Thinking about paying to get my car repainted--thoughts?--UPDATE-DONE!

[TVRodriguez]

I drive a 2008 Honda Odyssey (we've got three preteen kids).  It's got fewer than 90,000 miles on it, and I have no interest in giving it up and would prefer to drive it into the ground.  The paint on the roof has started to peel off just over the windshield.  I'm concerned that it may start to rust.  We have no garage (or carport), so we think that the strong sun (we're in South Florida) has affected the paint to the point of peeling.  I've seen sun damage on other cars driving around here, too.  I've heard that it affects white cars disproportionately, although I've not looked into it.  I'm considering having it repainted, but I balk at such an expense.  In the meantime, I'm nervous even about washing it, which is silly considering how much rain it gets exposed to (again, South Florida), so it's quite dirty lately.

Has anyone had their car repainted?  Thoughts?  Tips?  Ideas on cost?  Worth it?  If peeling paint is really that bad? 

Also, I have no clue what this would cost, but my imagination tells me that it would be $2,500 - $5,000.

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UPDATE:  Well, it's done!  My 8 year old and I worked on this together, which was fun, and he was quite a help up there on the roof of the van.  We cleaned it, scraped it, sanded it, masked off the area with painter's tape and paper, prepped it with alcohol, primed it, sanded and cleaned with alcohol again (a few times), painted it (a few coats), and sealed it.  It looks SO MUCH BETTER, and I am really pleased with the outcome.  No, it doesn't look factory new up close in some spots, but it really looks quite good, if I say so myself.  And a great use of a "no school" day yesterday.

Thanks to all who responded, especially @BECABECA for suggesting the Pep Boys spray paint route, because I had no idea that I would be able to make it look this good myself.  I thought for sure I was in for something like $1000-2000 minimum.  This way was $25 for the three cans (primer, paint, gloss/sealer).

FYI, Pep Boys' website product page for the Dupli-color paint actually had a short instructional video that was quite helpful, too.  DS and I watched that together, too.

[RWD]

Just the roof and you only care about rust prevention? Should be able to have that done for just a few hundred bucks. Though depending on how far gone it is (just clear coat or actual paint peeling?) it might be salvageable by a good detailer.

[BECABECA]

If you want to DIY, you can go to Pep Boys or similar place and buy a spray paint can of the exact color of your car (you give them your make, model, year, and they show you the 5 or so standard colors the car manufacturer used). Then you can just flake off any peeling paint and spray over it and it’ll basically be unnoticeable and protected against rust and all for less than $10.

[Dee18]

If you do get it done, I would pay to have it done professionally.

Actually, white paint lasts the longest.  My 2005  (bought in 2004) Honda (one state north of you) still looks fine.  I don’t know if that is from the difference in latitude (South Florida sun seems way stronger when I vacation there) or perhaps because I have washed and waxed it multiple times a year for all 15 years.

[MyAlterEgoIsTaller]

+/- 15 years ago I had a car over whose peeling paint I fretted.  It wasn't just the peeling, but the dent in one door that was starting to rust, and my general dislike of the color (dark, sparkly bluish green - like poisonous algae.) 
I got an estimate of $1300 to repaint the whole thing. 
I debated this in my head for weeks and months:  Could I live with a peely car? Was driving a happier color worth $1300? Would the car peel away to nothing but a pile of green dandruff if I didn't act?
Finally I went to a dealer and bought a tiny nail-polish-sized bottle of Poisonous Algae touch-up paint, and sanded and painted the door dent, which stopped the rust from advancing or at least stopped me from seeing it. The peeling continued.  I tolerated the car a couple more years, until it died of completely un-paint-related causes. 
In hindsight I have no regrets over saving $1300-minus-nail-polish-bottle. 

[Fishindude]

Paint and body work is routine upkeep if you keep a vehicle for any length of time.  In my opinion it is best to stay on top of this stuff and keep the vehicle in good condition.   Once you start disregarding the appearance, little dents and dings, etc. it becomes real easy to ignore all of the other maintenance.   Get it fixed if you're going to keep it.

[Bernard]

Painting the roof of that van should not cost more than $600 at Maaco.
Or just wipe the roof with an oily rag and leave it alone.

[TVRodriguez]

Just the roof and you only care about rust prevention? Should be able to have that done for just a few hundred bucks. Though depending on how far gone it is (just clear coat or actual paint peeling?) it might be salvageable by a good detailer.

Thanks, yep, just the roof.  I didn't realize that it was an option to just get the roof painted, tbh.

If you want to DIY, you can go to Pep Boys or similar place and buy a spray paint can of the exact color of your car (you give them your make, model, year, and they show you the 5 or so standard colors the car manufacturer used). Then you can just flake off any peeling paint and spray over it and it’ll basically be unnoticeable and protected against rust and all for less than $10.

This is a rather appealing option.  I may give this a try first and see if I can stretch it a bit longer before needing to go to a professional.

If you do get it done, I would pay to have it done professionally.

