96 paint issue
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
96 paint issue
My 96 has a paint problem. Both sides, above and just forward of the rear wheel wells, paint has bubbled and in small areas, started to lift and crack. Any info on factory issues on this matter? Any info at all...?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,009
From: Texas
It's old paint and who knows how it was cared for or the environment it resided in for all those years, unless you're the original owner and have documented evidence to support any claim you may make.
Any "issues" there may have been 15 years ago...or even 10 years ago, are no longer relevant. It sounds like you're angling for a repaint at someone else's expense. Not going to happen.
Any "issues" there may have been 15 years ago...or even 10 years ago, are no longer relevant. It sounds like you're angling for a repaint at someone else's expense. Not going to happen.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 995
Likes: 1
From: Naples Campania
It could be as simple as it was driven on a dirt road all the time and that part of the paint took most of it. Could be chemicals. There aren't any problems with the paint from the factory. If it was repainted, then that is a different story. Research the car and find out the original color. That might be a start.
You don't necessarially have to do a full paint job. A good painter can do a fade in and make it look like new without having to spend 2K.
You don't necessarially have to do a full paint job. A good painter can do a fade in and make it look like new without having to spend 2K.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
To the first 2 replies...NOT LOOKING FOR ANYTHING FREE!!! JUST INFO!
For the rest of the replies....Thank You. Do know it is the original paint and has never had body work. The owner of a very reputable Body Shop suggested it is a fiberglass issue. He finds it odd that it is at the exact same place on both sides of the car.. His shop doesn't handle complete paint jobs and frankly is a little concerned about opening a "can of worrms" The car has always been driven on normal roadways....never unpaved. Kept covered with a high quality cover...flannel lined and breathable. Just wondering if anyone has also experienced this issue.
For the rest of the replies....Thank You. Do know it is the original paint and has never had body work. The owner of a very reputable Body Shop suggested it is a fiberglass issue. He finds it odd that it is at the exact same place on both sides of the car.. His shop doesn't handle complete paint jobs and frankly is a little concerned about opening a "can of worrms" The car has always been driven on normal roadways....never unpaved. Kept covered with a high quality cover...flannel lined and breathable. Just wondering if anyone has also experienced this issue.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,770
Likes: 175
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
The C4 isn't normal fiberglass like earlier Corvettes.
Sounds like he might be talking from experience with earlier model Corvettes.
My '96 has the original paint and over 117k miles.
Absolutely no paint issues, other than a few slight rock chips you would expect with that many miles.
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Safety Car
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,010
Likes: 26
From: Somewhere nowhere
To the first 2 replies...NOT LOOKING FOR ANYTHING FREE!!! JUST INFO!
For the rest of the replies....Thank You. Do know it is the original paint and has never had body work. The owner of a very reputable Body Shop suggested it is a fiberglass issue. He finds it odd that it is at the exact same place on both sides of the car.. His shop doesn't handle complete paint jobs and frankly is a little concerned about opening a "can of worrms" The car has always been driven on normal roadways....never unpaved. Kept covered with a high quality cover...flannel lined and breathable. Just wondering if anyone has also experienced this issue.
For the rest of the replies....Thank You. Do know it is the original paint and has never had body work. The owner of a very reputable Body Shop suggested it is a fiberglass issue. He finds it odd that it is at the exact same place on both sides of the car.. His shop doesn't handle complete paint jobs and frankly is a little concerned about opening a "can of worrms" The car has always been driven on normal roadways....never unpaved. Kept covered with a high quality cover...flannel lined and breathable. Just wondering if anyone has also experienced this issue.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
The fiberglass composite your car is made of is indeed nothing like the fiberglass of old. The panels are molded in a press kinda like steel. Mostly bubbling issues are from chemicals left on the surface from prep to repaint. Since yours hasnt been repainted its very unlikely that this is the issue. This leaves environmental factors and the fact that the SMC can delaminate over time. Your only choice at that point would be to grind the bad spots and repair them.
You can get better response and info at the Paint/Body forum under the General Corvette option here. Ask over there for your solutions.
You can get better response and info at the Paint/Body forum under the General Corvette option here. Ask over there for your solutions.
