Stop complaining about Orange peel!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,016
Likes: 73
From: Texas
Cruising
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale AZ
The Orange Peel and clear coat
Back in the days a paint job had no clear coat, just the paint. You could rub it out if you wanted a real smooth finish. I assume todays Corvette has a clear coat finish???? I have seen owners having, or doing, a rubout to smooth out the orange peel. The question is, are they not taking off the clear coat and perhaps the paint to get the finish they want. I would think this would, in the long time, cause a change in the color and durability.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,596
Likes: 120
From: East Tennessee
I dunno what happened either, my '12 GS had horrible paint. Even the Torch Red couldnt hide the runs, dry spots and orange peel. And the msrp on the C6 was 6 grand more than this C7 lol.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 11,825
Likes: 2,478
From: Ft Lauderdale
Tech Contributor
Back in the days a paint job had no clear coat, just the paint. You could rub it out if you wanted a real smooth finish. I assume todays Corvette has a clear coat finish???? I have seen owners having, or doing, a rubout to smooth out the orange peel. The question is, are they not taking off the clear coat and perhaps the paint to get the finish they want. I would think this would, in the long time, cause a change in the color and durability.
Not if you do it right.....but it takes multiple hours.....I spent about 25 on mine
Safety Car
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 4,799
Likes: 37
From: Upper East Side, NY
to look for orange peel as does everyone else I encounter. This orange peel thing is so 
CF "Young" Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,034
Likes: 26
From: Cupertino CA
St. Jude Donor '12
When I did my museum delivery two weeks ago my guide was a former BG assembly plant employee (which made the tour that much cooler). His comment about the paint was as simple as this: robots get it done quickly and consistently, but humans have the skills and motions to make it smooth.
I've got no complaints about my paint, and I think if you're sticking your face that close to your body panels to inspect them you've got other issues.
My '01 was repainted due to lemon law issues with the paint long before I owned it. When I had a tigershark front bumper put on by a supposedly high quality body shop, the bumper's paint rippled like the ocean's surface. The rest of the car, which had never been thoroughly detailed and, according to the shop owner at least (jack@ss), was poorly repainted, had such a smooth finish you could count the individual bulbs in a high ceiling garage's flourescent fixtures.
I've got no complaints about my paint, and I think if you're sticking your face that close to your body panels to inspect them you've got other issues.
My '01 was repainted due to lemon law issues with the paint long before I owned it. When I had a tigershark front bumper put on by a supposedly high quality body shop, the bumper's paint rippled like the ocean's surface. The rest of the car, which had never been thoroughly detailed and, according to the shop owner at least (jack@ss), was poorly repainted, had such a smooth finish you could count the individual bulbs in a high ceiling garage's flourescent fixtures.
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 482
Likes: 4
1200 grit wet sand (very lightly) followed by 1500, then 2000. Then a 2500-3000 grit pad on a D/A.
Now on to buffing:
Strata Ultra cutting cream with wool pad. Followed by 3M finesse it II with 3M waffled pad system (Black pad), followed with 3M Ultrafine Machine Polish blue waffle pad.
I've done this to my cars after they're 5 years old. End result is showroom condition and any minor OP is gone. One of the cars is now 14 years old with no adverse effects from removing 1/10th - 1/8th of the clearcoat.
If you saw your car with and without this or a similar process most would pay 1000 in a heartbeat to have it done.
For those of you who don't understand think of it this way. Look at your car when its dirty compared to just washing it, it makes that much difference.
Now on to buffing:
Strata Ultra cutting cream with wool pad. Followed by 3M finesse it II with 3M waffled pad system (Black pad), followed with 3M Ultrafine Machine Polish blue waffle pad.
I've done this to my cars after they're 5 years old. End result is showroom condition and any minor OP is gone. One of the cars is now 14 years old with no adverse effects from removing 1/10th - 1/8th of the clearcoat.
If you saw your car with and without this or a similar process most would pay 1000 in a heartbeat to have it done.
For those of you who don't understand think of it this way. Look at your car when its dirty compared to just washing it, it makes that much difference.
Last edited by Dan12; Jun 10, 2014 at 07:29 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,854
Likes: 535
More realistically...... "Not as bad as some C7s".
There is no way for you to have seen all 25k+/- C7s built, so your personal assessment is not all that believable.
