Repaint
Racer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 316
Likes: 24
From: Greensboro NC
On my 2016, I had a minor scrape with someone in a parking lot and my local dealer repainted the front bumper and I cannot tell that anything was done! The color, texture, shine are all just like original. They took the cover off to redo it, and make sure that the clear "wrapped" all around. Car is Shark Grey.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 318
From: Cedar Falls Iowa
On my 2016, I had a minor scrape with someone in a parking lot and my local dealer repainted the front bumper and I cannot tell that anything was done! The color, texture, shine are all just like original. They took the cover off to redo it, and make sure that the clear "wrapped" all around. Car is Shark Grey.
This is a relief to hear as my Shark Gray also needs a little help. My friend's mom backed into my car and kinda spidered the paint. Also cracked the grill a little under the aero plate, but I'm getting the original grill from my dad's C7. I'm gonna swap out the grill but wait for more rock chip damage before I bother with a repaint. It's not that noticeable unless I point it out to people. I can't really even take a pic of the damage. Got $1400 from her Progressive insurance to spend, which begs the question of how much it will cost...
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 16,701
Likes: 7,753
From: NJ
get it done if it's bothering you. just make sure they are reputable not some insurance fast shop. take it to a place where they will actually PREP it properly.. that's the KEY..
then get it Xpel wrapped once the shop says you can.
then get it Xpel wrapped once the shop says you can.
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A good body shop should be able to match the paint perfectly. When I had an aftermarket hood added to the '00 pewter Vette I had, the shop matched it exactly.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,516
Likes: 730
From: Sausalito CA
What is termed a "butt match" with metallic paints can be difficult.
Not impossible but difficult.
More color matching time should be included in the estimate over a typical "plug" entry of .5 of an hour.
With metallics, many shops blend onto the hood and fenders with clear and or color to "fool" the eye.
You should have the bumper removed or loosened so the paint does not fill into the gaps.
Ditto, remove emblem and replace with a new one is best, plus remove all the lights grilles etc before painting. Also watch for under spray going to the under carriage.
Then there is mil thickness. The OEM paint should be reduced to primer before repainting to keep the paint thickness in spec. When blending you can have a mil issue.
Lastly, with flex bumpers a flex additive should be used in the paint to help reduce chips and cracks from impacts. This additive also affects color match.
As a color match test, I have found viewing in a parking lot that is lit at night really shows if you got a match.
It is what it is...to coin a phase.
Hence you have diminished value IMO so good luck with that.
Or as the OP wrote "want to" not "need to" I wouldn't repaint.
So, options could be to add a bra or do a chip repairs.
Seriously, advice if it was me, I sell and buy a new Vette if this is a "need to".
Accidents s**k.
Again, good luck.
Not impossible but difficult.
More color matching time should be included in the estimate over a typical "plug" entry of .5 of an hour.
With metallics, many shops blend onto the hood and fenders with clear and or color to "fool" the eye.
You should have the bumper removed or loosened so the paint does not fill into the gaps.
Ditto, remove emblem and replace with a new one is best, plus remove all the lights grilles etc before painting. Also watch for under spray going to the under carriage.
Then there is mil thickness. The OEM paint should be reduced to primer before repainting to keep the paint thickness in spec. When blending you can have a mil issue.
Lastly, with flex bumpers a flex additive should be used in the paint to help reduce chips and cracks from impacts. This additive also affects color match.
As a color match test, I have found viewing in a parking lot that is lit at night really shows if you got a match.
It is what it is...to coin a phase.
Hence you have diminished value IMO so good luck with that.
Or as the OP wrote "want to" not "need to" I wouldn't repaint.
So, options could be to add a bra or do a chip repairs.
Seriously, advice if it was me, I sell and buy a new Vette if this is a "need to".
Accidents s**k.
Again, good luck.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 21
Likes: 3
From: Lakewood Ranch FL.
On my 2016, I had a minor scrape with someone in a parking lot and my local dealer repainted the front bumper and I cannot tell that anything was done! The color, texture, shine are all just like original. They took the cover off to redo it, and make sure that the clear "wrapped" all around. Car is Shark Grey.
