Very strange Paint problem after off-roading

[H3Eric]

My first post....

I went off-roading with the Sewell Hummer Happening last weekend in North Texas. The event was well organized and a lot of fun. At the end of the day Sewell gave away free car washes.

So this is what happened....

I went for a car wash on Tuesday and after cleaning very strange paint problems occured on all fiber-glass body parts (Fenders, vent-caps, etc). It looks like the mud damaged the clearcoat and water got in or under the clearcoat. So where ever I had mud I have now spots (many) or areas that seem like it is very dull paint. I'm not sure if this is a carwash problem or a Hummer Factory paint problem. The car is still at the dealer and I'm waiting how it will be fixed. It seems that letting it sit outside in the sun helps a little bit. Sewell said that other H3's that came for a carwash did not have this problem.

Any ideas???

Eric
Black H3 Adventure (6,000 Miles)

[H3Eric]

My first post....

I went off-roading with the Sewell Hummer Happening last weekend in North Texas. The event was well organized and a lot of fun. At the end of the day Sewell gave away free car washes.

So this is what happened....

I went for a car wash on Tuesday and after cleaning very strange paint problems occured on all fiber-glass body parts (Fenders, vent-caps, etc). It looks like the mud damaged the clearcoat and water got in or under the clearcoat. So where ever I had mud I have now spots (many) or areas that seem like it is very dull paint. I'm not sure if this is a carwash problem or a Hummer Factory paint problem. The car is still at the dealer and I'm waiting how it will be fixed. It seems that letting it sit outside in the sun helps a little bit. Sewell said that other H3's that came for a carwash did not have this problem.

Any ideas???

Eric
Black H3 Adventure (6,000 Miles)

[H3 Builder]

All the flairs, air caps and (the name slips my mind) piece right below the wipers are all painted where they are made. Only the metal body is painted at the assembly plant.

[H3Eric]

It is indeed also on that panel under the wipers. I will check the car on Friday. I still can't explain why this happened.

[wannabeH3]

just clean it at home and wax it, i get spots if its hard water... price u pay for a black anything

[H3Eric]

If it was just hard water spots then it would not be a problem, happens all the time. It is someway below or deep in the the clearcoat surface. The regular clay bar or polisher didn't work. anyway I will give status update tomorrow.

[Hummer Guy]

Interesting -- let me know how that turns out

-Brian
(Greystone Blue-Group Trail Leader)


http://www.hummerguy.net

[H3Eric]

Brian, I may stop by Sewell Dallas on Saturday to show you what I'm talking about.

[Hummer Guy]

Funny, my paint didn't look the same after that Hummer Happening either...

[H3Eric]

Brian, we have now 3 H3's identified with the same paint problem after cleaning. By the way our H3s look alike....

[Hummer Guy]

Anyone try buffing it out yet? Either yourself or at Sewell? Are the other 2 Hummers black?

[aggiehummer...er]

We got everything fixed. Strange problem.

[H3Eric]

Sewell Hummer did a good job on the car. The front left side still has some of the strange stuff on it. I will wait until we hear something back from GM. (next week or so)

[woyster_h3]

I went to a Hummer Happening yesterday. My H3 looked nothing close to the pictures above, however, there was some mud on the rear fender flares. After washing it last night, there are spots that look as you have described. What is the method to fix it?

[HummerNewbie]

So does it seem to only be happening to black H3s?

[H3Eric]

Until now it seems that the Black H3 has the problem. My dealer identified 2 others but I don't remember if they were black as well.

To fix it they polished all the fiberglass parts after they let it dry for some days. It was quite a lot of work and my left front fender still has some spots but you can only see it during when the light reflects a certain way. The issues has been communicated to GM, maybe your dealer can do this as well so we get some more traction.

[Hummer crazy]

Yes I have a Blk H3 same prob What can we do?

[H3Eric]

Hummer Crazy, how and when did you get his problem did you see the problem?

[fourfourto]

Im glad i didnt go for the black one.

[DRTYFN]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by H3Eric:
My first post....

I went off-roading with the Sewell Hummer Happening last weekend in North Texas. The event was well organized and a lot of fun. At the end of the day Sewell gave away free car washes.

So this is what happened....

I went for a car wash on Tuesday and after cleaning very strange paint problems occured on all fiber-glass body parts (Fenders, vent-caps, etc). It looks like the mud damaged the clearcoat and water got in or under the clearcoat. So where ever I had mud I have now spots (many) or areas that seem like it is very dull paint. I'm not sure if this is a carwash problem or a Hummer Factory paint problem. The car is still at the dealer and I'm waiting how it will be fixed. It seems that letting it sit outside in the sun helps a little bit. Sewell said that other H3's that came for a carwash did not have this problem.

Any ideas???

Eric
Black H3 Adventure (6,000 Miles) </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ever think to take it directly to the dealership and ask them to figure it out and remedy the problem? Damn.http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[f5fstop]

I haven't seen your problem, but could this be it? It may be a different problem, but I would guess black may show it better than other colors.

