Worth a repaint????
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: London Ontario
Worth a repaint????
I have a black 01 Z06 with 16k miles that I have owned since 04 and the stone chips and swirls are driving me nuts. It is an occasional driver and I can't decide whether or not to repaint.....or just sell and buy one another colour. I have the black and torch red interior and was wondering what guys experiences have been with repaints....expecially over black.....or is it just better to repaint her black again??? Pics????
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
I bought my black 2000 convertible from a small dealer that specializes in sports cars. After the sale, I watched him and his crew fill scratches and buff the car for about two hours. The car looked wonderful!
If your paint isn't faded, then I'd look for a professional detailer in your area that will repair chips and buff the swirls out. You can also do it yourself, although, the stone chips will be a bit trickie.
If your paint isn't faded, then I'd look for a professional detailer in your area that will repair chips and buff the swirls out. You can also do it yourself, although, the stone chips will be a bit trickie.
Last edited by 71vetteinva; Aug 11, 2008 at 11:27 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: London Ontario
The paint hasn't faded....but I tried to repair a couple of the chips with a paint stick from the dealer.....bad idea....instead of a white chip iot looks like a black bump.....can these be fixed now too I wonder?
I'll try and get a pic
I'll try and get a pic
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 58,477
Likes: 1,802
From: Oklahoma City OK
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
If you repaint when you go to sell it folks will think it was wrecked. You can always tell a repaint.
Last edited by jrose7004; Aug 12, 2008 at 10:24 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
That's what the dealer did to mine. Including a huge, 2 foot scratch on the convertible's deck. He filled it with touch up paint and then worked the repair over until it was the same height as the surrounding paint. I was quite impressed.
They even had a tool that measured paint depth to ensure there was enough to safely work with.
I think most people can learn to use an orbital buffer to remove swirls, but repairing paint chips and deep scratches properly takes some experience.
You can always call a few body shops and professional detailers in your area and ask about pricing. It's going to be far cheaper than a repaint and the results are quite good. This kind of work can be done for a small fraction of repainting the entire car.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
Likes: 7
From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
Done correctly the C5 and C6 can be taken apart easily so that you can have an OEM style paint job where everything is painted. THere is no engine bay to deal with and no unibody areas in the trunk/jambs etc.
Id let a pro detailer go at it for a day and pay the $250ish they charge to have it done right. Ill bet you love your car all over again.
If not, then consider a repaint by a great shop. Remember you get what you pay for.
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
From: Shawnee OK
the new paint will chip even worse than the factory clear. I wouldnt repaint unless it is really bad. The chips with the new clear will not be the little nicks you see now it will come off in bigger chunks. no way to repaint and have the clear as hard as the factory clear.
a good detailer can do wonders
Uber Waxer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 8,651
Likes: 5
From: Hanover MD
Cruise-In 8-9-10-11 Veteran
CI 9, 10 & 11 Car Show Winner
St. Jude Donor '08-'10
http://picasaweb.google.com/briandrice/RickRossi
heres some pictures of a black z06 that I polished, took about 30 hours to get it perfect, but all of the swirls were gone. rock chips can be touched up pretty easily and still have them look good also.
heres some pictures of a black z06 that I polished, took about 30 hours to get it perfect, but all of the swirls were gone. rock chips can be touched up pretty easily and still have them look good also.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 11,036
Likes: 1,237
From: Central Ma
You would be amazed at what someone with a rotary who knows what they are doing, and uses quality products can accomplish.
The hard part is finding someone who is truly competent.
Ask around. Good luck.
The hard part is finding someone who is truly competent.
Ask around. Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,469
Likes: 4
http://picasaweb.google.com/briandrice/RickRossi
heres some pictures of a black z06 that I polished, took about 30 hours to get it perfect, but all of the swirls were gone. rock chips can be touched up pretty easily and still have them look good also.
heres some pictures of a black z06 that I polished, took about 30 hours to get it perfect, but all of the swirls were gone. rock chips can be touched up pretty easily and still have them look good also.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 749
Likes: 2
From: West Yarmouth MA.
Spend the money on a good detailing. I had my MY coupe painted because of color mismatches. Looks great but honestly I don't think these cars are worth enough to justify the expense of a proper (disassembled) paint job. Doing alot of the prep and reassembly mine still cost 3500.00 for paint at a friends body shop.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
St. Jude Donor '09
A re-paint is a decision only you can make... It does not sound like you need one, maybe just a bumper repair but I know how some of are 
It has been mentioned before and even in this post but I can not stress enough... YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!
If your looking for a re-paint and spend less than 7K then just re-shoot the bumper. A proper re-paint will run you 10K to 20K, I know this is a broad range but there are other thing to consider when pricing out:
1. Cost of material
2. Color change
3. Complete tear-down
4. Repairs that need to be made
5. New seals etc.
If you need assistance please do not hesitate in giving us a call, I would be glad to help you out in any way I can.
It has been mentioned before and even in this post but I can not stress enough... YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!
If your looking for a re-paint and spend less than 7K then just re-shoot the bumper. A proper re-paint will run you 10K to 20K, I know this is a broad range but there are other thing to consider when pricing out:
1. Cost of material
2. Color change
3. Complete tear-down
4. Repairs that need to be made
5. New seals etc.
If you need assistance please do not hesitate in giving us a call, I would be glad to help you out in any way I can.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
Likes: 7
From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
^ That's ludacris for a C5 or C6 repaint... 5-7k for a full show quality top-notch job max.
This isn't a normal unibody car, there's far less involved in taking it apart and far less to paint. It's all exterior panels orther than the rocker/door jamb which stays on the car and the roof halo (in a coupe) and roof (in a FRC or Z06).
I just went through all this and did all of my own prep/teardown. It's quite easy.
This isn't a normal unibody car, there's far less involved in taking it apart and far less to paint. It's all exterior panels orther than the rocker/door jamb which stays on the car and the roof halo (in a coupe) and roof (in a FRC or Z06).
I just went through all this and did all of my own prep/teardown. It's quite easy.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: London Ontario
Thx for the help guys.....great pics Evil.....awesome. If you have a chance could you send me the process you took. I do the basic buff and wax....but there are a couple high end detail shops in town and I would like to guide them to have it done like yours.....rather pay $500 then $10k.
Thanks again for the responses everyone.
Thanks again for the responses everyone.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,488
Likes: 4
From: USA
http://picasaweb.google.com/briandrice/RickRossi
heres some pictures of a black z06 that I polished, took about 30 hours to get it perfect, but all of the swirls were gone. rock chips can be touched up pretty easily and still have them look good also.
heres some pictures of a black z06 that I polished, took about 30 hours to get it perfect, but all of the swirls were gone. rock chips can be touched up pretty easily and still have them look good also.
That's just insane Evil 
Nice work
