Sorry to hear that, but now you can get that hot looking tigershark rearend. 
Got HIt, need help.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: New York New york
Got HIt, need help.
Hi all, while I was parked in NY city, someone cracked my rear right quarter panel an cracked my bumper. Should I replace the panels? or should I get a professional fiberglass specialist to repair the cracks?
Is it hard to remove the bumper and panels? I was just thing of buying the parts on ebay and doing it my self.
Thanks for you advise.
Is it hard to remove the bumper and panels? I was just thing of buying the parts on ebay and doing it my self.
Thanks for you advise.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Athens Ohio
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They aren't that tough to remove /replace yourself. If you don't want to go the iinsurance route, buy a new rear fascia and have it painted by a good shop. If the damage is into the actual body, I's let a reputable shop do the body work.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,651
Likes: 9
From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
First off, the panels are not fiberglass. They panels are Injection Molded (plastic like the Saturn).
Next, go the the Parts section and you can find replacement parts for a fraction of the cost (you may have to paint, but you may not).
Rear bumper removal:
Tools:
10mm socket
8mm socket
Extension, <few inches>
Pair of dykes
T-15 Torx
1.) Remove the tail lights, via the 2 torx screws, and disconnect the light
2.) Remove your License plate
3.) Remove your License plate bracket: 4 torx screws and disconnect the lights
4.) Pull to two plastic push in screws that were behind the License plate bracket
5.) Remove the 4 plastic pop pins that are around your exhaust tips.
6.) Now all along the seam where the Bumper fascia meets rear quarter panel, there is a few bolts. There is a bracket which has 4 8mm screws on it near the top and 2 10mm bolts farthest in the front.
7.) Remove the 5 torx screws on the top lip underneath the rear hatch
8.) To remove the fascia gently pull up and to the rear, the fascia should come right off.
Next, go the the Parts section and you can find replacement parts for a fraction of the cost (you may have to paint, but you may not).
Rear bumper removal:
Tools:
10mm socket
8mm socket
Extension, <few inches>
Pair of dykes
T-15 Torx
1.) Remove the tail lights, via the 2 torx screws, and disconnect the light
2.) Remove your License plate
3.) Remove your License plate bracket: 4 torx screws and disconnect the lights
4.) Pull to two plastic push in screws that were behind the License plate bracket
5.) Remove the 4 plastic pop pins that are around your exhaust tips.
6.) Now all along the seam where the Bumper fascia meets rear quarter panel, there is a few bolts. There is a bracket which has 4 8mm screws on it near the top and 2 10mm bolts farthest in the front.
7.) Remove the 5 torx screws on the top lip underneath the rear hatch
8.) To remove the fascia gently pull up and to the rear, the fascia should come right off.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 585
Likes: 0
From: Park Ridge NJ
St. Jude Donor '05
while I was parked in NY city
That was your first mistake....
You should check with your insurance to make sure you can repair it yourself without any negative effects on your coverage....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 0
From: Richmond Virginia
Originally Posted by Mark 84ltblu
They aren't that tough to remove /replace yourself. If you don't want to go the iinsurance route, buy a new rear fascia and have it painted by a good shop. If the damage is into the actual body, I's let a reputable shop do the body work.
Your C5 deserves to look right when you're through! 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 775
Likes: 36
From: Nashville, TN
Repair it
I know a body shop guy in Richmond Hill who could probably epoxy it and then paint it to look as good as new for a decent price. Much cheaper than getting new parts. The guy and his crew all own Vettes.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,216
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From: Vette Doctors Performance RX450 - 466RWHP !!!
Mike you might want to check with VETTECH in Great Neck or VEtte Tech in Orange County.
No relation.
VETTECH in Great Neck has a Body shop located behind the regular shop.
Talk to dave.
Drop me a pm if you need more info.
No relation.
VETTECH in Great Neck has a Body shop located behind the regular shop.
Talk to dave.
Drop me a pm if you need more info.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,049
Likes: 4
From: Home of the NYY
[QUOTE=bpc4me]
I would check the used section for a replacement part. Its really not that hard to remove. You just need to find a good body shop to paint it. Good luck on the repairs.
Originally Posted by WaWaTuSi
That was your first mistake....
Hehe
Hehe
I would check the used section for a replacement part. Its really not that hard to remove. You just need to find a good body shop to paint it. Good luck on the repairs.
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Port Orange FL
I feel your pain. My Corvette didn't get hit, but I bought my wife a new Mercedes-Benz two weeks before Christmas. We drove it up north and encountered about 16" of snow. Parked it in a lot way away from all cars. When walking out we saw a snowplow back right into our car, and then took off. I had to chase him? down. To my surprise out climbed a 300 lb man dressed like a woman. Pink outfit, red high-heeled boots, huge chest, and a really deep voice. He then denied hitting the car until the police found blue paint matching our car on his plow. Did about $2000 damage. I know this isn't a Corvette, but afterwards it is too funny not to share
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Sorry to hear of the damage to your car. Hope you get it fixed soon. What an opportunity to do a replacement with a custom rear fascia.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,754
Likes: 0
From: Redwood City Ca
About a year ago, the left rear quarter of my '99 coupe was hit and cracked. My body shop replaced the whole rear quarter with a new one. The owner of the body shop, who also owned a Vette, said he realized we Corvette owners were very picky, and it would be a lot easier to simply bolt on a new quarter, rather than try to fix it. I think he made a good call.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 782
Likes: 5
From: alexandria louisiana
I hit some debri on the interstate and cracked my left front fender and put a small stress crack in the front fascia 
I headed straight to my insurance guy, who is a good friend, who told me to take it anywhere I wanted for the repairs. My son advised me to take it to the ford dealer 
he told me they have a great paint guy and he does excellent work. I talked to the guy and he assured me he would fix it to my satisfaction. I got all new parts and he did a good job matching the pewter metallic paint 
As an added bonus all the body shop guys told me what a fine car the vette was 
I headed straight to my insurance guy, who is a good friend, who told me to take it anywhere I wanted for the repairs. My son advised me to take it to the ford dealer he told me they have a great paint guy and he does excellent work. I talked to the guy and he assured me he would fix it to my satisfaction. I got all new parts and he did a good job matching the pewter metallic paint As an added bonus all the body shop guys told me what a fine car the vette was
Corvette ***** OG
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,776
Likes: 21
From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '05
CI VI Veteran
Originally Posted by MyVetteDream
First off, the panels are not fiberglass. They panels are Injection Molded (plastic like the Saturn).
Actually, the panels are SMC (sheet molded composite) They are completely repairable. The correct method is to use the same epoxy approved and used by GM.
That would be Lord's Fusor. You will need some adhesion promoter, SMC cloth (very much like drywall tape but NOT the same) and some EZ100 or 141.
There is a very specific method to the repair and if not done correctly, will not only bleed through but will eventually pull apart.
Point is, if you can't find replacement parts and don't want to do it yourself, find a qualified bodyshop to do the repair. Done correctly and no one will be able to tell.
HTH's...
Mark
