Estimated hours for minor fiberglass work - are you serious?!

I just was at a large body shop yesterday to get an estimate to repair
the front tip of my C3. I scraped up about a softball-sized area right
on the point of the nose (a couple of pictures at
http://www.rizzoweb.com/photos/CorvetteDamage/)

I almost fell out of my chair when the estimator told me it was going to
be about $2k! Does over 23 hours of labor to repair such a small area of
fiberglass damage seem inordinate to anyone else? And then he wants to
re-paint not only the front bumper cover, but both fenders all the way
back to the doors - that's an additional 13.5 hours of painting labor
and supplies.

I'm looking for another shop in the area that does vettes so I can get
another estimate, but I just wanted to know if anyone here finds those
numbers to be inflated.

Eric
--
'74 Coupe 350 Automatic
Black/Black

Just one rocker panel, not including the inside door (top) area, was quoted
me $1K.
I'm thinking about buying and body shop as an investment.
TF

"Eric Rizzo" > wrote in message
. ..
> I just was at a large body shop yesterday to get an estimate to repair
> the front tip of my C3. I scraped up about a softball-sized area right
> on the point of the nose (a couple of pictures at
> http://www.rizzoweb.com/photos/CorvetteDamage/)
>
> I almost fell out of my chair when the estimator told me it was going to
> be about $2k! Does over 23 hours of labor to repair such a small area of
> fiberglass damage seem inordinate to anyone else? And then he wants to
> re-paint not only the front bumper cover, but both fenders all the way
> back to the doors - that's an additional 13.5 hours of painting labor
> and supplies.
>
> I'm looking for another shop in the area that does vettes so I can get
> another estimate, but I just wanted to know if anyone here finds those
> numbers to be inflated.
>
> Eric
> --
> '74 Coupe 350 Automatic
> Black/Black

Just one rocker panel, not including the inside door (top) area, was quoted
me $1K.
I'm thinking about buying and body shop as an investment.
TF

"Eric Rizzo" > wrote in message
. ..
> I just was at a large body shop yesterday to get an estimate to repair
> the front tip of my C3. I scraped up about a softball-sized area right
> on the point of the nose (a couple of pictures at
> http://www.rizzoweb.com/photos/CorvetteDamage/)
>
> I almost fell out of my chair when the estimator told me it was going to
> be about $2k! Does over 23 hours of labor to repair such a small area of
> fiberglass damage seem inordinate to anyone else? And then he wants to
> re-paint not only the front bumper cover, but both fenders all the way
> back to the doors - that's an additional 13.5 hours of painting labor
> and supplies.
>
> I'm looking for another shop in the area that does vettes so I can get
> another estimate, but I just wanted to know if anyone here finds those
> numbers to be inflated.
>
> Eric
> --
> '74 Coupe 350 Automatic
> Black/Black

Eric,

The glass repair is the easy part, but getting black paint to match can be
the toughest challenge a painter could face. If your '74 has the original
paint, you could call it "Mission Impossible". The texture and shine of the
finish must be matched as well as the color.
Just a thought,
Marty

"Eric Rizzo" > wrote in message
. ..
>I just was at a large body shop yesterday to get an estimate to repair the
>front tip of my C3. I scraped up about a softball-sized area right on the
>point of the nose (a couple of pictures at
>http://www.rizzoweb.com/photos/CorvetteDamage/)
>
> I almost fell out of my chair when the estimator told me it was going to
> be about $2k! Does over 23 hours of labor to repair such a small area of
> fiberglass damage seem inordinate to anyone else? And then he wants to
> re-paint not only the front bumper cover, but both fenders all the way
> back to the doors - that's an additional 13.5 hours of painting labor and
> supplies.
>
> I'm looking for another shop in the area that does vettes so I can get
> another estimate, but I just wanted to know if anyone here finds those
> numbers to be inflated.
>
> Eric
> --
> '74 Coupe 350 Automatic
> Black/Black

Eric,

The glass repair is the easy part, but getting black paint to match can be
the toughest challenge a painter could face. If your '74 has the original
paint, you could call it "Mission Impossible". The texture and shine of the
finish must be matched as well as the color.
Just a thought,
Marty