Actually, white paint lasts the longest.  My 2005  (bought in 2004) Honda (one state north of you) still looks fine.  I don’t know if that is from the difference in latitude (South Florida sun seems way stronger when I vacation there) or perhaps because I have washed and waxed it multiple times a year for all 15 years.

Interesting.  Not sure where I heard that about the white paint.  Either way, mine is peeling.

+/- 15 years ago I had a car over whose peeling paint I fretted.  It wasn't just the peeling, but the dent in one door that was starting to rust, and my general dislike of the color (dark, sparkly bluish green - like poisonous algae.) 
I got an estimate of $1300 to repaint the whole thing. 
I debated this in my head for weeks and months:  Could I live with a peely car? Was driving a happier color worth $1300? Would the car peel away to nothing but a pile of green dandruff if I didn't act?
Finally I went to a dealer and bought a tiny nail-polish-sized bottle of Poisonous Algae touch-up paint, and sanded and painted the door dent, which stopped the rust from advancing or at least stopped me from seeing it. The peeling continued.  I tolerated the car a couple more years, until it died of completely un-paint-related causes. 
In hindsight I have no regrets over saving $1300-minus-nail-polish-bottle. 

I can relate to this story (lol at the poisonous algae).  I never loved the white color of our van...we got it used and that was the color it was.  But like you, I think I might try the sand-and-paint-the-spot treatment first.

Paint and body work is routine upkeep if you keep a vehicle for any length of time.  In my opinion it is best to stay on top of this stuff and keep the vehicle in good condition.   Once you start disregarding the appearance, little dents and dings, etc. it becomes real easy to ignore all of the other maintenance.   Get it fixed if you're going to keep it.

We definitely are going to keep it.  I never thought of paint or body work as "routine upkeep" though--more of an "as needed" type of thing.  But it's needed now.  I'm the type to ignore little dents and dings--there are other spots that have dents and dings--it's only the peeling paint that bothers me.

Painting the roof of that van should not cost more than $600 at Maaco.
Or just wipe the roof with an oily rag and leave it alone.

Love the pic.  "Uh-oh!  Better get Maaco!"

Thanks for all your responses.  Much appreciated.

[chemistk]

Yours is a fairly common issue with 3rd and 4th gen Odysseys with white paint. Honda refuses to acknowledge it.

Do a Google search, you'll find a surprising number of white vans with the same issue. When we were shopping for ours earlier this year, I'd say at least a dozen of the couple hundred listings I went through were white with peeling paint.

Here's just one example of many car complaint sites' listing for your gen van: https://www.carcomplaints.com/Honda/Odyssey/2008/body_paint/paint_bubbling_and_peeling_off.shtml

I'll bet that your roof looks exactly like poster #13.

The only thing you can and should do is have the roof repainted. It's a costly job but otherwise you're going to have rust issues and if you do indeed have a moonroof, will probably eventually lead to a gasket failure around the moonroof which means water inside the roof structure and eventually in the van.

[TVRodriguez]

Yours is a fairly common issue with 3rd and 4th gen Odysseys with white paint. Honda refuses to acknowledge it.

Do a Google search, you'll find a surprising number of white vans with the same issue. When we were shopping for ours earlier this year, I'd say at least a dozen of the couple hundred listings I went through were white with peeling paint.

Here's just one example of many car complaint sites' listing for your gen van: https://www.carcomplaints.com/Honda/Odyssey/2008/body_paint/paint_bubbling_and_peeling_off.shtml

I'll bet that your roof looks exactly like poster #13.

The only thing you can and should do is have the roof repainted. It's a costly job but otherwise you're going to have rust issues and if you do indeed have a moonroof, will probably eventually lead to a gasket failure around the moonroof which means water inside the roof structure and eventually in the van.

Yep, it's in the same spot as #13!  It's not that bad/big, but it's definitely unattractive.  Thanks for sharing this.

[Tester]

2009 white Honda Odyssey here.
In my case I scraped I (and bent some of the right hand side doors as I was not used with the size yet)t one week after buying it (in 2018).
Scrape/dent repair quote, 2300 USD. I had just bought the car for 9300 USD so I said thanks but no, thanks.
After 6 months bought touch up paint. After one year it started rusting so I finally applied the paint. I did not get to apply the clear coat yet, but I think the paint stopped the rust (I also used sandpaper to get the rust out).
Only spent 200 USD and I have a lot of extra paint/clear coat.

I would suggest you look up how to repair that and do it yourself.
Not hard, but don't do it in the garage... try to do it outside or be careful of the fumes :)

[PGSD]

As the paint/coating is peeling, proper prep work ($$$) would be needed so you didn't have the same issue in a few years. AND, if this is a known issue with that color Honda paint (as someone mentioned above) how long will it be until the hood starts peeling, or the bumpers? Meaning, if you start painting the roof and have to paint something else later, where does it end? Doing a cheap whole car paint job is an option but, it will only look good for a few years.

Personally, I'd probably leave it alone (other than sealing/stopping/slowing in the rust using spray can paint) and would spend the money on mechanical upkeep as needed. If someone whats to judge you by your car, well that's their issue :). Save your money.

