Howdy! I was actually referred to this site in regards to two questions I have about my vehicles.
A little about myself: I'm 22 years old, married 1 year as of May 23rd to my wonderful wife, and own three vehicles - a 1990 Nissan Pathfinder VG30E 3.0L V6 engine on a WD21 Frame/Body with the Sport Package (suffering from moderate body rust due to 20 years in the salt belt of PA), a 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo with the Luxury package (currently suffering from a dying charging system, which I have yet to troubleshoot), and a 2001 Subaru Legacy GT Limited with Luxury Package (bought second hand on a steal with all the paperwork and a warranty no less).
I'm currently a Business Major at Harrisburg Area Community College though I intend to move into Computer Information Systems and/or Robotics and Cybernetic research/Nanotechnology when the chance arises. We're living on a rather meager budget so a lot of my plans are just that -plans that will be put into motion later on as our financial situation improves.
On to the car questions
My wife has a white 2001 Subaru Legacy GT Limited with minor body damage (a few dings from shopping carts or what not and a long scratch in a bit of vinyl trim) as well as a some paint damage (a few chips and such). I've been toying with the idea of getting it professionally detailed including a color change to a bright silver (silver is her favorite color) but I'm reading that shops like MAACO should be avoided like the plague due to shoddy work.
I was curious what would be good shops for small dent repairs and repaints. Failing the repaint (since I've seen some places they could run over 5K, which I simply don't have atm) how much should I expect to pay for the mild repair work + a good touchup, clearcoat refinish, and detail?
Secondly, I have a 1990 Nissan Pathfinder with a "factory custom" paint and decal job (it was supposedly one of two vehicles built for the CEO of Nissan back in 1990 - I can't confirm or deny that except the fact that the pain job and decals were factory standard and I've NEVER seen them on another vehicle ever... and they are beautiful).
Sadly, after 20 years in the Nor-East PA salt belt, the body has some serious rust issues. I'm fixing do repair them myself where I can, and get them done professionally where I can't (like in the door areas where the shape is something I don't think I could match myself). What would be a good body shop to go to that isn't going to jam a poll up my arse and beat me like a pinata till all my money falls out Lol.
Would it be remotely possible for me to do a good paint/clearcoat job on the truck myself? Or is that a pipe dream for someone who's never even used a can of spray paint before.
A little about myself: I'm 22 years old, married 1 year as of May 23rd to my wonderful wife, and own three vehicles - a 1990 Nissan Pathfinder VG30E 3.0L V6 engine on a WD21 Frame/Body with the Sport Package (suffering from moderate body rust due to 20 years in the salt belt of PA), a 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo with the Luxury package (currently suffering from a dying charging system, which I have yet to troubleshoot), and a 2001 Subaru Legacy GT Limited with Luxury Package (bought second hand on a steal with all the paperwork and a warranty no less).
I'm currently a Business Major at Harrisburg Area Community College though I intend to move into Computer Information Systems and/or Robotics and Cybernetic research/Nanotechnology when the chance arises. We're living on a rather meager budget so a lot of my plans are just that -plans that will be put into motion later on as our financial situation improves.
On to the car questions
My wife has a white 2001 Subaru Legacy GT Limited with minor body damage (a few dings from shopping carts or what not and a long scratch in a bit of vinyl trim) as well as a some paint damage (a few chips and such). I've been toying with the idea of getting it professionally detailed including a color change to a bright silver (silver is her favorite color) but I'm reading that shops like MAACO should be avoided like the plague due to shoddy work.
I was curious what would be good shops for small dent repairs and repaints. Failing the repaint (since I've seen some places they could run over 5K, which I simply don't have atm) how much should I expect to pay for the mild repair work + a good touchup, clearcoat refinish, and detail?
Secondly, I have a 1990 Nissan Pathfinder with a "factory custom" paint and decal job (it was supposedly one of two vehicles built for the CEO of Nissan back in 1990 - I can't confirm or deny that except the fact that the pain job and decals were factory standard and I've NEVER seen them on another vehicle ever... and they are beautiful).
Sadly, after 20 years in the Nor-East PA salt belt, the body has some serious rust issues. I'm fixing do repair them myself where I can, and get them done professionally where I can't (like in the door areas where the shape is something I don't think I could match myself). What would be a good body shop to go to that isn't going to jam a poll up my arse and beat me like a pinata till all my money falls out Lol.
Would it be remotely possible for me to do a good paint/clearcoat job on the truck myself? Or is that a pipe dream for someone who's never even used a can of spray paint before.