There is no way for you to have seen all 25k+/- C7s built, so your personal assessment is not all that believable.
Last edited by RedC7AZ; Jun 10, 2014 at 07:23 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,813
Likes: 287
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
I have seen a lot of C7's. All of them had paint problems and orange peel was only one of them. I think they need to raise the bar on what is acceptable at the plant. The Chevy Cruse has better paint quality. That should not be the case.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,256
Likes: 592
From: Olathe KS
Funny about the MB comparison...
I was sitting in my garage in between my Torch Red C7 and my wife's Black Mercedes GL-450. The sunlight was perfect to catch the "orange peel" in my C7 and low and behold...in my wife's $80,000 Benz. Exact same degree.
Don't give me this crap that the C7 somehow has to have custom-quality $20,000 paint jobs that are hand-rubbed by skilled paint-artisans. The paint is gorgeous and you have to really be looking for it to even find it.
I agree that people just want to find something to whine about. If you don't like it, sell your car. Good luck in finding something that does not have it.
I was sitting in my garage in between my Torch Red C7 and my wife's Black Mercedes GL-450. The sunlight was perfect to catch the "orange peel" in my C7 and low and behold...in my wife's $80,000 Benz. Exact same degree.
Don't give me this crap that the C7 somehow has to have custom-quality $20,000 paint jobs that are hand-rubbed by skilled paint-artisans. The paint is gorgeous and you have to really be looking for it to even find it.
I agree that people just want to find something to whine about. If you don't like it, sell your car. Good luck in finding something that does not have it.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 482
Likes: 4
Funny about the MB comparison...
I was sitting in my garage in between my Torch Red C7 and my wife's Black Mercedes GL-450. The sunlight was perfect to catch the "orange peel" in my C7 and low and behold...in my wife's $80,000 Benz. Exact same degree.
Don't give me this crap that the C7 somehow has to have custom-quality $20,000 paint jobs that are hand-rubbed by skilled paint-artisans. The paint is gorgeous and you have to really be looking for it to even find it.
I agree that people just want to find something to whine about. If you don't like it, sell your car. Good luck in finding something that does not have it.
I was sitting in my garage in between my Torch Red C7 and my wife's Black Mercedes GL-450. The sunlight was perfect to catch the "orange peel" in my C7 and low and behold...in my wife's $80,000 Benz. Exact same degree.
Don't give me this crap that the C7 somehow has to have custom-quality $20,000 paint jobs that are hand-rubbed by skilled paint-artisans. The paint is gorgeous and you have to really be looking for it to even find it.
I agree that people just want to find something to whine about. If you don't like it, sell your car. Good luck in finding something that does not have it.
inconsistency between C7s is more of the problem.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,256
Likes: 592
From: Olathe KS
The "difference" you see is simply a function of light angles, shadows, and the color of the paint. Every C7 I have EVER seen has the same level of OP, some colors just camouflage it better.
Like others have mentioned, with the hundreds of complements this car has received, I have never ONCE had someone comment on paint quality. Only moron C7 owners seem to see this MASSIVE quality issue
The Consigliere
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 23,011
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From: 2023 Z06 & 2010 ZR1
That's the issue. Some Stingrays are getting decent paint jobs and some are getting 10 footers.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 22,757
Likes: 1,697
From: South Carolina
Like sand though the hour glass, those are the days of our lives.
I'll go along with a lot of cars have some orange peel, but those who can't seem to notice or thinks it is great has never actually looked at a nice paint job. Simple as that.
When you buy a new 55k car for 40 otd and when you buy a 55k car for 60k otd one of those would damn well have a higher expectation of good paint job.
but hey I like oranges too.
I'll go along with a lot of cars have some orange peel, but those who can't seem to notice or thinks it is great has never actually looked at a nice paint job. Simple as that.
When you buy a new 55k car for 40 otd and when you buy a 55k car for 60k otd one of those would damn well have a higher expectation of good paint job.
but hey I like oranges too.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,249
Likes: 545
From: Land of the free, home of the brave...
Prediction
Mark my words. In about 5 to 8 years the "next big thing" in automotive world will be the "orange peel" look. Think I'm kidding?
