It's a tough call. Totally repainting your Corvette costs a lot of money and involves a lot of work. Touch-ups may work for the small stuff, especially if you're in the market to sell your car, but they may not be enough to give you that wonderful new-paint feel you seek.
Some of you may remember our paint rejuvenation article a while back. While the folks at Meguiar's were able to create an amazing transformation, there were some fatal paint flaws that couldn't be fixed without firing up the spray gun and applying a new coat of paint. We asked the experts and found some consistent opinions about paint condition and when to repaint the entire car or spot paint the problem areas.
For many, the decision is simple. If you want the ultimate shine, a repaint is the only way to go. Find a legitimate painter who understands Corvettes, as they are made from a different material than most cars and require certain techniques and paint products not important for steel-bodied cars. Proper surface preparation and the right chemical primers make a huge difference in the final look and durability of your paint job.
For some, spot painting is enough to return the look that drew you to your Corvette in the first place. Small scratches and gouges in the paint can be repaired and blended in by a competent repair shop knowledgeable about the Corvette paint process. Cracks in the paint surface that are showing through the fiberglass can also be repaired. They do, however, require a lot of grinding of the paint surface, repair of the fiberglass, and re-application of the original paint pigment and any clearcoats, followed by blending to create a repair that matches the rest of the car. Any shop that understands how to repair Corvettes involved in minor accidents should be able to repair small areas that are being touched up.
Cutting corners by touching up your Corvette body can achieve satisfying results. But if you want the show-winning look, do it right with a full paint job. The choice is yours and must be based on your ultimate goal.
The Custom CourseIf you don't have the scratch for a full paint job and a touch-up just won't do enough, why not try some custom paint tricks? Stripes and other custom designs cover a host of cosmetic defects in your car and set it off from the rest of the pack. If you're looking for a reason to add that personal custom touch, fix that bug-stained front end, or add a rear tail stripe to cover up that cracked fascia-it might be just what the doctor ordered. -Eddie Paul, E.P. Industries
Decision TimeSteps to consider when choosing a total repaint or a touchup:Assess your Corvette's needsShowing your carGeneral daily driverWeekend cruiser
Assess your financial situationTouchups can be done for under $1,000 on averageRepaints generally require at least $2,500 at a quality repair shop
Enlist the help of a proGet an estimate on both a touch-up and full repaintGet more than one perspective and use club and friend referralsDon't expect a top pro paint job from a quickie shopRemember, you get what you pay for
Go with your gutRead up on techniques and what it takes to paint a carRegardless of which way you decide to go, drop in on the shop before the job and ask questions if you have concerns