08 Z51

So, my neighbor backed out of his driveway and into my (once brand new) 2008 Crystal Red Metallic Z51 Coupe. After my near heart attack, we exchanged info and it went to the body shop. This is where my problems start. They fixed the cracks just perfectly, but cannot blend and match the paint in a panel to panel paint match due to the 3 step process paint. Is there anyway to buy a factory painted panel from GM since they are now "bolt on panels" anyway. I figure that is the closest I can get to "original" again. Assuming the paint they use on all crystal red cars is nearly the same batch or at least same pigmentation. Also, what about vendors that carry salvage parts like corvetterecycling.com (who is out of that color by the way). Anybody else had trouble painting those tricky tincoats of GM's? Any thoughts on other options?

THANKS!

To answer some questions that arose in later postings... The damaged/cracked panel was the rear driver side quarter panel, they painted the gas lid/door also...

JERGENSEN LS3

Sorry to hear, but you should never park across, or near any driveway.

Also, did he call the police after you beat his azz ?

dgrant3830

A good body shop can duplicate the paint if they know what they are doing. Will it exactly match the original, probably not exact, but real darn close. GM uses very high-tech methods to do the paint and clear coat along with a seriously clean environment to do this in. I just had a rocker panel painted by a local body shop to match my '07's Montery Red. A very difficult color to match, but they did it and it looks very, very good. Its not on the car yet so I can't say its perfect till then but from the outward appearance, it is. The body parts don't come from GM painted. Maybe you could contact Bowling Green and see if they will part with one but I'm sure it'll cost a lot more if they are even willing to do it. Its pretty doubtful.

george vee

The way to go is to paint the complete side of the car to the top edge of fender. By Doing this it is hard to tell if the color is off because of the change in angle from side to top the car.

cranky

get another body shop. should not be a problem if they are up to date.

07c6vette

go to a different body shop

RnLi

Agree with the others.....

Go to another shop.....one that knows how to paint Corvettes. The current one is giving you some

07MontRedcp

If the new paint is to light it can be darken somewhat by extra coats of clear. This info comes from an exceptionally good painter at a shop that specializes in Corvettes here in AZ. They did a repaint on my wide body after a really bad match from a shop in CA.

BJK

jeffjob

Blending is an art.

I just had my rear panel painted on my 09 CRM and I had many Vette buddies, ( some into body work ) look at it and they cannot see any difference.

Where are you located?

Chuck A

that happened to me, it was the wifes uncle he opened the door and hit my door a little, a tiny scratch, but i didnt even make a big deal about it, but he knew i was pissed, not even worth of getting it fixed, hardly can tell their is a scratch on it, i feel for you though

CQRT

Better body shops can match it without difficulty - - please put your location into your profile so forum members can contact you with shops in your area.

You can also post a Want To Buy (WTB) in the parts section and be specific with the panels you want - - -patience will generally be rewarded.

6speedC6

I had my last vette repaired twice without any match problems,

don7790

I just got my CTS with the same color back with frt fender repair done and it matches perfectly with less orange peel. Get it out of there and go elsewhere.

shopdog

I'm going to pile on and agree with everyone else that you need to find a better painter. Painting is both science and art, anyone can do the science if they care to apply themselves, but the art requires natural talent, lots of people weren't born with any. Your job is to find someone who was.

Swiftrider08

Since all the paint "experts" have commented, no point in me adding my knowledge to the subject, but to answer your original question, you can not buy factory painted panels from GM as they do not sell them. Used will be the only way. Also, the front and rear "bumpers" are painted by an outside vendor and shipped into the factory so alot of those parts are not even a perfect match when the car is new. You did not say what panel was hit on your car so hard to comment on the correct type of fix.

joec

well I gonna be the one dissenting vote.. While another body shop might be in order, if CR has a tinted clear coat there is no way he's gonna perfectly match it.. I have a friend who had a JSB that got hit. While the base coat was matched, matching that tinted clear coat was impossible.. Close but not perfect by any stretch and you can tell at certain angles.. my .02...

mksz51

Just a comment - a REALLY good shop will also match the degree of orange peel also. In reality, I think it is quite easy for a shop to make a panel have less orange peel than the factory. Color is important, but so is the "texture".

marc8090

When you watch the tv show "Ultimate Factories" about the Corvette they show bumpers being painted there along with everything else. My opinion on why the bumpers don't always match is because of the flex agent. They must only add it to the paint used on the bumpers to save money.

0AmericanCustomInd

You are correct, we would actually blend into other panels to help the color match, as well as wet sanding surrounding areas to help match the "orange peel"... as our freshly painted panels have less orange peel than the factory painted panels. We match the texture the best we can... if the car comes in with a glassy, show-quality finish, then we'll match that too!

These new colors are definitrly tough to match. We almost always have to custom-tint when we do any work here. They are definitely tricky to match, but definitely possible.

08 Z51

I was also told it was due to different media "taking" paint differently. i.e. the bumpers are not made of exactly the same material as the body panels are and when painted appear a slightly different color for that reason (mine look a 100th of a shade darker or blue-r than the body of the car)... That was what I was told anyway...