Paint On 2004
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Paint On 2004
I have a 2004 C5 vette and it has the yellow paint and the car has orange peel over most of the car. The dealer says that this is normal and refuses to even try to buff it. This car has only 2800 miles on it and most of it has been sitting in the dealers garage. I have call chevy over this and the easy seat enty has been work on over 8 times and is still not fixed. I bought the car to enjoy not pay insurance for it to sit in the dealers garage. 
Last edited by TIREBURNER; Aug 15, 2005 at 11:17 PM. Reason: PAINT BAD
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland Oh
I looked at every car on the lot when i got mine (2004). Everyone was at least as bad as mine and mine was the worst new car I had seen up to that point. Bowling Green has some serious paint issues. The 2005's were looking just as bad the last time I looked also.
I just decided to live with it. Look on the bright side, at least your car isn't black
I just decided to live with it. Look on the bright side, at least your car isn't black
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Northwood Ohio
Yup! Par for the course! I read somewhere that the root cause of the orange peel is environmental regulations for the painting area of the plant...If it's really bad, you might get GM to foot the bill...
Dunno, would love to get mine buffed out though.
Dunno, would love to get mine buffed out though.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 433
Likes: 0
From: Brookfield WI
I have similar problems on my black '04, plus a fairly big paint drip. Pretty amazing... Anyway, the dealer buffed the car for me and made it worse. Based on that I would just suggest that you live with it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 8,238
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland, Center of Florida Fl
Mine wasnt the greatest when I picked it up. Then 6 years later the paint took a real beating in the florida sun plus graphix. Got a complete repaint and 0 orange peel (Aside from the color of my car) I am 100% satisfied with my new paint job. Wouldnt suggest if on a 2004 though. If they dont do it, take it to someone that knows paint really well and take it to them youself if it bugs you that much. Just try to enjoy the car while you have it.
Jon
Jon
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,137
Likes: 1
From: Insane Diego Kalifonya Baby
I have a 2004 MY C5 also and it has some orange peel and I found 2 runs on it one on the inside rim of the fender and one in a seam. You wouldn't see either if you weren't crawling all over it like I do. So far as the orange peel yes it's there and I live with it along with the EZ scratch paint. It hurts me to say this but the dealer is telling the truth(imagine that) when he says that it is normal because it does seem to be the norm when it comes to the C5. 
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,047
Likes: 24,727
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
They all seem to have some orange peel. I agree that if it is that bad, perhaps take it to a very good body shop and see what they can do. First, though, see if GM will pay for the work.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 35,617
Likes: 167
Tech Contributor
Cruise-In 11 Veteran
NCM Ambassador
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
Unfortunately this is the norm with C5's. It seems to be due partly to the painting process but also partly due to the body material of the car. When you combine a production line process which is targeting X number of vehicles a day with a body panel that can't be grounded well this is the result. It would be great if they all had paint like Jon's beauty but that just isn't economical. The car is a joy to drive. Load it up with your favorite wax or polish and drive it.
Paul
Paul
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 12,071
Likes: 0
From: Hoover Alabama
Originally Posted by ChipN
I have similar problems on my black '04, plus a fairly big paint drip. Pretty amazing... Anyway, the dealer buffed the car for me and made it worse. Based on that I would just suggest that you live with it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,180
Likes: 0
From: Georgetown (Sun City) Texas
I have an MY '04 Coupe, took it to the dealer for a minor paint issue and they screwed it up bad. Took it to another dealer recommended by a forum member and they got it back to bearable. I would suggest that you live with it! It is a fun car, so go with that!!
Use it and enjoy. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,723
Likes: 1,088
From: NE OH
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
Originally Posted by talon90
... Load it up with your favorite wax or polish and drive it.
Paul
Paul
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 20,933
Likes: 905
From: salem OR
Wet sand the whole car, Buffer is not going touch orange peel
Then buff Use 2000 grit then 3-m rubbing and polish about 90.00 dollars
You will have show car.
Gotta post a picture of mine 2002 and no orange peel Quicksilver color
mine came with no peel
Then buff Use 2000 grit then 3-m rubbing and polish about 90.00 dollars
You will have show car.
Gotta post a picture of mine 2002 and no orange peel Quicksilver color
mine came with no peel