"Eric Rizzo" > wrote in message
. ..
>I just was at a large body shop yesterday to get an estimate to repair the
>front tip of my C3. I scraped up about a softball-sized area right on the
>point of the nose (a couple of pictures at
>http://www.rizzoweb.com/photos/CorvetteDamage/)
>
> I almost fell out of my chair when the estimator told me it was going to
> be about $2k! Does over 23 hours of labor to repair such a small area of
> fiberglass damage seem inordinate to anyone else? And then he wants to
> re-paint not only the front bumper cover, but both fenders all the way
> back to the doors - that's an additional 13.5 hours of painting labor and
> supplies.
>
> I'm looking for another shop in the area that does vettes so I can get
> another estimate, but I just wanted to know if anyone here finds those
> numbers to be inflated.
>
> Eric
> --
> '74 Coupe 350 Automatic
> Black/Black

Black is the absolute easiest color to match.....Period ! And the
entire car could be repainted ( original color ) for not too much more
then his quoted repair...

Pictures may not show all the damage BUT I would ...oh hell let me put
it this way..

I feel...and honestly KNOW the estimate is way way out of the ball
park... looks to me like you could buy a new front bumper and have the
entire car repainted for not a heck of a lot more then the quoted
repair .....

Sorry but I use a Body Shop that specializes in Corvettes and that has
done more then a couple of dozen Bloomington Cars in addition to
1000's of Corvettes (4 out of my 5 Corvettes have been done there) to
know that what damage I saw just does not equal the quoted price...No
way No how...

Get a few more estimates...and ask around for body men who work on the
side.. But stay clear of that body shop...

Just my gut reaction...

Bob Griffiths.


n Fri, 29 Oct 2004 12:08:35 -0500, "Marty" >
wrote:

>Eric,
>
>The glass repair is the easy part, but getting black paint to match can be
>the toughest challenge a painter could face. If your '74 has the original
>paint, you could call it "Mission Impossible". The texture and shine of the
>finish must be matched as well as the color.
>Just a thought,
>Marty
>
>"Eric Rizzo" > wrote in message
...
>>I just was at a large body shop yesterday to get an estimate to repair the
>>front tip of my C3. I scraped up about a softball-sized area right on the
>>point of the nose (a couple of pictures at
>>http://www.rizzoweb.com/photos/CorvetteDamage/)
>>
>> I almost fell out of my chair when the estimator told me it was going to
>> be about $2k! Does over 23 hours of labor to repair such a small area of
>> fiberglass damage seem inordinate to anyone else? And then he wants to
>> re-paint not only the front bumper cover, but both fenders all the way
>> back to the doors - that's an additional 13.5 hours of painting labor and
>> supplies.
>>
>> I'm looking for another shop in the area that does vettes so I can get
>> another estimate, but I just wanted to know if anyone here finds those
>> numbers to be inflated.
>>
>> Eric
>> --
>> '74 Coupe 350 Automatic
>> Black/Black
>
>

Black is the absolute easiest color to match.....Period ! And the
entire car could be repainted ( original color ) for not too much more
then his quoted repair...

Pictures may not show all the damage BUT I would ...oh hell let me put
it this way..

I feel...and honestly KNOW the estimate is way way out of the ball
park... looks to me like you could buy a new front bumper and have the
entire car repainted for not a heck of a lot more then the quoted
repair .....

Sorry but I use a Body Shop that specializes in Corvettes and that has
done more then a couple of dozen Bloomington Cars in addition to
1000's of Corvettes (4 out of my 5 Corvettes have been done there) to
know that what damage I saw just does not equal the quoted price...No
way No how...

Get a few more estimates...and ask around for body men who work on the
side.. But stay clear of that body shop...

Just my gut reaction...

