repainting a flawless c5?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 288
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From: Woodbridge VA
repainting a flawless c5?
Ok, so it looks like I'm going to buy my Fiance's dad's C5. That's great, no problem. It's been in my possession for weeks anyhow while he's moving to the other coast. I've driven it. It's in perfect condition, next to no miles, all that goodness, so I have no problem buying it. My only issue is, it's yellow. I dont like yellow. I mean, I wont die, but I want to have a black car.
So what am I looking at, price-wise, for a high-quality paint job on a C5 coupe? I cant say I've ever had a car repainted before, so this is a new one on me.
Thanks for all the help guys, you've been great.
So what am I looking at, price-wise, for a high-quality paint job on a C5 coupe? I cant say I've ever had a car repainted before, so this is a new one on me.
Thanks for all the help guys, you've been great.
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From: All that glitters is Gold - Hockey Is CANADA'S game
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For a complete paint job done right is about $5000 - $8000. That is the range that Mrkln paid for his but he painted his orange. Here is a link to my website showing the process he went through. Just look for the section on the menu on the left side that says Mrkln's Agent Orange
Zilla website
Zilla website
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 288
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From: Woodbridge VA
lol, damn, so maybe I should just learn to like yellow huh? 
Thanks guys, that's slightly higher than I was expecting, but still not too terribly awful. I'll just have to live with yellow for a while til I can afford to repaint, heh.
Thanks guys, that's slightly higher than I was expecting, but still not too terribly awful. I'll just have to live with yellow for a while til I can afford to repaint, heh.
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Yea, you are looking at some serious cash to get it totally repainted and a quality job. I think I would learn to like yellow, at least until it really does need a new paint job.
Corvette ***** OG
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Charlotte NC
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My shop just finished painting a Viper and an older 500SL mercedes. The cheaper of the two paintjobs was 5800. (no jambs, no color change)
I recently painted my g/f's mustang, Canary yellow (funny thing is it was black....lol) Every part that could come off was taken off, the bolt heads were painted separately, the qtrs were painted with the doors off so there was no paint edges inside the door jambs. The paintjob is flawless and someone would be hard pressed to tell me the car didn't come yellow from the factory.
My point? I wouldn't paint a car JUST to change colors if the paint was already in excellent condition. I can do the job for free and write off the materials and I wouldn't do it just because I didn't like the color.
The only reason I painted the mustang yellow? Simple, if she ain't happy, NO ONE is happy.
Personally, I think Mill. Yellow is the best color in the first place. If you really want black, I'd sell it and buy a black one.
Just my .02 worth.
Mark
I recently painted my g/f's mustang, Canary yellow (funny thing is it was black....lol) Every part that could come off was taken off, the bolt heads were painted separately, the qtrs were painted with the doors off so there was no paint edges inside the door jambs. The paintjob is flawless and someone would be hard pressed to tell me the car didn't come yellow from the factory.
My point? I wouldn't paint a car JUST to change colors if the paint was already in excellent condition. I can do the job for free and write off the materials and I wouldn't do it just because I didn't like the color.
The only reason I painted the mustang yellow? Simple, if she ain't happy, NO ONE is happy.
Personally, I think Mill. Yellow is the best color in the first place. If you really want black, I'd sell it and buy a black one.
Just my .02 worth.
Mark
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From: Gone
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I can't convince you to ever like yellow, but repainting it black would be a waste and you'll never realize your investment into it. If you wanted to go with a custom paint job, that's one thing, but to paint it black...no way.
Think of resale too, a repainted car automatically sends off the "accident" warnings to potential buyers.
If you really want black, start looking for a comparably-equipped black car and work out a trade.
Think of resale too, a repainted car automatically sends off the "accident" warnings to potential buyers.
If you really want black, start looking for a comparably-equipped black car and work out a trade.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
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Your other option is a complete panel swap with someone that wanted yellow and had black. You'd have intensive labor to change everything over and would still have to paint jambs, rockers, and "halo".
Seriously, if you're looking for a show job, you're probably close to 10k. If you're looking for factory quality, you might find someone that can do it for 3k. Anything under that and you're getting crap. Anything under 5k with a color change if you don't know someone to get you a good deal is usually not very good...
Seriously, if you're looking for a show job, you're probably close to 10k. If you're looking for factory quality, you might find someone that can do it for 3k. Anything under that and you're getting crap. Anything under 5k with a color change if you don't know someone to get you a good deal is usually not very good...
