Painted GFX--Dealer claims paint will not adhere

[locomaro]

My car is all set to arrive @ dealer by sometime late this week/early next. I had previously requested to have my GFX painted black to match exterior, which my dealer originally quoted $600 to do. Today he sent me a copy of the GM bulletin stating that GFX warranty is void if painted. His body shop manager claims that paint will not adhere properly to the GFX & will peel/crack over time. At this point, they do not want to take responsibility for painting due to this issue. (Originally, I thought the 'voided warranty' was to ensure that GM would not be held responsible for faulty re-installation if owners took their cars to an outside body shop for painting, which makes sense). This is the first I've heard of problems with paint adherence, which I obviously don't want to happen down the road. Anyone else hear of this and/or experience it specifically?? I really want my GFX painted!!

[Bell040]

It's plastic

sand it, prime it, and paint it

[Mr_Draco]

If the paint will not adhere then their paint guy needs to be fired as he knows nothing about painting.

[locomaro]

Just spoke to the body shop manager @ my dealership to get more specifics. Apparently they had similar issues with the Avalanche a few years back. It had a similar plastic gray piece that owners would have painted, but over time, the paint started coming off in sheets. Has to do with the texture of the plastic used, which apparently cannot be fully sanded & primed because the texture is not smooth to start with. He explained that even if you sanded the 'peaks/bumps' off the top, you'd still have the 'valleys/divets' below the surface which is what causes problems with paint adherance over time.

[Hylton]

Originally Posted by locomaro

Just spoke to the body shop manager @ my dealership to get more specifics. Apparently they had similar issues with the Avalanche a few years back. It had a similar plastic gray piece that owners would have painted, but over time, the paint started coming off in sheets. Has to do with the texture of the plastic used, which apparently cannot be fully sanded & primed because the texture is not smooth to start with. He explained that even if you sanded the 'peaks/bumps' off the top, you'd still have the 'valleys/divets' below the surface which is what causes problems with paint adherance over time.

Bullshit...the rocker panels that come on the car are made from the same material!

[rharon]

agree. bullshit

[CamaroSkooter]

Yeah, it's crap, but GM sent out a bulletin that states the GFX will not be warranted against defects if they are painted.

Just giving you a heads up.

[locomaro]

I am at a total loss here. If I force my dealer to paint something they don't want to paint, I could end up with a crap job that doesn't hold up over time. If I take the car somewhere else to have them painted, I'll have to be concerned about the re-installation of the GFX. Does anyone know who manufactures the GFX? Wonder if it makes sense for me to go to them directly and find out about the 'paintability' of the surface.

[Russo]

i can see GM not warranting the paint on the lip kit, but the dealership should provide a warranty...

[Hylton]

Originally Posted by locomaro

Wonder if it makes sense for me to go to them directly and find out about the 'paintability' of the surface.

No it doesn't. They were the one's that put out the "do not paint" bulletin. If you want the GFX to have a 100% warranty, do not paint it. If you want the car of your dreams, live like Randy and I!

[locomaro]

Thanks Hylton. I really don't care about the warranty on the GFX themselves as I can't imagine what could go 'functionally' wrong with them (if properly installed). I am more concerned about the paint peeling and how crappy that would end up looking. Did you have yours painted at the dealership? Do you know if they did anything 'special' to prep them---or did they pretty much just prime & paint?

[Andro]

If you want them painted then do it. It's just GFX's it's not like your drivetrain screw the warranty on them. Sorry bud but you gotta pay to play. Just my two cents

[Hylton]

Originally Posted by locomaro

Thanks Hylton. I really don't care about the warranty on the GFX themselves as I can't imagine what could go 'functionally' wrong with them (if properly installed). I am more concerned about the paint peeling and how crappy that would end up looking. Did you have yours painted at the dealership? Do you know if they did anything 'special' to prep them---or did they pretty much just prime & paint?

Yes I did have it done at my dealership but lucky me - their collision center specializes in repairing plastic body parts. They knew what works best for adhesion. I have had my car through at least 10 touchless car washes with the "rocker blast" and my paint is fine.

As most here have eluded to, you have to find a bodyshop that understands what the best primer/sealer is to use for adhesion on plastic pieces. Many body shops will use the same primer/sealer on everything but there are products specifically designed to be used on plastics such as our GFX.

[SSOOCH]

GFX are for ricers!