"Track Car" paint question

"Poor_Sh" (ar4x) 08/25/2020 at 11:30 • Filed to: None

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Ok, I’ve been interested in hearing opinions on this for a while, but I’m in sort of an odd situation with my Cayman.

BACKGROUND: I have a 2014 Cayman S that I originally bought as my only car: daily driver, road trips, winter, autocross. Well, I started doing track days last year, and therefore I have different tires and brakes and brake fluid and even a tune and exhaust now. It’s still entirely daily-driveable (other than the SQUEAKING BRAKE PADS though only in for track season) and since it was the only car I had, I have a set of winter tires on 4 wheels. It’s modern with ABS, and TC, and safety weight/design/materials etc etc but, I have a 99 Miata now for my daily driving fun and light cruising. It’s a weird fleet to be sure. An expensive car to flog on the track and drive in the rain and snow and thousands of miles, and a cheapo car to drive to work and around town.

MAIN TOPIC SETUP: I’m obviously dumb and paying a ton of money financing this Cayman, I get it. However, I plan to keep it a LONG LONG time and have it eventually be a track-only car or similar. So I’m going to keep modding it, I’m going to keep driving it harder and faster and behind other cars with slick tires driving hard and fast. I’m absolutely comfortable with this car never again looking pristine, but I do still like it to be aesthetically pleasing from like 10 feet away.

QUESTION: When and how should I attend to the exterior aesthetics?

It has clear wrap on the entire front end and the side mirrors, but I imagine it’s been on all 6 years of the car’s life so it is old, and there are tons of scratches through it from rocks and such at 100+ mph. There’s other scratches, and chips, etc all over the car if you look really closely so a wrap would need paint/body fixing first anyway. So, should I just wait until I can’t stand the sight of it anymore and then get it fully repaired and clear wrap replaced? (large one time cost) Should I just get a cheap MAACO style paint job every couple of years just to keep it somewhat acceptable and protected? (medium cost a few times) Should I just replace the worst exterior parts piece meal? (moderate cost with possibly mismatched paint shades). No matter what, should I replace the clear wrap or just let it be shit?

Or send it and just rattle can? I mean it will be a track-only car but I still have like 2.5 years of payments (lol) and if it was in good aesthetic condition it would be worth a lot lot more in case, for some reason, I decide to get rid of it eventually....

Some track video for fun:

My personal best!

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Poor_Sh 08/25/2020 at 11:39

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Race cars are show cars. Leave it be.

Don’t hit Maaco. If anything, just replace the clear film as it wears/breaks.

Nick Has an Exocet > Poor_Sh 08/25/2020 at 11:46

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I would keep replacing the clear film and call it a day.

Poor_Sh > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 08/25/2020 at 11:53

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Even if it’s not just scratches and stuff? I feel like it won’t be a “10 foot car” anymore in a year or so.

Milky > Poor_Sh 08/25/2020 at 11:55

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I’d just keep replacing the clear film. TBH wish I got some on my car when I got it.

Also adding that my new to me, correct color bumper, doesn’ t really match. In bright sun its kid of disappointing. My car is “ only” a 2016 but the new  bumper’s paint is noticeably better.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Poor_Sh 08/25/2020 at 11:55

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I’ve come to terms with all of the rock chips on my M3.

I’m not happy they’re there, but they are evidence of a life well-lived.

Luckily, my car is silver...

Poor_Sh > Nick Has an Exocet 08/25/2020 at 11:55

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But the clear film has been ripped through by some rocks and such so if I replace it, it will be going over damaged bumper and therefore won’t the film rip?

I think if I’m going to replace the film I have to get the stuff underneath corrected too.

VincentMalamute-Kim > Poor_Sh 08/25/2020 at 11:56

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Background Set and Main Topic describes me. I bought an expensive car (00 Audi S4) new, then found out about track days and kept modding with the intention of keeping it a long time. I have three sets of wheels; summer, winter, track.

But you bought a car that’s appropriate for track use. Leave the paint and clear film alone. At the most, replace the clear film. Do a quality repaint when you retire it from the track.

