"To Paint or not to Paint"

Winterpark SSP · #1 12-05-2007, 08:34 PM

What's up guys!

Here is my next dilema/decision. I am considering a repaint on my SSP. The factory paint still looks very good, but is not quite up to my level of perfection. I have a trusted body man of 25 years that can do the job RIGHT. This would include stripping the car down to bare metal, removing all trim, hood, bumper covers, rear quarter windows, door handles etc. The tape would be "rolled" to look like the car has never been painted and all body panel decal would remain intact.

I am a firm believer of keeping factory paint but cannot get the desired outcome I am striving for. If painted, I like the current concept of keeoing it like the 1993 Brochure car.

I will be into this car for more than what it is worth, but I don't plan on selling it.

Please let me know your thoughts as I am really torn on what would be best.

THANKS!

bmt336 · #2 12-05-2007, 09:17 PM

based on previous ownership as it looks-i would put it back in the Winter Park PD livery.

just my 2 cents

SparkSVT · #3 12-05-2007, 09:49 PM

what did it look like when it was a Winterpark car.

ImEvil1 · #4 12-05-2007, 09:49 PM

You aren't happy with it the way it is, so I say paint it.

I agree with Bret on the Winter Park comment, but there again, it's your car and I think you have to do what makes you happy.

86NeSSP · #5 12-05-2007, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImEvil1

You aren't happy with it the way it is, so I say paint it.

I agree with Bret on the Winter Park comment, but there again, it's your car and I think you have to do what makes you happy.

+3

Winterpark SSP · #6 12-05-2007, 10:10 PM

I have been leaning toward that route. As a matter of fact, I contacted Winterpark PD Monday and the officer who dove the vehicle still works there. He has photo's he is forwarding to me. The fleet manager remembers the car and is looking for the service records.

I agree with getting back to "in service" stock. It seems more like the right thing to do.

jarhed123 · #7 12-06-2007, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImEvil1

You aren't happy with it the way it is, so I say paint it.

I agree with Bret on the Winter Park comment, but there again, it's your car and I think you have to do what makes you happy.

+4 Anyways, one can always turn a non SSP coupe into the brochure car.

Winterpark SSP · #8 12-06-2007, 08:42 AM

The "jury has spoke". I will be painting the car this Spring (as my body man is that good and booked until then) and putting back to the Winterpark PD in service specifications.

Thanks for the input!!

Barry

ImEvil1 · #9 12-06-2007, 12:14 PM

Vintageracer · #10 12-06-2007, 12:37 PM

Leave the original paint and enjoy the car. If you decide to return the car to Winter Park livery I would still try to leave the original paint if removal of the current livery will allow you to do so. There are NOW and will be in the FUTURE LOTS of restored SSP Mustangs but very few original paint cars of any official livery.

I am at that crossroads with the EVOC car. John had to paint the car given the poor condition of the original paint. The rest of the car is in very good condition or will clean and be very nice. Perfect no, but very nice!

I have decided at this point that I will "preserve" the car rather than "restore" the car. That means heavy cleaning and detailing, not a spray can rebuild! I will be recovering the package tray and rear seat belts retractor covers since the felt has sun faded however all the seats, carpet door panels, headliner and rest of the interior will remain original. I will be cleaning and detailing the engine compartment and undercarriage but not repainting. The EVOC still has all the spring tags and other markings that magically appeared after pressure washing. I will run original General XP Pursuit tires with the NOS rims that came with the car. Since I now have lots of 10 holes I will refinish another set with new high performance aftermarket tires for extended street driving or track events.

I would give this decision of whether to paint the car very careful consideration before I jumped at painting the car. If you are not happy with the current condition of the car then by all means paint. It's your car and YOU need to be the one that's happy and to Hell with the rest of us and our opinions.

I find the idea of potentially returning the car to Winter Park livery to be interesting. However Winter Park would have to VERY different and unique, as most "local" jurdictions have very blaw, plain or down right UGLY looking livery packages. I would certainly not "back up" and make the car much more plain if the Winter Park package is plain. The current livery of your car is very neat and unique.

Given the current prices at which you can buy a superb/restored SSP car versus what it will cost to paint your current car, I would go shop for another SSP that meets your standards and buy another car. A proper paint job for your car will cost $5,000 or more. Then consider what you have originally paid for your car and the paint decision is hard to justify. Why not go spend $15,000 for the nicest restored SSP you can find. Yes, you will spend $10,000extra over what you would spend for a paint job on your currentl car but also have 2 superb SSP cars instead of one SSP that's STILL all apart in BODY SHOP PRISON!!!!!!