Alex1217

Alot of people had mentioned that the C6 would have significantly less orange peel than the C5, thanks to new painting techniques used on the XLR. Well, after looking at this pic from the Z06 Fest Pic thread, I don't think so. Granted, these are still not full production cars for sale but it looks like the C6 will have just as much orange peel as the C5 did. Its a shame too because we corvette owners pride ourselves so much in making our vettes look pristine, especially the paint. Here's the pic I'm talking about:




[Modified by alex1217, 9:19 AM 4/27/2004]

Corvette SSX

Keep in mind, it is a Chevy.

rwd

For whatever reason, the paint improvements never materialized, and the XLR paint isn't any better.

If one were being charitable, one might say that the changes required (including new panel material) could not be budgeted due to the soft market and will materialize in about three years, along with a more attractive styling.

Time will tell.

Adam Bruce

It's like a Sexy Chick.... wrapped in... well.....er...uhm....

Duntov7

My take is that the weird look is really weird photography.

My Torch Z06 (a very early one; built August 2000) has better paint than our new Acura 3.2 CL Type-S.

My previous '98 C5 targa had excellent paint finish....no problems.

My 1967 NCRS Top Flight Sting Ray 427/390HP L36 rag had not-so-great paint, because it is Lacquer....correct, but not the ultimate vs. clearcoat.




[Modified by Duntov7, 10:31 AM 4/27/2004]

BHP

That is correct. Don't expect a hand sanded lacquer finish on the C6. Blame those hurried robots and low VOC paint.

LongTimer

It really is a shame they haven't figured out a solution yet. But this is really the job of the paint companies, since we see this on all of the cars. All we can do is just what you did; bring it their attention that is one of our priorities. I can't say I am surprised since I had already read several posts that the XLR has plenty of orange peel too.

SpankingGT

The CTS-V at NY Autoshow (XM radio display car) had one the worst orange peel I have ever seen XLR on display wasn't much better either!

StrayCat

You'd think that the cars shown at the auto shows this year would be specially hand-prepped by color sanding to look great. Similar to the "ringers" the mfrs used to lend to magazines in the 60s. Why didn't Chevy do that?

On the production cars, if it's a cost vs. orange peel decision, I'll take the more affordable cost (along with the orange peel). I'm not rich!

Maybe the orange peel paint is another Corvette "tradition" like pop-up lights.. remember back in the 80s when the GM clear coat would slough off in sheets? I have an IROC with a paint blob about the size of a dime on the spoiler. I left it alone, it adds "character".


A good shop can color-sand the paint to look super. Btw I've seen crummy paint on new Ferraris also!



Save the Wave!


[Modified by StrayCat, 3:20 PM 4/27/2004]

WhiteDiamond

That is a super BAD idea!!! I had the factory paint sanded on my 98 WS6 to look super smooth and glossy(no orange peel), but the takes a serious toll on the factory clear coat(which is very thin). Even the extremely talented individual who did my car(recogninzed for many custom show cars) told me it was a bad idea and would take its toll on a daily driven vehicle(say bird droppings eating into your color coat as there is very little clear left).

To address the idea that this is the paint manufacturers problem, I don't really know where this idea comes from. Professional painters will tell you that there are ways to paint vehicles that affect the orange peel, not the paint. Typical orange peel is from the paint being sprayed thin, not allowing the atomized paint reflow once it contacts the surface, creating the nice littel bumps we call orange peel. Spraying the paint just a bit thinker could have a dramatic change, but increases risks for runs.

There are some very talented painters out there and the best bet for somebody looking for a orange-peel free Vette is to have it fully custom painted. Some painters are willing to sand into the clear coat and then put additional layers of clear down, which would allow one to sand and buff out orange peel, but there is an issue of new clear not taking hold to the old clear coat as well...Plus, a good eye will still see the orange peel in the color coat even after the clear coat is free from orange peel(you could in my WS6).

Todd

Coyote

At the most recent vette show in Boerne, Tx I noticed several 2004 models with horrible orange peel on the rear decks. I drive a '99 Nassau Blue and I have noticed VERY little orange peel on my car (if any). I was really surprised to see that type of paint on those '04 vettes. Heck, even my not-so-saavy mother was the one that pointed out the poor paint jobs to me. I'd have liked to thought they'd have fixed that for the C6 but maybe orange-peel paint is the new trend eh?

Rocketblock

Interesting. The C6 in the photo above has noticeably more orange peel than my C5. New paints? New process? New substrate? HMMMM

bobby777

Same as the C-5! Its as close to the grove as you can get!!! :mad

ivan111

Since this is a problem in all cars in general not exclusively to the Vette, GM is not going to have sleepless nights because of this......

Still paint finish looks pretty good as you can see clearly that a gray CTS-V is behind this C-6......


[Modified by ivan111, 9:11 PM 4/28/2004]

Glennm27

The Orange peel is NOT the paint. IT's all the clearcoat. They dry it fast and it shrinks.

GDP

Remember, too, that "improved paint" could also mean a harder paint that doesn't chip and scratch as easily like many people complain about on C5s.

Also remember that these are hand painted pre-production models.

Snake Skinner

Man, the more I see the C6, the more I hate it.

Zilla

You better not use Zaino on the C6 because once it has been Zainoed the orange peel will stand out even more

docrings1

1. If DIY, be prepared to repaint/re-clear your car... 'nuf said.
2. Block sanding required, then compounding using machines that can burn right through your clear-coat and paint in an instant, then polish, then waxing... whew! Is it Miller time yet?
3. Absolutely use a paint gauge to measure thickness. Color is 0.3mils to 0.5 mils, and UV clear coat layer is about 1.8 mils. The more you sand away, the less UV protection you have and the more likelihood of clear coat failure/peeling,but the smoother the finish and the greater the gloss...
4. Just consider a professional with deep pockets and a proven track record of removing OEM orange-peel. Look to see work and talk to prior customers (did their clear coats fail?)

I am submitting some web-links for the very brave DIY'er (or to reset your "BS" detector when investigating refinishers/detailers):

DANGERS OF WET-SANDING IT YOURSELF:
http://www.autopia.org/forums/showth...ht=wet+sanding

3M products:
http://www.3m.com/us/auto_marine_aer...ent_peel.jhtml

Buffing Details and using a paint thickness gauge:
http://www.abrn.com/abrn/article/art...l.jsp?id=88799

Various methods from reputable sources:
http://www.rodandcustommagazine.com/techarticles/4904/

http://www.hotrod.com/howto/56639/

Photos of cars requiring wet-sanding and the results:
http://www.autopia.org/forums/showth...ht=wet+sanding

http://www.autopia.org/forums/showth...ht=wet+sanding

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