What can I do about thin paint and rock chips?
10-16-2018, 04:49 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
What can I do about thin paint and rock chips?
My Corvette has 11K miles on it and already has several black spots from small rock chips. I've never had a car that was THIS affected by tiny rocks etc from the road that I would already have this much damage by now. Certainly both of my C6 Z06's were not anywhere near this bad. Just about anything could knock the paint off this car and show the black underneath.
Any thoughts on this? Can I ask Chevy to do anything about it?
Any thoughts on this? Can I ask Chevy to do anything about it?
10-16-2018, 05:00 PM
#2
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Sep 2012
Location: Hagerstown MD
Posts: 6,876
Received 1,738 Likes
on
1,174 Posts
St. Jude Donor '15-'16,'18
No. Paint chips and the new acrylic paints are very thinly applied even with a top clear coat. It's just the way it is. Use a bra or get film appled but you need to have the chipped area repaired first.
10-16-2018, 05:10 PM
#3
Le Mans Master
Repair = Dr. Colorchip, or similar. Protection = splash guards, side skirts, Xpel, or similar...
10-16-2018, 05:10 PM
#4
I feel your pain, OP. I think just looking at my C7 causes the paint to scratch. Very thin low quality paint on these cars...perhaps to keep cost and weight down. I would pay extra for Cadillac quality paint.
10-16-2018, 05:39 PM
#5
Tech Contributor
Member Since: Oct 1999
Location: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Posts: 40,085
Received 8,926 Likes
on
5,332 Posts
The paint is the same quality as other mass manufacturers. The design of the car that exposes the painted surfaces to road debris thrown by the front tires is what causes the damage. By the way I have seen equivalent damage on C5s, C6Z and my C7Z. It isn't any different than it has been for the last 21 years.
Bill
Bill
The following 3 users liked this post by Bill Dearborn:
10-16-2018, 05:49 PM
#6
Racer
Thread Starter
The paint is the same quality as other mass manufacturers. The design of the car that exposes the painted surfaces to road debris thrown by the front tires is what causes the damage. By the way I have seen equivalent damage on C5s, C6Z and my C7Z. It isn't any different than it has been for the last 21 years.
Bill
Bill
It's very thin and anything could easily damage it.
10-16-2018, 05:54 PM
#7
Le Mans Master
I agree with Mr. Dearborn -- it's the car's design. IMO, would-be new Corvette owners should budget $2,500 - $3,000 for Xpel or similar clear film work. And don't forget the headlight lenses.
The following users liked this post:
JDMilw (10-17-2018)
10-16-2018, 06:02 PM
#8
Or you can do what I do and not care too much, repair the large chips, and just drive the car. Btw, for such a low car, I don’t have many chips. Also, my car is totally stock (no aftermarket spats) my driveway is 1/4” decomposed granite, and it doesn’t throw the rocks on the side of the car.
10-16-2018, 06:45 PM
#9
Race Director
What model C7 do you have (side skirts, splash guards?)?
10-16-2018, 06:48 PM
#10
Team Owner
Member Since: Aug 2007
Location: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
Posts: 136,148
Received 2,401 Likes
on
1,366 Posts
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
That's why G-d created clear bras 
(there's only been a zillion threads over the past 5 years about C7 road rash and how to prevent/minimize it)
(there's only been a zillion threads over the past 5 years about C7 road rash and how to prevent/minimize it)
Last edited by KenHorse; 10-16-2018 at 06:49 PM.
The following users liked this post:
Vegas1500 (10-18-2018)
10-16-2018, 08:06 PM
#11
Racer
Thread Starter
10-16-2018, 08:13 PM
#12
Tech Contributor
Member Since: Oct 1999
Location: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Posts: 40,085
Received 8,926 Likes
on
5,332 Posts
Bill
10-16-2018, 09:12 PM
#13
Race Director
Side/rocker damage can be arbitrated to some extent to the C7 design, however front bumper and hood damage has more to do with how and where you drive . Following too close is a front end Killer, not necessarily saying you do follow too close.
10-17-2018, 07:50 AM
#15
Just going to throw my $0.02 out there.
I currently daily drive a 2015 Civic with 50k miles, and have a 2015 Vette with 9k miles. The paint on my Civic is just a better quality paint...period. I keep it clean, but don't pay as much attention to it as I do the Vette, and with 5 times as many miles, the paint is in better shape.
I think light breezes will leave swirl marks on the Vette...
I currently daily drive a 2015 Civic with 50k miles, and have a 2015 Vette with 9k miles. The paint on my Civic is just a better quality paint...period. I keep it clean, but don't pay as much attention to it as I do the Vette, and with 5 times as many miles, the paint is in better shape.
I think light breezes will leave swirl marks on the Vette...
10-17-2018, 04:56 PM
#16
Race Director
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: Bonneville Salt Flats, 223mph Aug. '04
Posts: 17,412
Received 5,208 Likes
on
3,454 Posts
...or, just touch-up, and consider them a badge of honor, like a dueling scar across the cheek of a "driver," not a garage queen. Eventually, have it repainted and start anew. 
The following users liked this post:
taz2016 (10-18-2018)
10-17-2018, 07:00 PM
#17
Racer
Thread Starter
Just going to throw my $0.02 out there.
I currently daily drive a 2015 Civic with 50k miles, and have a 2015 Vette with 9k miles. The paint on my Civic is just a better quality paint...period. I keep it clean, but don't pay as much attention to it as I do the Vette, and with 5 times as many miles, the paint is in better shape.
I think light breezes will leave swirl marks on the Vette...
I currently daily drive a 2015 Civic with 50k miles, and have a 2015 Vette with 9k miles. The paint on my Civic is just a better quality paint...period. I keep it clean, but don't pay as much attention to it as I do the Vette, and with 5 times as many miles, the paint is in better shape.
I think light breezes will leave swirl marks on the Vette...
10-18-2018, 12:42 AM
#18
Le Mans Master
10-19-2018, 08:23 PM
#19
Le Mans Master
Over 13k miles no film or bra or Chips.Following to close is a huge front nose chipper.Now add truck wheels wondering toward the gutter.PIA Driving...ON GUARDBut it:Saves Rims and Paint
10-19-2018, 10:41 PM
#20
Race Director
I wonder if they did something about the paint strength and thickness for the cars coming through the new paint plant, because my late 2018 production's paint has held up extremely well so far. I have 8700 miles on my car now and still haven't gotten my first scratch or my first stone chip. I have no protection on the paint other than Meguiar's Ultimate Fast Finish.