C4 body work?
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 133
Likes: 6
From: Minnesota
Personally, I'd take it to somewhere that specializes in corvette body work. As I'm sure you know, the body isn't actually fiberglass and needs some special techniques and materials.
If you're gonna go for it yourself, first step is to take it apart and see how bad it is underneath. The urethane pieces (bumper, lower quarter) look in pretty good shape, just kind of crammed up together. Once you relieve that pressure, you may find the busted part is essentially a big crack that can be glued back together.
Doesn't off-hand look like the whole rear piece needs .replacing. just a little patch and paint.
If you're gonna go for it yourself, first step is to take it apart and see how bad it is underneath. The urethane pieces (bumper, lower quarter) look in pretty good shape, just kind of crammed up together. Once you relieve that pressure, you may find the busted part is essentially a big crack that can be glued back together.
Doesn't off-hand look like the whole rear piece needs .replacing. just a little patch and paint.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 11,614
Likes: 1,055
From: Compound in the Grove, Ga.
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C4 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
2015 C4 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '16
Make sure you get someone who knows how to work with SMC and will use the correct SMC products.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,974
Likes: 261
First off, That is a terrible spot to have that damage. Be ready to be told the car is no where near worth what it will cost to fix that properly and paint.
Was the whole car blue?
Is this the first accident?
Do you have insurance?
Are you positive that it was backed in to? (looks different to me)
Was the whole car blue?
Is this the first accident?
Do you have insurance?
Are you positive that it was backed in to? (looks different to me)
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 11,614
Likes: 1,055
From: Compound in the Grove, Ga.
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C4 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
2015 C4 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '16
First off, That is a terrible spot to have that damage. Be ready to be told the car is no where near worth what it will cost to fix that properly and paint.
Was the whole car blue? Car looks to be Gold
Is this the first accident? Does this matter?
Do you have insurance?
Are you positive that it was backed in to? (looks different to me) Does this matter?
Was the whole car blue? Car looks to be Gold
Is this the first accident? Does this matter?
Do you have insurance?
Are you positive that it was backed in to? (looks different to me) Does this matter?
The OP just came here for advice??
Racer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 421
Likes: 34
From: Troy Michigan
Write up of what I did
heres what I did to repair mine,
1. Remove bumper, (it looks like you'll likely need to replace yours, I had mine sand blasted)
2. Sand, sand, sand, sand the area, all the way down to the glass, for the damaged area you'll need to use 80 grit and then apply new fiber glass, once again yours is a lot worse then mine.... here is the product I used (or similar) https://www.myautovaluestore.com/fibreglass-evercoat/fiberglass-resin-eve-499?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI46eKh6vC2gIVBbXACh 2EuQJkEAQYBCABEgKanPD_BwE
Worked really well, actually can't even see the damage anymore
3. More sanding... get it smooth, reprime,
4. Using this product I needed to reattached the "beem" that holds that panel to a frame, yours defiantly also is broken, you can see how the panel no longer holds to the car. Used this product here 3M 08219 SMC/Fiberglass 35 Minutes Repair Adhesive - 200 ml
Worked perfect, with a few C clamps...
(you'll easily see what I mean when you remove the bumper, look to the other side to see a not broken example.
5. All the insanely difficult and time consuming painting difficulties you'll have.
Honestly its a lot of fun, and if you have any questions let me know... sorry I don't feel like writing a novel, but it can be done. I'll post an after picture next time I'm with my vet.
1. Remove bumper, (it looks like you'll likely need to replace yours, I had mine sand blasted)
2. Sand, sand, sand, sand the area, all the way down to the glass, for the damaged area you'll need to use 80 grit and then apply new fiber glass, once again yours is a lot worse then mine.... here is the product I used (or similar) https://www.myautovaluestore.com/fibreglass-evercoat/fiberglass-resin-eve-499?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI46eKh6vC2gIVBbXACh 2EuQJkEAQYBCABEgKanPD_BwE
Worked really well, actually can't even see the damage anymore
3. More sanding... get it smooth, reprime,
4. Using this product I needed to reattached the "beem" that holds that panel to a frame, yours defiantly also is broken, you can see how the panel no longer holds to the car. Used this product here 3M 08219 SMC/Fiberglass 35 Minutes Repair Adhesive - 200 ml
Worked perfect, with a few C clamps...
(you'll easily see what I mean when you remove the bumper, look to the other side to see a not broken example.
5. All the insanely difficult and time consuming painting difficulties you'll have.
Honestly its a lot of fun, and if you have any questions let me know... sorry I don't feel like writing a novel, but it can be done. I'll post an after picture next time I'm with my vet.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,974
Likes: 261
Not offended at all.
I was at work, it looked blue on the bottom.
-I would take a cutting wheel or grinder and cut the crack open further
-Drill a few holes in the 2 panels (creates a nice bond and support)by the crack and fill use SMC or even fiberglass at this point.
-Fill with bondo and sand
-On the inside of the fender well repair I would spray with bedliner to help seal the repair
Nothing to lose.
I was at work, it looked blue on the bottom.
-I would take a cutting wheel or grinder and cut the crack open further
-Drill a few holes in the 2 panels (creates a nice bond and support)by the crack and fill use SMC or even fiberglass at this point.
-Fill with bondo and sand
-On the inside of the fender well repair I would spray with bedliner to help seal the repair
Nothing to lose.
