Hey Pontiac.....Read This!

[retiredfields]

After washing my one month old Abyss Vibe, I noticed how many surface scratches there were in the clearcoat. Then I realized that lightly moving my fingernail across the clearcoat would leave a surface scratch. Its almost like they forgot to mix the hardener in with the clear. My previous car was black, but nothing like this.I know this has been beat to death, but I wanted to make sure Pontiac saw this one. Whoever at Pontiac selected this paint vendor should be sprayed with it. There should be a service bulletin on this fiasco, but there won't be.Anyone have additional, good quality, clearcoat added to their car?

[MadBill]

I'm looking for a good source of Kryptonite powder as an additive to a new layer of clearcoat.

[Vibe Rater]

Problems such as this can ruin a brand. Wake up Pontiac!

[ragingfish]

Jeff Strausser is VERY aware of the paint problems...he and his team are looking into every aspect of paint -- materials, application, processes, etc., to find out why this is happening...I will be sure to follow up with him at the Ohio meet and see if they've made any progress (though I'm sure he'd notify us if he had).

[ragingfish]

Honestly, I doubt they'll have any answers by then...We all know GM has a history of questionable paints...I believe the solution is a minimum of 2 years down the line...but I'm merely speculating...

[ragingfish]

Agreed. Good idea with any car, regardless of paint durability...Clearcoat can be repaired almost flawlessly. Paint, as we all know, never looks right when repaired.

[ragingfish]

quote:Yes it does, with the right people working on it. Yeah, but to get a good repair is a lot of $$$...Prevention is the best weapon...Clearcoat repair can be done at home...

[scherry2]

I've got chips all over the front and roof of my vibe going in monday to bich. I never drive on gravel roads. this paint is crap......

[Toasted7]

I have chips all over my hood and stains on the front lower half by the grills... so I know how frustrating it is. Be sure to keep this all in mind when you go to the Ohio Meet. Run it all by Jeff and I'm sure he will make a note of it or at least let everyone know what information he has so far. He did that at the MI Meet and I'm sure he will do the same at the OH Meet as well. He's great for that... thanx again Jeff!

[ragingfish]

Everyone please be sure to balance out your concerns with your loves when talking to Jeff...People like to hear not only your concerns, but that which we love about our cars!No one likes to be btched at all day long...

[Toasted7]

I love my car... I do, I really do! (isn't that worthy of an Oscar or something?). Just a few minor things here and there that I complain about.

[ragingfish]

I know you do...but we need to make sure Jeff knows that! That's all...

[cibomatto]

please tell Jeff I am having the same problem and I too don't drive on gravel... this is probably the biggest sore spot for me...My 10 year old Mitsubishi Galant looks better paint wise,,and yes I wholly agree.. as wonderful the Vibe is, I don't know if I could buy Pontiac knowing that this is a Pontiac Problem

[pmh013]

Ya, the paint blows.I got a front end cover, which has helped greatly. It is much easier on the paint to scrub the grasshopper carcasses off the FEC than the paint. But I shouldn't need a $120 CDN accessory to correct what is a $20 problem at the factory!!! Good thing I'll have this car until 2008 ... by then all 2003 Vibe paint jobs will look like crap, so mine should just fit in. Or, it will have rusted away because the surface coating has been compromised.

[red]

the idea about adding xtra clearcoating on the car after you buy it is $$$$$...you just cant do it at home unless you want every living and non living thing swimming around it your clear...its not as easy as it sounds, trust me on this (been in and around body shops for 17 years)..this is something that has to be done at the factory or pro shops that use paint booths...yes i too am very disappointed at the durability of the paint and other exterior pieces...i have a chip near my rear left window that is starting to show signs of surface rust and thats up here in a desert-like climate!!! my hood is shot full of chips and my nose looks like a connect-the-dot game...i would use a car bra for the front end but really downt want to scratch/rub the paint off since some of our roads are very dirty/dusty...when my hubby gets another shop i will have him repaint the vib using high quality ppg materials and 2-3 coats of clear...until then i'll touch up and shrug off 'cause i really dont see a cure for current owners coming anytime soon...which is sad for such a great lil car.

[red]

furthermore...i dont think its as much of a pontiac problem as it is toyota cutting costs and undermining what reputation pontiac is trying to strive for...toyota is out for toyota and damn gm !