So, I've been looking at my suby and began to notice the build up of small scratches, chips, etc from rocks and other various debris. Now, I know it's a car it's going to happen soon or later, but I'm just curious about what other members have noticed of their own subys. Particularly, the hood and front bumper. After being on two fun runs, I've noticed lots of small pricks from probably rocks on the front bumper and near the front of the hood. Maybe I'm being anal and it's not like this isn't abnormal considering the roads we took, but does it bother anyone on their own cars? I'm thinking about this spring getting a paint job on those two parts since the stock one is crap...at least from what I've heard. Just want to get some thoughts
I agree, my car is black, well, in some light its blue but from what I understand its "supposed" to be black, but anyways this seems to be pretty common. My paint gets swirls and lines from the most delicate of touches and the front end is full of chips and goobers of sorts. From more then a few feet away or in low light it looks great but once you get up close I would agree it is fairly dinged up. I was thinking if i made enough money i could get the car repainted (same color to save money, different brand of paint) like the Caddilac or Infinity black, something that pops and stays shiny, also I would probably get some of that 3m Clearbra or that stuff tintmasters has (the same stuff) to protect the front. Its like some thin clear plastic covering you cant see that protects your paint. But yeah, in general is seems that stock suby paint sucks.
My car is dark blue. The hood and bumper look pretty wretched if you're up close to it. I used to be pretty anal about keeping it clean and shiny and whatever. But it just got too hard and time consuming. I just give it a good wash and wax every now and then and I feel that's enough for me. Now that i don't care as much about the paint, I feel like I can enjoy my car more.
'01 black RS showing a LOT of chips in the 3 months I've owned it, will probably repaint and add rockblocker/etc at some point in the next year. '05 CGM WRX actually holding up very well under similar conditions since new. sorry to hear the '06 is already showing wear.
^yea, the paint job isn't the best in the world and that 3M Clear Bra sounds excellent. Those fog light covers took quite a beating when I looked at them under a light and there are a ton of small nicks on it. Anyone have any idea how much it would cost for a paint job (including sanding) and putting on the 3M stuff? Again, thinking about waiting towards spring before doing all of this, but would be nice to fit into the course of my plans for the WRX
Thats why if are one of those people that cares how your paint looks you should buy car with the following color- blue, black, red and green.
I hate to burst your bubble but black is a terrible color, its the easiest to see chips and swirls on and shows dirt worse then any other color, especially with Subaru paint. Silver is probably one of the best colors if you dont want to see dirt or chips. White is ok too.
From what i have seen and read, it seems like a GOOD paint job with GOOD body work is around or over 2 grand, plus a few hundred for that clear bra stuff. But remember it is even more work if you change the color of the car because then you have to paint little things like the door sills so it does not look weird. I was thinking about repainting my car black, but with a different brand of paint. Those Infiniti's I see around town always looks nice in black so do the BMW's, but its really important to protect your paint too. I can tell the previous owner of my car rarely, if ever waxed it.
Quite honestly, a few grand doesn't bother me with a paint job if I choose to get one. I also don't plan on changing the color. I just don't want the thin layer of crap that's considered the stock paint. That's my only beef with it.
Don't think a cheap re-paint is going to solve your issues, either. I had my old 89.5 Jetta GLI repainted (bought it for cheap because it needed it) by Abra. Great looking job, not cheap (~$2400), and it still was chipped up after 1 winter.... My RS received about 98% of the hood chips in the first 2 winters...didn't see an appreciable increase since. Also, even thought the car is 7 years old (spent the last 4 winters in the garage, though), there isn't a sign of any rust. I was just talking about that at one of the recent AutoX. The STi, on the other hand, is remakably clean even after 3 winters! I have only counted a handful of chips in the paint and that includes where my Mtn Bike fell on the hood. I was under the impression that the paint quality has increased dramatically over the years...looks like it is a bit hit-or-miss.
You live in Minnesota. If you drive your car on the roads here, then I wouldn't worry too much about your paint. My car only gets driven on Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays. I've had a drunken homeless man fall on my car with his bike, had the car repainted, then 6 months later I hit a tire on the freeway. If you are going to respray your car because of a few rock chips and the fact that the paint isn't perfect from the factory, then you are throwing money away. Rockblocker isn't going to protect your doors or your trunklid or your roof. It isn't going to protect your sideskirts. And it isn't going to do jack-squat for your bumper when you hit one of the many things that roll down Minnesota freeways on a daily basis. I've seen more mattresses on the freeway in the Twin Cities area alone than I have ever slept in or owned in my entire life. Save your money, or get something that makes some power.
I was recently quoted $2500 for a full scuff and respray from a shop I deal with - they apparently use the current generation subaru paint and do a full clear coat to update the paint... my question is whether on the 2001 RS that's going to be enough to see it last a little better. I don't care if it's perfect in 2 years, but I'd like something rugged enough so it's not constantly chipping down to metal like it is currently. (planning to do some rockblocker on a couple crucial areas - fogs, hood, etc.)
^What shop is it? Just curious. A lot opinions I see about this. Well, my current idea is to wait till spring to see what I really want done. A full paint job isn't my final decision, but I am considering it. Yea, I know, it's a freaking car that's gonna get dinged up here and there, but what I'm really thinking is just repainting the hood and bumper, then just throwing on the Roadblocker and leave it at that since those parts will get the brunt of everything. If I bought my car new, I would have taken it to a shop and have the Roadblocker put on and that would be that, but it's used from a lease. Excessive? Maybe. Waste of money? To some. To me and my car? I'll decide that later
^^^ I agree with you. I had my hood repainted last year and since I drive a ton and went on the last fall run my hood looks like crap...in teh spring I will have the hood and bumper repainted, not worth it until then. Last year I believe the hood painting was around 300. I have to look at my car and drive it daily, I want it to look good. I will have it repainted, it's worth it to me.
Completely understand Scuba Steve, my suby is also my daily commuter. I don't have a winter beater or anything else, so I have to look at my car every day as well Where did you get your hood repainted?
