How big of an issue is peeling clear coat??

[mriley1]

Hey guys I am looking to purchase my first classic car and need an opinion on a potential purchase. The car is a 67 mustang and checks off everything on my list including a 30k pricetag, however it is a California car and has a pretty severe clear coat peeling issue, it appears to be all over the car. I am wondering if I just just steer clear all together, or if the cost isn't too unreasonable maybe I could just have this addressed after purchase. If this is too severe and the whole car will need a repaint then I would pass on it. I know the pictures are tough to go by but let me know what you think!

[Tsaints1115]

If the painter didn't do the clear right what else might not be done right? Roll those dice.

[dhutton]

You are looking at a complete strip and repaint to repair that imho. That’s not a $30k car with that paint imho….

Don

[mriley1]

No kidding that's what I was afraid of. I read in some articles that some peeling here and there could be taken care of but if it was all over it might be a complete repaint. If I got the car for 20k and have it painted the same as it is now I don't know how much that would cost anything under $15,000 I would be happy

[minendrews68]

Don is right in his answer. First not a 30k car with that paint job, is there a chance you could do some of the work? Maybe start sandiing it down for repaint? Your going to have to see what the owner is willing to let it go for too.

[79 Camaro]

I would be shocked if any body guy/painter would stand behind the repaint unless it was stripped to bare metal. Take it to a local body shop and get a professional opinion. Have them check the whole car for excess filler.

[65 drop top]

Another option, possibly, if you can buy the car for a good price would be to wrap it. Before you laugh, my thought is that you can get into a car now, drive it and enjoy it. Then save up again until you have $20k + for a repaint. Just tossing around ideas…

[mriley1]

Not a bad idea at all, Hadn't considered that! Now to try to figure out a price for a wrap..

[79 Camaro]

Not sure in regards to the bad clear but if understand right if the paint/clear isn't completely smooth a well done wrap will show all the bad stuff underneath. I would have a wrap company give it a look. I'd still be nervous if the clear is bad what else is bad.

[dhutton]

Not sure in regards to the bad clear but if understand right if the paint/clear isn't completely smooth a well done wrap will show all the bad stuff underneath. I would have a wrap company give it a look. I'd still be nervous if the clear is bad what else is bad.

X2 I think that will map through the wrap. The car is radioactive as far as I’m concerned. I wouldn’t touch it for that price….

Don

[65 drop top]

Just to be clear, that car has serious paint issues, and my suggestion of a wrap is just a band aid. A quality wrap job would definitely require some prep work on the car the OP is looking at. I just thought it was a possible option, it allows him to get into a running, driving car within his price range. Then he has a couple years to save up for a full on paint job. Maybe not a plan for everyone, but at least he’d own a car now. That being said, I also agree that 30k seems way high just based on what we can see in the pictures.

[joeko23]

Also, the prices of doing a full wrap have gone up tremendously, most likely due to its popularity. My friends have gotten quotes of $10k to do a full wrap with quotes of around 3k for just front fenders and hood. For $10k I think you can get a really nice driver quality paint job when cut and buffed will look fantastic and will last way more than 3-4 years (what a wrap typically lasts).

Larger issue is like what everyone said, if there’s a ton of filler on the car to perfect gaps and body lines, when stripped you might need panels replaced. Not sure if a mustang has rear quarter vent covers but if it does you can ask to take them off and shine a flashlight. I’ve seen so many Camaros with buggers of bondo coming out because the panel was drilled pulled then bondoed.

[79 Camaro]

I hate to be a debby downer but it's a coupe not a fastback. Nothing against coupes but they just don't bring the money like a fastback does.
If the OP could give us more details on the rest of the car build. Maybe he/she can get some build pics? It may have some great stuff under the hood or suspension wise.
I know I may get flamed for this but if the body is sound and with a solid sanding and a trip to Macco it could be a great car at a reasonable price.

[HotRod47]

Looking at the pictures..... my guess is they used a cheap clear and its failing. From what I can see it is only failing on top surfaces, this is indicative of UV breakdown where the sun and UV hits top surfaces more than the sides. The most expensive component in a gallon of clear is the UV screener. You can't go from a $300 gallon of clear to $100 and have the same quality properties. The first thing most paint companies drop the levels of to save $$ is the UV protection. I see this all the time. I get it, paint is expensive now a days. But with all the money being spent on these cars what's another couple hundred dollars?

The other potential cause is that they Did in fact use good clear but then sanded and buffed it to death and didn't;t leave sufficient mil thickness for UV protection. If that's the cause the same thing happens, UV failure.

Good looking car. But that's a can of worms you may want to avoid for that price tag.