Fixing knackered paint for next to nothing?

[Toaster Pilot]

My snotter Golf has some serious lacquer peeling on the bonnet and roof - I'm well aware that having this fixed by a bodyshop would cost in excess of the 50p the car is worth.

Is it possible to flatten down the edges of the peeling bits with some wet & dry and then re-lacquer over the top with an aerosol? Will that look just as bad as it does now?

Basically - is it possible to improve fked paint without spending much/any money?

[bullitinhead]

Have a go and report back.

You can buy 2 pack clear in an aerosol. Read instructions and try it


Bullit

[Dave 500]

It's all in the prep.

Practice practice and more practice.

By the time you have done a really good job, which you will be proud of you will have spent 3 x the money it would have cost to get it done by a pro

[Makem]

I resprayed a boot of a focus, first time id ever done it. I must say it came out better than i thought. You need good dry weather though i found. There are a few online companies that will do an exact match and have a lacquer as well.

I would of thought be best to respray the whole thing if your getting the sand paper out.

Another option is to sand it all back to the primer and get a pro to do it, will definitely be cheaper

[joe58]

Scrapyard for the bonnet, as it's viewed more(In case of messing it up, plus a bonnet to practice on)? And then try the aerosols on the roof, as it's not on show too much?

[AntJC]

Google PRO XL 2k CLEAR LACQUER

Sells for around £16/17 a can

[HustleRussell]

paint Roof and Bonnet satin black, buy and fit bonnet bra, 'stance' it and then scenesters will probably think it's amazing.

[oobster]

Or make more of it peel and rust, then you've got the (apparently) much-coveted 'rat look'.

[s3fella]

How about a brushed stainless vinyl wrap on the bonnet, you can do it yourself and it may look pretty cool, like back to the future styleee!

[J4CKO]

Yeah, flat it off, degrease it, few coats of colour, then re laquer and let it dry properly, then use some cutting paste, then polish, might come out ok.

I find home painting can look great but requires a lot of flatting to get a shine and never lasts anywhere as long as a factory/pro job, mainly down to skill but also rattle can paint is nowhere near as robust as the proper stuff and needs more work after, two pack generally seems to not need as much finishing.

[eltax91]

Dave 500 said:

It's all in the prep.

Practice practice and more practice.

By the time you have done a really good job, which you will be proud of you will have spent 3 x the money it would have cost to get it done by a pro

This man speaks the truth. I will pay someone next time!

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Cupramax]

HustleRussell said:

paint Roof and Bonnet satin black

You've been watching too many Wheeler Dealers. Edd's favourite go to, if it looks st, satin black. ;hehe:

[Dr Doofenshmirtz]

Buy some vinyl and wrap it.

[Steve_W]

OP, coincidentally I found this while idly browsing car websites yesterday:

http://www.dep-o.co.uk/dep-o-vision/bodgers-guide-...

You "might" want a few less inclusions in your final version, or you may not care!

Take loads of photos and get a PH feature article out of it perhaps?

[Toaster Pilot]

Steve_W said:

OP, coincidentally I found this while idly browsing car websites yesterday:

http://www.dep-o.co.uk/dep-o-vision/bodgers-guide-...

You "might" want a few less inclusions in your final version, or you may not care!

Take loads of photos and get a PH feature article out of it perhaps?

Very tempted to give this a go - I'm sure I even have some wet & dry left from the last time I disastrously attempted paint repair.

Need a cheap source of lacquer because I dont think a 1/4 full tin of Halfords stuff will cut it - I've bought primer + paint from Poundland before so I wonder if they do lacquer