Paint issue

TaterTots · June 2, 2019

So, I just bought my top of the line Sierra AT4 Friday afternoon. Yesterday, when I was washing it, I noticed it has several half-dollar size paint flaws. I'm pretty certain when it was being painted, a particle got into the basecoat which is probably then inspected for flaws and any found are wet sanded by a human before final clearcoat. Who (or what) ever sanded these areas was pretty ham-fisted and it looks like they sanded right down to the primer, which was then cleared. So, the final product is a nice shiny half-dollar sized primer spot. Fairly disappointing for a $70K truck.

There are 2 spots on the passenger fender, one on the passenger door, one on the driver's door and a fairly large area on the top of the front bumper which looks like the paint fisheyed and was wet sanded then cleared over, resulting in a primer spot with black spots. There may be others but these are the ones I've noticed so far.

My sales guy is on vacation until like June 11. Should I wait and talk to him about it or just contact the general manager at the dealer? I'm a little worried the solution might be worse than the problem. It can be tough to find a competent paint guy, anymore.

ct_corey · June 2, 2019

don't wait. I would talk to the GM asap just so there is less of a chance they blame you. I can almost guarantee GM will cover that. I would reach out GM customer service now just so they are in the know. They will communicate with the dealer and help with the process. I got my whole frame re coated no questions asked.

Rocz3cqg · June 2, 2019

Take it back as soon as possible to have the dealership made aware of the problem. These problems should have been caught by the salesperson and you the buyer upon delivery. One of them looks like sandpaper etchings.

TaterTots · June 2, 2019

Will do. Thanks.
It's very difficult to see on black and it was dusk-ish when I took delivery. I didn't see them until it was in full sunlight.

outrag1 · June 2, 2019

You're in the hands of Service at this point. I would not wait for the Salesperson at all. It looks like someone tried to repair a couple individual spots and didn't finish the job. The hazy spots look like they didn't buff out the clear properly after wet sanding or they went through the clear (which is thin to begin with) trying to fix the spot and the ring is what you're left with. I don't think it's clear over primer from the factory.

A good private body shop would be good for an estimate and advice on your situation. Obviously check with the dealer too, but their body shops can be sketchy.

Sorry this happened to you. Beautiful looking truck otherwise.

TaterTots · June 3, 2019

Thanks!
I can't see any blend, difference in sheen or even an air pressure variation anywhere around the areas which is why I believe they tried to feather the nibs & went through the paint and cleared the whole mess. Either way, it shouldn't be there. My warranty book says they'll take care of any "flaws" that were missed at the factory, so I'm really hoping they make good on it. I absolutely love the truck otherwise.

TaterTots · June 4, 2019

Update. I contacted GM this morning & got a claim number. They told me to go to the dealer & talk to them. I went to the service department who wanted to pass me off to my salesman (who is on vacation), so he passed me off to the sales manager whom I think had a hard time seeing the problem areas (older gentleman). Anyhow, he sent me across the street to the body shop they use. The body shop guy clearly saw the problem areas and said he'd let me know what's going to happen after he talks to the dealer.

He did CC me on what he sent to the dealer. The estimate for repair is over $2,200. I really, really hope this place is a good shop. I want my literally hours old truck to look like new when it comes out of there.

kenny_r · June 4, 2019

If those flaws were just in the clear and not base coat that body shop is making a killing.lol

Edit...just seen the last pic. The first two look easy, but that last one is debatable.

TaterTots · June 4, 2019

That would be true! They're definitely in the base though.
I REALLY wish it was just clear.

Edited June 4, 2019 by TaterTots

kenny_r · June 4, 2019

I’d want a new truck personally.

TaterTots · June 4, 2019

Is that an option? I dislike the idea of my brand new truck being taken apart. I just have so little faith in any shop.
My husband hit a bear with our new Challenger and the body shop did a pretty poor job on it. I brought it back 4 times and while they fixed most of the paint issues they gave it, it still has terrible swirl marks and buffer burn on it that they pretend not to see. I finally gave up after many returns to them. After an experience like that I'm very nervous about this whole ordeal with my new truck.

outrag1 · June 4, 2019

19 minutes ago, TaterTots said:

Is that an option? I dislike the idea of my brand new truck being taken apart. I just have so little faith in any shop.
My husband hit a bear with our new Challenger and the body shop did a pretty poor job on it. I brought it back 4 times and while they fixed most of the paint issues they gave it, it still has terrible swirl marks and buffer burn on it that they pretend not to see. I finally gave up after many returns to them. After an experience like that I'm very nervous about this whole ordeal with my new truck.

I doubt they will furnish a new truck for a couple paint defects. I feel your pain though because if they have to "paint" they will need to spray base on repair and then blend clear on the whole panel. Depending on where the marks are, they may have to blend into adjacent panels to get it to look right. Then you have the issue of factory texture (orange peel) matching repair texture so it doesn't stand out. The body shop is really key. As mentioned earlier, I would probably get a 2nd private opinion from an elite body shop in your area. You may even get GM to allow you to go to your shop of choice with them funding the project.

Years ago I bought a new Chevy pickup and didn't realize the bed rail had been re-sprayed (somewhere between the factory and the dealer) because it was raining when my order came in and I took delivery. The following weekend, I noticed a hard (obvious to the touch) paint line where the bed rail meets the rest of the quarter panel. I was not happy, but all they would do is look to improve the repair. They did allow me to go to a body shop of my choice however. In the end, I didn't need repaint, only wet sanding and buffing to improve and blend the area. It became something only I was aware of but I had a bad taste for a while.

TaterTots · June 4, 2019

I asked the body shop if they plan on doing a spot repair or what their procedure is. He says they will not spot it, they will repaint each panel. I hope they can simply panel paint and don't have to blend to the adjacent panels since that is really where you can see the orange peel difference and black can really be a devil because it plays tricks on your eyes depending on the lighting.

I did stress the importance of achieving a match to the factory orange peel and he says they will. I, however, have my doubts. My father was a body man and owned his shop for 50 years and I did paint & body off & on for about 25. That makes me one of two things; a PITA or an informed customer (which is still looked at as a PITA. lol!).

Shawn O'Leary · June 4, 2019

10 hours ago, TaterTots said:

Update. I contacted GM this morning & got a claim number. They told me to go to the dealer & talk to them. I went to the service department who wanted to pass me off to my salesman (who is on vacation), so he passed me off to the sales manager whom I think had a hard time seeing the problem areas (older gentleman). Anyhow, he sent me across the street to the body shop they use. The body shop guy clearly saw the problem areas and said he'd let me know what's going to happen after he talks to the dealer.

He did CC me on what he sent to the dealer. The estimate for repair is over $2,200. I really, really hope this place is a good shop. I want my literally hours old truck to look like new when it comes out of there.

$2,200 is about what I paid for paint correction (of my entire truck) to remove swirls and such prior to ceramic coating.

KARNUT · June 4, 2019

Damn. After getting a bo bo repaired on the wife’s car and being impressed with the matching. I ask how much to repaint my old truck that’s showing its age. 2500$ for complete paint job, base and clear. 2200$ for corrections before ceramic, I would faint.

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