I spoke my .02 cents to GM about the crappy paint on the 2010 Camaro - kinda sorta...

[BackinBlackSS/RS]

I have ZERO paint chips. I certainly don't drive it everyday, but if it were a blanket problem, I would think I would have some evidence. I just don't have any. Maybe I'm just lucky.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by Hylton

"A cumulative non-issue"? I've got to remember that one to use in a future business meeting.

Be my guest...the unfortunate scenario here is that this is not a widespread "real" issue, or it would have been taken care of by now, just like the others that've been uncovered.

Originally Posted by Hylton

Here's just 2 possibilities:

1. Since the fascia is painted by the supplier, they can posibly look at increasing the thickness of the paint and/or the quality of the clear-coat. Lots of products out there that are more durable and do not affect paint color.
The thickness really won't help, it'll still chip if it's going to chip as we're talking micrometers, here. The hardness of the clearcoat is an option...but whipping up a new flavor or clearcoat won't be easy to justify for one car....scratch that -- one car's front fascia.

2. Place paint protector vinyl in the areas which are prone to chips such as the rear quarter area before the wheel opening. They already do this for the rear part of the rocker panels.
...which can be done by the owner if he or she feels so inclined. The trouble here is -- what if it starts to peel (and it will) over time? What if the edges get nasty as a customer cleans and drives the car every day. warranties and quality standards are the reason many things are restricted to the aftermarket.

Sure this will cost more money but how much money will they lose due to lost sales with everyone saying the paint is not durable?
That is a statistic we will never know. But given the "response"...I'd bet it was very...very low.

[Hylton]

Originally Posted by BackinBlackSS/RS

I have ZERO paint chips. I certainly don't drive it everyday, but if it were a blanket problem, I would think I would have some evidence. I just don't have any. Maybe I'm just lucky.

Not necessarily. You've had your car for a year -how many miles are on yours? Do you drive it on gravel roads? Winter? On highways during busy periods when trucks are on it?

Is a customer who lives in the snow belt expecting too much if the paint will not withstand the salt or sand put down on the roads during the winter?

[bumblebeecamaro]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

What would you like them to do, exactly? Just curious....holding them to an impossible standard on a cumulative non-issue is borderline asinine, not a "customer expectation"....at least imo.

I would like them to use a thicker paint that doesn't chip so easily. this doesn't seem like I'm asking the impossible.

I had an '08 BMW that had 2 paint chips in 18 months, 18K miles.

I had an '05 Focus that had 4 paint chips in almost two years with 20K miles.

my Camaro is 6 months old with roughly 4700 miles and it has 8 or 9 paint chips already.

-and guess what? my driving habits haven't changed. as you can see, I don't drive that many miles on a regular basis. you'd think that my Camaro wouldn't be that bad considering how young it is and considering the low mileage on the odometer.

[OUR72GTO]

Of my 22 new GM products our 2010 CAMARO has chips on the mirrors and the windshield pillars when my others did not at 10 times the milage.

My driving has not changed and neither has my location. My last 2 new NBS Silverado's had no rock damage to paint with 5 times as much miles.

The wheel " mud flaps" have worked well but the missing paint up high is disappointing.

[jrc1122]

The paint on my G8 (former car)-- was absolutely horrible. Completely unacceptable, in my opinion.

[Sketti]

I've had my Camary for over 2 yrs now and I drive the same roads as I do with my Camaro and it doesn't have any chips. I wish I could say the same for my Camaro! Seems like everytime I take it out is has a new chip! I agree with the OP, props on speaking your mind!!!

[bumblebeecamaro]

Originally Posted by OUR72GTO

Of my 22 new GM products our 2010 CAMARO has chips on the mirrors and the windshield pillars when my others did not at 10 times the milage.

see, that's what I mean. I know people with modern day GM vehicles that don't have as many chips as I do and they drive much more than I do.

so this business about Camaros not being the only ones with this problem is a bunch of BS.

[Ivan @ Southwest Speed]

I'd suggest at least another coat (mil) of Clear.

The paint itself is always going to be thin, however some protection (clear) would go a long distance.

I do applaud the clear coverage on the leading edge really down low right before my cemetary of where rock chips are.

There are some good ideas floating around but honestly, I'd rather have paint problems then others.

I don't wanna get into the story of a particular new 1995 GMC K2500 owner having to drive his brand new (490 mile) truck to the dealership in REVERSE so that he could physically show the service manager that something was afoot with the transmission.

Paint is easy compared to severe mechanical/electrical problems.
Ivan

[2010 Bumblebee]

I don't like my paint also. I have dirt/dust under the yellow base coat and some in the clear coat on the opposite side. I took it to the dealer and they said I had 3y/36k to get it fixed. The said they would fix it, but recommened leaving the factory paint on the car...

I also have a few chips, 2 on the front, and 2 on the roof. I stay far far away from everyone when driving like 500 feet and only use my car for fun so I have only 2400 miles on it.

I'm unhappy with the paint. When GM called me to ask me how I liked my new camaro I told them the car is great excpt the paint job. They never called me again.

I think there should be more base coat and more clear coat on the car. That way when something hits it if will take more to damage it.

The car get swirls easily too or at least it did when it was new, the paint might be harder now that it's 6 months old.

[Dack]

I don't see a problem in complaining about the paint. I currently have a minimum of 25 rock chips in my right rear fender gills and the other side would be just as bad if I didn't just have it repainted because of a hit and run. There's also a rock chip or two in the hood. This paint isn't thin. In fact it's thick according to my body shop. He said the rock chips certainly could be the "hardness" of the paint, not the thickness. Either way with 5100 miles on my car, I shouldn't have approx. 60 rock chips in it even if Minnesota spreads unholy amounts of salt/gravel. There's still a level of customer expectability. I fully expect that I'll have to repaint my car within 5 years or it'll look awful with the equivalent of 20+ years of rock chips.

[BoostedX2]

I have a 2005 Honda S2000 I have had since new and has almost 50,000 miles on it--I use it as my Daily Driver. It has been to CA and back and to San Antonio many times. my 2010 Camaro has at least TWICE the rock Chips and small scratches on it--and I treat it like a BABY.

[Michael_Js]

I have many many paint chips on the gills and lower areas of the car - about 6600 miles. I won't mention the front bumper. My bad in not putting a clear bra on the thing because I thought it was expensive ;(

No, it's not my DD, nor do I drive on gravel roads...

And, good for you speaking up, but I agree listening would also have done wonders since Scott is a great guy with lots of good info/input/care & concern...

[bobby35ny]

I have ALOT of chips for 6600 miles, I NEVER go on truck routes and I know not to follow to close. The BIGGER issue in my eyes is reaction to "acid rain". I have more than my fair share of etching. My wife has a 2004 Toyota minivan, she has maybe 3 chips on her van and it has 60K on the clock and ZERO etching. The rain falls from the same cloud onto the same driveway. There are paint issues here, lets not hide it. I'm not looking for a paint job nor repairs, I want them to correct it in future models.
-bobby