Just curious because I think I'd never be able to afford it, but how much would a full respray on a TR Magna cost? I hate Aspen Green Metallic. Black would definitely suit my plans better, with a black/red interior and everything.

I've spent about $500 on it so far, another $1,500 in a couple of weeks and then probably another $500-$1000 and I'll have it nearly as I want it.

After that it's just really the respray that I want but can't justify.

Actually, after researching a bit black's probably a bad idea. I can't think of anything that would suit a black/red interior though.

likely more then your car is worth. Unless you got somebody in the mates rates category.

A good quality respray including door jams and boot lip would be an easy $4-5k.

You're looking at $1-1.5k minimum for a mate's rates backyard job.

A good quality respray including door jams and boot lip would be an easy $4-5k.

You're looking at $1-1.5k minimum for a mate's rates backyard job.

Hmm... it'd probably be worth it to just not do it, I'd prefer quality even if it is Aspen Green.

Do I have any other options to get a better paint job? Like can I darken or tint it a different shade without getting a full-blown respray? Would pearl or candy coatings or anything help? And how much would that cost?

I got quotes at protec a little while back, in paint, prep, and thinners materials alone to do a metallic respray on my 2nd gen was just under $500 for acryllic. There is also sandpaper, air compressor, spray gun, spray booth, and a ton of labour after that. We have an air compressor bolted to the shed floor, but can't fit a car in there even if I did have the time.

Fair bit of work goes into any paint job. I do resprays etc every now and then but without a booth it is a sub standard job depending on what base you use

If your paint is still in good nick - no major scratches, no clear coat failure etc - a good professional detail will literally make your car look like new. Expect to pay $400-600 for a proper detail. Sounds to me like the best option for you.

Details are pricey these days. I remember a full detail use to be $160 for a sedan when i was detailing supervisor. However it is only a quick cut and polish. If you want it done properly using the 3 stage method then go to a panel beater and have them do it properly. Would cost considerably less

What's involved in a detail? What do they do? The entire car is faded, not just in patches, it looks like a pale grey with a tint of green.

If you take it to the paint shop then they will usually use a 3 stage system. Obviously clean the car up first with a wash

Cut the paint with a buff using a cutting compound to remove scratches and restore faded finishes
Remove the marks from cutting with a anti swirl light compound
Then finish of with a complete machine / hand polish

Some will mask up the car depends where you go really

If you take it to a detailers:

Cut and polish car quickly
Wash car inside door jams, engine bay etc and exterior
Dry
Blow out car with air hose
Vaccum
Wet vac carpets and seats
Clean all marks of roof lining, plastics, cup holders etc
Armoral all plastics, door seals, seats etc
Clean wheels and tyre shine, some even spray wheel arches black
Clean windows inside and out
Final hand polish

Depends on where you go as to how they work

What's involved in a detail? What do they do? The entire car is faded, not just in patches, it looks like a pale grey with a tint of green.
A proper paint correction involves removing a small fraction of the clear-coat from your car to elimate swirls, scratches and oxidisation.

You get what you pay for. I have seen horrific results from cheap 'cut and polish' detailers. Some less reputable detailers will use a product heavy in 'fillers' (eliminating all the imperfections in the paint by filling them in). Your car looks good when they hand it back to you, but give it a few weeks for the products to wear off and it'll look crap again.

This (http://www.detailparadise.com.au/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=6212) is an example of a good detailer at work. If you read the thread, you'll notice he spent 2.5 hours on the bonnet alone... and if he charges ~$80/hour... you can see how a proper detail ain't cheap. Money well spent imo though.

Yep i can produce those results aswell :) Love buying old faded cars, spending a day polishing them, then selling them off. They look like brand new cars when im done with them!