Moparts
Restore or Repaint?
Posted By: 1KoolBee
Restore or Repaint? - 09/11/14 05:13 AM
My'68 Bee has more than its fair share of dents, dings, & primer spots BUT she still wears the original WW1 paint and it still has some shine to it. I thought about repairing the body damage & color matching the original paint ( 45 year-old white is a little yellow). I could buff the original paint back to a pretty decent shine. It would take a ton of work & the body would still have some waves, but it would still retain about 80% of the original paint. Or should I just have the whole body brought back to perfect & have a high quality "first" repaint, cut, & buff. What would be the best option?
Posted By: Pacnorthcuda
Re: Restore or Repaint? - 09/11/14 05:34 AM
I would do a total repaint. Avoids the probable mismatch.
Posted By: ricomondo
Re: Restore or Repaint? - 09/11/14 05:48 AM
Well you haven't mentioned what kind of shape the rest of the car is in.
I say this because if you decide to repaint, you're potentially opening a Pandora's box. First it's paint, then the engine doesn't look so hot, so it's re gasket and repaint. Then new brake and fuel lines etc. Then that could lead to an interior redo. And on and on.
If the engine and interior are good to go, I say go ahead and repaint it.
Posted By: 1KoolBee
Re: Restore or Repaint? - 09/11/14 06:24 AM
Car is overall in great shape, only a couple minor rust spots that I cut out & welded in patches. Interior is excellent, motor, trans, rear axle, rear suspension all rebuilt/restored. Car originally sold in Utah, then moved to desert in early 70's, so we are talking California "minor rust" as opposed to Michigan "minor rust".
Posted By: new bee
Re: Restore or Repaint? - 09/11/14 06:29 AM
I'd retain as much originality as possible. It's far more interesting than yet another car with a perfect paint job. I wish I could have done that with my Super Bee. I never use it much for fear of that first chip in the paint.
Posted By: RSNOMO
Re: Restore or Repaint? - 09/11/14 06:48 AM
There's nothing 'interesting' about 45 years of battle scars...
Scars are scars...
Utah body???(Two of the nicest Mopar 'bodys' I've ever seen came from Utah...
Zero body issues...Both Hemi SuperBees)...
Why have a fresh drive train, with a really nice interior, and look scuddzy???
You're already ahead of the game with the starting point...
Do it up...
And drive it...
There are cars out there that look good, and rack-up miles...
Posted By: new bee
Re: Restore or Repaint? - 09/11/14 08:35 AM
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There's nothing 'interesting' about 45 years of battle scars...
45 years of battle scars with 80 percent original paint sounds pretty cool + interesting to me. I'd love to see pics of this Bee. Quite a few Mopar guys on this site have sung the praises of an original car, despite the imperfections. Our pal from Ohio with the black '69 Bee is one example.
Posted By: GI Moparman
Re: Restore or Repaint? - 09/12/14 03:57 AM
I have several cars and some with nice paint. I enjoy driving my "less then perfect" cars more. Looks like rain, drive it, goin to the store, drive it, goin to get parts, its got a trunk! Patina is cool!
Posted By: RUNCHARGER
Re: Restore or Repaint? - 09/12/14 04:00 AM
I think a car with 80% original paint is much more interesting than just another repainted queen, as long as it doesn't look like it's neglected of course. You can always change your mind later with this option, with the other option it's over for good.
Sheldon
Posted By: 1KoolBee
Re: Restore or Repaint? - 09/12/14 04:00 AM
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There's nothing 'interesting' about 45 years of battle scars...
45 years of battle scars with 80 percent original paint sounds pretty cool + interesting to me. I'd love to see pics of this Bee. Quite a few Mopar guys on this site have sung the praises of an original car, despite the imperfections. Our pal from Ohio with the black '69 Bee is one example.
Actually my question was should I repair/blend the battle scars and restore the original paint leaving 80% original and 20% new paint. Most of the scars and would be gone, but I think the car would look pretty decent when it was done.
I'll post pix & comments in the build section later
Posted By: demon
Re: Restore or Repaint? - 09/12/14 06:17 AM
I would definitely lave it alone and shine it up. Survivor type cars are far more interesting.
Have you looked at having a paint less dent repair guy take out the dings? A friend had his survivor Charger done and the results were incredible.
Posted By: 69_SIX_PACK
Re: Restore or Repaint? - 09/12/14 12:11 PM
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I think a car with 80% original paint is much more interesting than just another repainted queen, as long as it doesn't look like it's neglected of course. You can always change your mind later with this option, with the other option it's over for good.
