I must admit that I just learned what Orange peel was on this forum a few months ago. Yes, my C7 has it. But, I have been looking at other cars and it seems they all have it. Japanese, German (yes even an S class Mercedes) all have it to some degree. Does anyone know of a make/model that does not have orange peel? I'd like to see it.

 

It does vary even with a certain make and model. I had one BMW with it VERY bad and one with only minor orange peel.

What's funny is my Kia Sportage (winter car) is actually quite good

 

New Viper's don't have it... but they're color-sanded as part of the paint process. Easier to do when you're making so few cars and charging $130k+

 

Every car that I have ever had has had it!

 

So what's Ferraris excuse? From what people on this forum claim Ferrari paint is no better than a C7 and they make very few and charge twice what the Viper does.

Makes the Viper seem like a good deal.

 

Except you could buy a C7 Z06 and have the orange peel eliminated for way less money than a Viper So, likely better performance, equivalent paint quality and less $$.

 

I believe some of the Bentley and RR models are wet sanded between coats so they are probably good examples of no orange peel.

The requirement for low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) paint makes it pretty much impossible to mass produce with consistent zero orange peel. It isn't just the EPA, the low VOC requirement is in most industrialized countries and you will see plenty of orange peel on models produced in the EU and Japan. One of the 335I models I test drove in 2008 had the most severe orange peel I have seen on anything and I was amazed it made it past QC it was so bad, it appeared the painter was a fan of vintage Hasselblad photography gear and he attempted to replicate the finish on the car.

With current paint about the only way you are going to avoid any orange peel is very careful wet sanding between coats. Orange peel is much more obvious with some colors and will also be more obvious depending upon the angle of the primary light striking the surface.

I restore vintage amateur radio gear and have the opposite problem courtesy of environmental regulations. Much of the communications (and other industrial equipment) during the pre WWII era was painted with wrinkle, crinkle, or hammertone paint which was used because it covered imperfections in the underlying metal. Modern environmentally friendly wrinkle paint is far more difficult to get a consistent wrinkle and generally requires the careful application of heat lamps and a heat gun to control wrinkle amount.

 

You love calling me out don't you my friend?

Not true. Assuming the ZO6 is around 100k how do you figure, an SRT also has a list price around 100k, the GTS with Ferrari leather and other upgrade costs around 130.

P.S. I'd rather have the factory finish be perfect than to have it corrected...JMO.

 

OMG, look at the horrid Corvette paint job!

 

Just having some fun

I agree I'd rather have the paint perfect from the factory too but a little orange peel wouldn't stop me from buying a C7 of any variant.

 

Not quite that simple. I am more than willing to pay someone a fair price to eliminate my OP but can't find anyone who will touch it or can't even get a recommendation. I live near a mid size city (Austin, TX).

 

"a little orange peel" being the operative words here...but when it is EXTENSIVE it is a whole different ballgame...bottom line is the paint on at least 50% of the C7's is at unacceptable levels. The problem needs to be addressed.

 

No one said they are all bad, but they should all be good. You have good eyes to be able to see that ENTIRE paint job is excellent!

 

10-4. :d

 

Exactly... a far away shot of a freshly Zaino'd car doesn't tell you anything about orange peel. Show me a shot up close looking down the side of the car then we'll talk.

 

I haven't seen that 50% stat before. The two I have seen were fine. I suppose that means there are another two unlucky suckers out there with really bad paint

 

Really not a stat...JMO based upon looking at many and the participation I've had on the thread I started (now up to 15 pages). My car is NRB and came thru w/ major OP so I look at every car I can every chance I get. Most of the C7's I see are much in the same boat, just a question of degree. If you got a good one, congrats, you are lucky!

 

a 3M pad of 3000 grit on a random orbital will reduce it substantially, without getting near burn thru (assuming you are not an idiot)

it's a lot of work..one like mine:
sanded - notice he stays away from edges:

polished:

mine finished and 1.5 mikes added back with CQuartz. Seems to be mostly on the vertical surfaces:

 

Glen E, your car looks good. Would you mind telling us how much it cost you in both time and money? OBTW, tell your detailer he did a good job. That is how the paint should look from the factory.

 

Looks like a good job by someone who knew what they were doing. Was this by a detail or body shop?