Paint quality?
Pro
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 639
Likes: 386
From: Tennessee
I saw 2 new C8's today at a dealer today, a gray exterior / black interior and red exterior / red /&black interior. The paint quality on these two were excellent and both interiors were awesome looking.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 22,598
Likes: 14,555
Excellent on the ones I've seen so far. The paint upgrades in mid-2018 were extensive. BGA now outputs the flattest mass-produced composite painted panels in the world.
1. Robot sanders for all composite panels.
2. New bell-head sprayers for better paint coverage and distribution.
3. The latest electrostatic primers to try to help the paint get everywhere (painting composite is much harder than metal which you can use electrostatic charge to your advantage).
4. Optimized line times for paint and cure etc.
1. Robot sanders for all composite panels.
2. New bell-head sprayers for better paint coverage and distribution.
3. The latest electrostatic primers to try to help the paint get everywhere (painting composite is much harder than metal which you can use electrostatic charge to your advantage).
4. Optimized line times for paint and cure etc.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 6,671
Likes: 4,143
2020 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I absolutely hated the paint on my C7 -- so I am really critical.
From what I've seen so far in person and in photographs, I'm more than satisfied. They need to follow through.
From what I've seen so far in person and in photographs, I'm more than satisfied. They need to follow through.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 22,598
Likes: 14,555
The paint on my 2014 was the worst on any Corvette I've ever had. My 4 C5s before it were all better. I asked the paint manager why at the bash in 2018 and he said the C7's SMC was the lightest they'd ever done and the mass reduction made it harder to get the paint to stick and cure so they had more issues with orange peel and sag etc. etc. I was surprised he was that honest.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,773
Likes: 424
From: FEMA Region 4
There were also waves in some body panels that were likely heat induced. I believe the new curing ovens operate longer at lower temps. The paint on the C8s and later C7s is some of the best I’ve seen on a domestic car, even with metal panels. I’d hope a $450+ million paint shop upgrade would yield quality paint.
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Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 22,598
Likes: 14,555
There were also waves in some body panels that were likely heat induced. I believe the new curing ovens operate longer at lower temps. The paint on the C8s and later C7s is some of the best I’ve seen on a domestic car, even with metal panels. I’d hope a $450+ million paint shop upgrade would yield quality paint.