The previous owner had managed to scuff up the S2000 side emblems and get polishing compound in every crease instead of masking properly. I bought a new set of OEM emblems and the placement guide from John at LHT performance and new side lights.
I also noticed around the passenger side light and emblem, some paint/clear coat was flaking off. I removed the emblems with a heat gun and fishing line and tried to remove the remaining with adhesive remover/3M wheel.

I want the car to look nice when I put the new lights and shiny new emblems on. Are these problems something that can be sanded/polished/clear coated by a professional or am I looking at just painting the whole fender? I'm not opposed to that, I just want the car to look nice.

The driver side paint is newer as it is on my only non-original panel. The emblem and adhesive came off much better but still left a shadow outline of the S2000 logo. Can this come off with a DA polisher? I don't have one, which is why I haven't tried yet.



The passenger side is in much worse shape. There was a lot more hardened material to get off, especially around the 00's in the logo. And you can see how much of paint has flaked off. Also on the right and lower side of the amber side light in my picture. This side is more what I was asking, "does it look like I'm going to have to paint the whole fender?"



Thanks for your consideration s2ki

 

Not looking good round the side flasher either !

 

Yes, and you can see how it is scuffed up. I don't know how that's possible unless it was kept in a tight garage space or something. Or just general lack of care.

Any thoughts Noodels?

 

Looks like front has been blown over,they tapped up s2000 and side repeaters ,poor workmanship

 

I took the car to 2 local body/paint shops. Both said the same thing. The areas were not masked or taken care of properly. Not blended with the doors either. Seems like they sprayed to cover something for sale. I'm waiting from quotes from 3 different places now. Thanks for your input.

 

Sounds like you got a good diagnosis. In my case I had something similar looking from the bottom of one of my side markers, but the culprit was super glue holding the side marker to the fender. Evidently the clip on the back of the marker had broken and the previous owner or selling dealership simply glued the lamp to the fender. That was a fun effort to get off…

 

Oh man! Don't you just wish sometimes that people would take just a little more time to learn and do the job properly? The S2000 deserves better!

Just for reference, the first shop I took it to gave me a $2000 quote. I am having the OEM front lip and rear spoiler painted, as well as his consideration for removal of trim, proper masking, sanding, painting and blending of the two front fenders with the hood/bonnet and doors. Does that seem about right for good quality professional work? He has lots of experience and runs a clean-looking shop and seemed to inspect my car with knowledge and care. Still waiting on other quotes to come in.

 

In my case I’m betting the dealership did it to avoid the expense and time of a proper side marker replacement. They also put their stupid dealership logo sticker over the worst scratch on the trunk lid. Frustrating…

$2000 seems in the ballpark to me for what you describe. Do share the after pics.