Skid Row Joe

It happens. Get it fixed to perfect, then watch it like a hawk to make sure it stays fixed. GL.

Grndsprt19

I would have them fix it. If you ever run into another owner he'll spot it

Sixgun95

Get it fixed, that would drive me crazy.

Frosty

It is pretty straightforward to remove and re-install the front bumper. I would not fear the dealership fixing it properly.

However ANY owner continuing to have to deal with issues such as this is pathetic. There needs to be some firings and reassignments at Bowling Green as that appears to be the only way things will change for the better.

mdolandese

This is BS!!!!

NinjaBum

FML I just ordered a LBR Z a few weeks ago. Wish I had time to research more in depth or I wouldn't have gone through with it. Wheels bending and breaking are one thing, but mobody is going to touch up paint on one of these tricoats and have it match completely though.

I don't really feel like spending 82k on a car that isn't flawless in finish.

Vetteman Jack

I'm pretty **** about my cars and having the paint chip like that would drive me nuts every time I look at the car, especially a brand new car. I would get it fixed.

NinjaBum

So is this a "this is going to happen to most people" kind of thing with these cars (unless you have one the colors that seem to be less commonly affected)? Or a smallish subset?

I asked my sales guy about if it was still an issue and he said "yes it still happens because of how tight the panels are" which wasn't exactly the response I was hoping for, though I do appreciate his honesty.

Just annoyed I'm already stressing about a fit and finish issue and the car hasn't even been built yet.

RapidC84B

It's not a gap tightness issue... it's a panel prep issue. The C5/6 all had tight bumper to fender and bumper to quarter gaps. The C5 used metal stud plates with nuts so I'd wager it was tighter than the C7s snap together joints and this NEVER happened. Pathetic that over the run of the car they can't update the paint process to fix this.

RapidC84B

Made an "Ask Tadge" question... gives me very little confidence for buying a new C8 if they can't fix it over the 6 years of the C7.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1599533437

NinjaBum

Yeah I dont recall my other gens having flaking or chipping paint around panel edges.

In fact the only car I've had that had something similar was a GTO I owned that was in an accident and got resprayed by an insurance recommended body shop that did a poor job on the edge of the bumper cover.

It's bad enough if its Torch or another flat color that's easier to match but you're never going to match one of these metallics to where someone in the know won't be able to tell it was repainted.

Frosty

"It's bad enough if its Torch or another flat color that's easier to match but you're never going to match one of these metallics to where someone in the know won't be able to tell it was repainted."

I disagree. I had a light gold metallic (almost silver) Camry which got whacked and needed a new bumper. Knowing that these types of colors (silvers and golds) are the most difficult colors to match and have that match not fade differently, I told the body shop that I would not accept anything but an exact match in every lighting scenario. It took them a week of painting and repainting but they finally were able to do it and three years later it was still an exact match. They can now use a special tool to measure the actual paint on your car and match it. I also had a 2016 Rogue that was charcoal and had to have the hatch and rear bumper replaced. I also could not see a mismatch. Bottom line is that there is hope, you just need to take it to someone competent and be demanding.

kennyjames21

I agree. I have a 19 that's just over a year old that has a tight gap in the very area people are showing the issue occurring and the paint isn't chipping off on mine. Maybe that will change, but when I see this paint issue, the paint is coming off far more than it would if it was just a rubbing/friction issue.

LuisZ51

Mine is currently being repaired for the fourth time now. This time they are completely stripping the bumper down to nothing starting over from scratch. I see two screws holding the snap in clip right at the corners of the fender. I'm thinking of adding some washer spacers in there to create a gap. The Mylar tape the TSB suggests that did not work on mine.

NinjaBum

I have my doubts any body shop with ever be able to 100% match a tricoat. Maybe get it to where 98% of people wont notice but detailers or painters are gonna be able to tell Im sure. Who knows though.

Either way though, it just shouldn't be something you have to worry about fixing on any new car but especially one with a price this high.

vettefordays

Had a chip on the rear quarter panel on my brand new C7z. They told me the car would be down for 3 weeks to be repainted. I said "no thanks" and just lived with it.

Would rather have a tiny chip only I'll notice than have a brand new car resprayed. I don't trust GM when it comes to quality and a respray from them SCARES me.

NinjaBum

Yeah. It would never be the same.

2ZORNOT2Z

I think it's definitely a panel rubbing issue. Dealer fixed mine as a requirement for purchase and it is flawless now (was a very slight crack/peel in the paint right in that corner where the hood/quarter/bumper meet on the driver's side). However, when the bumper was re-installed, it was flush with the quarter, hood, and headlight which is why I took deliver thinking everything was great. After driving it home 40ish miles that corner of the bumper cover raised itself up just about 1/16" compared to the surrounding body panels. You can push it back down and hear it rub on the surrounding panels. I'm convinced that rubbing is how it likely cracked the paint in the corner in the first place. I'm not sure if I should try to get it re-adjusted or let it be since it won't rub where it's at right now. Passenger side is perfectly flush.

Grndsprt19

I went to the dealer body guy and he did a first round of touchup. He needs to layer it in. I think when he finishes it will not be noticeable and barely noticeable to me. My phone camera sucks but I will try to post a picture.

When I bought this car there looked like there were 2 of these paint/interior schemes in the lot. I did a walk around around of both and didn't notice anything. I picked one - test drove it - and decided on it. They had me sign all the papers while they were readying the car. When I was ready to drive off - I did another walk around around - and that is when I saw it. I pointed it out to that salesman and he brought out some touchup. I looked at another car - different color - and saw the same issue. I figured I would take care of it out of the warranty since it did not look like an impact issue.. To me - it was a very minor thing and I am quite happy with the car otherwise right now. The reality is you really don't know what defects are in any car that you CAN'T see when signing off on the purchase. That is why you have a warranty.

Now the body guys said that was caused by the installation of the fascia and he went through a description of how they do it. I believe he said the fascia is painted at a different location and then it is attached.

So again - the car looks beautiful otherwise and I have no regrets right now. But I do think GM should do the right thing - no questions asked - offer a new fascia over the life of the warranty on these cars as these cars should be perfect when delivered. There is too much risk in not matching the paint exactly with a repainting fix.

kennyjames21

Rubbing is part of the issue, but the other part is paint adhesion. If you see other issues where two painted items are rubbing against each other, you'll see the paint is only removed from the areas that are touching. In these C7 instances, you can see the paint chipping off well past the parts that are actually touching, this demonstrates that there is a paint adhesion issue as well.