Should I paint? Thinking of selling as-is

[WillE24]

So I have this '88 manual and I think I'm ready to move on. Car could definitely use a paint job as it's fading. Thought about painting it (same color) and then selling or should I just leave it for the next enthusiast? Inputs are appreciated.

[suabbyM6]

A good paint job could cost $4000 or more and I doubt you could recover that in your selling price as the market for these cars is in the crapper. You may be able to restore the paint a bit depending on how damaged it is. I used Gloss Haus and it can make really bad paint look very good.

[Andy 85 M635]

I repainted mine last year and it made me want to keep it! I figure it's worth it for another year to enjoy it while it is "ding and chip free". Although I really do want a CLK55 AMG right now but I simply can't accumulate any more cars..... so my M635 will probably be on the block eventually......but not yet :-).

He's right, you won't get your money out of it, so if you really do want to sell it, better to leave it as is and try to treat the paint. Unless you have deep scratches or chips, the rest is usually residue or peeling clearcoat. With enough buffing you can make it look pretty good. I did that with my E30 325is I had a few years back. I basically took the complete Maguire's kit to it, including clay bar. Wore my buffer out but it looked awesome afterwards.

[WillE24]

I don't plan to spend thousands on a paint job. A friend has offered to paint it so it'll look a lot better than it is now. Clear coat is gone and some places paint is cracking. Suggestions mentioned I don't think will help much. Who knows, I might decide to keep it after the paint job. Btw, I'm in the DC metro, does anyone know who is reputable to install a new car stereo possibly including new speakers, wires, etc. -- in the event I want to keep it? I got factory stuff right now. Many thanks!

[lmccann2]

I'm with Suabby and Andy; a repaint (especially one on a budget) is a waste of money if you're planning to sell. Many potential buyers would much prefer to see the original paint on there, no matter how bad it looks, because they'll be able to actually see what they're buying. Knowledgeable enthusiasts would be able to see through a cheap paint job in a flash, and after that you'd be dealing with CraigsList bottom feeders who would be low balling you on price. Clean it up and sell it as is.

<img src="http://homepage.mac.com/jessiemccann/larry/635csi.jpg" height=241 width=419>
<font face="Arial,Helvetica,Helv" size=1>LarryM in SoCal </font>

[MikeVT]

You will not get your money back...

But if its to bad you may not be able to sell unless you do paint the car.

Not an easy choice.

[Andy 85 M635]

If your friend has professional equipment and does this for a living that actually might be worth the money, as he would be doing it for little more than cost. But if he is not professional, and it is a maaco-type paint job or even worse, then it is definitely not worth it as it could actually devalue the car if it is in decent shape otherwise. Just my opinion, but people like me cringe when they see a bad paint job because it is just more work to set it right.

[Ray7er6ers5er3er]

[Earlyshark]

Return on investment; will you get your money back or make money on it? Good paint jobs cost, cheap paint job could lose the sale .... unless you sell it at night under flourescent lighting ...

[BMW M6 Power]

[winfieldw]

The ROI statements are true. You'll not get your money back if you sell it within the next year or so because of the bad market.

Also true is that a poor paint job does more harm than good.

The buff out idea is worth while if you have something to buff. Also, consider a color sand before buffing. But, if the clear coat is coming off and you're down to metal in spots, then buffing is not the total solution.

However, if the is just one bad section (ie roof, then why not just repaint the roof and buff out the rest. If most of the car needs work, then I go with no paint unless you're going to keep it.
Advertise it for good mechanicals, if true, and sell it to a hobbiest who wants to restore it.

Remember, it's not the paint that makes the car look good. As with all paint jobs, it is the preparation and primering, which can be very expensive and time consuming, that really make a paint job good.
Just shooting some paint on a quickly prepped car does NOT give a good paint job.

Summary: If you just want to get rid of it: sell with no paint.
If you are thinking about keeping it, restore it: Paint,
interior, suspension, engine, whatever it needs.

[WillE24]

The paint pretty much shot really. Earl Scheib does sound tempting but the car deserves much more than that. I hate to sell it since I have a bit in it. I'm gonna see my friend's work on his cars and go from there. But you're right, a good paint job is in the prep itself.

[romney88635]

First thing I think with cheap paint isn't only that it would have to be put right, it's what it's covering. :)
Pacific Sharkfest '02 '03 '05 Veteran
Original Owner

[romario]

[WillE24]

I'll try to get some pics on this weekend. I don't see any rust issues, just a spot here there due to chip paint?

[WillE24]

Maybe i'm losing my mind now...Any thoughts on laguna seca blue on a 635?

[suabbyM6]

this site lists all of the 6er colors www.e24.ru/eng/ there's all kinds of info compiled there.