How does GM get by with it? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Abomb1223 · 03-05-2013, 06:53 AM

Ive been reading more and more threads about the terrible paint on this car of ours and I couldnt agree more. While I maybe only have two chips, they were way too easy to get like the car is painted with dry mud. So why is GM getting away with it? No recall? Can they get enough complaints to change the way this car is painted?? I think we all paid good money for this car and the paint should reflect that!

40years · 03-05-2013, 07:26 AM

GM's (and ALL auto manufacturer's) hands are tied by the EPA forcing them to use water based paints instead of solvent based which has a lot more durability to it. Water based paints are notorius for their lack of durability in standing up to normal wear and tear.

motorhead · 03-05-2013, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 40years

GM's (and ALL auto manufacturer's) hands are tied by the EPA forcing them to use water based paints instead of solvent based which has a lot more durability to it. Water based paints are notorius for their lack of durability in standing up to normal wear and tear.

Although, I can't explain why the paint on my Company vehicle that gets abused seems to hold up better than my Camaro did.

40years · 03-05-2013, 07:31 AM

I would say that it has a lot to do with the shape of the body and how it sits in relation to the ground. The Camaro sits a lot lower than most cars.

slomaro3.4 · 03-05-2013, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 40years

GM's (and ALL auto manufacturer's) hands are tied by the EPA forcing them to use water based paints instead of solvent based which has a lot more durability to it. Water based paints are notorius for their lack of durability in standing up to normal wear and tear.

They're just bitter that we aren't all driving around in plug in electrics and hybrids.

40years · 03-05-2013, 07:43 AM

There is probably more truth to that than we know.

Abomb1223 · 03-05-2013, 07:47 AM

I read somewhere that we have one coat of paint and one coat of clear . . If the paint is weak from being water based then they need to do more coats!

Abomb1223 · 03-05-2013, 07:49 AM

I had my the dealer repaint the hood after I noticed little cracks under the clear and my front bumper has been painted again as well so hopefully they will hold up a little better

LuSe4 · 03-05-2013, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 40years

GM's (and ALL auto manufacturer's) hands are tied by the EPA forcing them to use water based paints instead of solvent based which has a lot more durability to it. Water based paints are notorius for their lack of durability in standing up to normal wear and tear.

So sick of hearing about how fragile GM paint is. All cars built over here are like that. Go onto another forum, I guarantee there will be bitching about paint also! My wife's 2009 Camry looks like it was sand blasted on the front. I don't blame Toyota. When the solvent based paints went away, so did durability!

Abomb1223 · 03-05-2013, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuSe4

So sick of hearing about how fragile GM paint is. All cars built over here are like that. Go onto another forum, I guarantee there will be bitching about paint also! My wife's 2009 Camry looks like it was sand blasted on the front. I don't blame Toyota. When the solvent based paints went away, so did durability!

And you think this is ok? I understand what happened . . I just dont think its ok. We paid good money for durability!

40years · 03-05-2013, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuSe4

So sick of hearing about how fragile GM paint is. All cars built over here are like that. Go onto another forum, I guarantee there will be bitching about paint also! My wife's 2009 Camry looks like it was sand blasted on the front. I don't blame Toyota. When the solvent based paints went away, so did durability!

I'm not complaining, just responding to the OP's question. My front end looks like it was sandblasted also and I accept that.

SlingShot · 03-05-2013, 08:05 AM

The problem is that water based paint is not weaker, but it's actually harder than a solvent based paint. When a rock hits a solvent based paint, it just gets marred because it's softer where the water chips.

motorhead · 03-05-2013, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 40years

I'm not complaining, just responding to the OP's question. My front end looks like it was sandblasted also and I accept that.

Here in lies the the problem. It's the Walmart mentality. We know it's junk ,but we just live with it because it keeps cost down.

Companies know this and exploit it. That's why so many of the things we buy these days suck when it comes down to quality.

Abomb1223 · 03-05-2013, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motorhead

Here in lies the the problem. It's the Walmart mentality. We know it's junk ,but we just live with it because it keeps cost down.

Companies know this and exploit it. That's why so many of the things we buy these days suck when it comes down to quality.

Amen!

03-05-2013, 06:53 AM	#1
Abomb1223 Drives: 2011 Camaro Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,086	How does GM get by with it? Ive been reading more and more threads about the terrible paint on this car of ours and I couldnt agree more. While I maybe only have two chips, they were way too easy to get like the car is painted with dry mud. So why is GM getting away with it? No recall? Can they get enough complaints to change the way this car is painted?? I think we all paid good money for this car and the paint should reflect that!

03-05-2013, 07:26 AM	#2
40years Drives: 2016 CAMARO 1SS Hyper Blue Met. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 1,593	GM's (and ALL auto manufacturer's) hands are tied by the EPA forcing them to use water based paints instead of solvent based which has a lot more durability to it. Water based paints are notorius for their lack of durability in standing up to normal wear and tear. __________________ proud member "club elite" # 89

03-05-2013, 07:31 AM	#4
40years Drives: 2016 CAMARO 1SS Hyper Blue Met. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 1,593	I would say that it has a lot to do with the shape of the body and how it sits in relation to the ground. The Camaro sits a lot lower than most cars. __________________ proud member "club elite" # 89

03-05-2013, 07:43 AM	#6
40years Drives: 2016 CAMARO 1SS Hyper Blue Met. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 1,593	There is probably more truth to that than we know. __________________ proud member "club elite" # 89

03-05-2013, 08:05 AM	#12
SlingShot Drives: 2012 ZL1 - #670 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Seminole, Fl. Posts: 8,009	The problem is that water based paint is not weaker, but it's actually harder than a solvent based paint. When a rock hits a solvent based paint, it just gets marred because it's softer where the water chips. __________________

03-05-2013, 07:47 AM	#7
Abomb1223 Drives: 2011 Camaro Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,086	I read somewhere that we have one coat of paint and one coat of clear . . If the paint is weak from being water based then they need to do more coats!

03-05-2013, 07:49 AM	#8
Abomb1223 Drives: 2011 Camaro Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,086	I had my the dealer repaint the hood after I noticed little cracks under the clear and my front bumper has been painted again as well so hopefully they will hold up a little better