[TVRodriguez]

2009 white Honda Odyssey here.
In my case I scraped I (and bent some of the right hand side doors as I was not used with the size yet)t one week after buying it (in 2018).
Scrape/dent repair quote, 2300 USD. I had just bought the car for 9300 USD so I said thanks but no, thanks.
After 6 months bought touch up paint. After one year it started rusting so I finally applied the paint. I did not get to apply the clear coat yet, but I think the paint stopped the rust (I also used sandpaper to get the rust out).
Only spent 200 USD and I have a lot of extra paint/clear coat.

I would suggest you look up how to repair that and do it yourself.
Not hard, but don't do it in the garage... try to do it outside or be careful of the fumes :)

Thanks--good to hear from someone else with experience.  I bought the spray paint this weekend (one can primer, one can white paint, one can clear coat).  I cleaned the car (with my 8 year old's enthusiastic help) and was working on the prep in my driveway when it started to rain.  So haven't gotten to the painting part yet, but it's in the works.

Personally, I'd probably leave it alone (other than sealing/stopping/slowing in the rust using spray can paint) and would spend the money on mechanical upkeep as needed. If someone whats to judge you by your car, well that's their issue :). Save your money.

Working on it!

[MilesTeg]

I drive a 2008 Honda Odyssey (we've got three preteen kids).  It's got fewer than 90,000 miles on it, and I have no interest in giving it up and would prefer to drive it into the ground.  The paint on the roof has started to peel off just over the windshield.  I'm concerned that it may start to rust.  We have no garage (or carport), so we think that the strong sun (we're in South Florida) has affected the paint to the point of peeling.  I've seen sun damage on other cars driving around here, too.  I've heard that it affects white cars disproportionately, although I've not looked into it.  I'm considering having it repainted, but I balk at such an expense.  In the meantime, I'm nervous even about washing it, which is silly considering how much rain it gets exposed to (again, South Florida), so it's quite dirty lately.

Has anyone had their car repainted?  Thoughts?  Tips?  Ideas on cost?  Worth it?  If peeling paint is really that bad? 

Also, I have no clue what this would cost, but my imagination tells me that it would be $2,500 - $5,000.

having just part of the roof repainted to prevent rust damage would not be that much ( a few hundred bucks) and would preserve the value of your trade-in IFF you are going to do that.

Repainting the entire car would be a really dumb thing. And I'm a car guy, hah.

In the future, wax your vehicle often. Wax is like sunscreen and helps prevent UV damage to paint. A good sealant wax will last 6 months and takes about 1 hr to apply.

[MilesTeg]

If you want to DIY, you can go to Pep Boys or similar place and buy a spray paint can of the exact color of your car (you give them your make, model, year, and they show you the 5 or so standard colors the car manufacturer used). Then you can just flake off any peeling paint and spray over it and it’ll basically be unnoticeable and protected against rust and all for less than $10.

Sorry, but this would just be $10 and effort wasted. You can certainly DIY, but you have to do real prep work (remove old paint, sand, prime paint, etc.) or the new paint won't last but a few months.

[TVRodriguez]

If you want to DIY, you can go to Pep Boys or similar place and buy a spray paint can of the exact color of your car (you give them your make, model, year, and they show you the 5 or so standard colors the car manufacturer used). Then you can just flake off any peeling paint and spray over it and it’ll basically be unnoticeable and protected against rust and all for less than $10.

UPDATE:  Well, it's done!  My 8 year old and I worked on this together, which was fun, and he was quite a help up there on the roof of the van.  We cleaned it, scraped it, sanded it, masked off the area with painter's tape and paper, prepped it with alcohol, primed it, sanded and cleaned with alcohol again (a few times), painted it (a few coats), and sealed it.  It looks SO MUCH BETTER, and I am really pleased with the outcome.  No, it doesn't look factory new up close in some spots, but it really looks quite good, if I say so myself.  And a great use of a "no school" day yesterday.

Thanks to all who responded, especially @BECABECA for suggesting the Pep Boys spray paint route, because I had no idea that I would be able to make it look this good myself.  I thought for sure I was in for something like $1000-2000 minimum.  This way was $25 for the three cans (primer, paint, gloss/sealer).

FYI, Pep Boys' website product page for the Dupli-color paint actually had a short instructional video that was quite helpful, too.  DS and I watched that together, too.

[BECABECA]

That’s awesome, thanks for your update! Sounds like you really did the prep and application right too. I did the primer and the paint but skipped the gloss sealer step 8 years back and it still looks okay. I expect your touch up will last longer than the rest of the roof!

[Tester]

Good job, I messed my sanding the primer step when I used the wrong sandpaper, had to rush it.
Still looks fine, although I did not apply the clearcoat, until now it looks fine.

Taking into consideration that the car is more than 10 years old I think self repairing these types of paint problems is much better than spending a ton on getting it professionally done.
If it would be a collector car then yes, but for a normal car that amount of money does not make sense to me.

Plus you learned some.new things and had fun with your son, wins all the way :-).