Should I clear coat my guards red?

[911 Rod]

I need to fix a couple of spots on my guards red 86 911 that need paint.

My "guy" is saying that the only way for this to blend will be by clearing the whole car.

Has anyone here cleared their guards red?

I know there is no turning back, but I have to admit to myself that I don't have time to wax and it looks like s##t most of the time.

Not original paint, but it was a quality job 25 years ago.

[Tremelune]

What would it gain you? You'll never be able to polish it to a deep red shine again if it fades or gets scratched.

Most painters don't like to work with single stage paint because it's harder or more expensive or something. I'd try and find someone that'll stick with the same single stage...

If your worried about maintenance, have it ceramic coated every few years.

[Canada Kev]

Time for a new "guy". He's wrong. Or lazy or wants to sell you on a bigger job than needed. Check around locally for someone else is my recommendation.

Perhaps it's time so spend a little on paint correction from a good detailer. Some of the areas you think might need paint actually might not. Plus, once you have a good wax or sealant protecting and enhancing the paint, I'm sure you'll find it is actually pretty easy to maintain the good looks. Even with, or perhaps because of, the single stage paint.

[911 Rod]

Valid points.
The car has 400,000 km and gets driver and sits in the sun.
It's sees around 12 track days a year.
Very far from a concours car.
Yes he will paint the areas in need and blend it in.
The new areas will fade at a different rate and will need to be polished more often to keep them the same I am told.
The cost to clear coat is 1/3 more than ceramic coating which will last 3 years.
Maybe easy to maintain, but I'm not one to be polishing.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

The cost to clear coat is 1/3 more than ceramic coating

Clear would bring pop back to original single stage and fading would be minimized.

Give what you do with the car I like the idea.

[Canada Kev]

Yes, the new paint will likely oxidize at a different rate than the old. Having the whole car cleared will minimize or eliminate that.

Ceramic coating in my opinion is a waste of time and money. If it actually did last three years, it would be about three times more than what my knowledge of the product leads me to believe.

If you want more or less maintenance free and you're not concerned about the look of clean, shiny guards red, then clear it. You'll likely be happier in the long run.

[911 Rod]

It is a difficult decision, because there isn't any turning back.
Have others done this?

[Tippy]

I vote don’t do it.

I’m in the exact same boat. Buff the paint, and it looks stellar. But, it oxidizes quick.

[Canada Kev]

A good sealer works well to reduce the oxidation. Works better than wax for that.

[Cairo94507]

Spraying clear coat is no different than painting the whole car with color. Is he planning to disassemble? Windows out, trim and bumpers off? Or is he thinking just tape it tight, scuff and shoot? If it's the latter, then nope. That will just look bad in a couple of years. I would consider getting an opinion from another shop that does more than just collision repair work.

[lpsalsaman]

I had my Targa re-spray on some areas that needed, I really wanted to do the entire car but at the time, I couldn't afford a entire job. The shop did a really good job trying to match the color, and although it was Porsche guards red, still you can tell between the original and the new. If your paint is not that bad, you can also have a shop rebuff fix some spots and sealed it up.

[911 Rod]

Will be taking the bumpers, mirrors and side skirts off. They will be painted before clear.
Windows will stay in the car and be taped off.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

Will be taking the bumpers, mirrors and side skirts off. They will be painted before clear.
Windows will stay in the car and be taped off.

Contrary to many opinions, I vote yes to this. Again, and most importantly, for what you are planning for your car. It will be a nice looking driver.

[pmax]

I wouldn't do it for a "couple of spots".

If you plan on repainting the whole car, then do whatever you envision. Gulf blue. "Wrapping(?)" is also another option.

[Jonny042]

This is my GR Carrera "beater". Every single panel needs paint. Dents, scratches, dings, scrapes. It's horrible. But other than the headlight rings and RF fender it's original single stage.

Stand a few feet away and it looks great..... point is, does it really NEED paint? You might continue to enjoy the car as is, and then when "someday" comes, get it redone completely.



Why not show us a few pics of yours?

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Jonny042

This is my GR Carrera "beater".

Why not show us a few pics of yours?

+1

Your car is easy on the eyes, Jonny.

[Halm]

I just sold a 1st gen RX7 that was super low miles. About 24 months ago, the original owner had the front half of the car clear coated. The results were that every imperfection under the clear coat popped out. Every ripple and dimple in the clear coat showed even more.

My vote would be paint correction and a ceramic coating.

[911 Rod]

The toy.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

The toy.

Nice.

Let me at that beast with an old school wool pad.

I'm still with you on the clear as I appreciate you don't want to suffer the grunt work.

[Tremelune]

It won't take care of any chips, but a $500 detail will make that thing pop. I would start there. You'd need to do it before clearcoating anyway.