Bumper Repaint
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 120
Likes: 13
Bumper Repaint
Have the headlights issue with paint pulling up in Corner. Any body have a problem with getting it fixed under warranty. Chevy advised the entire bumper has to be repainted. When you had it done, did the paint match? Thanks
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,943
Likes: 12,359
From: NE South Carolina
All colors easy to match with a good painter. Body shops can even patch 2-year-old paint that UV changed a bit by adjusting paint gun. All paint is mixed with basic colors different size aluminum flake etc.
Last edited by JerryU; Aug 21, 2023 at 01:23 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,750
Likes: 2,496
From: Buckeye, AZ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
A good bodyman/painter can match years old paint. My bodyman matched a panel on my 30 yo Pace Car silver and you could not tell. I had bumpers done on a couple cars over the years. He always removed them and when he shot the paint always wanted the car to perfectly match.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 115
Likes: 71
Save yourself some serious head / heartache and either touch it up yourself or take it to a professional body shop with good reputation.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,750
Likes: 2,496
From: Buckeye, AZ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
I've not been so lucky. One whole side of a car was eventually painted as they tried and tried to match the color and I ended up trading it because it looked so bad. Another was a truck and they blended the paint from one side of the tailgate to the other which was visible. Both of those were gray and the excuse was that they were gray. Must be some colors which are more foolproof.
I see mismatches in the factory painted HG color looking at the bumpers qne dompq4int to the body color. I must be hypersensitive.
,
I see mismatches in the factory painted HG color looking at the bumpers qne dompq4int to the body color. I must be hypersensitive.
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If you find a top notch body shop with a good painter, matching your paint should not be a problem.
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 461
Likes: 328
From: PDX
I have the headlight chipping issue on my front bumper. Honestly, it's not THAT bad, just one corner on the passenger side that could probably be easily masked with a drop of touch up paint.
I want to get the bumper aligned properly while under warranty so that it doesn't chip more in the future. When I talked to the guy at the body shop, I explained that I'd like it aligned and would rather have it touched up than the entire bumper repainted. He explained that I was "one of the smart ones" as "most guys" want the entire bumper repainted. He assured me that it would be aligned and look great when I get it back....I won't know until October when I take it in. I'd personally rather have a small paint line in the bumper corner that could only be seen under close inspection than to repaint an entire bumper that has otherwise perfect factory paint, for such a small blemish. We'll see how it turns out in a couple of months.
That can be a big "IF" assuming you're operating within the scope of GM warranty and the list of dealerships in your area.
I want to get the bumper aligned properly while under warranty so that it doesn't chip more in the future. When I talked to the guy at the body shop, I explained that I'd like it aligned and would rather have it touched up than the entire bumper repainted. He explained that I was "one of the smart ones" as "most guys" want the entire bumper repainted. He assured me that it would be aligned and look great when I get it back....I won't know until October when I take it in. I'd personally rather have a small paint line in the bumper corner that could only be seen under close inspection than to repaint an entire bumper that has otherwise perfect factory paint, for such a small blemish. We'll see how it turns out in a couple of months.
Last edited by STINGmole; Aug 22, 2023 at 10:08 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,191
Likes: 3,388
From: Morrill Nebraska
Do not get the entire bumper repainted. Find a paint shop that does air brushing.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,083
Likes: 1,489
From: TORONTO
Go to a different bodyman! A good one will have a computerized mixing system that can account for paint aging, etc. Then they will shoot test paint on paddles and if the mix needs adjusting, they will. This process can take some time to do properly. The other thing I have learned is bodymen are like doctors or lawyers in that trust is the key factor. Once you find a good one you stay with him. If your insurance company wants you to go bargain, you pay the difference for your bodyman. I had the same bodyman for 30 years, but now moved out of state. I dread finding a new 9ne here in AZ if needed.
The key is to find the right shop. Chevy just wants the cheapest shop.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 13,278
Likes: 2,509
From: Bluffton SC via Canton Oh
Mine chipped after about one year. I used touch up paint and had great success. I'd try that first. If it works good deal if not find that air brush dude....... but have the fender realigned around the headlight too.