Paint
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Joined: May 2011
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Paint
My father has a silver C6. Apparently the front bumper was replaced, prior to him buying the car. Now the bumper has chips in it, and there is red paint underneath, indicating that a used red bumper was used and painted over. The paint appears to be flaking off as though it is not adhering to the underlying red paint. He talked to 2 auto body shops, who informed him that you cannot paint over Corvette paint, and this is why the silver is chipping. They stated that the only way to make the new paint adhere, was to sand the entire piece down to the fiberglass, reprime and paint.......Is there something special with the Corvette paint or a special process for painting Corvettes?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 9,127
Likes: 2,326
From: Pottsville, PA. USA Home Of America's Oldest Brewery Yuengling
The bumper is not fiberglass. If this were my car I would order a new GM bumper cover and front emblem. I would have it painted off the car a good shop can match the color and paint texture. Install it on the car and your done. The old bumper cover will require a lot of time to remove the old paint so what it is going to cost in labor I would just go with a new bumper cover.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,656
Likes: 823
From: FORT LAUDERDALE FL
The bumper is not fiberglass. If this were my car I would order a new GM bumper cover and front emblem. I would have it painted off the car a good shop can match the color and paint texture. Install it on the car and your done. The old bumper cover will require a lot of time to remove the old paint so what it is going to cost in labor I would just go with a new bumper cover.
Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,640
Likes: 5
From: Owensboro Kentucky
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
You CAN paint over existing paint. I do it all the time with confidence, and most all body shops do too. You wouldn't want to paint over a panel that has had multiple paint jobs already, but if the existing paint still shows good adhesion with minor flaws, then when prepped correctly, it will last as long as a brand new paint job on raw panels. Also, the vette plant does not use any type of "special" paint. The last time I heard, the current paint being used is dupont, which is the same paint that I use, and can be purchased at your local auto body supply shop. Also, the vette plant will sometimes use another supplier such as PPG. It just depends on once their contract is up, then will the bid from the next guy be lower. Basically, all base coat clear coat manufacturers are using pretty much the same thing, and it's possible to mix and match paints and reducers from different companies. It's not wise to do this from a warranty perspective, but as a custom painter, I know what I can get away with because I've done quite a bit of experimenting.....sometimes out of necessity lol.....and yeah, I know, too much information haha
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,813
Likes: 287
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
The paint the factory uses is the same paint that GM uses on its other vehicles. There is nothing special about it. It appears that the previous paint job was not done properly. There are methods that must be used to prepare SMC for painting. If it is done properly there will not be a problem. Also there is no fiberglass in this car.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,009
Likes: 2,707
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
During our buyers tour, we were told that a bumper with a paint flaw can be repainted up to two more times at the factory to get it right, any more than two additional and they junk it.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Airbrush Inc is 100% right- there is absolutely no reason a GOOD painter (read: find someone who knows what their doing, not the clowns who gave you your initial info) can't prep the existing bumper and repaint it.
One problem you will run into is matching the silver. Very, very difficult to "panel paint" silver- it usually requires blending onto the fenders and possibly even the hood to get a good match. Its possible thats already been done, but without mic'ing the paint, you won't know.
One problem you will run into is matching the silver. Very, very difficult to "panel paint" silver- it usually requires blending onto the fenders and possibly even the hood to get a good match. Its possible thats already been done, but without mic'ing the paint, you won't know.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 45
Likes: 13
Repainting front bumper, etc
I have a machine silver 2007 Coupe. Over the past two years I have had the front bumper refinished with no issues....last week I had the hood repainted due to a nasty chip. Perfect match, perfect paint job at Scott's Auto Body, Ranson WV. Reasonable prices on both jobs.
I think you just have to find a modern paint shop that utilizes up to date technology in matching the paint. When I say "perfect" I mean a perfect match!
I think you just have to find a modern paint shop that utilizes up to date technology in matching the paint. When I say "perfect" I mean a perfect match!