Cloudy Spot in Paint After Protective Covering is Removed (Heat Area) #05-08-51-005 - (Sep 21, 2005)
Cloudy Spot in Paint After Protective Covering is Removed (Heat Area)
2005-2006 GM Passenger Cars and Trucks

2005-2006 HUMMER H2

2006 HUMMER H3

Condition
During Pre-Delivery after the Wrap Guard ® has been removed, some cloudy spots may be present in the clear coat.

Cause
The Wrap Guard® may have had some air bubbles or creases under the material where water may have collected.

Correction
DO THIS: Use heat gun to remove the spot.

DON'T' DO THIS: Do Not paint the panel.


Apply heat to the spot using a heat gun for 10 seconds, making sure not to burn the paint.

[H3Eric]

Drtyfn, The dealer is very much involved. It is apparently a problem that is new and I want to see if there is anybody else out there with a similair problem.

F5fstop, thanks for the info. the dealer told me about the issue you describe he said it looks similair but could not resolve it the same way.

Below is a picture of the part below the wipers. This is how it was. It is now polished and looks much better. The flairs and ventcaps were like this, also these look much better now after polishing but depending on the light reflection you still can see some of the old spots.

[XM DUDE]

Damm it looks like GM is cutting corners on paint quality!

[Talljeeper]

I really dont think its a paint issue.
Having mud bogged for years, with custom painted high end vehicles, I would often have spotting issues realted to mud.

Racing mud pits were notorious. Also landfill areas, areas where water would sit year long, etc....

Some mud have environmental elements that attack paint. It can be naturally occurring or or from contaminants. Some mud/soils are highly acidic, some are alkaline.

Plastic poly's are prone past a certain point.

Lengthy exposure to this type of chemical attack only makes it worse.

Rinsing as soon as possible is the only real detterent from damage.

You got plain ole mud staining

[HummBebe]

Mine doesn't look that bad but the rear fenders look a little cloudy. And you can see in this photo, the mud was caked about two inches thick in places.

Please report what you find at the dealer. And thanks Talljeeper, I have seen what you are talking about and it sure could be that.....but a little weird if it is only happening to one color?

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a240/HummBeeBe/MuddyTruck2.jpg

[f5fstop]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by H3Eric:
Drtyfn, The dealer is very much involved. It is apparently a problem that is new and I want to see if there is anybody else out there with a similair problem.

F5fstop, thanks for the info. the dealer told me about the issue you describe he said it looks similair but could not resolve it the same way.

Below is a picture of the part below the wipers. This is how it was. It is now polished and looks much better. The flairs and ventcaps were like this, also these look much better now after polishing but depending on the light reflection you still can see some of the old spots. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
That almost looks like some type of etching common with acid rain...a big problem in some areas.
I'm thinking HummBebe might be correct.

[Kellen]

My H2 is at the dealer too. We had a paint chip under the hood on the passenger side and we've been too scared to drive it. I had it towed to the dealership.

[HummBebe]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Connie_Chung:
My H2 is at the dealer too. We had a paint chip under the hood on the passenger side and we've been too scared to drive it. I had it towed to the dealership. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

http://elcova.com/groupee/forums/a/ga/ul/4141042241/inlineimg/Y/36_19_7[1].gif

[f5fstop]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Connie_Chung:
My H2 is at the dealer too. We had a paint chip under the hood on the passenger side and we've been too scared to drive it. I had it towed to the dealership. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

http://images.snapfish.com/3455496%3B23232%7Ffp47%3Dot%3E2353%3D829%3D8%3A%3C %3DXROQDF%3E2324244%3A%3A4266ot1lsi

[H3Eric]

Update:

All the fiberglass parts of my black H3 will be replaced with new ones from GM and the damaged ones will be returned to GM for futher investigation to get a better understanding of the problem and see if this is a common issue or just a bad batch.

[HummerNewbie]

Great news. Glad to see Hummer stepping up and taking care of this.

[XM DUDE]

GM has to take care of it's customers as if they don't Toyota will.

[DRTYFN]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by H3Eric:
Drtyfn, The dealer is very much involved. It is apparently a problem that is new and I want to see if there is anybody else out there with a similair problem. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Why? Were you going to activate your Wonder Twin Powers?http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Glad to hear that the problem was taken care of.

[timgco]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by H3Eric:
Update:

All the fiberglass parts of my black H3 will be replaced with new ones from GM and the damaged ones will be returned to GM for futher investigation to get a better understanding of the problem and see if this is a common issue or just a bad batch. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Is there a bulletin on this?

I have the same issue with the flares, vents caps, and wiper cowl.

Did your replacements so this as well?

[MotorsportsAuthority aka Dragon]

the clear coat is actually pretty thin on the h2's so i wouldn't be surprised if the h3's were the same.

[R2]

Take it back to the dealer