Front bumper repaint on '89
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 163
From: Grand Harbor in South Carolina
Front bumper repaint on '89
Due to a driver in front of me on the I77 running over an "object" and throwing it into my front bumper at 65 mph, I now must have the front bumper of my pristine, no hit '89 redone.
My insurance adjuster says the best thing to do is remove the bumper to have it painted to keep overspray from getting in behind. He also admits it's a PIA to remove (4 1/2 hrs). It will be done at a professional shop (but not Corvette speciality). Anything I should know about this job before I talk to the body shop? What say you. Thanks for any advice. Wib
My insurance adjuster says the best thing to do is remove the bumper to have it painted to keep overspray from getting in behind. He also admits it's a PIA to remove (4 1/2 hrs). It will be done at a professional shop (but not Corvette speciality). Anything I should know about this job before I talk to the body shop? What say you. Thanks for any advice. Wib
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 9,926
Likes: 38
From: South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
Due to a driver in front of me on the I77 running over an "object" and throwing it into my front bumper at 65 mph, I now must have the front bumper of my pristine, no hit '89 redone. My insurance adjuster says the best thing to do is remove the bumper to have it painted to keep overspray from getting in behind. He also admits it's a PIA to remove (4 1/2 hrs). It will be done at a professional shop (but not Corvette speciality). Anything I should know about this job before I talk to the body shop? What say you. Thanks for any advice. Wib
My insurance adjuster says the best thing to do is remove the bumper to have it painted to keep overspray from getting in behind. He also admits it's a PIA to remove (4 1/2 hrs). It will be done at a professional shop (but not Corvette speciality). Anything I should know about this job before I talk to the body shop? What say you. Thanks for any advice. WibIts not worth doing anything yourself and then it becomes worse.
A shop here in Hawaii is going to do my bumper and hood for 1200, plus materials. (He owes me from some work done so he is paying for materials) But, if insurance is going to assist in paying a certain amount, pay the rest and get it done right, and have the hood done so everything blends well.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
The body shop will most likely have to remove the bumper because it's a lot easier to paint the bumper off the vehicle to get a good full coverage spray.
It's probably not necessary to blend the paint onto the hood but, the painter HAS to "Color Match" the paint color even after the paint store matches it because the color will still be off. It will take an Experienced painter about an hour and a half to properly tint and spray several samples before getting the color as close to the existing paint color.
After the paint is correctly color matched, the painter can spray the color, spray the clear, color sand and buff.
Make sure the repair shop understands "Color Matching" and not just say, "We'll order the correct paint color from the vehicles color code", because it'll Never match properly.
It's probably not necessary to blend the paint onto the hood but, the painter HAS to "Color Match" the paint color even after the paint store matches it because the color will still be off. It will take an Experienced painter about an hour and a half to properly tint and spray several samples before getting the color as close to the existing paint color.
After the paint is correctly color matched, the painter can spray the color, spray the clear, color sand and buff.
Make sure the repair shop understands "Color Matching" and not just say, "We'll order the correct paint color from the vehicles color code", because it'll Never match properly.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 9,926
Likes: 38
From: South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
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Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
Here's a picture of my bumper I painted last year. It took me about an hour and a half to remove the front bumper.
Last edited by GKK; May 3, 2009 at 03:21 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,187
Likes: 309
From: SIMSBURY CT
St. Jude Donor '07 thru '25
I see your 89 is white. Although your car is in excellent condition 20 year old white paint may take some extra care to match up. I would choose a shop that is willing to take the time to get it right.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 691
Likes: 0
From: Wayne NJ
I also have white(88).My front bumper has a few spider cracks viewable from about 2 feet away. I was going to have it repaired and was told the best way because of the 20+ years on the paint, was to paint the bumper on the car and blend it into the hood. I was quoted $800. I decided not to get it done because you can't really see it.I just want it perfect.My paint is about a 8 out of 10. IV got some minor chips here and their and was told blending was the way to go.Good luck
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 163
From: Grand Harbor in South Carolina
Guy's- Thanks for all the good advice and great pictures. I will certainly heed the advice and discuss the"color matching" with the shop to make sure we "understand" each other. Then ,I guess ,we will just have to wait and see. My insurance co.said the job will be 100% guaranteed to MY satisfaction and I will hold them to that. Thanks again for all the replies. Wib
Wib
