hi everyone,

I badly damaged my my2000 silver/red in an accident, and the whole car will need to be painted. (no one was hurt, thank God.)

Anyhow, i'm anxious about what to expect.

I know that some people on this board have had experience with body and paint work, so I'm hoping to tap into some of that knowledge.

My most urgent questions are about what I can do to ensure that the final product is respectable.

Particularly, should I insist that all of the fenders are stripped (dipped) before repainting? should I insist that new fenders be painted before they are attached to the car?

what's the best type of paint to use? my body shop typically uses PPG. (i don't know anything about paint quality.)

thanks a million for your time!
-chris


actually, since i'm posting.. i've got a couple other questions:

both front headlight housings need to be replaced because of the accident. (insurance budgeted about a grand) i might as well replace them with the ones with clear corners, right? what's the easiest way for the body shop to do this? Euro-corners, right? MG racing?

the whole exhaust system is also going to be replaced. i think i want to leave it stock... (even though i could apply the $600 to an aftermarket system.) i am afraid of the car being abnoxiously loud. it seems to me that the s already draws enough attention, plus, I love my car stereo. (anyone have comments on this? is there such a thing as a not-so-loud aftermarket exhaust?)

finally, the insurace is paying about $500 to replace the aluminum hood. it's not worth going to fiberglass, is it?

thanks again!

 

I would call around for a reputable body shop if you haven't already done so....perhaps a shop that specializes in working on high end cars(i.e., BMW's, Benzes, etc.)

As for paint, PPG is considered a very good brand, as far as I know.

The exhaust system.......you might do a search and come up with quite a few threads on it. I have read that Mugen exhaust is very 'quiet' as far as aftermarket exhausts are concerned. I hear it sounds like the stock exhaust at idle but with a deeper tone.

I have also heard the HKS exhaust in person and I personally don't think it's too loud at all.....it gives the car a raspier and more racecar-like.

My take on it is that you should try and hear/sample the aftermarket exhaust systems in person before deciding.

Good luck to you.

 

I'd take my car where the high-dollar cars are repaired and let them take it from there. Check them out and go elsewhere if you don't feel comfortable, but I wouldn't try to tell them how to do the job unless you are an expert.