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Body Panel Damage: Repair or Replace?

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Old Mar 17, 2005 | 10:27 AM
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From: Biloxi MS Theres something happenin' here, What it is ain't exactly clear.....
Default Body Panel Damage: Repair or Replace?

Front end was damaged by a slow 'Possum and the paint has chipped since the impact back in December. Rear quarter panel: I have no idea when that happened. Not that noticable until you get very close to it(at this time)

Right Rear Qtr Panel:



and Front Bumper:





and a pic of the same lower tear:
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Old Mar 17, 2005 | 11:50 AM
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The rear panel looks like it's cracked. I'd definitely replace that. You'll spend more on the fiberglass repair than for the cost of a new panel. The front bumper looks like it's okay, so you can probably get away with painting it. Are you military? If you are, try painting it on base at the Hobby Shop. Just mask off the rest of the body and go at it. It's already messed up, so you'll get the chance to learn how to paint in a low risk situation....if you mess up, get someone else to paint it, if it works, you saved a few bucks and learned a new skill.
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Old Mar 17, 2005 | 01:04 PM
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Looks like the front can be fixed by just painting. For the rear, I'd just replace the panel.
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Old Mar 17, 2005 | 02:33 PM
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Find out the cost to fix and the cost to replace then you make the call?
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Old Mar 17, 2005 | 02:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Zilla
Find out the cost to fix and the cost to replace then you make the call?
Brillant!
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Old Mar 17, 2005 | 02:58 PM
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I feel for you... I hit a racoon (not the deer pics I posted) and the front fender was cracked. I can give you an idea of what it cost me to replace and paint the front fender by a good body shop. It was just about $1,000 to replace and repaint and I am VERY happy with the results. Just repainting and some fiberglass work would have been around $500. Those prices are from NJ where we pride ourselves on having some of the highest insurance rates around...
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Old Mar 17, 2005 | 03:33 PM
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From: Biloxi MS Theres something happenin' here, What it is ain't exactly clear.....
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The nose has two cracks. One from the corner light down towards the tire is a few inches long. Then the one underneath where the air spoiler attaches has broken a bit more severe due to air dam scrapes.

Only body shop I have talked to gave a quote of nearly 900$ to replace and paint the front bumper.
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Old Mar 17, 2005 | 07:38 PM
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My vette has a crack in the rear quarter panel just like yours. I too am interested in the pricing to fix this.
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Old Mar 17, 2005 | 08:59 PM
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If you had a FRC/Z06, I'd say repair. Replacing panels on coupes/verts easy to do. Replace it.
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Old Mar 17, 2005 | 09:40 PM
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Originally Posted by cpwills
If you had a FRC/Z06, I'd say repair. Replacing panels on coupes/verts easy to do. Replace it.
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Old Mar 17, 2005 | 09:48 PM
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file it with your insurance a animal hit files under your comprehensive insurance not collision. Possum tumbled when it contacted front and then it hit the back and cracked it right.
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Old Mar 17, 2005 | 10:05 PM
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From: Biloxi MS Theres something happenin' here, What it is ain't exactly clear.....
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Wish I could - Allstate said if I filed, then the penalties would outweigh the actual cost of the repair.

I said, "not if I include the three HRE rims that I need to have repaired".

Sure hate to screw up my insurance rate in order to get $2,000 worth of repairs done.

Found the body panels (unpainted) for $300. Have talked to an "old school" body shop owner in NC who says he thinks its all repairable and repaintable and should only take a couple of days.

Still going to check local estimates before making a decision but time is ticking away ....
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Old Mar 18, 2005 | 02:45 AM
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Well,I'd say this is a good time to ask yourself a couple questions. Because I don't think repairing is a real option here, I would be concerned that they may reappear later.So, if you have to replace panels anyway

1. Do I wanna spend 1,000-1,500 to patch this up and put it back to condition it was or,

2.Would I be willing to spend a little extra to have something a bit "different"!

Maybe you could go for the tiger shark front end ...then replace the quarter panel( maybe even both with the flaired ones from aci race bodies.. i think it is) then shoot em with color...Thats where it gonna start to cost you if you are gonna blend all that in. If your paint is in good shape ,you might consider shooting them off the car and then installing.(black is not the most difficult corvette color to match, I mean its not a 3 stage paint process as I understand it) It really depends on how much you wanna spend,and how nice you want it finished ,
If you have skillz, you can save some cash too!!

Cheapest route= e-bay for parts/paint before install(but,you run the risk of seeing minor color/gloss differences going this route.This was done on my hood and didnt turn out too bad)

gl..and great looking ride!

P.s. I am no painter or bodyman,so just a thought!!

Last edited by flynbya2; Mar 18, 2005 at 03:04 AM. Reason: glitch
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Old Mar 18, 2005 | 08:13 AM
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Originally Posted by flynbya2
Maybe you could go for the tiger shark front end ...then replace the quarter panel( maybe even both with the flaired ones from aci race bodies.. i think it is)

Close, it's ACP....www.corvetteracebodies.com. They also have the fenders in carbon fiber as well. I'd go unpainted with carbon fiber fenders, but that's me, and my coupe is black too.
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Old Mar 18, 2005 | 09:25 AM
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Default What is the purpose of insurance?

You have coverage on a valid claim. Why not use the coverage and go for factory new type repair. Keep the value of your car and don't compromise. If you have $500 ded. and $1000 repair you might just pay it. Otherwise do the job first rate so you car will be smiling when parked in the "Corvette Coral"

99 Nassau Blue
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Old Mar 18, 2005 | 09:36 AM
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From: Biloxi MS Theres something happenin' here, What it is ain't exactly clear.....
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Wide body kit looks great and that might be a nice option in a year or so.

Thanks for the link(too)!


and thanks for the compliments on the ride.. Just gotta get her back in show condition.
Rain
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Old Mar 18, 2005 | 09:40 AM
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From: Biloxi MS Theres something happenin' here, What it is ain't exactly clear.....
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Originally Posted by jimcork1
You have coverage on a valid claim. Why not use the coverage and go for factory new type repair. Keep the value of your car and don't compromise. If you have $500 ded. and $1000 repair you might just pay it. Otherwise do the job first rate so you car will be smiling when parked in the "Corvette Coral"

99 Nassau Blue
According to Allstate, I have a 1000$ deductible (the only way I can afford to insure two corvettes, an 03 Expedition, and a 98 Astro gig van) and since it was me hitting the rail road track that caused the damage to three of the HRE wheels, I would then loose a deduction each month on my bill and would be charged an increased premium on top of that.

If I remember correctly, I would come out better paying 150$ a month for 15 months to a repair shop instead of to Allstate for several years(or until they decided to lower my rates again).
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To Body Panel Damage: Repair or Replace?

Old Mar 18, 2005 | 01:51 PM
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hey rain,just as aheads up..i was referring to these,not the wide body kit.

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Old Mar 18, 2005 | 07:14 PM
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From: Biloxi MS Theres something happenin' here, What it is ain't exactly clear.....
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Ah,
those look nice too -
What do they run $$ and who sells them?


Thanks
Rain
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Old Mar 18, 2005 | 08:33 PM
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they are sold /manufactered by acp..at the link above. I'm not sure how much they are though,you would have to call and speak with kerry.
these were designed and developed to accept 12 rear wheels without the tubbing procedure, ccw has develpoped a wheel in 12" width that works well with these. Kerry said they are about a 3/4" flair,but they look like more than that in the forward area.
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