i have a couple pretty large cracks in my paint, and i was planning on getting a paint job. So i was wandering if i just grind em out, or what is the typical procedure for this?

If the cracks are large, make sure that they are just in the paint and not because of a problem in underlying body putty from a previous repair.

If the cracks are just in the paint, then sanding them out is a good idea so they don't propagate through the new paint. You'll need to spend a bit of time with primer-surfacer and wet block sanding after your done to make sure the surface is absolutely smooth and feathered into the surrounding finish. Waves in a new paint job shout "amateur" to the world. Even slight irregularities in the sanding job will show up big time in the new finish.

where are the cracks?

one is on the rear end by the trunk (but not on it) and i have 3 on my roof

check for bondo under paint. if there's a lot of bondo consider replacing the panel.

listen to dan.

Can the rear panels be replaced???

Yes but ts not a bolt on thing and really shouldnt be attempted by someone that has no body work experience.

Check my cardomain site to see one I replaced. I have done 3 on 3rd gens btw. One pass. and 2 drivers.

technically every panel can be replaced.

depends on how much work u want to put into a car that's over 10 yrs old.

basically just to cut the qtr panel out and replacing it runs about 1K. add a few more hundred to paint it and etc.

it's an old car...ask yourself...is it really worth the trouble?