<<First time poster!>>

I'll try to keep this concise. Here's the situation:
Got a 1992 SC400, 120K miles.

The paint is terrible. Clear coat has started shearing off. So I plan to have it painted very soon. Any advice on how to choose a painter? What is a reasonable amount to spend (changing color).

My steering wheel is dried and ripped to shreds, whats the best remedy to make this look better?

The black plastic frame around the internal heat/air center vents is cracked. How can I get a new one?

I don't know much about car engines and stuff, but I want to start learning. All that has been done to this car as far as preventative maintinence is whatever the dealer has recomended. What might need to be checked that they may not have covered? No strange sounds or abnormal behavior noticed.

Thanks for any advise, guys. What a great site!

 

As for paint, if you just want a new clearcoat, it'll run around $1000 for a good job. If you want to repaint the car a different color, you're looking at at least $6000 for factory paint or better, most likely $7000. This is just the ballpark price for a factory-quality paint job.

Remember, changing colors requires the painter to strip all the layers of original paint, take the car apart and repaint the doors, trunk, hood, and engine bay. That is how it's done right. You could skimp out on that whole process, but it'd look REALLY tacky to have a silver car with a red engine bay. Or when you step out of your white car, the inside of the door is still blue.

You could probably get it all done by some joker at a half-assed bodyshop for $4000, but the finish won't last and some layers may be uneven. A lot of the price in a repaint is in labor from prep time and you really do get raped by it. It's not worth it as an upgrade if you're on a limited budget.

I'd recommend you keep the original color and just have the guy detail chips, knicks, cracks, and scratches then redo the clearcoat. It'll look clean!

 

MHO in order:

1~ Repaint the car the same color
2~ local shop for the steering wheel. saves time and some do not have to remove the steering wheel.
3~ Dealership. Always good to establish a good relationship with shops/dealerships. You will notice prices going down and more 'extra' help being offered by them as time goes on.It will work out better for you in the end.
4~ Again look at #3. A relationship with your dealer is the best place to 'hang out' at or even a reputable shop. After your 2nd or 3rd time they should offer the little 'extras' that you are seeking.
-Ask questions...You can tell if they are a shop/dealer that will go that extra mile for you after a few visits.

After learning a few things you'll feel 't home' under the hood

~Em.