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I've been searching for shops the past year and I finally found a guy who's willing to touch my car. He quoted me 5k just to repair the fiberglass front with the headlights and etc and also paint match. For another 3k on top of the 5k he can repaint the whole car. He's the type who takes everything apart and do right. He's an old school guy who just happens to be all about C3 corvettes. Is 8k a fair deal to redo the whole car?
I hate to tell you, but his price is very very very Cheap. You would be wise to ask for phone numbers of previous Corvette Customers, and see what they have to say. Of course, you may have found someone who just enjoys doing Corvette body work. I have read on the Forum where the paint and associated items costs over $ 5 k. Did he give you details on how he will remove the old paint?
Educate yourself on paint, single or two stage, base coat, clear coat and the materials and process he follows. If he is simply going to sand and paint over the existing paint job that saves a whole lot of materials and labor. If it is decent already and the same color, you may be happy with that.
A family friend of mine is having his 60s power wagon done by him and he says he's impressed with the work he has done for him sofar. Because of him that's how I found out about him. Yes one thing I'm going to ask if it's going to be a 1 stage or 2 stage paint with clear coat. If I'm going to pay this much I have to know.
So.... That car undamaged is worth about 15K plus or minus some for condition... A good-(not excellent)- corvette paintjob runs about 10K, more in some areas and a little less in others, plus the collision damage... you are approaching the value of the vehicle.... If the guy is going to fix every thing to working condition and put down respectable paint-(better than spray and pray)- then go for it. If you are not satisfied when it's done it will at least be saleable...
A family friend of mine is having his 60s power wagon done by him and he says he's impressed with the work he has done for him sofar. Because of him that's how I found out about him. Yes one thing I'm going to ask if it's going to be a 1 stage or 2 stage paint with clear coat. If I'm going to pay this much I have to know.
The proper question is will it be single stage or Base Coat & Clear Coat (BC/CC), as for price sometimes we run into someone that's not trying to fund their retirement off a single job. Is $8K on the lower end of the 2023 going rate for a paint job, sure is but not unheard of. If other customers are satisfied with his work than roll the dice.
I'm one of those guys who paid big dollars in 2015 for minor glass work and paint and still have a red *** to this day over that, never again. If I needed a car painted today, I would sand and prep it myself in the driveway and take it to MACCO for a quick mow and a blow.
As a data point in 2008 I took my 65 that was completely stripped to bare fiberglass needing no repairs and got a BC/CC paint job for $8K, this was a de-chromed car and re-assembly was completed my me.
I'm about to get my car worked on in a few weeks but just to give you an idea I was quoted 5k to repair/repaint my front end only. But i'm going to go ahead and get the entire car redone. Repairing the minor dings and paint chip is going to cost me 8500$. This is what happens when your spongy brakes lock up in a turning lane.
Welp the brakes were re-bled of course so it's a tad bit better. How ever since the minor "wreck" I had the car parked for almost a full year the brake light is now on. So maybe the car sat for too long. It sounds like 8k is a good deal on good work then?
Ohhh I forgot to mention to everyone here.. this Corvette is special because my dad bought this car brand new back in 81' i believe? I have tthewondow sticker paper showing a few 100 miles on it. So it's a one owner car and that's the only reason why I would even justify paying 8k for a repair. This car was purchased as a celebration for him having getting ready to have a boy.... which is me lol.
It wasn't reported to my insurance since it was my fault smh. I was waiting for the other person to file but they didn't so I'm just paying out of pocket.
Welp the brakes were re-bled of course so it's a tad bit better. How ever since the minor "wreck" I had the car parked for almost a full year the brake light is now on. So maybe the car sat for too long. It sounds like 8k is a good deal on good work then?
Ohhh I forgot to mention to everyone here.. this Corvette is special because my dad bought this car brand new back in 81' i believe? I have tthewondow sticker paper showing a few 100 miles on it. So it's a one owner car and that's the only reason why I would even justify paying 8k for a repair. This car was purchased as a celebration for him having getting ready to have a boy.... which is me lol.
It wasn't reported to my insurance since it was my fault smh. I was waiting for the other person to file but they didn't so I'm just paying out of pocket.
Well, obviously you have to keep the car on the road with that story. Great color, too (red interiors are the best).
I don't know what a fair repair would be. It sounds a bit low. But perhaps someone with a parts car could swap the front ends, do a cheap no-prep paint job, and still make some profit. Looks like you'll need new headlight buckets at least. Did you ask the guy if he has a parts stash, or is repairing everything himself? I'd worry that a repair would start cracking immediately.
I've been searching for shops the past year and I finally found a guy who's willing to touch my car. He quoted me 5k just to repair the fiberglass front with the headlights and etc and also paint match. For another 3k on top of the 5k he can repaint the whole car. He's the type who takes everything apart and do right. He's an old school guy who just happens to be all about C3 corvettes. Is 8k a fair deal to redo the whole car?
you get what you pay for !! Sounds extremely cheap to me . Just good quality paint is 2,500 . No way
Look at other work the man has done. Ask for references. Then as said study up on the materials and find out what he uses and why. And then what parts are going to be used. They certainly don’t have to be new from a big vendor. And yes maybe hae has a stash or has a source of good used parts. To me the bottom line is you have been looking for a year with no luck. How much longer do you want the car to sit? The longer it sit the more stuff deteriorates. And with a great story like you have, you can’t NOT fix it. I have known people in business that when it comes time to do someth8ng they really enjoy or want a finished product that they can be proud of ( I think your car would qualify) they don’t necessarily charge the going rate. Maybe this is one of those guys ? Good luck on a great example of a C3 and an even greater story.
Welp I'm taking a chance and I'm going to drop off the car tomorrow (Sunday) to the guy. I'm just happy I finally found someone who knows our cars. Tbh I was Already prepared to spend 10k. I have a few head light parts but I realized I might need the whole assembly. He says he can help me save by just bringing what I already bought for the headlights and he will piece up what I need. I'll try to find pictures soon of me posing in front of this car as a young kid lol. My goal is to go back to my old house where I took the picture and recreate it 41 years later. Thank you guys for the input.
I dropped off the car yesterday and i surely will keep you updated! After observing his shop and chatted a little this guy diffidently works on Corvettes. I will ask him to take document pictures for me so hopefully you guys can see the work. As for the paint it will be a 2 stage paint job so I'm happy the car will be done right.
11-03-2023, 10:35 PM
8k to Repair/Repaint
....fresh out of the booth
