New owner- Need advice
New owner- Need advice
I recently purchased a 06 TL and I love it, but it has a fair amount of small aesthetic issues that bother me. The front bumper has a lot of small chips and the left side has a solid rash on the corner. The car is black so all of these little nicks stand out and it really bugs me. A couple of the rims have some road rash on them as well. The headlights are also a little foggy so I want to clean those up as well. Finally, the tint is peeling and I plan on removing it myself then paying a shop to apply new tint.
My question to you guys is, what's the best way to go about all of this? I want to make the car look as new as possible but I am pretty strapped for cash. I have seen ads for small scratch fixes and headlight cleaner, but do they work? Also am I better off trying to paint the front bumper myself or should I just save up for a garage to do it for me? What would that cost?
I know I asked multiple questions but I'd appreciate all the help I can get, and it seems like you guys are the experts.
My question to you guys is, what's the best way to go about all of this? I want to make the car look as new as possible but I am pretty strapped for cash. I have seen ads for small scratch fixes and headlight cleaner, but do they work? Also am I better off trying to paint the front bumper myself or should I just save up for a garage to do it for me? What would that cost?
I know I asked multiple questions but I'd appreciate all the help I can get, and it seems like you guys are the experts.
Advice: pay for a proper repaint as doing it yourself (unless you can do good paintwork) will not likely look good- plan on $300-400 for respraying the front end.
-headlights: you can do these yourself with a headlight refinishing kit, good prep, and some time
-tint: get it professionally done and use a high quality tint
-wheel rash: can be done yourself, but if done by shop, plan on $150 per wheel
It's your car and needs a little work to look good- not too expensive and better than a car payment every month.
-headlights: you can do these yourself with a headlight refinishing kit, good prep, and some time
-tint: get it professionally done and use a high quality tint
-wheel rash: can be done yourself, but if done by shop, plan on $150 per wheel
It's your car and needs a little work to look good- not too expensive and better than a car payment every month.
Sounds like you need a proper detail with paint correction & swirl removal esp. on that black paint. You can pay someone to do this or take the time to learn the Art of detailing, pick up the right tools, and do the work yourself.
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 36,545
Likes: 6,470
From: Kansas City, MO (Overland Park, KS)
Advice: pay for a proper repaint as doing it yourself (unless you can do good paintwork) will not likely look good- plan on $300-400 for respraying the front end.
-headlights: you can do these yourself with a headlight refinishing kit, good prep, and some time
-tint: get it professionally done and use a high quality tint
-wheel rash: can be done yourself, but if done by shop, plan on $150 per wheel
It's your car and needs a little work to look good- not too expensive and better than a car payment every month.
-headlights: you can do these yourself with a headlight refinishing kit, good prep, and some time
-tint: get it professionally done and use a high quality tint
-wheel rash: can be done yourself, but if done by shop, plan on $150 per wheel
It's your car and needs a little work to look good- not too expensive and better than a car payment every month.
Doc is right.
For the wheels, you can have them done at awrs wheel repair. I had all 4 of mine refinished on Monday. I had three bent rims and had them fix the bend and refinish all 4. Cost to have them refinished is $125 a wheel. They package them together for $175 a wheel if you get straightening and cosmetic repair. Otherwise $125 each service. My wheels look brand new and drives very smooth again!
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