itsjer

Someone was nice enough to key my vette several months after I puchased it even though I park out in BFE. I would appreciate any help on what I should look for in a body shop when fixing it. It is deep, but I don't know enough to tell if it is past the paint. You can see white in the scratch. It is in the right rear quarterpanel.

What should be the process when they fix it and/or if they need to paint it? If they paint it should they take off the panel? I may go to the dealer where I purchased it since they have their own bodyshop, but I also wanted to check out some local shops. Your words of wisdom are appreciated.

Now that I purchased a vette, I seem to get more **** about my cars !!

C8-Vette

Get estimates from a few shops. They will not remove the panels. The damaged area will be sanded to feather out the scratches. A filler will be applied if needed, something like an oxide putty and sanded again. They will prime, color, and clear coat. If your paint is a metallic, they may want to blend in adjoining areas. Let us know how you make out.

rdm1465

While it s**ks, hopefully it is just the clear coat that got damaged. If it is a repaint, the panel can be left on for matching/blending purposes.
I would go to a few independents to get an idea of what kind of work they do.

Tom/99

Check with a local Corvette club for their recommendation on a body shop.

RicK T

I would look for and identify "high end" body shops, the ones that specialize in expensive cars. Then find out if any of them specialize in or at least have knowledge of Vettes. You are more likely to get a quality job from a high end shop than a typical shop just because they are accustomed to dealing with finicky customers.

You could go over to the Great Lakes Regional forum and ask for recommendations, more local eyes and local help:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/great-lakes-43/

dvilin

Good idea.

mikes64

I had scraped the front end underneath and backed into a trailer on
the back, not a significant amount of damage, but it looked bad.
Local dealer wanted $2,000.00 for a new rear panel and paint. Had
a shop around the corner fix it for $450.00. The car is black, and
it looks like new.

lander

If you can, find a shop that does custom painting for show cars. I have one near me that does excellent work. I had a brand new MazdaSpeed6 a couple years ago that I had them fix a scratch on the roof and you couldn't tell it was done. (they painted the whole roof). It cost a little more than average, I'm sure, but it was well worth it.

DJones1220

look on your local corvette clubs website and see who their sponsor is for body work, I had the same problem used the local vette club reccomendation and best decision I ever made!

itsjer

Thanks for the words of wisdom guys!

Wayne O

I'm sorry about the senseless damage to your car. You've gotten many good suggestions. IMO some dealership body shops do excellent work. I'd certainly ask others for recommendations, get a few estimates and search out the 'best' shop around. Where I live there are many excellent shops but there is one with a stellar reputation for working on high end cars. They're more expensive than most but for good reason.

Chuck A

Good luck on repair

AORoads

Exactly! If you're not a member, call the prez in early evening, or write them. Very likely several members have one shop in particular where they take their Corvettes (it may not be the same one they use for their regular cars).

It could also be a good time to join one.