How important is correct paint code?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 570
Likes: 7
From: Colleyville TX
St. Jude Donor '09
How important is correct paint code?
Not sure what to do?
I have a 64 with about a 8 to 10 year old restoration. When the previous owner did it he changed from silver blue with Navy blue interior (correct), to White with Red interior. I like both, the interior is at least a 8.5 to 9. The problem is the paint is at best a 6. I need to paint it, I wonder how much difference in value between having it correct and not. The engine is also matching #'s. If I paint it Silver blue then I have to immediately change the interior another 3k to 5k.
I have a 64 with about a 8 to 10 year old restoration. When the previous owner did it he changed from silver blue with Navy blue interior (correct), to White with Red interior. I like both, the interior is at least a 8.5 to 9. The problem is the paint is at best a 6. I need to paint it, I wonder how much difference in value between having it correct and not. The engine is also matching #'s. If I paint it Silver blue then I have to immediately change the interior another 3k to 5k.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,117
Likes: 19
From: Portlandia Oregon
Silver blue with a red interior would look nice. If you have no plan to sell then enjoy it how you want to. Do what you can to get the most utility. It is already not original, why worry now, unless you are planning an NCRS resto with purpose of selling.
oWEN
oWEN
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 596
Likes: 3
From: Felton Ca
Correct Paint
It really is your decision. Some people are overboard about paint code and trim. There will always be a buyer for your car regardless of the color. Set it up the way you want. When you sell let the next person worry about correctness of the car. I own a 58 that is Signet Red when I have it painted I may change the color. Greg
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,262
Likes: 39
From: Goldsboro NC
How important is trim tag? Depends on if your Vette is originally green!!!
Just kidding. If your red interior is nice and you don't want to change it, your options for paint are silver, white, red, and black, all popular colors. The important thing is what you like, not what the trim tag dictates. I had a red 69 convertible, the trim tag was for green. I bought it because it was a red 69 convertible. When I sold it, sold better because it was red, and not the correct green. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,397
Likes: 35
paint - anywhere from $4000 to $12,000 (depending on what's under the current paint - bondo?, accidents, etc.).
interior - to change the color: figure @ $3,500 in parts + labor if you can't do it yourself
-------------------------------------------------------------------
My car is Trophy Blue/Dark Blue
When I got it I planned on a repaint.
The interior code is for dark blue, but it had a black interior in it. The interior was pretty nice except for some worn carpet and seat covers. I changed the carpet and seat covers.
It just bugged me that it was black and not blue. I belong to NCRS, but have no desire to get the car judged.
This winter, I wanted to fix the driver side dash pad which had a crack. One thing let to another and next thing you know:
- the interior is gutted and I mean gutted
- all of the black things that I can sell are gone
- by March it will be done and correct dark blue
---------------------------------------------------------------
Final conclussion:
Do I have OCD - yes, but so do 50% of the people on CF
Will blue make me happier - yes
Cost effective - not an issue, no plans on selling the car now or in the future
interior - to change the color: figure @ $3,500 in parts + labor if you can't do it yourself
-------------------------------------------------------------------
My car is Trophy Blue/Dark Blue
When I got it I planned on a repaint.
The interior code is for dark blue, but it had a black interior in it. The interior was pretty nice except for some worn carpet and seat covers. I changed the carpet and seat covers.
It just bugged me that it was black and not blue. I belong to NCRS, but have no desire to get the car judged.
This winter, I wanted to fix the driver side dash pad which had a crack. One thing let to another and next thing you know:
- the interior is gutted and I mean gutted
- all of the black things that I can sell are gone
- by March it will be done and correct dark blue
---------------------------------------------------------------
Final conclussion:
Do I have OCD - yes, but so do 50% of the people on CF
Will blue make me happier - yes
Cost effective - not an issue, no plans on selling the car now or in the future
Last edited by crw41; Jan 6, 2007 at 12:52 PM.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 554
Likes: 0
From: ny
In the scheme of things changing the color of the interior is inexpensive. If you like silver blue then it's a nobrainer, paint it to match the tag. You won't regret it when you go to sell either. You can recoup some of the interior costs by selling the red stuff anyway.
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Brett Foote
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis Minnesota
If your spending over 3000 dollars for a paint job with less than 30 hours of labor your crazy. I see a lot of people being taken at the paint both. If you live in minneapolis area I have a guy that is unreal cheap and a true artist. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,397
Likes: 35
People have posted paint job costs from:
$2,500 to $20,000
Sometimes the issue is bodywork, other times it isn't
Figure (minimum):
disassembly and reassembly costs @ 20 hours @ $60/hours = $1,200 if you don't do it your elf
body work if needed = $1,000 to $3,000 depending what's needed (spider cracks, bondo, gaps)
paint supplies $1,000
labor to prep and paint $2,500
parts
Your up to $5,000+ pretty quick
$2,500 to $20,000
Sometimes the issue is bodywork, other times it isn't
Figure (minimum):
disassembly and reassembly costs @ 20 hours @ $60/hours = $1,200 if you don't do it your elf
body work if needed = $1,000 to $3,000 depending what's needed (spider cracks, bondo, gaps)
paint supplies $1,000
labor to prep and paint $2,500
parts
Your up to $5,000+ pretty quick
Last edited by crw41; Jan 7, 2007 at 07:41 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,977
Likes: 38
From: Massachusetts , USA,
Its your Corvette, accordingly paint it what color you like or " probably what your wife likes".............just my 2 cents ,my 66 is tripple black.........sweet color combo but very hard to keep perfect.........since you asked ill suggest Red ...again just my 2 cents..also drive & enjoy your machine life is short .remember its not a paintingt its a Corvette...........ramblings of the Dog "Semper Fi & woof"
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 489
Likes: 0
From: ormond beach florida
how much extra to change color ?
I have similar question. When repainting , how much extra to change color? I think that the amount will be small compared to value gained when matching color to trim tag. Does "resale red overcome mismatched color? 
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 570
Likes: 7
From: Colleyville TX
St. Jude Donor '09
Thats a good question but you also have to add the 3 to 5K for the new interior. You would have to be able to resale the vette for at least 5 to 6 k more with matching paint code, to even brake even.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,257
Likes: 6
From: Mission Viejo California
Trim tags are overrated.
Some original colors are plain ugly.
Other new colors have come out over the years that weren't available when our Corvettes were made.
Or we may just like a color from the same year that didn't come on our car.
I saw an all-original 1963 Z06 SWC sell at the B-J auction that was probably $50,000 too low because it was its original Saddle Tan (evidently never a favorite). I wonder how much more he would have got if he ignored the trim tag and painted it red or black?
Some original colors are plain ugly.
Other new colors have come out over the years that weren't available when our Corvettes were made.
Or we may just like a color from the same year that didn't come on our car.
I saw an all-original 1963 Z06 SWC sell at the B-J auction that was probably $50,000 too low because it was its original Saddle Tan (evidently never a favorite). I wonder how much more he would have got if he ignored the trim tag and painted it red or black?