GM bulletin on Perceived Paint Mismatch on Door and Quarter Panel Paint Appearance
 

As reported on homepage.

In the months since the 2010 Camaro has gone on sale, there have been some photos posted which have led members to point out what appeared to be paint mismatches between certain body panels on the car. GM has always maintained that there is indeed no paint mismatch and what was being observed was simply a "perceived" mismatch in color/shade due to the viewing angle and the Camaro's panel geometry. To better assuage Camaro owners (and potential owners) and to formally address the issue, GM has now issued the following bulletin:


GM Service Information
Document ID: 2346049

#09-08-51-004: Information on Door and Quarter Panel Paint Appearance - (Sep 10, 2009)

Subject: Information on Door and Quarter Panel Paint Appearance
Models: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro



On the 2010 Camaro, the shade of paint on the doors may appear to be different than the shade of paint on the quarter panels. This appearance varies in severity based on different viewing angles and light conditions. This perception is more apparent with certain colors. Use this bulletin to help the customer understand the design of their vehicle.

Paint Process

At the time of vehicle manufacture, the complete sheet metal body of the car is painted at the same time (the body, hood, decklid and doors). The panels (doors, hood and decklid) are attached to the vehicle and in the proper position when it goes through the plant paint process. All of the panels receive the undercoat layers and top coat finishes using the same material, application process and final bake process. This continuity of process ensures a uniform paint application to the entire vehicle. The result of this extensive process is a seamless paint match over the entire vehicle. The only major exterior panels that do not get painted during this process are the bumper fascias. The bumper fascias receive a flexible paint application using a unique process. All of the paint used in the paint process is matched to a paint color standard, ensuring that the colors are consistent from batch to batch. This color standard also ensures consistency from vehicle to vehicle.

Vehicle Design

On the Camaro, the door to quarter panel angle match is the design intent. The geometry of the quarter panel provides a sporty definition and highlights the depth of the design. It is intended to show the color variation created by angling the body panels a few degrees.

Addressing Customer Concerns

Use the following photographs and descriptions to demonstrate to the vehicle owner that what they are seeing on their vehicle is not a color mis-match, but a intended design feature.


Attachment 55555


This first photograph shows a paint test panel finished in "Wildfire" metallic. The white arrow points to the paint "standard". This is the paint sample used to ensure color consistency.


Attachment 55556


This photograph shows the same paint test panel with a slight crease in the center, creating an angle in the panel similar to the Camaro door to quarter panel relationship. The finish on the right side of the panel has "shifted", creating a different hue of the same color. Note the arrow shows the paint standard on the left side of the paint test panel in the same position as the first photograph.


Attachment 55557


This final photograph shows the same paint test panel described in the second photograph. In this photograph, the arrow points to the same paint "standard" used in the first two photographs but it has been repositioned to the right side of the paint test panel. Note the paint "standard" has shifted along with the finish on the paint test panel.

** Official Bulletin Document attached **

It's all in your head people...move along now.....:bellyroll:

Actually, it's all in your perception as shown. I figured we would see something like this once I saw that dealers were repainting cars and blending the paint...which is actually "fading" the paint...remember those wonderful fade paint jobs of a few years ago? That's what blending is...only with the "same" two colors. This leaves an area in your paint that is "thicker" overall, but has a thinner finish coat due to the need to overlap the paint and not end up with a perceptible stopping point. I never been a fan to this on a car that will see alot of detailing...on a cobalt that is a point a to point b car...its fine, but start buffing out a blended car and you may have issues if the painter didn't do a very good job.

The new metallics react quite a bit differently than their older non-waterbased brethren. The other issue you bring into the mix is a tint-coat versus a colored paint. I'm not sure what the base color on the RJT is, but I am betting it is white. Velocity yellow on Corvettes is this way and you do see what appears to be a "mismatch" at times just depending on what angle you are standing at.

We already know this, but there were a few die-hard self proclaimed body shop paint guys whom said no this isn't the case. Basically just people trying to bash the car in anyway that they could. Those topics died once people just ignored them.

I had mentioned this perceived mismatch twice on Camaro5 but no one seemed to care. It is the angle of the 1/4 panel "bulge"at the rear of the door that causes this perceived paint problem. If there was an inch or two of 1/4 panel after the door ends, before the bulge, this would not be a problem.
I doubt G.M. will ever correct this as it would be a very costly redesign.

theres no need to correct it. They intended it to be that way. They only put this bullentin out for all the dummies who couldn't understand that different angles will make the car look different and hollered from the rooftops that its bad painting. Thats what they wanted to do, otherwise they wouldn't be using metallics.

:word:

http://www.creepygif.com/images/full/343.gif
Well, that puts an end to quite a few threads full of complaining.

Not really, perception is actuality. Buyers are going to be pissed that their brand new car looks mismatched intended from the factory or not. This topic will never end.

I agree. There are a lot of dummies out there that don't understand that angles and light variances change a colors brightness or contrast.

Personally, I like to see the different shades of color when I look at my car from many angles and lighting conditions. Some have paid $1400 per quart for special paint that does this to a much higher degree.

cool, thanks Tran :thumbsup:

I assume some metalllic colors are worse than others to exhibit this effect. I've not seen all the colors yet in person, any idea which colors are the worst offenders?

I have an IOM and can see slight difference between car and front facia. Most noticable is the difference between car and mirrors. Only in the bright sunlight when car appears to be on fire with pearl and gold metal flake.