corbin7

Has anyone ever had damage on the rocker panel fixed? I got some damage on mine (recently bought car, not sure how this happened) and today got a quote to get it fixed. I was quoted a little over 5k to replace the rocker and repaint.

The quote included blending on the QP, but if anyone has had one of these replaced and repainted can you let me know cost and where you had it done?



Thank you!

V Vette

Why not sand, fill and repaint? 5K I'd buy a used car.....

rmorin1249

My passenger side rocker panel was replaced when I scraped a piece of concrete in a parking lot. Insurance paid for it. I think it was around $3500. Paint is a perfect match. Todd Auto Body in Greencastle PA did the work. Very pleased. Installed side skirts to prevent future damage.

corbin7

The panel is plastic or fiberglass and I'd like it fixed right ideally. I may just have it replaced/fixed then add the side skirts.

Gixxerman

Expensive to replace lower is glued to the frame. A good shop should be able to easily repair and paint it perfectly.. it's not like it's steel good luck, sux having a ding

bartsky

Right guy fixes that on the car at a fraction of that cost. Not replace it.

JMII

Given the location a set of side skirts might hide 80% of the damaged area.

asc709

Shouldn’t that car have side skirts anyways? That doesn’t look like a Stingray rocker panel.

Glennm27

$5000 is insane.
Get it repaired and painted on the car.
That can be blended on only the rocker. No need to blend a panel that low on the car up onto the quarter. They would have to clear coat the entire quarter to do that. Screw that. Stay off the quarter.

Vetteman Jack

I agree with Glenn - a repair like that should not cost anywhere near $5K. Find another body shop and get a quote.

Gixxerman

very repairable at that location.. I can't see needing it completely replaced.. big job getting old one off glueing and getting fit right.. repairing will be fine with less chance of breaking or damaging some other part. I would then put side skirts on.. better to have them as a sacrificial offering to the concrete gods.. If replaced you'd still be repainting anyway and color may not match if painted off the car. 5k seems awful high.. or the guy quoting you is.. good luck whatever route you take.

corbin7

Looks like I am going to get an additional quote this weekend! I didnt think 5k seemed right, I want it fixed correctly but dont feel like all of that is necessary. I looked over the quote, it was 5,347.29 all said and done from this shop. They are very high end. Chevy recommended caliber collision but I am hesitant to take it there.

JerryU

Yep could be as high as $5000 to, 1) replace the rocker panel that is one piece and goes up the door sill and to the rear wheel opening. See the pic below. Front fender removed, panel replaced. painted and yep blended into front and rear fender!

But for that minor damage, crazy, IMO! They have a Bondo for plastic. Most C7 panels, like this one, are plastic composite with ~40% fiberglass. If it were steel thay would use Bondo for metal. Considering where it is, way below eye level, a good painter should be able to match without going over to fender. Then put on side skirts and you'll never know it was damaged.

Custom Corvette Accessories

6K

Regards
Chip

Gixxerman

Ouch.. just when the nightmares of jacks went away...you bring it back aaarrrggghhh I hate those pics.. make my skin crawl

JerryU

^^^
Just watch the jack saddle/jack pad position after each pump! No problem!

Easy "If you do what I say and not what I occasionally foolishly do!"

corbin7

ha I ordered jack pucks to avoid that issue, should be okay there hopefully! I am going to get a few more quotes. I already had side skirts on order, may just see how much they will "hide"

joemessman

I think the recommendations to have it repaired is the way to go. A good body shop can do that for less than a grand and it'll look like new.

JerryU

Hmm, FWIW jack pads prevent the jack from hitting the rocker panel BUT don't help the jack saddle from slipping off IF the jack doesn't move into the car as you jack it up! How much MUST it move in? Depends on the length of the jack arm, see pic.

Note after my short arm jack slipped at it's max lift (where it would have to move in 2.6 inches to stay centered) -cracking a side skirt (because I didn't follow my own advice of being sure the jack saddle is still centered on the jack pad after each pump) I bought a long arm jack "thinking that would reduce the issue." However that 95 pound jack was not moving into the car center "at all" on my tiled garage floor OR on my concrete driveway where I often change oil!

The jack saddle had a very shallow lip (probably to have a wide lift range) so I welded on 3/8 inch high lip so it could NOT slip. That also helps pull the jack into the car! Just be sure: 1) the jack saddle starts centered on the jack pad; 2) the jack is perpendicular to the car; 3) if it has rear casters align them to be ready to move in and 4) AND look at the jack saddle/jack pad alinment after each jack pump!

SMT1004

Had similar damage but mine just needed repair not replacement. $838 for the repair.