[myriad1973]

After having my car for 10 years and mostly living in Florida since buying it, the environment has taken a toll on the paint and trim, so I'm wondering if it is even worth getting restoration work done to the car or maybe moving on and getting a newer car? Mechanically, the car is still in great condition, with only 122k miles on it. Are there any paint formulations that help protect against UV rays? Even the front seats are faded from the UV rays because of the lack of tint on those windows.

 

[henryanthony]

Modern OEM car paint is already UV resistant. Problem is the Sun is just too powerful - especially in FLA - to be stopped by current paint technology. Your ride is super sweet and worthy of new paint in my humble opinion. Not surprisingly, proper OEM quality paint is really expensive! If you decide to respray, be sure the painter is using a quality product. Damn! I wish I had an Si!

 

[myriad1973]

Modern OEM car paint is already UV resistant. Problem is the Sun is just too powerful - especially in FLA - to be stopped by current paint technology. Your ride is super sweet and worthy of new paint in my humble opinion. Not surprisingly, proper OEM quality paint is really expensive! If you decide to respray, be sure the painter is using a quality product. Damn! I wish I had an Si!

Thanks. I appreciate it. I need to go to a couple of body shops just to see if there are any possibilities to help protect it against the UV rays here. I had a product applied when I first bought the car when I was still living in Ohio called permaplate, but it really didn't do much good. The clear coat started fading after being here for a year... that was in 2014.

 

[AffanHabiib]

Such a beauty, I would definitely look into having it re-painted.

 

[FD7683]

122k is baby miles especially if it has been driven respectfully. Re-paint seems to be worth it on this car. Is having it wrapped an option for you? Will be much cheaper than respray.

 

[atomsmasher87]

I just passed 600,000 miles on my 07 EX Coupe, 122k is nothing. Did you buy it for looks? You have a car that should never die. If you want it to look good, paint it, it's gonna last mechanically as long as you maintain it.

 

[Skillz42]

Definitely worth repainting especially if you have no plans on selling in the future.

 

[myriad1973]

I just passed 600,000 miles on my 07 EX Coupe, 122k is nothing. Did you buy it for looks? You have a car that should never die. If you want it to look good, paint it, it's gonna last mechanically as long as you maintain it.

Well, the car was/is an eye catcher, but I bought it for its performance. I had an 2003 Si prior to that that was also fun to drive, but in the 8th gen, it definitely feels like it has more power. The car has been very reliable beyond the usual maintanence, although the A/C compressor blew up a couple of years ago, so I had to replace that, but the original alternator still works. I also have a nice SQ aftermarket stereo in it.

Definitely worth repainting especially if you have no plans on selling in the future.

No real plans of selling it, but that's the dilemma... I've been considering maybe getting a newer car, but not sure if I want to part with this one.

 

[PeteCivic2012]

Honda seems to be notorious for their paint fading. What about a wrap? If you get it repainted, I would suggest getting it detailed once a year or maybe a clear wrap?

 

[rickster9]

Really, a wrap is how much less? I'm wondering for my 09 speed bump.

 

[myriad1973]

Honda seems to be notorious for their paint fading. What about a wrap? If you get it repainted, I would suggest getting it detailed once a year or maybe a clear wrap?

Depending on any special paint formulations that protect better against UV rays, I might consider a wrap, but I'd rather not go in that direction.

 

[henryanthony]

Look into it. Unfortunately, Honda paint has a history of peeling.

Honda Paint Recalls? What? Here's The Rundown - VehicleHistory

Worried your Honda might have a paint recall? Great news, Vehicle History has your back. Here’s everything you need to know.

www.vehiclehistory.com

My opinion is, find a good shop with a website that demonstrates their quality.
Paint from House of Kolor has a pretty good reputation. And if you can’t find a kolor you like, it probably does not exist.

Brand - House of Kolor

Paint Colors Dry Flakes & Pearls Airbrushing & Aerosol Pinstriping & Lettering Clearcoats Primers Reducers & Thinners Additives & Cleaners Shimrin 2

tcpglobal.com

 

[myriad1973]

I've been slowly getting the car restored. I'm getting a lot of mechanical work done first. I've had the front brakes overhauled, new pads and rotors for the rear, new spark plugs, coolant system flush. I'm getting suspension work done soon. Tein Endura Pro Plus adjustable shocks & struts and replace any rotted bushings, although they're all in great shape as far as I can tell, except for the rear spring seats.

Many little things that look faded, broken, torn, old and/or tired will be getting fixed or replaced. I bought a new set of remanufactured OEM wheels that are a dazzling silver from Wheels America and I'll be getting those switched during the suspension work.

Then it'll be off to the body shop in March for a total respray and replacement of faded and/or cracked trim panels and have them install new headlights lenses. I'll see if they offer a ceramic coating or clear wrap to help more against the UV rays here.

Once that's done, I'll get work done to the interior. Have the front seats dyed and repaired and retint the windows. I already done lots of odds and ends myself so far.

I'll post pictures once everything is finished.

 

[myriad1973]

I had remanufactured OEM wheels installed. It looks much better, although it seems like the color on one of them appears a little bit off?

 

[FD7683]

As the years progressed for the pre-facelift Si's, the wheels got darker. At least thats how the factory wheel are. Did you get all 4 from the same year?

 

[myriad1973]

As the years progressed for the pre-facelift Si's, the wheels got darker. At least thats how the factory wheel are. Did you get all 4 from the same year?

I don’t know what year they are from, unfortunately. I bought them online from Wheels America out of Texas. They were shipped from different locations in the country.
I think I’ll have the place that did the installation move the brighter wheels to the back, just to make it not look so odd.

 

[myriad1973]

The car goes into the body shop on Monday. I'm keeping the original color. The owner of the body shop said that he can add a ceramic coating 3 months after the car is repainted. I'm looking at about $6000 for the job.

 

[myriad1973]

Anybody have any suggestions for a durable car cover that excels in UV protection?