Bob Griffiths.


n Fri, 29 Oct 2004 12:08:35 -0500, "Marty" >
wrote:

>Eric,
>
>The glass repair is the easy part, but getting black paint to match can be
>the toughest challenge a painter could face. If your '74 has the original
>paint, you could call it "Mission Impossible". The texture and shine of the
>finish must be matched as well as the color.
>Just a thought,
>Marty
>
>"Eric Rizzo" > wrote in message
...
>>I just was at a large body shop yesterday to get an estimate to repair the
>>front tip of my C3. I scraped up about a softball-sized area right on the
>>point of the nose (a couple of pictures at
>>http://www.rizzoweb.com/photos/CorvetteDamage/)
>>
>> I almost fell out of my chair when the estimator told me it was going to
>> be about $2k! Does over 23 hours of labor to repair such a small area of
>> fiberglass damage seem inordinate to anyone else? And then he wants to
>> re-paint not only the front bumper cover, but both fenders all the way
>> back to the doors - that's an additional 13.5 hours of painting labor and
>> supplies.
>>
>> I'm looking for another shop in the area that does vettes so I can get
>> another estimate, but I just wanted to know if anyone here finds those
>> numbers to be inflated.
>>
>> Eric
>> --
>> '74 Coupe 350 Automatic
>> Black/Black
>
>

One problem I see here is that there were no black 1974 Corvettes. So a
minor problem exists in making the paint match. That still should not be a
problem by blending it as he works back from the nose. Normally in the
distance from the bumper to the headlight doors it can be faded in and not
be noticeable. The other problem is the nose is an aftermarket replacement
and may be one he has had problems with before. Another estimate won't do
allot of good if you don't get away from the area, they sometimes work
together.

--
Dad
05 C6 Silver/Red 6spd Z51
72 Shark Black/Black/4spd


"Bob G" > wrote in message
...
>
> Black is the absolute easiest color to match.....Period ! And the
> entire car could be repainted ( original color ) for not too much more
> then his quoted repair...
>
> Pictures may not show all the damage BUT I would ...oh hell let me put
> it this way..
>
> I feel...and honestly KNOW the estimate is way way out of the ball
> park... looks to me like you could buy a new front bumper and have the
> entire car repainted for not a heck of a lot more then the quoted
> repair .....
>
> Sorry but I use a Body Shop that specializes in Corvettes and that has
> done more then a couple of dozen Bloomington Cars in addition to
> 1000's of Corvettes (4 out of my 5 Corvettes have been done there) to
> know that what damage I saw just does not equal the quoted price...No
> way No how...
>
> Get a few more estimates...and ask around for body men who work on the
> side.. But stay clear of that body shop...
>
> Just my gut reaction...
>
> Bob Griffiths.
>
>
> n Fri, 29 Oct 2004 12:08:35 -0500, "Marty" >
> wrote:
>
>>Eric,
>>
>>The glass repair is the easy part, but getting black paint to match can be
>>the toughest challenge a painter could face. If your '74 has the original
>>paint, you could call it "Mission Impossible". The texture and shine of
>>the
>>finish must be matched as well as the color.
>>Just a thought,
>>Marty
>>
>>"Eric Rizzo" > wrote in message
m...
>>>I just was at a large body shop yesterday to get an estimate to repair
>>>the
>>>front tip of my C3. I scraped up about a softball-sized area right on the
>>>point of the nose (a couple of pictures at
>>>http://www.rizzoweb.com/photos/CorvetteDamage/)
>>>
>>> I almost fell out of my chair when the estimator told me it was going to
>>> be about $2k! Does over 23 hours of labor to repair such a small area of
>>> fiberglass damage seem inordinate to anyone else? And then he wants to
>>> re-paint not only the front bumper cover, but both fenders all the way
>>> back to the doors - that's an additional 13.5 hours of painting labor
>>> and
>>> supplies.
>>>
>>> I'm looking for another shop in the area that does vettes so I can get
>>> another estimate, but I just wanted to know if anyone here finds those
>>> numbers to be inflated.
>>>
>>> Eric
>>> --
>>> '74 Coupe 350 Automatic
>>> Black/Black
>>
>>
>

One problem I see here is that there were no black 1974 Corvettes. So a
minor problem exists in making the paint match. That still should not be a
problem by blending it as he works back from the nose. Normally in the
distance from the bumper to the headlight doors it can be faded in and not
be noticeable. The other problem is the nose is an aftermarket replacement
and may be one he has had problems with before. Another estimate won't do
allot of good if you don't get away from the area, they sometimes work
together.

