I am considering the big respray. Here is my issue. I have lots of tiny little things that bug me about my paint job. From 10 feet away the car looks fine, better than fine at times. But when I get closer the 20 year old respray it has on it now is not holding up in some areas. For instance, the back is not as shiny as the front. And I have many rock chips, and a tiny dent in the hood I want fixed. The paint inside the doors, trunk, etc is all great. Is it worth getting just the outside of a car taken down and resprayed?

Is this a half a$$ed idea? Every time I detail the car I see tiny spots I want fixed. But I am a novice at any kind of real body work.

Do you guys suggest I do not go this route?

My plan would be to take everything off the car, including windsheilds and side windows, and rear windows. All lights etc. Then get it smoothed and resprayed in Datsun 901 silver.

Opinions are welcome.

If it's sound under the hood and in the door and hatch jambs, I would go the way you described. An experienced painter will mask the jambs and doors and hatch and cut the paint in where it makes the best sence, at the seams. Then close the car up and shoot the body. If you choose a good paint shop, you'll never be able to tell. Just make sure he pulls all the handels bumpers and badges.

That's pretty much what I did to mine after the roof re-skin. I'm still pleased with the work after a couple of years. Although I drive it often enough I'm picking up new flaws. But at least these flaws are mine.

What they said... Just use a "good" shop that cares about quality. You can save some money by removing / replacing the chrome, lights, etc yourself.

oiluj, you are making me wish I got the ducted front spoiler! VERY NICE WHEELs as well.

You may want to consider wet sanding the areas that are not as shiny and buffing it out. Depending on how much orange peel is in the clearcoat you might have some room to knock down the imperfections and haze and buff it out. If you want any suggestions or help let me know.

oiluj, you are making me wish I got the ducted front spoiler! VERY NICE WHEELs as well.

Wheels are 15" Panasports. I painted them with Duplicolor Charcoal Grey ureathane, and overall, they look pretty good. I did end-up with a couple small runs, but the color hides them reasonably well...

I am doing a color change as well...but more extensive repairs around the fender flares and spoiler that were installed 25 years ago. I have taken the interior down to the metal all over so the shop can paint all the door and hatch jambs easily. I am doing the grunt work and getting a shop to spray it. He did have one good suggestion based on experience...your base coat does not have to be the very, very best available, but the clear should be the best you can afford since that is the key to a great look.

The great Tony D recommended using Ajax to rough up paint and remove oils prior to a re-spray. I tried it on two cars and it worked great!