make sure whoever is doing it will stand behind their work and will cover any problems that are their fault. (e.g. buffing through the clear coat, burning plastic trim or weatherstripping with their buffer, leaving swirl marks in the paint, etc.)

 

[Millerad1651]

Do not paint it. And don't pay someone $350 to bring it back to life...you can do it yourself for $60 and a day. The white paint on these is a single stage paint, so it doesn't oxidize. It does however, get cloudy or hazy with contaminants on it. It is relatively easy to compound polish the top layer, which is the dirty layer, and bring new life to your paint.

Go buy a detailing kit (I bought Meguiars at Walmart for $25) and a random orbital buffer from Harbor Freight for $35.

I did this last spring and it turned out great. It took a while, but it was well worth it.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/116860-natural-white-revitalization-thread.html

 

[sandhuatt4r]

I'm just wondering where in the SF Bay Area you can get a $200 paint job ...?

I have seen online deals with coupons/promos where you can get a paint job done at Maaco.

Overall, thanks for all the responses - answer to my question, loud and clear , is stay away from the cheap paint jobs and find a good deal on the paint restoration job. I wish I had the time to do it myself but don't think that is going to be possible.

 

[MR.H]

I would recommend picking up a buffer kit from Griot's. Great starter kits and comes with DVD's/instructions to get you goin.

If you are set having a detail shop look at it, a full exterior detail shouldn't be any more than $200 (for reference www.redmondautosalon.com exterior detail large car $150). They will be able to cut, polish, and put a wax on, that will bring the shine back. Taking about 2.5 hrs to do.

 

[Monkeybutt2000]

I just had my 01 buffed by a buddy on sunday. Started with the wool pad and some 3m white,followed by a foam pad and some 3m glaze. Looks awesome,before it was a chalky white,you coulld see the haze. Now it's just full of gloss.

 

[LittleCaesar]

$350 for a good detail (inside and out) is not that high of a price, even for a 4runner.

No $200 paint job. $2000 is more in line for a decent one, but is still low.

+1 on the Meguiars restoration kit to bring your paint back to life. The buffer will work wonders with it, but so will elbow grease.