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...this material resists paint its a tough battle - maybe the prep work has to be much better but that takes time in the process - and time they may not be willing to give up
Long term GM either gives-up the time to do it right at BG, or at a dealer.
While it sounds like wishful thinking, could it be a stone hit? The area directly above the paint missing looks a bit messed up on the light assembly too.
I was thinking the same thing looks more like a rock chip due to the headlight area
I was thinking the same thing looks more like a rock chip due to the headlight area
I would like to see a picture with a wider shot to see the exact location of the chip. I have had a chip next to frameless glass that was caused by FOD and no damage to the glass. I'm sure there will be more reported if this is a prep/assembly issue. It sucks either way and I hope the OP gets it fixed up perfectly.
This looks like the exact same failure mode as the C7 fascia joints. Paint bubbles then flakes off.
The red paint is lifting from the panel edge without chipping. If this is true the paint must be relatively soft/flexible. A long time ago I had a red Miata which was painted using a urethane paint. You could actually take your fingernail and scrape the paint off. Does the C8 use a urethane paint?
There I fixed it. I do agree it is frustrating and mine may very well be the same (whenever they make it) . I do agree with all that say this type of stuff shouldn't occur, but it does. It's only new once and should look that way. I'm not going to drive mine in a museum, so it will have stone chips and lots of imperfections. I do use touch up paint and done well it makes for a nearly invisible repair. Just not a perfect world.
For the record I agree with you. I drive my cars all year long. I don't fret too much about minor things, and when I bought my C7 I pointed out some paint flaws and used that in my negotiation on the car. I think perfection on a car offering this much performance at this price point is likely asking too much, but I do think some of the glaring issues can and should be addressed. The GT350 had some big panel gap issues on the 16-17 models and there was a TSB issued to fix them. My 18 GT350 has really good panel alignments and no noticeable major gap issues, but it took people complaining and Ford issuing a TSB to get them to improve their QC.
I think some of this is just growing pains with the C8.
PITIFUL! Looks like QC from Lotus 40 years ago, or Morgan today. Such s**t never seems to end.
Precisely why I would never order another GM vehicle. If I can't fully inspect the finished product before committing to buy, I'll not be bothered. My C5 (I still have, btw) was the last time I ordered and nothing has suggested not doing so since has been a mistake.
As in the other thread, it is absolutely disgusting and disconcerting that GM really could give 2 ***** about fixing the paint issues.
All throughout the C7 run, and now into the C8 run.
I would love to hear the excuse why whomever is in charge of paint QC can’t get with the vendor and solve this. It is so obviously a paint adhesion/mold release agent/etc issue, yet they can’t get it right almost 10 years later.
And as for those who believe that this is a panel tightness issue, you are just plain wrong. Panel tightness does not cause this, poor paint adhesion does.
As in the other thread, it is absolutely disgusting and disconcerting that GM really could give 2 ***** about fixing the paint issues.
All throughout the C7 run, and now into the C8 run.
I would love to hear the excuse why whomever is in charge of paint QC can’t get with the vendor and solve this. It is so obviously a paint adhesion/mold release agent/etc issue, yet they can’t get it right almost 10 years later.
And as for those who believe that this is a panel tightness issue, you are just plain wrong. Panel tightness does not cause this, poor paint adhesion does.
flexible panels. Rubbing is the biggest factor here. How can you argue that vs adhesion?
Never seen something "rub through" before? If the edges of those panels were not expanding and contracting and RUBBING they would not pop paint. If the panel was aluminum and touching it would rub down through clear. The smc is finicky. They need to open the gaps up a tiny bit more. Because they are NOT going to change prep on the panels. One is easier and cheaper than the other. Shrink the 2021 or 2022 headlights down by a mm and problem solved. Just my .02
While it sounds like wishful thinking, could it be a stone hit? The area directly above the paint missing looks a bit messed up on the light assembly too.
Take a closer look at the panel next to it. Not above. There is a slight mark. I'm guessing something was hit in between the two panels. Maybe a stone. Look very closely, you will see it.
flexible panels. Rubbing is the biggest factor here. How can you argue that vs adhesion?
