2001 qx4 163K new purchase questions

[hsmcdonald]

Hi All,

Just picked up a 2001 QX4 163K miles. Immaculate interior, just slight cosmetic issues on the outside, no dings or dents..

I had some questions Id love some feedback on

1) The hood cover paint is faded from the rest of the paint - not sure if you can see from the curb close up. Im wondering where do I start on getting this addressed. Not sure if is a pure clear coat issue or if it may require repaint? Is this something I can go to a auto body shop to check out or is it for a detail shop?

2) I would eventually like to repaint to pure black. Where does one go to get a 'professional' repaint (not Maaco) - again is this an auto body job or should i be looking for a specific paint shop.

3) Is there a recommended source for touchup paint?

4) Recommended product for me to restore the black to the trim, etc which is faded?

5) Suspension feels a bit 'loose' - assumed normal for the miles (163K) - is there something suspension related I can have replaced if its never been done to date?

Thanks in advance! Look forward to hanging out at nico!

[Pathy415]

If you're going to repaint the car black I wouldn't even bother fixing the hood since you're going to do the whole car regardless.

I believe most body shops do the prep and paint work so a good reputable shop should get the job done.

Touch-up paint- dealer or pep boys, autozone, Oreily's etc..

Black Trim, weatherstripping, tires use this http://www.303products.com/shop303/inde ... ectant.cfm

for suspension check shocks and bushings.

[SBK03SE]

What pathy415 essentially said.

Touch-Up Paint : http://www.automotivetouchup.com

I got one aerosol can and it matched perfectly, make sure you get clear coat to go over it!

[carnal_c30]

if you are going to do a full color change it all depends on how far you want to go

Paint Quality
Door Jams?
Engine Bay?
Under Hood?

as far as the suspension, I would have all the bushings inspected, shocks, struts, and the mounts. Plenty can get loose in 163k miles and the trucks are solid enough that 163k miles it may even have the original shocks on it (mine does and they're still good)

[hsmcdonald]

Thanks for all the quick responses! Ill check out the touch up paint. Save up for a quality paint job down the line. How much should I expect got good quality - including door jams, but not the engine bay/under hood?

[Pathfound49]

If you wanna do some work on that hood until your paint job. Try Meguiars scratch-X. That stuff removes tons of oxidation. Follow it up with a good carnuba wax and it will look much better till you save enough money for the paint job.

[sroberts]

Re the black plastic trim - 303 is good stuff but peanut butter works really well. Google it.