Paint options

So, I clearly have unreasonable expectations about my paint on my 15-year-old, mostly daily-driven, parked outside at work 996. I'm starting to lose some paint due to rock chips, and I also lost some paint along the back edge of the hood (the edge closest to the windshield. As far as I know, the paint is original, but it's certainly not perfect, and the longer I drive it, the worse it's going to get. Options include: 1) Live with it. This would let me start AXing again, which I quit once I sold the Boxster and got the 911 because I didn't want to wreck the paint. I'm drawn to this, as it would let me have even more fun in the car, and it would force me to quit agonizing about every chip and scratch. It's a GT3-look car, might as well give it the GT3 track rash. 2) Vinyl. I'm not a huge fan of wraps, but it would allow me to preserve the original paint for another year or two. I have touched up the chips to ensure that water doesn't intrude, but I would be a little worried about the idea of water getting trapped under the vinyl. I also kind of worry about how much damage removing the vinyl might do. 3) Full respray - at some point, since I plan to keep the car, this is in the cards. I might do it now, but I might also do #1 for a year or two and THEN go this route. So, those of you who actually drive your cars but try to keep them looking decent - what do you think?

#3 after a delay for #1

#4 as an alternative between #1 and #2 and easy to remove when your ready for #3? You Tube

I'm kind of mulling over the same issues. Vinyl wrap, partial re spray, full re spray out of the question but I have a Porter Cable orbital buffer and I've brought some pretty tired paint jobs back to life so in a week or two I plan to spend a couple days going over my 996 with the full line up of Menzerna products. 1.) Intensive polish 2.) Final polish 3.) Finishing Touch Glaze 4.) FMJ Sealant 5.) Carnuba Wax I already have all the products on hand, I just have to dedicate 6-10 hours to the process.

Quotes source post: 11597833

What was the hardest part of the learning process for that?

My paint has held up pretty well aside from a normal amount of rock chips on the front bumper cover. I think I will explore the plasti dip option next year though. I like the color options, protection and price point. Might figure out an interesting retro style look to try out.

Once I got a few scratches and a few DEs / track dayson the car, I quit agonizing over pristine appearance and I enjoy the car a lot more. Touch up is out, did bumper and 15 year paint cannot be matched. I want a full repaint but hate the thought of agonizing again. Plasti Dip is 5 foot away paint I've heard, but has appeal since I'm hankering for the "stealth" look at the moment. What to do!

I did the Dr. Colorchip treatment a few years ago. It held up for about 24 months to hide the chips. Pretty easy to do as well.

Quotes source post: 11597833

Dont forget the clay bar - makes a huge difference.