2011 1500 SIlverado paint question.

Lyall · February 19, 2012

Hey, i buy a new 2011 Silverado buy in july. I been using it pretty good, hualling dirty and what not. Go on gravel roads and such from time to time not anymore than previous trucks and cars i have driven tho. But i have start to notice alot of sraches on my truck. Now normally i wouldnt be in a fuse about a few scratchs here and there on the truck. i do polish and wax it regularly. But after washing it today i had notices to major chips in the paint where it looks like it removed everything right down to the steel. after i examined the area it doesn't seem to have been done but a rock or anything i can tell (no indeint ). Also the areas affected are not in normal rock impact areas. 1 is high on the rear panel infront of the rearwheel, while the other is inbetween the tailgate handle and the Chevy Sybomal. I was just wondering if anybody else has how problems with the paint job on there 2011 GM trucks or if anything had any input of what i should do in order to reduce the changes of this chipping happening.

Thanks

waumo1 · February 20, 2012

If you don't have splash guards it would explain most chips but not the tailgate one.

I drove mine for a few days before installing the splash guards and was surprised at how high up on the sides the splatter was with only stock tires.

If you look where they installed the clear film in front of the rear wheels it tells you they figured out they had a design problem with rock chips.

BlackZ71Silverado · February 20, 2012

The chip on the tailgate probably came from another vehicle going the opposite direction and kicking up some small stones. I have a colored front bumper and have to fill in all the chips every summer. Seems like it gets a chip from the wind blowing to hard.

music · February 20, 2012

My paint is holding up very well, but it's not as tough as what they used 10 yrs ago. Then again, the clear coat isn't bubbling like my '99 GMC did. None of the newer vehciles I've looked at have "hard" paint. Our Toyota Sienna is worse than the GMC, for what that's worth.

AlaskanSilverado07 · February 20, 2012

Welcome to the new world reality of paint. It ain't what it used to be. Remember when we were kids in the 60's or 70's? The paint on our bicycles was tough as nails and I believe while GM thinks our trucks will last through the apocalypse, I don't think the paint job will. But I do believe those bicycles from when we were kids will have paint job and all still as good as new after the apocalypse. Paint jobs just aren't what they used to be as they're thinner, more prone to nicks and scratches, and we see the results of this every day.

rheal91 · February 21, 2012

I got my first chip (right down to the metal) on the driver side right above Silverado after the first week of bringing it home. It never seen gravel yet at the time. Couldn't believe it! Now after owning it for 6 months, it has more small chips on it than my 06 Cummins with mud tires. But i guess thats the cost of lookin good!

pm26 · February 21, 2012

I have installed moulded splash guards on my truck shortly after I bought it. They helped a lot keeping the paint looking good. I have not seen any chips in the paint from gravel or other causes. Also, I installed a bug deflector, which keep the front of hood free of gravel chips.

oldmann · February 21, 2012

You would be suprised how many chips round tube steps cause. Usually near the rear of the tube on the bottom of the rocker. Rocks bounce off of the tube and hit the body creating a circle with no paint. These are the tubes that look like a [ and return back under the truck. Not the oval steps.