Cracking paint?
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Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Normal ILLINOIS
Cracking paint?
I have been searching adds for used c 6's. I saw an add for an 06, where the guy states " has some fine spiderweb cracking on the front bumper", but its an 06, so that should be expected.
Should this be expected? I have seen older vettes 1970s that had cracking paint all over, but was thinking that it was because of exposure.
I realize any paint will eventually crack, if neglected.
Maybe baked by the sun? Or a tap on the bumper? I realize both of these would cause cracking of paint.
Is cracking paint a problem with the newer vettes that have been well cared for?
Thanks in advance .
Should this be expected? I have seen older vettes 1970s that had cracking paint all over, but was thinking that it was because of exposure.
I realize any paint will eventually crack, if neglected.
Maybe baked by the sun? Or a tap on the bumper? I realize both of these would cause cracking of paint.
Is cracking paint a problem with the newer vettes that have been well cared for?
Thanks in advance .
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,044
Likes: 9,808
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
C1s, C2s and C3s (especially the rubber bumper cars) had some issues. I owned an 86 (C4) for 10 years that didn't have any paint cracking issues. Neither of my two C5s had issues with the paint cracking and my 08 doesn't have any issues with cracking of the paint.
I have seen a bunch of earlier cars with paint cracking issues including a couple of my own. Plastic/fiberglass deforms a lot more than metal, springing back with no visible damage but the paint may be too thick or brittle to deform with the plastic and cracks will appear later. Apply the same amount of force to a metal car and you will have a seriously deformed body panel with potential for paint peeling/cracking at sharp creases caused by bending of the metal but it isn't noticed as much since the panel is so deformed.
Bill
I have seen a bunch of earlier cars with paint cracking issues including a couple of my own. Plastic/fiberglass deforms a lot more than metal, springing back with no visible damage but the paint may be too thick or brittle to deform with the plastic and cracks will appear later. Apply the same amount of force to a metal car and you will have a seriously deformed body panel with potential for paint peeling/cracking at sharp creases caused by bending of the metal but it isn't noticed as much since the panel is so deformed.
Bill
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Rushsylvania Ohio
A search would show this has in fact been reported here on the forum a few times. Seems to show up more in the lower grill opening area. Don't know if the root cause was ever really determined.
Safety Car
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From: Rushsylvania Ohio
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
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From: Tucson Arizona
That reminds me....year's ago I bought a new 5-Series BMW. After about a year the trunk deck developed spiderweb cracks from side-to-side (probably in the clear coat). Evidently, the trunk lid was damaged and repainted before the BMW dealership sold me the car but it wasn't done correctly. I was a little ticked-off BMW didn't disclose the damage but they did repaint the trunk lid to my satisfaction (and it didn't crack).
Perhaps the spiderweb cracks on the Corvette are due to it being previously damaged, repaired and repainted in a less than first-rate job. Just a thought.
Perhaps the spiderweb cracks on the Corvette are due to it being previously damaged, repaired and repainted in a less than first-rate job. Just a thought.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Danielsville Georgia
Maybe on repaint not done right but it should not crack that easily. My experience is it dosen't unless its repaint and even then it should not easily if the right amount of additive is used. Plastic has been painted a long time now(few decades) with out cracking issues.