SS is 3 months old---paint wearing off already!!!
12-29-2008, 06:57 PM
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SS is 3 months old---paint wearing off already!!!
We finally had a few days here were the weather was decent (no snow/rain and above freezing) so I took the opportunity to clean the SS up some. First thing I noticed is what an incredible amount of tar was on the car. Unbelievable!! It took me a couple hours yesterday to get it all off, especially the back. I think the new 09's wider tires and the high rise wing have a lot to do with it. Then as I was cleaning the car off, I noticed the real bummer. The rocker side skirts and the rear quarter panel in front of the rear wheel well (where the body flares out) all look like they were sand blasted or something. It's from road dirt and grime and gravel etc, I'm certain, but I can't believe how quickly it is happening! I've had over 30 vehicles in my life and I've seen this happen before, but not after 3 months! It must be because the tires on this car stick out some from under the fenders.
Has anyone else noticed this happening on their car? Any thoughts on how to prevent it from getting worse? If I can stop it now it will be ok, but if it goes at this pace I'll have to get it repainted before it's a year old. I'm thinking of getting some clear 3m stuff to put over these areas. Do you think it's a good idea? Does anyone have any other suggestions?
I haven't heard anyone complain about this before so maybe mine is an aberration. Here's a pic of the back of the side skirt. It's not as bad on the body, but it is starting to do this there too. (Pic is kinda blurry, I snapped it on night setting and jiggled it a bit I guess).
I love this car and they way it looks, I want to keep it as perfect as possible!
Has anyone else noticed this happening on their car? Any thoughts on how to prevent it from getting worse? If I can stop it now it will be ok, but if it goes at this pace I'll have to get it repainted before it's a year old. I'm thinking of getting some clear 3m stuff to put over these areas. Do you think it's a good idea? Does anyone have any other suggestions?
I haven't heard anyone complain about this before so maybe mine is an aberration. Here's a pic of the back of the side skirt. It's not as bad on the body, but it is starting to do this there too. (Pic is kinda blurry, I snapped it on night setting and jiggled it a bit I guess).
I love this car and they way it looks, I want to keep it as perfect as possible!
12-29-2008, 07:03 PM
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The paint I'm sure has been cured, and I've driven MANY cars, new ones too, in the winter and did not have this happen. Maybe you're right, but it doesn't seem like it should happen that easily. Are there mud gaurds available for our cars with the ground effects?
12-29-2008, 07:09 PM
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Eff...My Si had soft paint, and the front rock chipped easily, but this is crazy. My Supra kinda did this, but the rear fenders flared out further than the SS's.
12-29-2008, 07:14 PM
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There is a product out there that is made up of a thin layer of clear plastic.
A customer at my work has many exotice car and most of them have that clear plastic on the front bumper. Its har to see unless you look close.
A customer at my work has many exotice car and most of them have that clear plastic on the front bumper. Its har to see unless you look close.
12-29-2008, 07:16 PM
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What did you do about it? I think I'm going to try this stuff...
http://www.topoftheline-travel.com/p...tion-tape.html
http://www.topoftheline-travel.com/p...tion-tape.html
12-29-2008, 10:48 PM
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12-29-2008, 11:19 PM
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samething happened to the s10 ZR2's, and yes it's because the tires stick out past the fenders. That clear 3m stuff will work for awhile, if you're lucky enough to live on pavement, but nothing short of skinner rubber or fender flares(
) will be a perminate solution.
) will be a perminate solution.
12-30-2008, 12:25 AM
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Stfu "welcome to GM" people. I've had several GM cars and I've never had this problem. GM quality is equal to or better than anyone these days. Take better care of your cars.
12-30-2008, 12:36 AM
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12-30-2008, 12:40 AM
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Ha.. that might be better. Cobalt quality is equal to other cars in its class (Kias, Hyundais, Corolla, Civic, Sentra, etc). People that don't think so should sell their Cobalt and buy one of those super crappy cars I just mentioned.
12-30-2008, 07:56 AM
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No, my interior isn't rattling yet....5500 miles and tight as a drum.
I don't think it's a QUALITY issue, I think my car has better "quality" than the last several cars I owned, including a Honda and a Toyota. I think it's a design issue, combined with the wider tires that stick out.
I take EXCELLENT care of my vehicles. I am absolutely OCD when it comes to keeping my car clean and waxed and maintained. While I have not been able to "wash" the car for several weeks prior to this because of the weather, I rinse it at the car wash daily, sometimes twice a day. This issue has not come up from neglect. In fact, first fairish day and I am out removing the tar and then washing the car a second time to remove all the Goo-Gone.
While I am familiar with the Cobalts Cavalier roots etc, any car over $20k is not exactly an "econo-box". It sure no exotic, but it's gotta land in the middle there somewhere.
I'm going to buff the crap out of the spots and apply the 3m stuff to see if that helps. Several people have said the same thing happened to them, what did you guys do about it?
I don't think it's a QUALITY issue, I think my car has better "quality" than the last several cars I owned, including a Honda and a Toyota. I think it's a design issue, combined with the wider tires that stick out.
I take EXCELLENT care of my vehicles. I am absolutely OCD when it comes to keeping my car clean and waxed and maintained. While I have not been able to "wash" the car for several weeks prior to this because of the weather, I rinse it at the car wash daily, sometimes twice a day. This issue has not come up from neglect. In fact, first fairish day and I am out removing the tar and then washing the car a second time to remove all the Goo-Gone.
While I am familiar with the Cobalts Cavalier roots etc, any car over $20k is not exactly an "econo-box". It sure no exotic, but it's gotta land in the middle there somewhere.
I'm going to buff the crap out of the spots and apply the 3m stuff to see if that helps. Several people have said the same thing happened to them, what did you guys do about it?
