Re: [xj-s] '88XJ-S RePaint Questions

[Wayne Estrada <wayne@richmond.net>]

At 08:37 AM 7/24/98 -0500, Rory Young wrote:
>My '88XJ-S, which is grey, is starting to look a little shabby. I guess it's
>starting to oxidize on the hood, the top, and on the center of the trunk. It
>looks white, and kind of like flour. I've been told that the clear-coat is
>burning off, and that the greys were very prone to this.
>
>So, I went out and got some prices... 

>My question is: I want a GOOD, reasonable paint job. I'm kind of leary of
>the cheaper guy,... rightfully so?

Rory,

I had my 1989 Vanden Plas repainted after a delivery truck IN  MY OWN
DRIVEWAY backed into it putting a nice big "V" in the hood, and demolished
the grill and bumper.  That was $4,000 damage alone.

When I  checked around and did research on body shops, I was surprised at
the range of prices I got.  Aside from the repair work, I got quotes of
between $1,800 and $3,500 just to paint the car.  What I learned out of
this was:

1) Do business with someone you feel comfortable with.  If the shop seems
fishy, it probably is.
2) Do they have a good reputation?
3) Have you seen their work and/or have talked to people that have used
them?  

I was told, by the shop I went with here in Richmond VA, that it takes
paint time to cure properly for a really top-line job.  It can not be
rushed.  I also had them wet-sand the paint (on the original surface and
then after the first re-spray) to achieve the glassy smooth surface found
in top quality paint jobs.

As a result,  MY89 VDP  has one a couple of first places at some British
Car Shows as a result and the car is now perfect inside and out.  Most of
us on this list deeply love and care about our cars, and if you can afford
it, it is worth the time, money, and inconvenience to be XJS-less for a
month.   Besides, I figured with a 10 year old car, that matching paint
would never look completely "correct", especially as time wears on.

Go for it!

Wayne Estrada
President
Richmond NET

Internet Access * Web Site Development & Hosting * Web Programming 
"The Capital for Worldwide Communication"
1-804-740-6100  http://www.Richmond.NET

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References:

• [xj-s] '88XJ-S RePaint Questions
• From: Rory Young <RYoung@HighwayMaster.com>

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