[Zoomin]

How much is too much?

I waxed the Z for the first time and I am bummed about the orange peel on the sides of the car. Is this:
A) fixable under warranty
B) just a way of life for buying a Chevy and perfectly normal
C) intentionally done to disrupt airflow and create added downforce
?

 

[c4c5specialist]

Hi there,
A certain amount of orange peel is considered a normal condition, however, if it is not equal to the rest of the cars painted surface, like on the decks.
Then, I would have it checked by your local dealer.
Best to you, c4c5

 

[M3NOMORE]

I believe that the orange peel in my paint is excessive, and I made a comment about it in my CMD purchase survey. I received a call from CMD who suggested I go to my local dealer to have them look it over.

I explained to CMD that my local Chevy/BMW (they sell and "service" both) dealer attempted to repair a minor ding in my right door on my M3 and it took the dealer seven (7) attempts and even more arguments to get it alomost right. This is also the same Chevy dealer who's service writer asked me what a Z06 was when I tried to go in for service. So as a result, I had little faith in their ability to fix a Corvette. CMD suggested I try another dealer, but beyond that CMD was going to do nothing else for me. For the moment I'm living with the orange peel, but I know it will drive me nuts soon. And then I will have to do something.

So good luck with yours, and if you find a suitible solution, I would appreciate hearing about it. Thanks

Mike

 

[mgarfias]

I've yet to see a stock corvette that had a minimal amount of orange peel. Remember too, that darker colors are going to show it off more so.

Mine has it, I'm not happy with it, but this is the way I look at it:

Porches tend to have good paint. They also cost $100k+, my corvette is as fast/faster, and cost $50k. For $50k I can live with the orange peel

 

[bigsapper]

Going to jump in on this one. I had a '97 black C5 and the orange peel on it wasn't anywhere near as bad as my Z. I don't want to over-exaggerate it but it is *noticeably* worse on my Z.
I remember as a kid helping my friend wet-sand his brother's van sometime after it was painted to get out the orange peel. Any recommendations regarding doing that on a new Z?

ChrisG

 

[hcvone]

The only problem with wet sanding a new cars clear coat is that it is very thin, and if you go through the clear your screwed, but I have seen many new Vettes with way too much orange peel. I would find a good paint shop and talk to them and get some ideas, if Chevy tries to fix the problem it will be worse.

 

[Z06george]

Hey guys,

I feel stupid asking, but I never heard the term orange peel with car paint. what exactly does it mean?

Thanks,
George

 

[Zoomin]

I can do better than explain - here's a pic of the side of my Z06.

See how rough the lines of the flag are? If the paint were smooth, the lines would be crisp.

Happy 4th everyone!

 

[NetJunkie]

Wow..that's a lot. I've never seen an example like that.

 

[fcalmes]

That's the worse I've ever seen!! /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif

 

[NetJunkie]

I agree...That's pretty darn bad. I can't imagine anyone arguing with you on that. I have a MY and mine isn't even close to that. My reflections are pretty clear.

 

[mgarfias]

damn that is bad

 

[chrisj]

Now that I know what orange peel is, I looked at the pics of the EB that frank took -- exclusive pics - long download (someone be kind and put up the picture of the emblem on the car).
Is that orange peel as well. Looking at the photo above and comparing, I see that the lines aren't straight on the blue one either. So is this a problem that will be found on all Z's?? I was fine till I knew about this, but now that I do it will drive me nuts. Am I wrong about the blue one? Hopefully I am. I was under the impression that the blue car was one of the first, so I was thinking that the fit and finish would be pretty good.
chris

 

[Rapid]

My torch red has the peel. I can live with it. It is not anywhere as bad as the pic posted though.

 

[M3NOMORE]

Oh My God Zoomin that IS bad. That photo brought tears to my eyes, and the real sad part is that Carl is right. If Chevy tries to fix it, it will only get worse. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif

 

[Zoomin]

You know the sad part is that the entire length of both sides of the car are like that, not just the area where I took the pic. I'm taking it to the dealer this weekend and see what he says.

I'll let you know.

 

[VPRKLLR]

Zoomin,
Thanks for the pic. I neven knew what orange peel was. Now I know.
Take the car to the daler and see what they say, maybe they'll offer for a repaint, if not wait for a minor accident /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif and get it repainted with your insurance coverage at a good shop. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif

 

[hcvone]

That is bad, it is important to look your new car over very well, bring someone with you that can look at the car and give you an objective view, it is tough after waiting so long for the car but some times you may have to walk away from the deal.

 

[Z06george]

Thanks Zoomin.

 

[VPRKLLR]

On 2001-07-04 14:28, hcvone spewed forth this drivel:
That is bad, it is important to look your new car over very well, bring someone with you that can look at the car and give you an objective view, it is tough after waiting so long for the car but some times you may have to walk away from the deal.

I'm with Carl,

This has happened to me on numerous occasions. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif The emotions that come wih owning a new "anything" is really overwhelming. From now on, I will bring one or two people to help me look over what I am buying, anything over $5000 at least.