[anjan_c2007]

As a way out to duck the heat , you could repaint the hood, A, B and C pillars in a lighter shade. This will look like a two-tone finish. And the dents can all be normalised by a good denter-painter who dents and paints those patches. The next buyer if any can be told about this repaint job that had to be done owing to the Chennai heat.

As regards the RTO needing info about colour change it needs your cognisance and later RTO's only if the factory shade is mentioned in your RC card. Else most RTO's are not bothered about whether your car is black or white!

Am reminded of the Michael Jackson song "it don't matter if she's black or white". Goes like this :-

"I said if you're thinkin' of being my baby
It don't matter if you're black or white".

[dsr001]

Someone posted above that repainting might impact perceived value/condition of the car, in fact some members on forum said that about a new age startup that had a "paint booth"

Again, second GTO and other members' suggestion of getting it wrapped.

So, go for basic touch up on body (post denting) and then get it wrapped in some great shade!

[NB_4763]

Originally Posted by tud

We have a Hyundai Xcent AT SX (O), 2015 model. We bought it used in 2020 with 27k on the odometer. In the next three years, the car was used for 13k kms (due to the lockdown) and the odometer now stands at 40000 clicks.

We are very satisfied with this car and if I were to pick a bone with it, it would be the colour black. While it looks fabulous after a wash and wax, it's really hard to maintain it that way and not to mention how hot it becomes when seated inside a black colour car during the day in Chennai.

Now the car also has some nicks and dents that it picked up during these years which needs fixing. Along with fixing these dents, we were thinking of changing the car colour to a non-metallic grey which is the only colour we could come to a consensus at home The flashy ones like red doesn't seem to sit well on the sub 4m sedan. This is purely a decision by the heart and not sure if it makes sense to do this repaint and RTO endorsement with an eight year old car. We plan to retain the car for another 3-4 years at least as its a fuss free, easy to use car within the city.

Any advice or inputs to go for the new shade or ditch it and only fix the dents will be much appreciated.

Here is the car in its current avatar.

Attachment 2426980

Some RTOs may allow color change some may not. You must also ensure the color must be changed on the RC card. Even if you are ready to spend some time and go through the process it does not makes sense to change the color as -

- The car is 8 years old. OEM paint lasts for a long time [Except the white paint peeling on older Hyundai cars.]
- Wraps can be removed later when you change your mind.

[int3]

Suggest wrapping the car with the color of choice. It is a hassle trying to explain to buyers if you intend to sell the car in few years. There is always this assumption that changing colour implies some sort of accident.

[landcruiser123]

I'd say repainting is not worth the potential problems and risks in your case. I had an uncle repainted and changed the color of his Zen Estilo in 2013 after a minor accident, but there were multiple fit and finish issues in most parts.

For blocking the heat, try getting something like:
https://www.amazon.in/AmazonBasics-C.../dp/B074JJWHMM

[Drivaholic@2727]

For a car that you plan to replace the investment on it right now is worthless. Unless it is something necessary like tyres or something. Getting the car painted is ok but the RTO process is a hassle and eill consume a lot of your time. And if you do get the car painted the car wont have a factory like fit and finish job. If heat is the problem just get some sun shades to block the sunlight.

[rjcorona]

I would suggest you to get your roof wrapped in white vinyl. This way you will not have to get it endorsed from the RTO and get some benefits of less heat absorption through roof. Maruti Suzuki Ignis has similar white roof wrapping on their blue colour cars.

[D C]

Originally Posted by tud

Any advice or inputs to go for the new shade or ditch it and only fix the dents will be much appreciated.

Going by the pics, this Car do not need a full body repainting, unless you want to change color for any reason. Changing color involve removing panels, trims etc and these do not create any issues like rattling noises or impact on other functionalities, if done well at a reliable place.

Changing color do not invite any serious issues with RTO as long as the process is followed to get it updated in the RC. This is not a complicated process contrary to the popular notion.


However, going by your description, I think you can just fix those minor dents and scratches and get a full detailing, unless your heart is favoring a color change.

[Mortis]

If you do want to change the cars colour then you could change it to a different shade of your existing colour. I guess the cop wouldn't know the difference between "Nexa Blue" and "Cerulean Blue" or whatever. Just blue written on your RC would be noted

[pratap.pratu]

On the same topic, can anyone please tell me if it is illegal for me to re-paint my stock color from gray (per RC card) to Nardo gray on my car ? My understanding is that as long as it is gray, it should be fine right ?

[ruchirtnt]

I have a 2019 model Audi Q3 Missano red. I usually selll my car around 5 years (Which I believe are the best handsome years) and after that it certainly demands a makeover and overhaul. But this time, I have a change of heart to keep it from another 3- 5 years.

My Audi has got a dent in front and have many scratches around. I am planning to change the colour from Audi workshop to Mythos Black. I understand that I won't be able to have original robotics paint finish but the urge of giving it a makeover is high.
Does it really make much a difference during sale and we cannot convince the buyer that it is just a makeover and not any accident? Can we preserve a proof like Audi recommendation letter or something that this is just a cosmetic colour change?

[SriramEfunds]

Hello all,
Vehicle : 2019 Verna 1.6D (Titan Gray)
Odo: 47k done

It has accumulated some scratches on the doors, bumpers and fenders. I plan to keep this car for another 5 years for sure.

I was thinking of getting this fixed so I went to Hyundai Service body shop unit showed my car to get an idea. They showed their willingness to do the panel by panel painting. They recommended that I do all the panels and doors to give an uniform look. By this the cost calculation came up 40k+

Front bumper - scratch and left bottom has a damage by undulations.
Right driver door - scratch
Right rear quarter panel - scratch
Rear bumper - scratch
Left front passenger door - scratch
Left rear quarter panel - scratch

Visited couple of Hyundai service, first shed for a full car painting (exterior only) quoted 50k plus tax. The other Hyundai 60k.

Questions-
1. I was shown that Hyundai factory painting comes with base layer in black supposedly rust preventive coating. While repainting they going to scrape this coat and apply primer coat. Will this hold good for next 4-5 years from rusting?
2. Since I'm going to go with same color as today, is it going to be that easy to spot that the car was re-painted say after 4-5 years?
3. I'm thinking of requesting an additional layer of clear so that I'm inclined to do ceramic coating just to keep the gloss for some years. The standard is 2 layers of clear is what I was told.
4. Car has already been ceramic coated when it was bought. So if we doing a panel by panel painting, I believe it will look odd I think. Is it correct?