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Myers FL
Don't do it.
It will lower the value of your car. Keep the car for a year and if you still don't like yellow. Sell it and buy another. You should break even on the exchange for an equal car. Don't repaint just for a color change; it will be a big looser for you!
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From: New Bloomfield Pa
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to do it right and and look great you are looking at $10k if you want anyting else other than one color you can add from there.
Mine was just shy of $20K
go here and you can see what it takes
http://iceburgh66.tripod.com/vette/
Mine was just shy of $20K
go here and you can see what it takes
http://iceburgh66.tripod.com/vette/
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 134
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio Texas
Originally Posted by MyBlueC5
My shop just finished painting a Viper and an older 500SL mercedes. The cheaper of the two paintjobs was 5800. (no jambs, no color change)
I recently painted my g/f's mustang, Canary yellow (funny thing is it was black....lol) Every part that could come off was taken off, the bolt heads were painted separately, the qtrs were painted with the doors off so there was no paint edges inside the door jambs. The paintjob is flawless and someone would be hard pressed to tell me the car didn't come yellow from the factory.
My point? I wouldn't paint a car JUST to change colors if the paint was already in excellent condition. I can do the job for free and write off the materials and I wouldn't do it just because I didn't like the color.
The only reason I painted the mustang yellow? Simple, if she ain't happy, NO ONE is happy.
Personally, I think Mill. Yellow is the best color in the first place. If you really want black, I'd sell it and buy a black one.
Just my .02 worth.
Mark
I recently painted my g/f's mustang, Canary yellow (funny thing is it was black....lol) Every part that could come off was taken off, the bolt heads were painted separately, the qtrs were painted with the doors off so there was no paint edges inside the door jambs. The paintjob is flawless and someone would be hard pressed to tell me the car didn't come yellow from the factory.
My point? I wouldn't paint a car JUST to change colors if the paint was already in excellent condition. I can do the job for free and write off the materials and I wouldn't do it just because I didn't like the color.
The only reason I painted the mustang yellow? Simple, if she ain't happy, NO ONE is happy.
Personally, I think Mill. Yellow is the best color in the first place. If you really want black, I'd sell it and buy a black one.
Just my .02 worth.
Mark
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From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
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Originally Posted by Y2Kvert4me
I can't convince you to ever like yellow, but repainting it black would be a waste and you'll never realize your investment into it. If you wanted to go with a custom paint job, that's one thing, but to paint it black...no way.
Think of resale too, a repainted car automatically sends off the "accident" warnings to potential buyers.
If you really want black, start looking for a comparably-equipped black car and work out a trade.
Think of resale too, a repainted car automatically sends off the "accident" warnings to potential buyers.
If you really want black, start looking for a comparably-equipped black car and work out a trade.
Wow! I would never repaint any car I own just to change the colour. For a custom job with ghost flames or candy or whatever yes - but just for a colour change????
These guys are right - a full (essentially) frame up respray is very expensive, plus why??? Just buy a black car and spend the $10k on a blower, headers, intake, cat back and a tune!!
Much better use of hard earned Doubloons and Pieces of Eight, IMHO - plus the PermaGrin(TM) will be priceless.
EG
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Bonita Springs, Florida
Originally Posted by LDT
It will lower the value of your car. Keep the car for a year and if you still don't like yellow. Sell it and buy another. You should break even on the exchange for an equal car. Don't repaint just for a color change; it will be a big looser for you!
For the $10K plus the $3-$5K you will devalue the car by changing the color, why not trade it in on a new '04 Black C5 coupe. Most people looking for used Corvettes will stay away from cars with a lot of paintwork. I personally would not buy a completely repainted late model Corvette especially if it wasn't the original color. Now a body off restored C1 - C3 would be a completely different story.Millenium yellow is a $750 option on the Corvette. The color is pretty desireable and I think that you will easily find a buyer for it, or have no problem getting top $ if you trade it in, plus you will save a lot in sales tax by trading it in.
I personally like the color myself
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 406
From: Naples, Florida
Change color??...Why?
It might be a good idea to step back and think about the decision. Why would you add approximately $8k to the cost of the car when you could look on Autotrader.com or similar websites and find the exact car that you are looking for? All that extra money could be spent doing something else..like saving for your next car!!
Lou
Lou