Would you have thought 5-8 years ago that the owners would be paying for the dull or "matte finish" look? http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c7-g...chevrolet.html
Would you have thought 5-8 years ago that the owners would be paying for the dull or "matte finish" look? http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c7-g...chevrolet.html
Last edited by Crossed Flags Fan; Jun 10, 2014 at 11:31 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,822
Likes: 64
From: Area Z51
Okay, some orange peel is expected. My question is why so much inconsistency?
Mercedes - Corvette - other high end cars - they should all have a consistently good finish. Seems that technology ought to be able to improve on this - I understand this will cost but I'm willing to pay for this on a high end car. Perhaps having an RPO for a premium finish is the answer so those that want it can pay for it and those that aren't so interested can pass.
Mercedes - Corvette - other high end cars - they should all have a consistently good finish. Seems that technology ought to be able to improve on this - I understand this will cost but I'm willing to pay for this on a high end car. Perhaps having an RPO for a premium finish is the answer so those that want it can pay for it and those that aren't so interested can pass.
The people complaining dont want the problem fixed. They simply want something to continuing bytch about it.
I completely agree that for $1000 or two.. any local bodyshop can have your paint looking as perfect as perfect can be. Considering the Corvette is already an incredible value at its current prices.. the extra bucks spent to have perfect paint isnt a big deal. If you are that concerned with perfect paint, then put your money where your mouth is and get it done!
I completely agree that for $1000 or two.. any local bodyshop can have your paint looking as perfect as perfect can be. Considering the Corvette is already an incredible value at its current prices.. the extra bucks spent to have perfect paint isnt a big deal. If you are that concerned with perfect paint, then put your money where your mouth is and get it done!
Funny about the MB comparison...
I was sitting in my garage in between my Torch Red C7 and my wife's Black Mercedes GL-450. The sunlight was perfect to catch the "orange peel" in my C7 and low and behold...in my wife's $80,000 Benz. Exact same degree.
Don't give me this crap that the C7 somehow has to have custom-quality $20,000 paint jobs that are hand-rubbed by skilled paint-artisans. The paint is gorgeous and you have to really be looking for it to even find it.
I agree that people just want to find something to whine about. If you don't like it, sell your car. Good luck in finding something that does not have it.
I was sitting in my garage in between my Torch Red C7 and my wife's Black Mercedes GL-450. The sunlight was perfect to catch the "orange peel" in my C7 and low and behold...in my wife's $80,000 Benz. Exact same degree.
Don't give me this crap that the C7 somehow has to have custom-quality $20,000 paint jobs that are hand-rubbed by skilled paint-artisans. The paint is gorgeous and you have to really be looking for it to even find it.
I agree that people just want to find something to whine about. If you don't like it, sell your car. Good luck in finding something that does not have it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,813
Likes: 287
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
From Wikipedia -
"Orange peel is typically the result of improper painting technique, and is caused by the quick evaporation of thinner, incorrect spray gun setup (e.g., low air pressure or incorrect nozzle), spraying the paint at an angle other than perpendicular, or applying excessive paint."
I don't know why some people are saying its OK when clearly it is something that can be avoided. The fact that many manufacturers have the problem says volumes about their quality control not just GM.
"Orange peel is typically the result of improper painting technique, and is caused by the quick evaporation of thinner, incorrect spray gun setup (e.g., low air pressure or incorrect nozzle), spraying the paint at an angle other than perpendicular, or applying excessive paint."
I don't know why some people are saying its OK when clearly it is something that can be avoided. The fact that many manufacturers have the problem says volumes about their quality control not just GM.
Administrator
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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I disagree. I do want the problem fixed. You'll look long and hard to find more of a Corvette fan than me, and you won't find him.
The notion that somebody should have to take a brand new product and then fix it is laughable.
Reports indicate team Corvette is aware of the problem and working to improve it. Perhaps you'd prefer they stop their efforts?
Frankly I think BG and Tadge and co. have sufficient intellectual honesty and emotional maturity to recognize an opportunity to take a product that by most accounts is very good, and make it better.
The notion that somebody should have to take a brand new product and then fix it is laughable.
Reports indicate team Corvette is aware of the problem and working to improve it. Perhaps you'd prefer they stop their efforts?
Frankly I think BG and Tadge and co. have sufficient intellectual honesty and emotional maturity to recognize an opportunity to take a product that by most accounts is very good, and make it better.
The cars coming out of BG should be consistently the best they can be. Inconsistent paint jobs should be something they can get under control.