Definitely don’t go anywhere near the cheap options . Or replace the front fenders, hood, bumper cover with carbon for track use and store the OEM parts.

Poor_Sh > Milky 08/25/2020 at 11:57

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Yeah I guess I don’t really care about how “new” it all looks, but I don’t want it to look like garbage either.

i86hotdogs > Poor_Sh 08/25/2020 at 11:57

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Easy fix: cover every ding and scratch with a sticker or decal. You’ll have a nascar liveried Porsche by the time you pay it off!

Poor_Sh > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 08/25/2020 at 11:58

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I’m fine with rock chips in general, but larger scrapes and paint flaking off in large pieces will be hard to see all the time.

Poor_Sh > VincentMalamute-Kim 08/25/2020 at 12:00

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I should touch up the paint though right to help the car last longer right? Corrosion and all that.

Poor_Sh > i86hotdogs 08/25/2020 at 12:04

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I’ve been using racers tape lol

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Poor_Sh 08/25/2020 at 12:07

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They’re battle scars. The more wear and tear the car has, the better it is. You’re using the car how it was meant to be used.

i86hotdogs > Poor_Sh 08/25/2020 at 12:14

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Now imagine if that tape said “SUMMIT RACING”

VincentMalamute-Kim > Poor_Sh 08/25/2020 at 12:15

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Absolutely. All the paint damage and touchup isn’t going to look good.  It’ll look like a track car.

Poor_Sh > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 08/25/2020 at 12:15

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True, it really is just me worrying about how other people will judge my car. I don’t really care but sometimes I just don’t want to explain it.

Poor_Sh > i86hotdogs 08/25/2020 at 12:17

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Isn’t that sorta like fake sponsorship? Idk I’ve never liked when owners have the shopping lists on their cars.

Jim Spanfeller > Poor_Sh 08/25/2020 at 12:28

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No, it’s just advertising the brands that made the parts you use on your car. It’s like sponsorship, except you don’t get paid. That’s why so many performance part brands include stickers when you buy something. They want you to put it on your car for the free advertising.

Nick Has an Exocet > Poor_Sh 08/25/2020 at 12:40

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I would consult a shop about that. I imagine that you’re going to rip through the film again and paint is pricey .

i86hotdogs > Poor_Sh 08/25/2020 at 12:54

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You’d hate what I done to the back of my van then

Poor_Sh > Jim Spanfeller 08/25/2020 at 12:56

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Yeah I get that, some people really don't like that though. I haven't decided which side of the fence I'm on though

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Poor_Sh 08/25/2020 at 12:56

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Yup. I have a good sized chip/flake gone from well up on my hood.

Mine looks pretty good from 20 feet. LOL

Poor_Sh > i86hotdogs 08/25/2020 at 12:58

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Not the same thing. You're clearly not trying to brag about it, that's your personality showing! Love it

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Poor_Sh 08/25/2020 at 13:07

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“oh, it looks like that because it’s a racecar”

Jim Spanfeller > Poor_Sh 08/25/2020 at 13:12

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I can go either way depending on the car. Sometimes, when used in moderation, sponsorship stickers can make a racing livery look even better. But there are plenty of race cars out there where I think the sponsorship stickers make the design look too cluttered and ugly, and mess up the lines of the car, like on every NASCAR ever.

Poor_Sh > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 08/25/2020 at 13:12

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Yeah I guess it's hard to be confident saying that while still daily driving it occasionally and trying to keep it street "legal" lol

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Poor_Sh 08/25/2020 at 13:15

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If you can convince Hyundai to sell you one, you can 100% daily drive this and it will be 100% legal. A track rat Cayman will be fine.

Poor_Sh > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 08/25/2020 at 13:21

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I can already drive my friend’s N lol can I get a Cayman GT4 Cup street legal?

nermal > Poor_Sh 08/25/2020 at 13:34

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Don’t take something on a track until you accept that you may see it end up as a flaming pile of rubble that is thrown in a dumpster after the flames are extinguished. Even if you still have a loan on it.

