To Repaint, or Not to Repaint...

[Floyd B.]

...that is the question. I recent purchased a Torch Red '96 convertible. The car has 98k on the odometer and it shows in some places. The nose and mirrors have obviously absorbed the impact of many stones and other road debris. Some of the dings are about the size of a dime; including one right in the middle of the hood - looks like a big zit. I figure my four choices are:

1) Just leave it alone - even I couldn't mess this one up.
2) Get some touch-up paint and do the best I can. I have been doing this for years on all my other cars and have even done some of my own repaints so I can do a reasonably good job with the touch-up paint but would never attempt to perform the repaint on my new baby.
3) Take it to a reputable body/paint shop and have the nose and mirrors repainted - despite the fact that red is the worst color for fading/matching.
4) Have the entire repainted.

My question is: from an NCRS judging perspective which is putting me at the most risk of loosing points? I also tend to lean towards originality at the sacrifice of condition.

[Michael W.]

By the time this car is old enough

to be judged, it will probably need painting again. Do what your wallet dictates until that time.

[Floyd B.]

Re: By the time this car is old enough

That's only three years away. I plan on driving the car for about 5 to 10 years and fixing all of the little things so that it is at least all "correct" - i.e. 100% for date, configuration and completeness but some points off for condition. I plan on having the car judged as soon as it is eligible. After the 5 to 10 years is up, I plan on making the car a full resto project and trailer queen.

[Patrick H.]

Re: By the time this car is old enough

Floyd,

Some body shops have employees that can do an excellent job touching up spots on paint. In addition, they can likely scan your paint directly and match it that way. If you're anal I'd bet that they could even spray a test panel for you to see if the scanned match actually matches.

I keep reading your post, and the thoughts of "1996" and "trailer queen" just don't compute in my mind. But, I guess that's just me.

Have fun with your car!

Patrick

[Floyd B.]

Re: By the time this car is old enough

>> I keep reading your post, and the thoughts of "1996" and "trailer queen" just don't compute in my mind. But, I guess that's just me.

That's funny - I do understand your sentiment but just think; in 1979 who put "1967" and "trailer queen" in the same sentence?

[Terry M.]

Re: To Repaint, or Not to Repaint...

The only NCRS judging that results in any deduction for a good quality repaint, or partial repaint, is Bowtie/Crossed Flags. With the miles on your car, and the usual routine parts failure/replacement, that class of judging might be ruled out anyway. That kind of judging also requires the car to be 25 years old.

Take a look at the NCRS awards page on this site through the radio buttons at the top of the page. Getting a Judging Reference Manual will give you more information about the requirements for that kind of judging and Flight Judging.
If your decision is to go after Flight Judging, rather than the Crossed Flags Award, you can then properly consider the repaint v leave it alone issue. Without a decision on the type of judging you are going to pursue, it is difficult to advise you.