Common C5 paint issue?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,624
Likes: 308
From: Mont Belvieu Tx
Common C5 paint issue?
Hello,
I am looking at getting back into a C5 Vette. I had a '99 Nassau Blue Corvette (absolutely loved it), an 08 JetStream Blue and recently a 2015 Laguna Blue Stingray. I have had my eye on the 50th Anniversary red 2003 C5 (yeah, breaking with my blue-only tradition) and have test driven two of those recently. Neither car is what I would have considered to have been tenderly loved and one thing I did notice was that both cars had clear coat problems. Yes, they had swirl marks and misc scratches (blah) but both had what appeared to be cracks in small areas of the clear and also small sections were the clear was already gone. I sold my '99 in 2011 and it never had any problems with the paint when I sold it. Then again, I treated my ride with the utmost of care.
I guess my question is.. Do you think these clear coat issues were because of some type of neglect or is there a problem with the Anniversary Reds? (or C5s in general that I never saw on my old one)
Thanks,
Drew
I am looking at getting back into a C5 Vette. I had a '99 Nassau Blue Corvette (absolutely loved it), an 08 JetStream Blue and recently a 2015 Laguna Blue Stingray. I have had my eye on the 50th Anniversary red 2003 C5 (yeah, breaking with my blue-only tradition) and have test driven two of those recently. Neither car is what I would have considered to have been tenderly loved and one thing I did notice was that both cars had clear coat problems. Yes, they had swirl marks and misc scratches (blah) but both had what appeared to be cracks in small areas of the clear and also small sections were the clear was already gone. I sold my '99 in 2011 and it never had any problems with the paint when I sold it. Then again, I treated my ride with the utmost of care.
I guess my question is.. Do you think these clear coat issues were because of some type of neglect or is there a problem with the Anniversary Reds? (or C5s in general that I never saw on my old one)
Thanks,
Drew
Last edited by Coyote; Jul 5, 2016 at 01:00 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,503
Likes: 33
From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
Owner neglect. I've never noticed any particular issues other than typical quality control stuff such as orange peel. if a previous owner treats a Corvette just as they would any other car, then a Corvette will look like any other car. Scratched, chipped, thin or peeling clear coat, etc. It is as it is...
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,624
Likes: 308
From: Mont Belvieu Tx
Man... that looks niiiice.
You know what gets me... Is that both of these 50th Anni Red cars were being sold through 'classic car' dealerships. When I arrived to test drive them they were both covered in dirt and were in a general state of disarray on the interior. If I were trying to demand the biggest bang of my buck on the sale of a vette like that, I would start by detailing it. Jeeeez...
I was hoping to get a feel for how the 50th Anni Red looked in the sun light. I still have no idea if they are light up and sparkle in the sun or not since they were so filthy. My Nassau Blue came to life in the sun and did great at car shows. I'm hoping the 50th Anni Red is something like that.
You know what gets me... Is that both of these 50th Anni Red cars were being sold through 'classic car' dealerships. When I arrived to test drive them they were both covered in dirt and were in a general state of disarray on the interior. If I were trying to demand the biggest bang of my buck on the sale of a vette like that, I would start by detailing it. Jeeeez...
I was hoping to get a feel for how the 50th Anni Red looked in the sun light. I still have no idea if they are light up and sparkle in the sun or not since they were so filthy. My Nassau Blue came to life in the sun and did great at car shows. I'm hoping the 50th Anni Red is something like that.
Last edited by Coyote; Jul 5, 2016 at 01:04 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 347
From: Iowa
It's possible that they hit something or the car got hit by something which caused the clear coat to crack/chip. On one of my previous cars I rear ended someone at low speed (less that 10mph) and it caused the paint to crack around my license plate. There was no other damage done. The bumper flexed and the paint cracked as a result. Something similar could have happened to this car.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,624
Likes: 308
From: Mont Belvieu Tx
It's possible that they hit something or the car got hit by something which caused the clear coat to crack/chip. On one of my previous cars I rear ended someone at low speed (less that 10mph) and it caused the paint to crack around my license plate. There was no other damage done. The bumper flexed and the paint cracked as a result. Something similar could have happened to this car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 361
From: Midland TX
I have had my 2001 C5 coupe as my DD for 16 years. I do take exceptional care of the paint, but it actually looks better than the day I picked it up new!
