Donor Car Or Spray Job?

[forbeslongden 32 13 Cars]

Hey there guys,

 

My Miami 1.6 is looking a bit tired in the paint stakes currently and I'm weighing up my options here, I can either get my panels sprayed up including getting any dents and rust sorted which I'm thinking could end up being expensive as my boot lid certainly looks as though it has hidden rust under the paint plus the rear screen seal is less than the best, also my bonnet has good paint but has dents from the underneath causing some raising here and there.

 

I've got the chance to buy a base model Miami Blue, now, would it be more cost effective to buy the car (£350) and get the panels changed over obviously taking into account the locks and central locking and shift the base model on with my panels fitted to it?

[johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars]

The rear arches could be a problem, as they're a different shape on Base models, so may require cutting and welding in order to fit the gti plastic

[forbeslongden 32 13 Cars]

Well my shell is rust free mostly so it'd just really be the doors, bonnet and boot lid I'd be taking from the base model, that being said, I guess in that case I'd only need to change the ignition barrel over rather than all the locks....

[Anthony 1,002]

Remember the base model doors won't have the rivets for the GTi trim and the tailgate won't have the holes for the GTi spoiler.

 

Both can be addressed/overcome of course, but worth keeping in mind.

 

Also, whilst Miami shouldn't be too bad assuming that they're both the later shade, remember that using panels from different cars always runs the risk that they've faded slightly differently or that there was a subtle shade difference at the factory and thus they won't match when swapped. Certainly I know there's two major shades of Miami and several minor shades.

 

Swapping the lockset is really neither here nor there in the grand scheme of things - it's a quick and easy enough job.

[Stu 18]

Removing those front wings successfully without damage will be tricky too; then you've got to drill the holes for the kit and such.

 

Seems a lot of work to be honest!

[forbeslongden 32 13 Cars]

Ah yes, +1 on the colour. The base is a 1993 L plate and my GTi is a 1992 J. I remember that the limited 90 cars are totally different shade aren't they? The rivets I'm not -too- fussed about as the door trim can be subtly drilled in under the red strip which wouldn't bother me too much and I've got a Hella red panel on the back which is currently drilled onto my car.

 

I presume the 1993 diesels didn't have central locking? I know the 96 bases didn't but I don't know if that was because of run-off rather than el-cheapo poverty spec.

 

I think I should be able to do the bonnet and boot lid myself, the doors I remember being a sod on 205s though....

[forbeslongden 32 13 Cars]

Removing those front wings successfully without damage will be tricky too; then you've got to drill the holes for the kit and such.

 

Seems a lot of work to be honest!

 

My wings are alright, only one needs a decent spray but the other is perfect so I'll skip that since it needs work to get the trim on them, you're right, that would be too much work.

[Anthony 1,002]

I presume the 1993 diesels didn't have central locking? I know the 96 bases didn't but I don't know if that was because of run-off rather than el-cheapo poverty spec.

It may or may not, depending on spec.

 

Also remember that the central locking is different depending if it was remote operated or not.

[forbeslongden 32 13 Cars]

Hmmm...

 

How much do you reckon it costs to get panels sprayed these days? if it's like £150 per panel it may just be easier to do that rather than faff about with it...

[ALEX 98 1 Cars]

Spray Job any day. Keeping the Gti will hold its value better than a base model bodge reshell job.

 

It's worth a note that the doors are the same part number for the Gti as the base models.

The rivets must be drilled after in the factory. though I think its cheaper to get the rivets from Vauxhall rather than Peugeot.

 

Not sure about the Boot though, could be same part number and the fixing holes added after?

 

 

edit: about £150/£200 seems about right per panel.

 

I'd Refurbish the whole car if it was me, The value of these is only going to go up.

Edited May 28, 2015 by ALEX

[forbeslongden 32 13 Cars]

Yeah I think you're right. I wasn't going to use the shell since it's too much work to fabricate everything, plus my shell hasn't gone in any of the usual places, it would have just been a couple of the interchangeable panels but looking at the base model in question, it's not much better to be honest, so I'll go with getting my panels re-sprayed.

[rikky 37]

My 205's being painted at the moment. I was going to do it myself but wanted it 'right'. Mine's having about 100 various dents and blemishes removed (small, just minor imperfections, plus a biggish dent in the lower door) and some rust treated on the tailgate, wings and bonnet fitted and full car repainted in white again. It's costing me £1500 plus a bit more for some other bits. Should really be more than that though

Edited May 28, 2015 by rikky

[forbeslongden 32 13 Cars]

I thought about having a crack at doing it myself to be honest. I'm not fussed with the car being perfect because I'd be too scared to drive it otherwise. My bootlid isn't technically that bad, but the paint is starting to lift from underneath so I'd assume there is some hidden rust there.

 

I think my roof is the worst part, all the paint has oxidised and gone that horrid white colour, I'll probably have a go at that myself though.

[rikky 37]

Vinyl wrap it and pretend everthing's ok

[ALEX 98 1 Cars]

Personally I'd get any painting done by a specialist, its one of few jobs id be happy to pay someone else to do

Though saying that by doing the prep yourself can save a ton of money since all paint jobs are 90% prep 10% painting,.

Don't be tempted to put on any undercoat or rust treatment though, just remove trims / lights etc, clean all panels with thinners and wet n dry 600 grade all over. Spend loads of time doing that should half your bill.

Edited May 28, 2015 by ALEX

[dobboy 231 2 Cars]

Replace rotten removable panels, get PDR done on full car, strip it down yourself, and pay a reputable paintshop to do there stuff, would be my advice.

[forbeslongden 32 13 Cars]

Good advice gents.

[Reebmit 51 4 Cars]

Paint all the way...the end result should be far better