--
Dad
05 C6 Silver/Red 6spd Z51
72 Shark Black/Black/4spd


"Bob G" > wrote in message
...
>
> Black is the absolute easiest color to match.....Period ! And the
> entire car could be repainted ( original color ) for not too much more
> then his quoted repair...
>
> Pictures may not show all the damage BUT I would ...oh hell let me put
> it this way..
>
> I feel...and honestly KNOW the estimate is way way out of the ball
> park... looks to me like you could buy a new front bumper and have the
> entire car repainted for not a heck of a lot more then the quoted
> repair .....
>
> Sorry but I use a Body Shop that specializes in Corvettes and that has
> done more then a couple of dozen Bloomington Cars in addition to
> 1000's of Corvettes (4 out of my 5 Corvettes have been done there) to
> know that what damage I saw just does not equal the quoted price...No
> way No how...
>
> Get a few more estimates...and ask around for body men who work on the
> side.. But stay clear of that body shop...
>
> Just my gut reaction...
>
> Bob Griffiths.
>
>
> n Fri, 29 Oct 2004 12:08:35 -0500, "Marty" >
> wrote:
>
>>Eric,
>>
>>The glass repair is the easy part, but getting black paint to match can be
>>the toughest challenge a painter could face. If your '74 has the original
>>paint, you could call it "Mission Impossible". The texture and shine of
>>the
>>finish must be matched as well as the color.
>>Just a thought,
>>Marty
>>
>>"Eric Rizzo" > wrote in message
m...
>>>I just was at a large body shop yesterday to get an estimate to repair
>>>the
>>>front tip of my C3. I scraped up about a softball-sized area right on the
>>>point of the nose (a couple of pictures at
>>>http://www.rizzoweb.com/photos/CorvetteDamage/)
>>>
>>> I almost fell out of my chair when the estimator told me it was going to
>>> be about $2k! Does over 23 hours of labor to repair such a small area of
>>> fiberglass damage seem inordinate to anyone else? And then he wants to
>>> re-paint not only the front bumper cover, but both fenders all the way
>>> back to the doors - that's an additional 13.5 hours of painting labor
>>> and
>>> supplies.
>>>
>>> I'm looking for another shop in the area that does vettes so I can get
>>> another estimate, but I just wanted to know if anyone here finds those
>>> numbers to be inflated.
>>>
>>> Eric
>>> --
>>> '74 Coupe 350 Automatic
>>> Black/Black
>>
>>
>

"Bob G" > wrote in message
...
>
> Black is the absolute easiest color to match.....Period ! And the
> entire car could be repainted ( original color ) for not too much more
> then his quoted repair...

You are wrong about black paint (if it has the original factory enamel). You
are spot on about painting the whole car.

> Pictures may not show all the damage BUT I would ...oh hell let me put
> it this way..
>
> I feel...and honestly KNOW the estimate is way way out of the ball
> park... looks to me like you could buy a new front bumper and have the
> entire car repainted for not a heck of a lot more then the quoted
> repair .....

I agree, just a matter of figuring bumper cost, replacement labor vs repair
of the original. The paint,materials and labor to shoot the entire car
shouldn't push the quote much. If I were the to do the estimate, that is
what I would quote because he would get alot more for the money.

> Sorry but I use a Body Shop that specializes in Corvettes and that has
> done more then a couple of dozen Bloomington Cars in addition to
> 1000's of Corvettes (4 out of my 5 Corvettes have been done there) to
> know that what damage I saw just does not equal the quoted price...No
> way No how...

I'm sorry too Bob, chest thumping isn't normally my cup of tea, but a couple
of my paint jobs have won awards at car shows. I'm not Chip Foose, but I'm
not Earl Schieb (sp?) either. Corvettes are new to me, but painting is not.
It's great that you have a place you can trust with your money, that can be
a most difficult find, I'd like to find the same in my area.

> Get a few more estimates...and ask around for body men who work on the
> side.. But stay clear of that body shop...

Agreed! If the OP doesn't have an established relationship as you do,always
get more estimates and also ask around. A local car or Vette club my be the
best source for recomendations. Who knows, the OP may find a retired painter
that loves C-3s and just wants it to look it's best for under $2K.

My original response should have been along these lines.

Marty