Bad Paint on the Truck I ordered

k3500CC8.1 · May 22, 2006

Hi,

I've been lurking for years but finally decided to post

Here's the story.

Had a 2001 K2500HD SB 8.1L ZF6. Loved the truck. Best performing truck I ever had. Sold it at 96,000miles. Mistake.

Ordered a 2003 K3500 Ext. Cab Duramax ZF6. Dissapointed with the Diesel. Got good mileage if I drove 64 mph, but missed the performance of the big block. Sold it this past March.

Ordered a 2006 K3500 Crew Cab with the 8.1L Allison 6speed. Great performing truck so far. Of course I ordered black. Did not let the dealer wash it or even take the plastic off. I'm real picky. Anyhow, get the truck home and wash it. It was setting in the driveway last week in the direct late afternoon sun when I notice the paint, or lack of. The tail gate is transparent, not enough paint coverage. I look at the rear fenders, transparent, not enough paint coverage. I look at the tailgate/door jambs, not enough paint coverage. Look under the hood, the firewall is part black, part primer. I haven't found any other places yet.

I'm not happy. I took the truck back to the dealer, Wayne Eidson in Sulphur OK. Great Dealer. None of this is his fault. Anyhow, repaint is not an option. No one can repaint it to the level I would require. This is the kicker. Pulled another black dullie in the shop to see if the blacks would match for a possible bed and tailgate swap. The unsold black crew cab dullie off the lot has the same problem. Not enough paint coverage on the truck. The black is transparent. This is not a good thing for a company in trouble.

Anyhow, I love the truck, ordered exactly the way I wanted it. Talk to Chevrolet, they will most likely take the truck back if I choose that option. I talked to Mr. Eidson about possibly re-ordering the truck as an 07, but he is unsure if the big block will be still available for 07. I'm not going to order another diesel, especially that 2007 EPA wonder.

Has anyone heard if the 8.1L will be available in 07??? I did notice that it is no longer an option on the 07 K2500 Suburbans.

Thanks

"Gettin Done with Old School Power"

gave20 · May 22, 2006

The classic models will offer a 8.1L.

sonjaab · May 22, 2006

3500.......Your not the only one !!!!

Another poster in the 07 'Ho forums has the SAME problem as

you with a thin/ bare/missing paint issues.

I think his is black too !.........................geo

Wingnut · May 23, 2006

That's no good.

You wouldn't happen to be related to anybody named "Lisa" would you?

99silveradoz71 · May 28, 2006

You wouldn't happen to be related to anybody named "Lisa" would you?

Now that ain't right

sonjaab · May 28, 2006

3500.....heres a link to the 07 Tahoe guy with the thin and

missing paint: http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...view=getnewpost

sonjaab · May 28, 2006

GUYS.....i think that Lisa person was the one with the new

truck that had all kinds of factory paint boo-boos and then piss

poor repaint work done by her dealer.

Remember her now?.............................geo

Scyry · May 30, 2006

My old truck was light on paint in afew places, mainly in the door jams and a couple spots on the hood. Only could see in full light. It was black too. Take it in and talk to them. Also be very specific that you want a perfect paint job. Mine came back with a couple dust spots I missed when it came back. Wasn't able to get them to fix them.

snownyet · May 31, 2006

"No one can paint to the level I require" I call bs on this!! Factory paint is only better due to being baked, the surface finish of most factory paints is pretty poor for todays technology. A good painter can paint circles around the factory and some have baking capability in their booths too.. look at the orange peel in that factory paint, then go look at the work of a GOOD painter. If you still think the factory paint is better then your really not as picky as you think.

snoman · May 31, 2006

"No one can paint to the level I require" I call bs on this!! Factory paint is only better due to being baked, the surface finish of most factory paints is pretty poor for todays technology. A good painter can paint circles around the factory and some have baking capability in their booths too.. look at the orange peel in that factory paint, then go look at the work of a GOOD painter. If you still think the factory paint is better then your really not as picky as you think.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I had the hood replaced on my 2000 K3500 last year from vandal damage and when it was repainted last summer it had orange peel in it. I had it buffed out this spring after it was well "cured" (they would have done it sooner if I had asked them too) and it now looks the same as the rest of the truck. It is flame red.

k3500CC8.1 · May 31, 2006

"No one can paint to the level I require" I call bs on this!! Factory paint is only better due to being baked, the surface finish of most factory paints is pretty poor for todays technology. A good painter can paint circles around the factory and some have baking capability in their booths too.. look at the orange peel in that factory paint, then go look at the work of a GOOD painter. If you still think the factory paint is better then your really not as picky as you think.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I guess you've had better luck with GOOD painter's than I have... Also, I guess you are less apprehensive on letting a $40K truck go to a GOOD painter with less than 200 miles on it. I did not buy a NEW truck to have it immediately repainted.

MY experience wth so called GOOD painters has always been overspray, swirl marks to get that orange peel out, and a dirty frame covered with buffing compound. The best paint job I ever had was three years ago on my Cessna. The finish was outstanding, but still had flaws due to human error. I know even the best factory paint has flaws and orange peel, but the odds are you are going to be worse off than when you started if you have a repaint. This truck will never see rain while I'm the owner, so I highly doubt I can take it to a GOOD painter, have half the truck repainted, and have it returned to me in the same condition that it rolled out of the factory from top to bottom. If you know of a shop that can do this, please let me know for some of my future projects.

I've been cruising the local dealerships here in the area and have found four other black trucks with the same problem. Two of the trucks were K2500HD's and the other two were 1-tons. All of them are missing paint on the left half of the tailgates and on the rear quarters of the bed. It's only visible in the late afternoon sun. Not Good.

snownyet · May 31, 2006

I understand your frustration with a new truck, but since the major issues are the box and tailgate theres no reason for any shop not to pull them parts and paint them off the truck at your request to eliminate the worry of compound or overspray on the rest of the truck. Maybe youre more persuasive than me, but I dont see any dealers in my area taking a truck back over a paint coverage issue.. I hope you succeed no matter which route you decide to take. I can matter of factly state that Ford is no better, I just traded my 2004 F150 for my Chevy crew. When it had 15,000 miles on it the pass side of the box was replaced because it rusted thru from the inside out, and when it was traded last week the entire front lip of the hood had rust, and I take very good care of my vehicles. There are competent painters who can cater to picky folks and do a stellar job, theyre just hard to find as the world is full of people with no pride and the desire to pump out the work as fast as possible to squeeze in another big $$$$ insurance job. Im surprised at the not seeing rain comment, I cant fathom spending 40+k for a truck to leave it in the garage when it rains, If it were collectable maybe, but a truck depreciates the same if Im driving it or looking at it.