Getting 2002 Repainted...what would you get done?

[etk2002]

As the title of the thread suggests, what would you get done if you had an opportunity to get your 2002 stripped and repainted? I would like to do it RIGHT the first time around. What do you get taken off...especially if you're changing the color of the car?

Do you get POR-15 underneath? Do you get sound deadening underneath (it's getting a new carpet kit)? Take apart dash to paint underneath? Anything in particular you do different knowing what you know about 2002s now?

[eastsidebimmer]

Howdy! The very first thing I'd do is make the firm decision to paint it the same original color...unless...you plan to do a complete nut and bolt strip and build.

Once you have the car torn down you can isolate rust damage and form a plan to treat and fix it all.

At that time you may wish to improve sound and heat deadening, as well as treat all hidden cavites rails with an anti-corrosion spray like Eastwood Anti-rust or LPS-3. Por15 around the pedal box/accelerator pedal area can't hurt.

[etk2002]

Howdy! The very first thing I'd do is make the firm decision to paint it the same original color...unless...you plan to do a complete nut and bolt strip and build.

Once you have the car torn down you can isolate rust damage and form a plan to treat and fix it all.

At that time you may wish to improve sound and heat deadening, as well as treat all hidden cavites rails with an anti-corrosion spray like Eastwood Anti-rust or LPS-3. Por15 around the pedal box/accelerator pedal area can't hurt.

Thanks so much for the reply. Yes, it'll be getting a complete strip down since the body is in overall excellent shape. I just want to know what I should do while it's torn apart....basically, I want to know the items that I should take care of that I won't be able to take care of later on once things are put back together or may not be cost effective to do at a later point.

[Koblenz]

Roll the fenders IF you are thinking larger wheels.

[Rocan]

Replace all door and window seals. If you are replacing carpeting, I say do a COMPLETE interior strip, chip out the old sound deadening (freeze it first using dry ice then chip it off with a pneumatic hammer!), install new sound deadening (makes a massive difference in noise and heat insulation), new headliner (might as well if you have the windscreens out). Refurbish your trim, or do a trim delete; whatever you like. If you have to replace your heater core or anything thats a total PITA like that, do it now so that you dont have to worry about scratching your new paint.

Really just go from front to back and fix every single damn thing that you have been putting off. you'll find more problems that need addressing, and it may seem like a total pain at first, but the finished product will be far better.

If I had to choose the things that make biggest difference though, it is easily doing the seals and replacing the sound deadening. Those two transform the car for the better.

[kbken62]

I 2nd the sound deadening and new carpet install! I would say, when you think you have done enough, do more. I wish I would have put some foam under the carpet too to give it a more plush and even quieter interior. I have an S14 and 2.5" exhaust system that is a tad loud!

Take everything off, clean and dress every crevice with POR 15 or equivalent. Undercoat the body as well.

There was a great discussion at Mid-America about the rear wheel wells and how there is a hollow interior portion of the wheel wells and how to clean them out and rust proof them.

Good luck, it's a nice year project.

[willys]

There was a great discussion at Mid-America about the rear wheel wells and how there is a hollow interior portion of the wheel wells and how to clean them out and rust proof them..

please tell us more - is there an article you can reference?

thanks!

Jeff

[Scott Sislane]

There was a great discussion at Mid-America about the rear wheel wells and how there is a hollow interior portion of the wheel wells and how to clean them out and rust proof them.

yes, very interesting, please tell us more.

Scott