No cracks or clear coat issues of any kind.
A number of coupes did display a rear deck blistering issue noticeable under certain lighting conditions due to a bonding strip problem stretching across the back that generally would appear overnight after a few years. I was lucky enough to get my rear deck replaced and repainted under my GMPP when mine appeared - lucky because the warranty did not cover paint years later!
I did have one clear coat issue on my left front fender behind the wheel where it bubbled up and turned yellow after a few months, but the Dealership striped the clear off in that area re-shot it and it still looks like new.
I do have the standard minimal orange peel, but not that bad.
No cracks or clear coat issues of any kind.
A number of coupes did display a rear deck blistering issue noticeable under certain lighting conditions due to a bonding strip problem stretching across the back that generally would appear overnight after a few years. I was lucky enough to get my rear deck replaced and repainted under my GMPP when mine appeared - lucky because the warranty did not cover paint years later!
I did have one clear coat issue on my left front fender behind the wheel where it bubbled up and turned yellow after a few months, but the Dealership striped the clear off in that area re-shot it and it still looks like new.
I do have the standard minimal orange peel, but not that bad.
Last edited by Choreo; Jul 5, 2016 at 03:10 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 203
From: Edmonton Alberta, Canada
No paint issues here (black) with exception of minor scratches and everyday wear and tear. Really wonder why a Classic car dealership markets cars not detailed to the max. Classics are purchased as a luxury item and must look their best or sit on the lot for years. I would approach the manager and ask why they are neglected and how they hope to sell them. Say, call me back after they are detailed or don't bother me... (Maybe its a front for some other activity)
Last edited by El original; Jul 5, 2016 at 05:08 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,705
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From: Chesapeake Beach Maryland
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
When I bought my Anniversary Red AE, the trunk lid had "dry spots" areas that were dull almost chalked out from what I suppose was from sitting in the sun. With the help of my Porter Cable buffer all is well again. It took a good bit of polishing to really get it to come back, but did great. IIRC reading hear on the forum that the AE Anniversary Red has a decent layer of clear.
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IMO, what you are seeing is not a common problem with a well cared for vehicle. My car is an '03 and I do not have any of those problems.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 147
Likes: 29
From: Rogersville, MO
Hello,
I am looking at getting back into a C5 Vette. I had a '99 Nassau Blue Corvette (absolutely loved it), an 08 JetStream Blue and recently a 2015 Laguna Blue Stingray. I have had my eye on the 50th Anniversary red 2003 C5 (yeah, breaking with my blue-only tradition) and have test driven two of those recently. Neither car is what I would have considered to have been tenderly loved and one thing I did notice was that both cars had clear coat problems. Yes, they had swirl marks and misc scratches (blah) but both had what appeared to be cracks in small areas of the clear and also small sections were the clear was already gone. I sold my '99 in 2011 and it never had any problems with the paint when I sold it. Then again, I treated my ride with the utmost of care.
I guess my question is.. Do you think these clear coat issues were because of some type of neglect or is there a problem with the Anniversary Reds? (or C5s in general that I never saw on my old one)
Thanks,
Drew
I am looking at getting back into a C5 Vette. I had a '99 Nassau Blue Corvette (absolutely loved it), an 08 JetStream Blue and recently a 2015 Laguna Blue Stingray. I have had my eye on the 50th Anniversary red 2003 C5 (yeah, breaking with my blue-only tradition) and have test driven two of those recently. Neither car is what I would have considered to have been tenderly loved and one thing I did notice was that both cars had clear coat problems. Yes, they had swirl marks and misc scratches (blah) but both had what appeared to be cracks in small areas of the clear and also small sections were the clear was already gone. I sold my '99 in 2011 and it never had any problems with the paint when I sold it. Then again, I treated my ride with the utmost of care.
I guess my question is.. Do you think these clear coat issues were because of some type of neglect or is there a problem with the Anniversary Reds? (or C5s in general that I never saw on my old one)
Thanks,
Drew