Need Paint Advise.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 470
Likes: 1
From: Bellevue Nebraska
Need Paint Advise.
Well as luck would have it, last week I was on the interstate doing about 70MPH and the roads were partially slick after a snowstorm from the day before. Suddenly, this jack rabbit (almost the size of a small dog) came out in front of me and I didn't want to hit the brakes and slide away.
So what seemed like the safest alternative was to hit him head on. Below are pics of the paint damage that occurred. What do you guys think is the best way to repair the scratched paint??? Should I try to touch it up, and if so what paint do you recommend?
Another idea is to get a front bra cover. I know on Ebay they are like $60.00, but I am not 100% into the style of the bra.
I ammaturely do paint and am confident that I could repaint the front bumper myself. However, the extent of the damage is so minor, that it seems almost needless to repaint entirely.
Anyhow, your opinions/advise if greatly appreciated. I know I can't leave my car this way though. I need to do something about it soon. Thanks!
~Chris
P.S. I am glad I hit him on the drivers side front, I think if he'd have hit right on center of my car, he'd have flown on, or over the hood...
PIC BEFORE THE DAMAGE:
PIC AFTER THE DAMAGE:
CLOSE-UP ON THE PAINT CHIPS:
So what seemed like the safest alternative was to hit him head on. Below are pics of the paint damage that occurred. What do you guys think is the best way to repair the scratched paint??? Should I try to touch it up, and if so what paint do you recommend?
Another idea is to get a front bra cover. I know on Ebay they are like $60.00, but I am not 100% into the style of the bra.
I ammaturely do paint and am confident that I could repaint the front bumper myself. However, the extent of the damage is so minor, that it seems almost needless to repaint entirely.
Anyhow, your opinions/advise if greatly appreciated. I know I can't leave my car this way though. I need to do something about it soon. Thanks!
~Chris
P.S. I am glad I hit him on the drivers side front, I think if he'd have hit right on center of my car, he'd have flown on, or over the hood...
PIC BEFORE THE DAMAGE:
PIC AFTER THE DAMAGE:
CLOSE-UP ON THE PAINT CHIPS:
Last edited by 5ltrEATER; Jan 20, 2007 at 06:31 PM. Reason: Fixed pics...
Team Owner
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I think you did the right thing by hitting it head on. I think you will have to have that re-painted professionally. Maybe someone else who knows more about paint can offer some suggestions.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 721
Likes: 2
From: Fort Worth TX
re-paint it. don't try to hide it with a bra. the only reason i say fix it, is because you'll also know in the back of your mind if you just cover it up with a bra. IMO it would eat me alive knowing my vette front bumper is chipped like that and i could have fixed it.
I'm having most of my vette repainted due to sand blasting from the desert. just worth it to have a complete fresh vette.
I'm having most of my vette repainted due to sand blasting from the desert. just worth it to have a complete fresh vette.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 470
Likes: 1
From: Bellevue Nebraska
I would like to think that I did kill it, but honestly I didn't pull over so I'm not certain...
He was huge though and he took quite a hit at 70MPH; I guess I should be greatful that the damage isn't worse than a few paint chips...
I guess I was just hoping that there'd be some sort of touch up paint out there that is really good. (I know now-a-days they make pen-touchup paint as well).
Like I said, I do painting myself and have all the equipment. My only concern is that since the car is a 1997, when I repaint my front bumper, I hope the color shading doesn't change from the rest of the car.
Keep your opinions comming... I appreciate them!
~Chris
He was huge though and he took quite a hit at 70MPH; I guess I should be greatful that the damage isn't worse than a few paint chips...
I guess I was just hoping that there'd be some sort of touch up paint out there that is really good. (I know now-a-days they make pen-touchup paint as well).
Like I said, I do painting myself and have all the equipment. My only concern is that since the car is a 1997, when I repaint my front bumper, I hope the color shading doesn't change from the rest of the car.
Keep your opinions comming... I appreciate them!
~Chris
Last edited by 5ltrEATER; Jan 20, 2007 at 07:54 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 199
Likes: 2
From: Clearwater FL
Sorry to hear about the accident. You took the right action, my friend; paint is cheap compared to major body work.
I had a situation similar to that from a parking lot. I was backed into a parking place and someone, for some reason, got close enough to the nose of the Vette to rub paint from the license plate cover and a bit of the area around the plate cover. I knew that there was no way that the nose piece could be 'spot touched-up' w/out looking like cr@p, so I insisted that the entire nose be removed, prepped and painted. I turned a claim into insurance and they paid all but the deductable. I found a fantastic body shop and the car looks as good as new.
Find a high-end body shop; one that works on Porches, Vettes, Benz's and restorations. Don't take the cheap road. Turn it into insurance; that is why they are there.
Best to you!
