Paint Job on a $1500 e30?

[md325i]

My e30 has minor rust around the exterior. It's alpine white and it's destined to be a DD. Maybe in the future, I may turn it into a track car (A 4dr track car? ). It has no future in shows.

How should I deal with the rust?

1. Do I do my own touch ups here and there? If so, how do I go about doing that?
2. Pay a lot of money to get a paint job that might end up costing more than the car itself...
3. Leave it and let it rust... When the body goes to hell, get a new e30.

I also, kind of, want to the car to be black, I think it'd look better. Opinions?

[JasonC]

Id do number 3. Being a MD car, have you checked for rust in other areas?

[md325i]

There's minor rust, very minor in the trunk. Just red shades here and there. I spotted rust smaller than the tip of my finger in the engine well.

Haven't checked underneath yet.

[nrubenstein]

That sort of rust screams half assed bodywork.

[md325i]

What's your recommendation? Strip it all? Roll paint? :eeek:

I just don't see myself spending more than a couple hundred to fix the paint when I've paid only double that for the car itself... unless that's what people generally do here, then I'd maybe consider it...

[nrubenstein]

Is it just the left rear quarter? Sand it down, treat it with rust converter and paint where needed. paintscratch.com will give a pretty decent match.

[jasonsnoddy]

Black over white is never a good idea.....ask me how I know

[md325i]

how do you know?

[nrubenstein]

Changing the paint. Color is a bad idea unless you're going to do it right. Just don't do it.

If the rest of the car's paint is in bad shape, you migt want to considering doing the prep work and taking it to Maaco. Pull the glass out, treat the rust, get the body set, and they can do a more thaadequate job for that car.

[Stephen]

rat rod


Or do prep and maaco, or roller white

[md325i]

i think roller might be the best option... in terms of $$$...

but does it mix well with the current paint? how noticeable will it be... because if it's pretty noticeable, i might as well roller paint the whole car....

time is not an issue... but my garage is pretty dusty...

[Eric Giles]

Haven't checked underneath yet.

Hate to say it but be afraid-be very afraid.

[Need4Speed1299]

rat rod


Or do prep and maaco, or roller white

+1 on prep and maaco. Better than letting it rot to the ground.