Sheldon
That's exactly how I feel.
Posted By: Stewpar
Re: Restore or Repaint? - 09/12/14 02:15 PM
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There's nothing 'interesting' about 45 years of battle scars...
45 years of battle scars with 80 percent original paint sounds pretty cool + interesting to me. I'd love to see pics of this Bee. Quite a few Mopar guys on this site have sung the praises of an original car, despite the imperfections. Our pal from Ohio with the black '69 Bee is one example.
X2! 
However, make sure it's the right guy doing the bodywork and blending that paint! We are lucky here in WI to have the "Master" 
Posted By: DAYCLONA
Re: Restore or Repaint? - 09/12/14 03:36 PM
Sorry...I don't understand the pride in wearing "original" paint, unless it's 100% pristine, and the color one desires....otherwise a quality repaint is in order IMHO
Posted By: Silver70
Re: Restore or Repaint? - 09/12/14 07:51 PM
It's one thing to look at a car you don't own with original paint and that's beat up. However when it's your own car and you have to look at it daily, it gets old. At least that's how I feel about it.
Like mentioned, you need to decide where to draw the line before it ends up a full resto. I'd rather have nice shiny paint and a just ok underhood and interior or a dirty undercoated under side... and so on.
Posted By: ademon
Re: Restore or Repaint? - 09/12/14 08:36 PM
I have a demon 340 that's a 20 footer, was painted in the late 70's slight dents dings etc.. And a nicely painter 68 roadrunner. I definitely enjoy driving the demon more don't worry about rock chips, will take it to a store, work, errands etc . The RR is opposite. At cruises and shows I get more interest in the demons paint than the nice RR paint questions about where the cars from, how long have you had it, is it a survivor? It up to you in the end.
a battle scar is a battle scar, wear it with pride!
Wash me, dry me, then take me out so others can see the time you put in and the life I have lived.
Posted By: AZ_A12_BEE
Re: Restore or Repaint? - 09/13/14 03:30 AM
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There's nothing 'interesting' about 45 years of battle scars...
45 years of battle scars with 80 percent original paint sounds pretty cool + interesting to me. I'd love to see pics of this Bee. Quite a few Mopar guys on this site have sung the praises of an original car, despite the imperfections. Our pal from Ohio with the black '69 Bee is one example.
Mostly original paint on my R/T but the battle scars were too much to ignore
Posted By: 1KoolBee
Re: Restore or Repaint? - 09/13/14 04:08 AM
OK for some perspective.......by no means perfect, but not bad for her age.
Posted By: Hamtramck
Re: Restore or Repaint? - 09/13/14 04:10 AM
It's only original once. Leave it bee.
Posted By: roe
Re: Restore or Repaint? - 09/14/14 01:41 AM
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OK for some perspective.......by no means perfect, but not bad for her age.
Blend it or leave it. Please don't repaint it. I would spend more time looking at that car as it sits than a show queen
Posted By: Tempest
Re: Restore or Repaint? - 09/14/14 03:50 AM
It's only original once.
Posted By: DPelletier
Re: Restore or Repaint? - 09/15/14 05:20 PM
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I think a car with 80% original paint is much more interesting than just another repainted queen, as long as it doesn't look like it's neglected of course. You can always change your mind later with this option, with the other option it's over for good.
Sheldon
That's exactly how I feel.
Me too. If it can be spot repaired and retain 80% original paint and look good, then that's definitely what I'd do.....if the original paint was too far gone, then that's another story.
Dave
Posted By: L7VERT
Re: Restore or Repaint? - 09/16/14 06:01 PM
Either repaint it or leave it entirely alone. I've gone through this process with two cars. Obviously I don't know you but, knowing myself, I'd never be happy with the 80/20 version. The chances are very slim that it will be matched to the point that it is completely undetectable and, even if people look at the car and don't comment on the new/old finish, you will know and, eventually, you will get to where you wish you would have gone ahead and painted it. At least that's what happened both times with me.
You didn't mention the level to which you were thinking of having it painted. There are more differences between a 'driver' paint job and a 'restoration' paint job than just how much it costs and I would assume there are a few shops around you that could do either.
I recently got a repaint that looks very good but didn't cost a fortune. If it gets a chip, sure it's going to bug me but it won't be the end of the world. I'm certainly not going to get upset if it gets rained on, bird-pooped on, leaned on, etc and it sure isn't going to keep me from enjoying the car.