Never seen something "rub through" before? If the edges of those panels were not expanding and contracting and RUBBING they would not pop paint. If the panel was aluminum and touching it would rub down through clear. The smc is finicky. They need to open the gaps up a tiny bit more. Because they are NOT going to change prep on the panels. One is easier and cheaper than the other. Shrink the 2021 or 2022 headlights down by a mm and problem solved. Just my .02
So you are saying the C7 paint issues were from panels rubbing? Take a look at most photos of C7 peeling, and you can see what is basically bubbling effect. If a panel were to rub, it would pop off the paint and create a recognizable break line. GM even started putting little strips of clear film between panels. Guess what, didn’t fix the problem. The bubbling just kinds of peels off, hence poor adhesion.
ETA.. And regardless of what is causing this, GM with all their high paid experts, should damn sure be able to solve it. That is, if they really cared.
Take a closer look at the panel next to it. Not above. There is a slight mark. I'm guessing something was hit in between the two panels. Maybe a stone. Look very closely, you will see it.
No... only a reflection... this is classic GM paint failure which was seen on the C7 fairly often.
So you are saying the C7 paint issues were from panels rubbing? Take a look at most photos of C7 peeling, and you can see what is basically bubbling effect. If a panel were to rub, it would pop off the paint and create a recognizable break line. GM even started putting little strips of clear film between panels. Guess what, didn’t fix the problem. The bubbling just kinds of peels off, hence poor adhesion.
ETA.. And regardless of what is causing this, GM with all their high paid experts, should damn sure be able to solve it. That is, if they really cared.
Find the pic of a C7 or C8 where paint is bubbled somewhere other than an edge of a panel either touching or pushing another panel or part and I will concede your point.
Then ask yourself if gm going would change the way they prep each panel? or does this require a little bit of a tolerance between two parts? The fix for the fascia was to put this
In between. But it also said to adjust the panels.. what a joke. Gm wanted the "rubbing to stop" why? Because they cant hand wipe down each panel corner or edge just before paint. Not happening.
tightness is not the cause you're correct.. but in this case given the possible solutions?it's the ONLY thing they will be willing to do.
You really dont understand how much these panels expand and contract. I'm telling you it's a huge amount seen in action.
But what is your solution? If it is what it is? What do you do?
Me? Before I picked my 19 after having a 16 with issues (and not in the common places) went over my car with a fine tooth comb. Asked Mike Furman to check it all well and he assured me no issues and knock on wood besides panel fitment which is about same as my 16 (meaning after making a few adjustments myself like toolhoarder) it's acceptable.... not good. This is what you get having supercar performance for 58.9... no amount of options (you pay 100k it's still the 58.9k car) changes that. Think about the ZR1 150k owner? Went through same crap.
Comparable car to that in performance? You're approaching 720s territory and even that is slower on track.
But what is your solution? If it is what it is? What do you do?
Me? Before I picked my 19 after having a 16 with issues (and not in the common places) went over my car with a fine tooth comb. Asked Mike Furman to check it all well and he assured me no issues and knock on wood besides panel fitment which is about same as my 16 (meaning after making a few adjustments myself like toolhoarder) it's acceptable.... not good. This is what you get having supercar performance for 58.9... no amount of options (you pay 100k it's still the 58.9k car) changes that. Think about the ZR1 150k owner? Went through same crap.
Comparable car to that in performance? You're approaching 720s territory and even that is slower on track.
Many people, I mean MANY if not all will never experience the performance delta between a Chevrolet Corvette being slightly less powerful for the purposes of being a higher quality and another super car.
These cars just fall apart from a body panel/fitment/paint perspective as well as interior squeaks, rattles, and other annoying buzzing noises.
The problem with Corvette fit and finish be it the panel gaps or be it the paint issues in the corners or be it the interior noises comes from one and one simple fact (even the QC issues all result from the same issue):
- The multi panel, modular, body on frame architecture which means you have an aluminum base, and some molded plastic semi body on it, which then has lots of individual plastic panels being attached using dozens if not hundreds of torx bolts. This architecture is RECIPE FOR DISASTER. This is the problem of Corvette.
There is no way to QC these cars. I ask you watch how these cars are built. This car is essentially built like a wooden house. The concrete foundation, brick walls, then wood frame, then siding, then roof. When you build a sports car like this, it is likely that something will go wrong. It is likely the car will rattle.
Compare this to say a Porsche or Audi or BMW or even Mustang, they are all aluminum welded one big body. Their A/B/C pillar is one piece all welded to the undercarriage. This removes so much QC issues before they happen.
Last edited by UnhandledException; Apr 28, 2020 at 05:16 PM.