C5 nose scrapes

['63split]

Hello,

My '99 has numerous scrapes on the bottom of the nose from scrapping parking lot curbs. I want to touch up the nose and was told the best way to do this is to take the nose completely off and repaint it.

Has anyone had their nose repainted and if so is taking the nose completely off the best way to fix the scrapes?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[warren s]

I recently looked at many C5s, I noticed every one have extensive scrapes to both the under side of the nose and the metal skid bars.

I looked at a 98 Purple Pearl Metallic, one of 381 made inthat color. It needed to be painted. I called a few shops around my area. I was told the metal skid bars are on part and coud be replaced, the nose should be taken off if the scrapes are very deep. If not it could be repaired and painted on the car.

The problem with removal was more related to repairing the gouges than painting. I was also told that the hood and fenders may need to be blended as it was very unlikely that a nose painted off the car would match exactly, and the potential for scratching the freshly painted nose upon installation was high.

 

[cruzer99]

Had mine done due to road rash more than anything. It was done on the car and matched the 99 orginal navy blue pearl perfect. The guy I used has his own shop and does a lot of street rods. He found the factory paint code, ordered that code, preped, painted, and buffed all for $300. I think the most important thing is to use someone that has been referred because of a great job and look at his finished work.

Good luck

 

[TooTall]

To save most of the issue with scraps on the nose. You might try Andy's Frame Savers https://www.aandacorvette.com/cart/show_items.asp?MainCatID=5 they really make a difference

 

['63split]

Good idea!

I'm going to take the car to a local dealer and see if they can paint it without taking the nose off of the car so I can avoid some of the issues involved with removing the nose.

Wish me luck!

Mike

 

[Pac-man]

There's no reason to remove the nose. Any good body shop can fix that easy.

 

['63split]

I just returned from the body shop at a local Chevrolet dealer and he said he could fix it without having to take the nose off. He said it would take 2 days and it would cost under $200.00. Sounds good to me. I put a nasty scrape on the right front lower corner turning out of a driveway.

Thanks for the info!

Regards,
Mike

 

[VETTEX2]

If they are UNDER the nose and not where you can see it..........Why not just spray it with touch-up paint ? That's what I did knowing that even with the frame savers it'd happen again.

 

[BigJoe]

If they are UNDER the nose and not where you can see it..........Why not just spray it with touch-up paint ? That's what I did knowing that even with the frame savers it'd happen again.

I agree. If you have to lay on your back to see them chances are no one else will notice them.

 

['63split]

Unfortunately, the scrape is on the lower front corner and is visible as your looking at the side of the car 3/4 view. So I'm going to have it professionally painted and then be real careful I don't side swipe anymore curbs . We just bought the car a week ago and we're still geting used to it's dimensions.

Mike

 

[Patrick]

I know what you mean about having to get used to the C5's dimensions, 63. When I first sold my truck for my first Corvette (a '91 Coupe), it was un-nerving how "off" I was when trying to park. I finally solved the problem by parking the same way I did in my truck- by backing into spaces. I occasionally get nasty stares from people who think I'm being arrogant, but if I'm going to misjudge a curb stop, I'd rather do it with the back tires or the bottoms of the exhaust tips.



-Patrick

 

[JBHAMC40]

Got to have my nose repainted due to hitting a racoon. It chipped the paint but i have decided to just have the nose repainted plus like some others have mentioned I have some road rash too. Has anybody looked into that invisible bra that was in Vette magazine a couple of months ago?

 

[Rain]

Got to have my nose repainted due to hitting a racoon. It chipped the paint but i have decided to just have the nose repainted plus like some others have mentioned I have some road rash too. Has anybody looked into that invisible bra that was in Vette magazine a couple of months ago?

So, how did the critter end up in this brush with your Corvette?
hahahahaha

 

[jrose7004]

I have had my nose repainted and the shop did not remove it! They said that they were but on further review!:eyerole

 

[bossvette]

Got to have my nose repainted due to hitting a racoon. It chipped the paint but i have decided to just have the nose repainted plus like some others have mentioned I have some road rash too. Has anybody looked into that invisible bra that was in Vette magazine a couple of months ago?

I hit a Coon at 60+ and have to do the same thing, I bought a Bumper on E-bay but it has to be painted, still undecided wether to paint on or off car. I hit a BIG coon and it cracked the bumper, I was told it could be fixed by welding/glueing so I may repair it an keep as a spare. There are a lot of critters where I live and I drive alot at night so I may need it.

 

[DRTH VTR]

That is why I NEVER pull nose in to a curb or other parking barrier. When I have to park against a barrier, I back in.

 

[Vettehead]

Cost of new unpainted bumper

I hit a Coon at 60+ and have to do the same thing, I bought a Bumper on E-bay but it has to be painted, still undecided wether to paint on or off car. I hit a BIG coon and it cracked the bumper, I was told it could be fixed by welding/glueing so I may repair it an keep as a spare. There are a lot of critters where I live and I drive alot at night so I may need it.

So how much did the new bumper cost on e-bay, if I may ask? I need to replace mine after hitting a highway cone that was in the middle of the road . The dealer quoted me for nearly $1000.00 to replace and repaint the front bumper :eek (ouch!). The bumper alone was about $450 from the dealer.

 

[bossvette]

I bought a used one but the wrong color Mag red instead of torch red, it has 2 small areas cut off underneath, but will be Ok for my car as it is a daily driver. it was about $180 delivered. I am still driving it so I have not replaced it yet it won't be long before I am snowed in :L