Bill
I had a situation similar to that from a parking lot. I was backed into a parking place and someone, for some reason, got close enough to the nose of the Vette to rub paint from the license plate cover and a bit of the area around the plate cover. I knew that there was no way that the nose piece could be 'spot touched-up' w/out looking like cr@p, so I insisted that the entire nose be removed, prepped and painted. I turned a claim into insurance and they paid all but the deductable. I found a fantastic body shop and the car looks as good as new.
Find a high-end body shop; one that works on Porches, Vettes, Benz's and restorations. Don't take the cheap road. Turn it into insurance; that is why they are there.
Best to you!
Bill
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,623
Likes: 316
From: Sparks, Nevada
I agree with bill, do it right. On a side note. I hear a lot of Vette's getting hit while parked with the nose out. Most of the time people say, I didn't see it. With all the higher SUV's out there. When their backing out, they will see your higher butts more often. Think about it when parking. 
Sorry for the highjack.
Sorry for the highjack.
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From: Life is a game/Golf is serious. IA
Do you have full coverage on the car? If so, let them handle it. If not and you feel confident, repaint it yourself. I wouldn't try the touch up paint or cover it with a bra. Good luck. 
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 470
Likes: 1
From: Bellevue Nebraska
Unfortunately I do not have the privilage of having full coverage insurance. 
I may attempt to touch it up and reclear it for the winter and if it doesn't look close to being right, I will repaint the entire bumper when it warms up in the next 2/3 months...
Still bummed out about this invident... But I guess I'll look at it as an opportunity for improvement. Maybe I'll paint some interior pieces, engine bay pieces and front bumper... Just a thought, we'll see...
Thanks for the replies and if anyone has a better idea, post up!
~Chris
I may attempt to touch it up and reclear it for the winter and if it doesn't look close to being right, I will repaint the entire bumper when it warms up in the next 2/3 months...
Still bummed out about this invident... But I guess I'll look at it as an opportunity for improvement. Maybe I'll paint some interior pieces, engine bay pieces and front bumper... Just a thought, we'll see...
Thanks for the replies and if anyone has a better idea, post up!
~Chris
Last edited by 5ltrEATER; Jan 20, 2007 at 11:30 PM.
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I'd get it painted professionally. Shouldn't cost more than about $250 for just the front fascia to be painted - hopefully they wouldn't have to blend in the hood/fenders.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 470
Likes: 1
From: Bellevue Nebraska
Excuse my ignorance, but what exactly is the Tiger Shark? I've heard of if before and I think it's like a drop valence or something, but unsure...
Is it an add-on piece, or does it replace the whole front bumper? Thanks!
~Chris
Is it an add-on piece, or does it replace the whole front bumper? Thanks!
~Chris
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Dayton Ohio
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ght=tigershark
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 470
Likes: 1
From: Bellevue Nebraska
UPDATE:
Well, this afternoon I finally got a chance to mess around with it... Went out and bought some Torch Red "touch-up" paint, masking tape, clear, etc.
I masked off the damaged portion and gave it a quick scuff with a 400-grit sand paper... Then after cleaning it off, I layed down two light coats of color, followed by a wet coat. Let that sit for 10 minutes and then 2 coats of clear.
I have to say, for "touch-up" paint, I am real satisfied with the results! The color matched perfectly and it looks 100% better than it did scratched up. I figured for $12.00, I'd give it a chance. I am glad I did, it came out pretty much perfect. Let's see how well it holds up against the sun though...
From a real close view, you can notice there is a small ridge-line. Tomorrow once it's healed, I'm gonna scuff it again with a 1500-grit sand paper and then reclear to get rid of that line... I guess I'll have to repaint my brake duct black too.
If it holds up against the sun (which I think it might, since it's at the bottom and gets minimal sunlight), I may not have to repaint the bumpers. But if it starts fading quick, etc, I'll redo it come summer time.
What do you all think? Opinions welcomed...
~Chris
Well, this afternoon I finally got a chance to mess around with it... Went out and bought some Torch Red "touch-up" paint, masking tape, clear, etc.
I masked off the damaged portion and gave it a quick scuff with a 400-grit sand paper... Then after cleaning it off, I layed down two light coats of color, followed by a wet coat. Let that sit for 10 minutes and then 2 coats of clear.
I have to say, for "touch-up" paint, I am real satisfied with the results! The color matched perfectly and it looks 100% better than it did scratched up. I figured for $12.00, I'd give it a chance. I am glad I did, it came out pretty much perfect. Let's see how well it holds up against the sun though...
From a real close view, you can notice there is a small ridge-line. Tomorrow once it's healed, I'm gonna scuff it again with a 1500-grit sand paper and then reclear to get rid of that line... I guess I'll have to repaint my brake duct black too.
If it holds up against the sun (which I think it might, since it's at the bottom and gets minimal sunlight), I may not have to repaint the bumpers. But if it starts fading quick, etc, I'll redo it come summer time.
What do you all think? Opinions welcomed...
~Chris
I must say I'm impressed with the results for someone just doing a little sanding and using touch-up paint.