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Old May 30, 2007 | 08:44 AM
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Default Rocker Panel Repaint?

I'm looking at getting may rocker panels repainted or touched up if possible. I was told by one GM bodyshop that they wouldn't be able to match the existing color (pewter) and that repainting the rockers would look darker than the rest of the car.

They tried to touch them up instead, but I'm not happy with the results. Anybody have any insight on the possible options for this project? The rest of the factory paint on my car is in good shape.
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Old May 30, 2007 | 10:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Bvette2000
I'm looking at getting may rocker panels repainted or touched up if possible. I was told by one GM bodyshop that they wouldn't be able to match the existing color (pewter) and that repainting the rockers would look darker than the rest of the car.

They tried to touch them up instead, but I'm not happy with the results. Anybody have any insight on the possible options for this project? The rest of the factory paint on my car is in good shape.
I did some touchup on the underside of my chin (Pewter Metallic) and it's definitely darker where it was touched up...don't know if that means anything but jives with what they told you.
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Old May 30, 2007 | 10:57 AM
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A "good" paint shop can match it.
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Old May 30, 2007 | 11:35 AM
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Originally Posted by vetdude
A "good" paint shop can match it.
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Old May 30, 2007 | 11:37 AM
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I'm not a paint expert....but haven't they heard of blending the panel. They should be able to blend the areas so that you really can't tell it was repainted.

Good luck!

Chris
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Old May 30, 2007 | 12:07 PM
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Originally Posted by vetdude
A "good" paint shop can match it.
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Old May 30, 2007 | 01:42 PM
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Originally Posted by cbrynolf
I'm not a paint expert....but haven't they heard of blending the panel. They should be able to blend the areas so that you really can't tell it was repainted.

Good luck! Chris
Yes. Adjacent panels can be blended. There are two options for blending.

Option 1 - Wetsand the front fender, the door and the 1/4 panel on each side so they can blend the basecoat into each fender, door, 1/4 etc and then reclear all of the panels.

Option 2 - Wetsand the adjacent areas, blend the paint into the adjacent panels using the two go method, one gun with base coat (or clear) and the other with the blending agent to blend the edge of the spray pattern. This can provide excellent results but in time, IMHO, the fade line will eventually begin to appear.

Either way, the available options involve much more time and effort than just respraying the rocker panels themselves and hence more $$$.

You also need to discuss if you want the door jambs painted too or if the painter is good enough to ensure the mask line will disappear.

Good luck. You should've got a black C5. Black's fairly easy to match, especially down low.
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Old May 30, 2007 | 01:54 PM
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When my car got repainted months ago, I learned that you really have to get someone who knows what they're doing with painting high end cars. Anything is possible if the painter knows his stuff and has a good eye in this field.
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Old May 31, 2007 | 12:52 AM
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Great feedback guys! I'll search around for a decent paint shop and check in to some of your suggestions.
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Old May 31, 2007 | 07:55 PM
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I rode over a parking curb in the dark and rain and scraped 3 feet
of rocker panel under the passenger side. The paint shop was able to repair and match the paint perfectly on my 98. This was just done in January at a cost of $750.
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Old Jun 1, 2007 | 05:20 PM
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Originally Posted by drews60

Had my Millenium Yellow rockers repainted.Perfect match from a very good paint shop.
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