Front End Scrape
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Milford Ohio
Front End Scrape
I picked up C5 last Wednesday and have since put about 300 miles.
Sure enough...while detailing over the weekend I noticed the underside of the front bumper is scraped on both the right and left corners.
Not to offend anyone but is this a fairly common problem?
I swear I didn't do it. I parked far away from all the other cars in the parking lots I've parked in and I backed into the parking spaces I did park in. I did however scrape the air dam and there's no way I can not prevent that from happening because of the way my driveway is constructed.
Any idea on how much I can expect to pay to have the front bumper repaired?
Thanks in advance,
Sprags (a.k.a. Blake)
'02 C5 Coupe Millennium Yellow
'03 FLHRCI White Pearl
Sure enough...while detailing over the weekend I noticed the underside of the front bumper is scraped on both the right and left corners.
Not to offend anyone but is this a fairly common problem?
I swear I didn't do it. I parked far away from all the other cars in the parking lots I've parked in and I backed into the parking spaces I did park in. I did however scrape the air dam and there's no way I can not prevent that from happening because of the way my driveway is constructed.
Any idea on how much I can expect to pay to have the front bumper repaired?
Thanks in advance,
Sprags (a.k.a. Blake)
'02 C5 Coupe Millennium Yellow
'03 FLHRCI White Pearl
Pro
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 508
Likes: 1
From: An Englishman drinking his way through Tewksbury MA
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by Sprags2004
I did however scrape the air dam and there's no way I can not prevent that from happening because of the way my driveway is constructed.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 905
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
That's called the, "C5 Initiation." Scrapes happen . . . 
The way I look at it is, now that it's done and over with, you can move on and enjoy the car without cringing about every grain of sand that smacks the windshield at 75 mph.
The way I look at it is, now that it's done and over with, you can move on and enjoy the car without cringing about every grain of sand that smacks the windshield at 75 mph.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 682
Likes: 8
From: Alexandria VA
Ever seen grip tap used on steps or ramps to keep people from slipping....I've found this stuff works great to prevent scrapes under the front of the bumper. This stuff is real sticky, wont move, and is real strong. It comes in different widths and can be found at any hardware store. Best part is, unless you are laying on the ground or the vette is up in the air, you can't see it. When you don't want it anymore, its easy to take off and cleans up well with bug/tar remover.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
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CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
All I have scraped it the plastic air dam on the car. Had to be a really steep angle for the painted part of the bumper to scrape. Hard to say what a body shop would charge - have a good one look at it and see what they will have to do. Blending will certainly be required.
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
There are two items that the C5 should leave the lot with and it doesn't... for whatever reason. Get yourself some A&A Frame Savers and Rocker Rails This will save your front and your rocker panels.
Easy/cheap Mod that will save the looks of your C5.. A must for lowered Vettes.
Easy/cheap Mod that will save the looks of your C5.. A must for lowered Vettes.
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,262
Likes: 7
From: Kissimmee, FL
It could have been worse. My wife took her Vette out for the first time and did the same thing - almost! She elected to drive the front end under a pickup in the parking lot at work and buggered up the top of the nose. I couldn't have made her feel worse if I had beaten her - sometimes stuff happens. If it doesn't show from the top, I would let it go. You can fix it when you repaint the front end due to rock chips! Enjoy your car - 
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 19,496
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis MO
Originally Posted by Raedon
There are two items that the C5 should leave the lot with and it doesn't... for whatever reason. Get yourself some A&A Frame Savers and Rocker Rails This will save your front and your rocker panels.
Easy/cheap Mod that will save the looks of your C5.. A must for lowered Vettes.
Easy/cheap Mod that will save the looks of your C5.. A must for lowered Vettes.
I finally got mine installed this weekend after having them in my garage for a couple of months. Great protection for your Vette.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
From: ft lauderdale fl
Originally Posted by Tim2K4Vert
I finally got mine installed this weekend after having them in my garage for a couple of months. Great protection for your Vette. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,269
Likes: 50
From: Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'09-'10
[QUOTE=. You can fix it when you repaint the front end due to rock chips! Enjoy your car - [/QUOTE]
Amen, you'll have plenty of those chips as the miles add up. Besides, Vettes are to drive and people, other than you, won't notice.
[/QUOTE]Amen, you'll have plenty of those chips as the miles add up. Besides, Vettes are to drive and people, other than you, won't notice.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,814
Likes: 105
From: Dearborn Heights Michigan
Company called Paint Scratch makes a kit for repairing this type damage. They have colors to match C5's & kit includes clearcoat. I have a kit for under bumper scrapes on my Millenium Yellow but haven't used it yet.
Fred K.
Fred K.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 0
From: rochester n y
scrapes
If no one else (wife, friend ,etc.) has driven your Corvette then it sounds to me that those scrapes happened when it came off the truck in delivery to dealer. If truck driver was in a hurry to drop Corvette off he might have short skidded off truck on delivery. He only put down two ramps instead of normal four. Take it back to dealer and have him write down the damage. If you want it fixed, have the dealer fix it or just live with it.Save the Wave , Good Luck with new Corvette.>George
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,480
Likes: 132
From: PA
It definitely sounds like it could've happened at delivery. But, you may want to wait on getting it painted as you may end up needing it again soon. Scraping the front end is just part of Corvette ownership. I've done it to my first three Vettes and I'm sure it's gonna happen sooner or later with this one.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 919
Likes: 1
From: Portland area OR
Originally Posted by Raedon
There are two items that the C5 should leave the lot with and it doesn't... for whatever reason. Get yourself some A&A Frame Savers and Rocker Rails This will save your front and your rocker panels.
Easy/cheap Mod that will save the looks of your C5.. A must for lowered Vettes.
Easy/cheap Mod that will save the looks of your C5.. A must for lowered Vettes.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: The Great State of DE
Originally Posted by Raedon
There are two items that the C5 should leave the lot with and it doesn't... for whatever reason. Get yourself some A&A Frame Savers and Rocker Rails This will save your front and your rocker panels.
Easy/cheap Mod that will save the looks of your C5.. A must for lowered Vettes.
Easy/cheap Mod that will save the looks of your C5.. A must for lowered Vettes.
The frame savers in my case never contacted the block.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Milford Ohio
Just to clarify things I didn't personally scrape the bumper. It came that way. What I did do is scrape the front air dam (That greyish blackish flexible plastic 3 piece thing).
I'm going to get the Frame Savers and Rocker Rails and install those along with getting a touchup kit from Paint Scratch.
Now if anyone could recommend a hydraulic jack to use it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanx again,
Sprags
I'm going to get the Frame Savers and Rocker Rails and install those along with getting a touchup kit from Paint Scratch.
Now if anyone could recommend a hydraulic jack to use it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanx again,
Sprags
