So this isn't exactly a problem, more of a want than a need, but I have an 04 NBP and while the paint is ok it has ultimately lost its shine and sparkle and there is a little minor cracking on the hood, a couple small scratches/dents here and there but nothing major. She looks good when washed and waxed but even then next to a 2015 or 2016 anything she still just looks a little dull. I'm considering having Maaco do a reshine of the whole car. I've heard both good and bad about them, just wondering if anyone would recommend them or not. Looking forward to your thoughts, thanks in advance!

 

maaco..

 

just go to a proper detailer for a full paint correction

 

If you are worried about how pretty it is, Maaco isn't the right place. I'm sure they have the ability to do good work, but it won't be the cheap prices we all associate with them. For their sub-$1000 prices, expect it to be no better than what you have now. The cracks may be gone, but the shine and sparkle will not be there....or if it is, it won't last long. Maaco is generally the place you take a care that is missing all its paint when you want to get by for a year or two. Or you just want it painted to help prevent rust.

You need to determine what your budget is and go from there. Is this a problem you are wanting to throw $500 or $5000 at?

 

^^Good point. Honestly I think it's more of a clear coat issue whereas it's dulled enough to have an overall effect on the look of the paint. The car is paid off this month so throwing $5k at it isn't necessarily what I want to do, but I'd be comfortable with $1k or so, so perhaps a paint detailer would make more sense.

 

got pics for the paint damage?

 

This is the much better plan to start with. See where that takes you and go from there.

 

a good detailer can bring the shine back from a dull clear coat.

 

It's not a very good pic, but it does show the cracking I was talking about. The cracking covers most of the hood and is really only noticeable up close but noticeable nonetheless. I'm hoping that this cracking is just the clearcoat, but I'll know more next week. I found a detail shop not far from me who has really great reviews I'm going to go talk to next week.

 

holy shit that's really bad crows feet..

 

I would say a detail shop will fix your problem, wet sand with couple pass of M105 then polish and seal the paint with a good sealant.

 

Are those cracks or scratches?

 

They're crows feet. It's a bunch of small fractures in the paint and clear coat. Wet sanding and polishing won't do anything to fix them. A respray is really your only option. I know this isn't the answer that you want to hear, but I don't believe this one is repairable outside of repainting.

I'm wondering what caused this on your car. I honestly have never seen a 3G TL with clear coat issues before. The paint and clear on these cars seems to be very good, even the neglected ones I have seen don't have clear coat peeling issues.

Read this thread: Clearcoat Fracturing versus Clearcoat Failure

 

Maybe see if Acura will cover the cost of a new paint job? That is a problem from the factory unless it was resprayed already.

 

Came in to say this. When I got my 2003 Legacy I was able to restore the paint with minimal effort. You will need a clay bar and paint polish.....

but then I saw your pix and I have to ask did you wax your car in the sun?

 

Those have actually been there since I bought it. I have done the clay bar and many other treatments. The rest of the car looks really good considering its an 04, it's just that area on the hood.

 

I'd second the suggestion to have a reputable detail shop - who does full on paint correction (cut and buff) take a look at the car. It's hard to tell from the pictures if the damage is superficial or through the clear coat. As for Maaco, just do some research. Thing is, NO MATTER who is doing the work - a $500 respray is going to be crap - UNLESS you are doing all the prep / body work yourself and getting someone you know to spray it. Reason being, the base coat and clear coat - just the products themselves - QUALITY products anyway - will be several hundred dollars at least.

Also - Maaco shops are INDEPENDENTLY owned (franchises). So of course you will have good, bad and great locations. One of my local Maaco shops is owned by a true car guy. They actually do a ton of the county / local government cars and they have done more than a few show worthy cars. Of course these aren't $500 paint jobs either.

The hard truth about paint and body work is that the PREP work is the key. Literally you can spray cheap basecoat / clear coat over a GOOD prep job and it can look GREAT with some wetsanding / color sanding after the fact. On the flip side you can have the best painter in the state spray the highest quality materials over a bad prep job and it will look bad.

HTH