Paint issue
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 936
From: Georgetown, Tx
Photo of hood as you can see it is in spots . The edges around the vent are fine but other sections are faded and rough. Could parking outside in the weather be a contributing factor, possibly but I also park my 2008 Toyota truck outside and this hasn’t happened to the paint job on the truck. I also parked my 2009 vette outside for 7 years and when I traded it in on this vette it still looked like it came off the showroom floor. This is why I wanted to know if anyone else who owns a 2016 has had the same issue. Just trying to decide if this issue should be addressed with GM/Chevrolet or not.if this was a defect i would think they would have known about it and put out a bulletin or did a recall, but I don’t remember seeing one.
Roof line including back glass notice the difference between roof and rear section
Notice the difference between middle of deck and edge and top of rear quarter panel
Wow, I've never seen this kind of paint damage on a C7. Except for the small rock chips on my front bumper and mirrors, (as expected) the Torch Red paint on my 2014 is in great shape. I have no problem with clear coat damage as your photos show.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,042
Likes: 2,138
From: Schaller Iowa
IIRC there was a thread or two about some '15 and '16 cars having a clear coat issue but I don't remember if it was just the gray cars or not. I just had my '16 shark gray PPF'd and ceramic coated after two years of ownership. The shop owner commented on how nice the paint was, having to only do a light polish overall on the hood/trunk lid to remove some minor swirls. The damage on the OP's car looks pretty darn severe. I hope it can be refreshed/repaired for a reasonable amount.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Same 17 blue GS.
Please help, what was the outcome here? I have a 17 blue grand sport with the exact damage. Most of the car has expected scuff for a daily but the same areas you mention look like someone took a rough sandpaper to it, deep scratches.
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
From: Metairie LA
I really don’t know what to tell you I could never get a straight answer from the dealership, don’t even know if they passed the issue up to anybody at GM. If you can get an answer please let me know, but I have a feeling they will just ignore the issue hoping it will go away and they won’t have to pay to have cars painted. This is not a safety issue so there is no pressure to address the issue.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 183
Likes: 120
From: Pacific Northwest
Honestly, the paint and paint QA on these cars is horrible. The clear coat is soft and I've seen so many brand new cars with bubbles, runs, sags and pits in the paint. And that's after GM redesigned the paint shop. I learned how to do paint correction and ceramic coating and that has made a world of difference on the look and longevity of the paint. Fortunately, only have to give it the full meal deal every few years. I wash the car every couple of weeks in the warmer months and clay/polish/wax about every 6 weeks. It's a pain, but the car looks new and there's no hazing or micro-scratches in the paint.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,705
Likes: 538
From: Hampton VA
I have a 2015 Daytona sunrise orange. My clear on the hood and side part of the hatch are doing this.It feels really rough. I have tried clay barr and griots polishing compound. The polishing compound has helped a little but not much. Its almost as if a stiff bristle brush was taken to the finish. I am thinking of going to a shop that does paint correction and seeing if a high speed buffer would be of any help. Body shop wants $3500 to paint the front end. Just sucks the clear coat not holding up just like the junk leather on the dash
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Photo of hood as you can see it is in spots . The edges around the vent are fine but other sections are faded and rough. Could parking outside in the weather be a contributing factor, possibly but I also park my 2008 Toyota truck outside and this hasn’t happened to the paint job on the truck. I also parked my 2009 vette outside for 7 years and when I traded it in on this vette it still looked like it came off the showroom floor. This is why I wanted to know if anyone else who owns a 2016 has had the same issue. Just trying to decide if this issue should be addressed with GM/Chevrolet or not.if this was a defect i would think they would have known about it and put out a bulletin or did a recall, but I don’t remember seeing one.
Roof line including back glass notice the difference between roof and rear section
Notice the difference between middle of deck and edge and top of rear quarter panel
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 222
Likes: 63
From: East Texas
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I know this is an old thread but My 2016 Admiral blue stingray is doing the same thing on the top of the fenders, quarter panels, hatch, hood, and the tops of the doors. My car has 30k miles on it and I have owned it for about 6k of those miles. Not sure if the previous owner kept it outside or what but it seems like this is a GM paint or clear coat issue. It's at the body shop now getting all of the panels fixed. Should be better than new when I get it back.
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1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Just out of curiosity I wonder how many vette owners are having or had this issue. My vette also has the Z-51 package and with as much as these vehicles cost one would think the product would be better made. I ran across a guy who who had a 2019 Z 06 and he showed me a couple of spots on his which appeared to be orange peel. He said he had made a complaint to the dealership and hadn’t heard back yet. I imagine they will stick him also. And to think the UAW is on strike for better pay and benefits.
As pleased as I was with my 2009 that how disappointed I am with this one.
As much as I hate to say this I have loved Corvettes ever since I was a kid but this will be the last one I own, with as much as they cost I think the quality leaves a lot to be desired. I have owned chevy’s since 1968 most were used cars, so I never complained about them just fixed and drove them. A little bit different when you purchase new, you expect a new car to have a certain quality with it.
As pleased as I was with my 2009 that how disappointed I am with this one.
As much as I hate to say this I have loved Corvettes ever since I was a kid but this will be the last one I own, with as much as they cost I think the quality leaves a lot to be desired. I have owned chevy’s since 1968 most were used cars, so I never complained about them just fixed and drove them. A little bit different when you purchase new, you expect a new car to have a certain quality with it.