How much does a complete repaint actually diminish the value of a car?

[FLATOUT]

I think any prefix multi stage work is wroth it, and is great work. But if you are simply changing to a standard color or stripe combo prefix is certainly not any better than another top notch painter.

I think someone above though hit the nail on the head, document the process. People are always afraid of something being hidden or done to cover something up. One of the reason I like to document my install work is so other members can see the quality, care, and time I spend on all of the little details that most shops don't have the time to address. Same thing would go with paint work I would think.

Andy

[Policy Limits]

Another practical consideration: what, if any, steps need to be taken with the Department of Motor Vehicles in terms of Title and Registration of a car that completely changes color?

I'd bet the laws might differ from State to State.

[VYPR BYT]

The answer to your question breaks down like this;

1) If your drive the car and enjoy it frequently... paint it. The future buyer in that particular market will not mind if it looks great and unique.

2) If you own a garage queen... don't paint it. That is a different type of buyer looking at it when the day comes should you want to sell.

Mike

[FLATOUT]

Thats not a bad way to look at it VYPR BYT. If I had a special edition car i.e. VooDoo or 1:33 I wouldn't touch it but standard base color cars wouldn't bother me especially if it was upgraded to something unique like a three stage snake skin green, or a balloon white.

[05Commemorative]

I think of it two ways.

1) If you plan to keep it for a long time, do what you want with it and don't worry about the value.

2) If you do plan to sell, plan to take a major hit on it. I for one would not be interested in it (regardless of color or quality or documentation) and would always prefer the factory job. Maybe just me. I think you would have to find someone who was equally interested in the color you chose. If you chose a factory color, the buyer would look for one that was originally the factory color. If you chose a custom color, then you are looking for a buy that would equally appreciate that factory color - ie, small audience.

[ViperSmith]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I am tossing around the idea of satin - of which I'd have prefix do - but I am not married to prefix if I just want a crusher orange. For what they charge, I could easily just trade in for a TA at this point I'd assume.

The hardest part will be finding a good shop to do it locally, but I haven't ruled out Prefix, though as stated they will be much more expensive.

[FLATOUT]

One thing to think about is a lot of members add aftermarket hoods, aero, and other parts that are painted by independent shops as well.

I do think if you go too outside the box you will simply cut down on potential future demand. Mines GTS Blue with White stripes so it doesn't get much more Viper than that.

[XSnake]

wrap it

[plumcrazy]

i agree with mitch, there are as good or better options for paint jobs for a lot less money

[Newport Viper]

Another practical consideration: what, if any, steps need to be taken with the Department of Motor Vehicles in terms of Title and Registration of a car that completely changes color?

I'd bet the laws might differ from State to State.

Whoa! Love the deep thought on that this one. I wonder too!

[VRYALT3R3D]

Do you plan on keeping the Viper for a long time? If yes, it doesn't matter.

[commandomatt]

Repaint the damage area on your car

Trade the car in for a TA since that Orange is what you are after

Yes, you will loose some on the trade in but you would also loose some on the paint job. It may be about even in this regard. You will get the color and a car that is even better than what you currently have

I think one if the biggest issues with having a car painted when all the panels are removed is how well the painter re-installs them. Paint may be great but you may created a rattle box. This would be one of the reasons I would use a company like Prefix since they have done so many Vipers, they certainly know how to assemble them again. In other words, I think you have to look at more than just the ability to create a nice finish.

Matt

[TowDawg]

With the work I've done on my car (and general curiosity), I've had every body panel (expect the doors) off the car at least once. That's the beauty of these of these cars. They're so simple to work on that someone with patience and even a small amount of mechanical ability can take them apart and put them back together. If the bodyshop is good enough to do a high-end paint job, they can certainly handle removing the panels and putting them back on.
Hell, they should even be able to improve on the panel gaps from the factory! lol

[SNKEBIT]

With the work I've done on my car (and general curiosity), I've had every body panel (expect the doors) off the car at least once. That's the beauty of these of these cars. They're so simple to work on that someone with patience and even a small amount of mechanical ability can take them apart and put them back together. If the bodyshop is good enough to do a high-end paint job, they can certainly handle removing the panels and putting them back on.
Hell, they should even be able to improve on the panel gaps from the factory! lol

^^^^^^ THIS!!!!!!^^^^^^^

The really nice paint job doesn't look too good if you don't put the car back together properly. We often put them back together better than the factory did. But nobody ever notices that because they didn't notice the crappy fitment from the factory.... or the crappy factory paint job.
Vipers are easy to work on compared to most of the foreign cars out there, and some American made. We have done many.....