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 258
Likes: 1
From: Hamburg Ny
I have a machine silver 2007 Coupe. Over the past two years I have had the front bumper refinished with no issues....last week I had the hood repainted due to a nasty chip. Perfect match, perfect paint job at Scott's Auto Body, Ranson WV. Reasonable prices on both jobs.
I think you just have to find a modern paint shop that utilizes up to date technology in matching the paint. When I say "perfect" I mean a perfect match!
I think you just have to find a modern paint shop that utilizes up to date technology in matching the paint. When I say "perfect" I mean a perfect match!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,394
Likes: 281
From: cumming ga
My father has a silver C6. Apparently the front bumper was replaced, prior to him buying the car. Now the bumper has chips in it, and there is red paint underneath, indicating that a used red bumper was used and painted over. The paint appears to be flaking off as though it is not adhering to the underlying red paint. He talked to 2 auto body shops, who informed him that you cannot paint over Corvette paint, and this is why the silver is chipping. They stated that the only way to make the new paint adhere, was to sand the entire piece down to the fiberglass, reprime and paint.......Is there something special with the Corvette paint or a special process for painting Corvettes?
Thanks.
Thanks.
z51vett
z51vett
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,394
Likes: 281
From: cumming ga
You CAN paint over existing paint. I do it all the time with confidence, and most all body shops do too. You wouldn't want to paint over a panel that has had multiple paint jobs already, but if the existing paint still shows good adhesion with minor flaws, then when prepped correctly, it will last as long as a brand new paint job on raw panels. Also, the vette plant does not use any type of "special" paint. The last time I heard, the current paint being used is dupont, which is the same paint that I use, and can be purchased at your local auto body supply shop. Also, the vette plant will sometimes use another supplier such as PPG. It just depends on once their contract is up, then will the bid from the next guy be lower. Basically, all base coat clear coat manufacturers are using pretty much the same thing, and it's possible to mix and match paints and reducers from different companies. It's not wise to do this from a warranty perspective, but as a custom painter, I know what I can get away with because I've done quite a bit of experimenting.....sometimes out of necessity lol.....and yeah, I know, too much information haha
z51vett
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,978
Likes: 1,849
From: North/Central NJ - a.k.a. Gotti in the CFNE section
St. Jude Donor '05
Awesome thread,
Can anyone help me.
A corvette that had its bumper cover and hood replaced do to the car rollling when in the persons garage.
The car is for sale at a dealership. I asked if anything else had been replaced, they said the paint matches perfectly but because the vette is fiberglass a paint meter doesn't work.
Is this true that you can't use paint meters on corvettes?
Can anyone help me.
A corvette that had its bumper cover and hood replaced do to the car rollling when in the persons garage.
The car is for sale at a dealership. I asked if anything else had been replaced, they said the paint matches perfectly but because the vette is fiberglass a paint meter doesn't work.
Is this true that you can't use paint meters on corvettes?
Melting Slicks<br><img src="/forums/images/ranks/3k-4k.gif" border="0">
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,055
Likes: 276
From: Enterprise AL
Awesome thread,
Can anyone help me.
A corvette that had its bumper cover and hood replaced do to the car rollling when in the persons garage.
The car is for sale at a dealership. I asked if anything else had been replaced, they said the paint matches perfectly but because the vette is fiberglass a paint meter doesn't work.
Is this true that you can't use paint meters on corvettes?
Can anyone help me.
A corvette that had its bumper cover and hood replaced do to the car rollling when in the persons garage.
The car is for sale at a dealership. I asked if anything else had been replaced, they said the paint matches perfectly but because the vette is fiberglass a paint meter doesn't work.
Is this true that you can't use paint meters on corvettes?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,725
Likes: 237
From: marietta, GA
The bumper is not fiberglass. If this were my car I would order a new GM bumper cover and front emblem. I would have it painted off the car a good shop can match the color and paint texture. Install it on the car and your done. The old bumper cover will require a lot of time to remove the old paint so what it is going to cost in labor I would just go with a new bumper cover.
