I'm currently planning the refurbish of my Tiger.

The questions is do I replace the wings (front and rear) with new or have them painted?
I'm planning on keeping them black regardless so new items will come as black and thus ready to fit.

I'm yet to source quotes, as obviously cost will come into it but has anyone got experience of a new panel vs freshly painted?

Myself I'd go for new wings over painted. As you say buying them black and ready to fit makes it easier and quicker (less time off the road). If you get them painted you'll be worried about damaging the finish with them re-fitted.

might be worth using wrap instead of paint.

I would paint them. Do you throw your pots and pans away after you use them or do you wash up?

New and keep olds a spare.

No fixing holes to drill if you paint the old ones.

Paul G

So I've managed to split opinions!

My main thoughts are on longevity, Will a painted panel look better for longer as the paint is more resilient to marks etc, or is it likely that due to it going to the edge of the panel it may actually be worse and chip.

I'm not really fussed about time off the road or wasting parts as anything that is not used will be sold on or spares.

Nose and Front wings were painted Black on mine and never chipped, But to be fair they were painted in 2 pack

After damaging and repairing my nosecone I had it resprayed in 2-pack by a local car sprayer. He did a very nice job - better than I could have ever managed - and it cost far less than I expected. I'd left it with him as a "do it when you have a spare moment between jobs" which lowered the cost a fair bit, and I got the nose back within a few days.

I did all the preparation - fixing the damage, filling and smoothing the surface down as far as 1200 grit wet and dry, so that all he had to do is the paint job.

The only thing to remember is to emphasise that the sprayer should be careful with the heated radiant paint dryer - to use it as little as possible, or not at all.

[Edited on 11/10/16 by David Jenkins]

So, for the gents who have experienced both, do you think the finish on paint was better?

I'd get prices for all the options and then go from there

They all have their merits

I was initially concerned about the 2 pack as the nose and arches were a different colour beforehand but they didn't chip so all was well
It really does depend on the standard of prep and spraying though..

If your arches/ wings dont have any damage and or stress cracks compare a 2k paint job against replacement grp. Im a specialist grp manufacturer mainly automotive/marine. I paint all my own panels in acrylic or 2 pack

[Edited on 15/10/16 by Hugh Paterson]

So, I've decided to replace.

Had a good look at rear wings and there is quite a few deep chips to the bottom leading edge, stress cracks on the sides and various other issues.