I spotted a car for sale just now that claims it's in need of a respray. It's already been rubbed down but just needs the respray. I'm not seriously interested, but it got me wondering about repainting...
Resprays seem to cost $$$, mainly for the faff of masking off everything. Is it feasible to paint it by hand in some other finish, say Hammerite, or would that not prevent corrosion? Is that likely to key to existing (rubbed down) paint? Let's assume we're not too fussed by how it looks (perhaps black is a better coverer of sins in this respect?).
Does a repaint count as a 'modification' for insurance purposes? I assume if it's repainted in something like the original colour then the DVLA doesn't need to be informed, but they obviously would if the colour changed. What if it's painted in something that's not a uniform colour (such as the 'flower power' VW Camper designs around, that sort of thing)? Presumably it's only the base colour that counts for the DVLA?
Does the (lack of) paint finish have any bearing on an MOT?
Thanks Theo