I think this is the most important point; do whatever you wish but don't let it keep you from ENJOYING THE CAR.
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I think a car with 80% original paint is much more interesting than just another repainted queen, as long as it doesn't look like it's neglected of course. You can always change your mind later with this option, with the other option it's over for good.
Sheldon
That's exactly how I feel.
Me too. If it can be spot repaired and retain 80% original paint and look good, then that's definitely what I'd do.....if the original paint was too far gone, then that's another story.
Dave
Same thought here as well. I'd bet it will see more run-time with the original paint "touched up" than with a full respray.
Shouldnt be too difficult to find a paint supplier that can mix a very good match.
Plus you'll save a wad of cash! 
Posted By: 1KoolBee
Re: Restore or Repaint? - 09/17/14 04:09 AM
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I think a car with 80% original paint is much more interesting than just another repainted queen, as long as it doesn't look like it's neglected of course. You can always change your mind later with this option, with the other option it's over for good.
Sheldon
That's exactly how I feel.
Me too. If it can be spot repaired and retain 80% original paint and look good, then that's definitely what I'd do.....if the original paint was too far gone, then that's another story.
Dave
Same thought here as well. I'd bet it will see more run-time with the original paint "touched up" than with a full respray.
Shouldnt be too difficult to find a paint supplier that can mix a very good match.
Plus you'll save a wad of cash!
Thanks for everyone's feedback. I hear you on the wad of cash, one local shop near here quoted me $10K for bodywork and "show quality" paint. No doubt they could deliver based on their reputation, but the owner seemed to base his price on what he thought my car would be worth when it was done rather than time & materials it took to do the job. Naturally I passed. As far as being disappointed in the way it looks, I've been looking at the primer spots & dings since 1975, so if the repairs weren't perfect, I wouldn't be overly disappointed. I agree with RUNCHARGER in that if it doesn't turn out, I can still do the full repaint later.
Meanwhile a "stock appearing" 383/451 is at the machine shop so I won't have to worry about hurting the factory motor. Driving it is definitely still part of the plan! 
Posted By: autoxcuda
Re: Restore or Repaint? - 09/17/14 05:08 AM
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I think a car with 80% original paint is much more interesting than just another repainted queen, as long as it doesn't look like it's neglected of course. You can always change your mind later with this option, with the other option it's over for good.
Sheldon
That's exactly how I feel.
Me too. If it can be spot repaired and retain 80% original paint and look good, then that's definitely what I'd do.....if the original paint was too far gone, then that's another story.
Dave
Same thought here as well. I'd bet it will see more run-time with the original paint "touched up" than with a full respray.
Shouldnt be too difficult to find a paint supplier that can mix a very good match.
Plus you'll save a wad of cash!
Thanks for everyone's feedback. I hear you on the wad of cash, one local shop near here quoted me $10K for bodywork and "show quality" paint. No doubt they could deliver based on their reputation, but the owner seemed to base his price on what he thought my car would be worth when it was done rather than time & materials it took to do the job. Naturally I passed. As far as being disappointed in the way it looks, I've been looking at the primer spots & dings since 1975, so if the repairs weren't perfect, I wouldn't be overly disappointed. I agree with RUNCHARGER in that if it doesn't turn out, I can still do the full repaint later.
Meanwhile a "stock appearing" 383/451 is at the machine shop so I won't have to worry about hurting the factory motor. Driving it is definitely still part of the plan!
How many black primer spots does this car have? Looks like:
top rear RR quarter
bottom edge of RR quarter
front of RF fender
front of LF
More?
They are pretty large. And they are right next to worn thin paint on RF fender with dings. If you paint them I don't know how you'd blend into thin paint and the dings.
Posted By: 1KoolBee
Re: Restore or Repaint? - 09/18/14 03:43 AM
Actually drivers side is pretty straight, dent in front fender is pretty small, but plenty of door dings. The "thin spots" you refer to are actually primer overspray, this car has never had a machine-buffer on the paint before. Lower right quarter is an AMD repair panel due to rust in trunk drop-off. Left quarter is rust free.
Posted By: RUNCHARGER
Re: Restore or Repaint? - 09/18/14 03:51 AM
That car looks pretty good, get a dentique guy to work out all the door dings then get the body work done and spot it all in. A friend of mine would probably buy that car off you in a millisecond, he had a white 68 Bee in the early 70's and has never forgotten that car.
Sheldon