For the paint, what is your long term plan? If you’re just gonna beat on it, then beat on it and don’t worry what it looks like . If you want to keep it nice, get it professionally detailed occasionally and touched up.

Poor_Sh > nermal 08/25/2020 at 13:45

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I’m fine with it burning down, it's the in between ok and awful that just hurts to look at lol but really what I'm worried about is longevity. I want to love this car forever so I don't want to lose it to rust or disinterest if it looks more like garbage than track scarred. 

Arrivederci > Poor_Sh 08/25/2020 at 13:57

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Aren’t the fenders and hood aluminum?

Arrivederci > Poor_Sh 08/25/2020 at 13:59

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I think I would just budget to replace the clear bra every couple years.  Might be worth investigating to see if someone makes a heavier duty variety.

Poor_Sh > Arrivederci 08/25/2020 at 14:01

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Yes why? Aluminum corrodes too... but also other parts aren't

WRXforScience > Poor_Sh 08/25/2020 at 14:25

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I change my oil more often than I wash my car. I f you’re going fast enough, anything looks clean enough.

Poor_Sh > WRXforScience 08/25/2020 at 14:39

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Do you also use that car for your other non-track activities?

WRXforScience > Poor_Sh 08/25/2020 at 14:41

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Yes, bought my BRZ new in 2014 and its my one and only vehicle. 32 trackdays and 12 autox events last year and I might match that this year even with the pandemic.

WRXforScience > Poor_Sh 08/25/2020 at 14:44

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If I were you, I’d put a wrap or film coating on the car and drive it with abandon (really, I’d just drive it and repaint it later since no matter how you try to preserve it the car will earn battle scars at the track).

nermal > Poor_Sh 08/25/2020 at 14:45

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Makes sense to stick to regular washing / waxing / removing 100mph bug splatters then . Get one of those touch up paint pens to fix rock chips, and don’t worry about it otherwise . Spend money on tires & brakes and other maintenance.

Then don’t drive it on salted roads in the winter. Also don’t crash. 

Poor_Sh > WRXforScience 08/25/2020 at 14:53

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Well maybe I didn’t explain it well enough, that’s what I’m currently doing. Just driving without worry and I’m fine with the battle scars. I’m more wondering at what point do I repaint it, and when I do should I just go cheap or like a full restoration?

Essentially I imagine that at some point all the little damage will add up to make sense for a full repaint. 

Poor_Sh > nermal 08/25/2020 at 14:55

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I've used my Dr Colorchip to touch up a bunch already, so that's a good idea you and others have to just replace the film. Winter, I don't ever really NEED to drive in salt, but it's the safest car I have for bad weather so I'd rather just wash it later since I have that option now

WRXforScience > Poor_Sh 08/25/2020 at 17:36

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Yeah, find somebody who does paint and make a friend. The alternative is do a wrap once ever 5 years or so.

Poor_Sh > WRXforScience 08/25/2020 at 17:39

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If I did a wrap, I'd have to fix the major chips first, so should I get them smoothed out but not repainted just so I can get a good wrap each time? 

WRXforScience > Poor_Sh 08/25/2020 at 18:32

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You can wrap over chips, it doesn’t “fix” them but they’re much harder to notice (especially if you get a wrap with like a digital camo or other pattern).

Poor_Sh > WRXforScience 08/25/2020 at 18:54

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Oh I thought the chip would be abrasive and ruin the wrap by cutting through it? 

bmil128 > Poor_Sh 08/25/2020 at 19:13

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As others have said, re-doing film or polish/paint correction but don’t bother with a respray or cheap respray unless you get real damage. My 987S hood is bent and scratched and I’m only getting it re-done. The bumper still has film but holes drilled where prior plate holder was; I’m on the fence about getting it re-done as well, but it is my weekend/autocross/track toy and not a concours queen, so I plan to keep it presentable but not a 100 point showcar.

MM54 > Poor_Sh 08/25/2020 at 20:07

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A bad/cheap paint job is worse than a beat up OEM one. Either keep up with the film (if there is damage through it, probably get some touchups) or just let it go.