so, when i go to the sprayer/body repairer what are the questions to ask to know if it will be done properly, i dont expect a complete how to respray answer from everyone, but what would be some technical issues to raise that make the difference between a good job and a great job, what things do i want to make sure they will do

be sure to tell them exacly what you want painted at the factory VW s were mostly painted assembled so when you take of your deck lid for example there is no paint under the hinge what you need is complete coverage and spray the car seperatly ie doors off every thing off right down to the fuel filler cap door piont out all the rust areas you want fixed and body mods you want ie shaved indicators but apart from that you are in the hands of the gods you just keep going in and cheaking on the progress and that the workmanship is up to standard but if your painter has worked on VWs before you half way there.

have lots of money laying around for a full strip down and to have it painted in pieces will cost you,if your after a show car go for it,if you want a clean daily drive keep it simple,,,
cheers,,,

A lot of depends on your definition of a good or great job.
In the "Respray of a Beetle" series that I have posted at the top of this forum section this is what I consider a 'quick' respray.
Some people that have seen it beg to differ and think it is a great job. It certainly was done so that it wont peel or crack and the small amount of rust that was there was fully repaired with metal and no fibreglass was used.
On the other side it is certainly not a show job and was never intended to be, but still looks really good in my opinion.

If you want a good job that lasts at least get the vehicle all pulled apart, and new rubbers fitted.

If they are serious keeping you satisfied, they will do all the rust with metal.

If you want it great and really want the job to be way above average, then you will probably need to get the body stripped to bare metal.

A full resto would even entail removing the pan from the body and doing that too.

Two pak in a well known brand will give good results, and make sure there are no runs or dry spots. they should be able to paint a small car like a beetle without that happening.

just out of interest. What sort of price ranges are you looking at when respaying? Im looking at doing mine early 2005 (when i get a job as im still a poor deprived student atm)


thx

5 grand , bare metal and I completely disassembled the car down to a shell oh and this was with a guy I know.

[Edited on 23-6-2004 by ph billet]

$2100. I gave him the van all naked and he did all the prep and paint. I put all the bits back on.I saved a few hundred bucks doing it that way. he has done a lot of hot rod work and I could have got him to do a job 3 or 4 times more expensive. This was the type of quality that I wasn't gunna fret every time I left it alone or scratched it. Like when I was refitting the right hand headlight...DOH!