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View Full Version : Easy to repaint a Viper



SharpMan
02-05-2017, 11:38 PM
Looking at the assembly line pictures and knowing that all body panels are unstressed and appear bolted on can anyone speak to how easy it is to repaint a Viper and how much that might cost?

I didn't get a 1-of-1 but do have an ACR coming. I like the GTS-R blue but would rather a nice dark, non-metallic red...like a vintage Alfa or Ferrari colour.

Anyone done this?

donk_316
02-06-2017, 12:38 AM
Maybe a nice wrap would be a better idea.

Mark1107
02-06-2017, 12:41 AM
Maybe a nice wrap would be a better idea.

Amen.

The only people repainting your Viper is Prefix in Detroit. Other than that your destroying the value worse than a branded title.

ViperSmith
02-06-2017, 08:58 AM
I was contemplating having Prefix repaint my 2013 when I had it. I didn't care about the "value" complaints people make. 1) You'd be dumping $20k on a paint job to get it done right (sanding, repainting). Plus, these cars lose so much value anyway, bfd. Repaints are bad when it is due to accident, I don't buy repaints to make it look better as being a deal killer (i.e. proper documentation)

mnc2886
02-06-2017, 09:26 AM
Maybe a nice wrap would be a better idea.

I might be wrong, but I'm pretty sure the hood is too big to get wrapped unless it is broken up into smaller pieces. I don't think 3M or anyone else has wrapping with the adequate width to do so. I'm pretty sure you'd be forced to add stripes of some sort.

timberwolf
02-06-2017, 11:13 AM
I might be wrong, but I'm pretty sure the hood is too big to get wrapped unless it is broken up into smaller pieces. I don't think 3M or anyone else has wrapping with the adequate width to do so. I'm pretty sure you'd be forced to add stripes of some sort.

You could always incorporate stripes in to your wrap to solve the hood seam issue.

bluesrt
02-06-2017, 05:01 PM
just send it back to prefix, I bet around 15k to paint it- its a 150k car

Dan Cragin
02-06-2017, 06:35 PM
Our body shop has repainted numerous Vipers over the years. Its time consuming to do it right. All the panels need to come off (except the roof) lots of preparation. Good paint is expensive. Expect to pay 10-12k for job done right.

Vipes
02-06-2017, 08:21 PM
What? You just ordered this right? I doubt it has even been painted yet. Can't you just call prefix and change the color?

SharpMan
02-06-2017, 08:46 PM
What? You just ordered this right? I doubt it has even been painted yet. Can't you just call prefix and change the color?

Never thought of that but I don't think so. I missed the 1-of-1 window and was lucky to get a regular slot. Standard colour choices for me.

I was mostly musing and making conversation. I'm looking forward to the blue...just wondering about down the road...

Bill Pemberton
02-06-2017, 09:14 PM
We had one of our customers completely wrap his car so that can be done, but frankly the GTS-R is killer. Heck, do a single red drivers stripe, with tape, and that will change the complexion of the car a lot!

SharpMan
02-06-2017, 09:42 PM
We had one of our customers completely wrap his car so that can be done, but frankly the GTS-R is killer. Heck, do a single red drivers stripe, with tape, and that will change the complexion of the car a lot!

That's on my mind too. Gonna try white or red GTS stripes first. My 6 year old likes the idea ;-)

ViperSmith
02-06-2017, 10:25 PM
wraps are fun and (somewhat) easy to swap out. but, a pro wrap is going to run you $5k. you are almost half there to nice repaint.

One Viper Bite
02-07-2017, 01:28 AM
I suggest a wrap. A good wrap will run you $5-$7K.

I had paint issues with my Gen V GTS and Prefix quoted me $15,000 to $18,000 for a repaint of the entire car.

Vprbite
02-07-2017, 05:12 AM
I used to own body shops. It's been a few years but off the top of my head I would say about 15k to repaint. More for metallic or pearl type colors. The Gen II GTS, for example, wasn't the most difficult car to repaint in terms of disassembly which was pretty straightforward. But vipers have a lot of curves and need to be painted by someone who knows what they are doing and of course all the old paint has to be carefully removed. A full color change is pretty labor intensive and I wouldn't let anyone do it besides an absolutely top notch shop.


I would say do a wrap with stripes. Should be about 5 grand. The only thing about just doing stripes is they are not totally removable the way people seem to say. Yes, you can remove them but depending on how long they have been on there, you may be able to see where they where. Especially out here with the sun we have. Would that stop me? No, absolutely not. Just know before you do it tthough

Go check out the work done by a good wrap shop and you might be pretty impressed with their final results.

Good luck and enjoy.