Paint Scaling

6.5

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$100
Average Mileage:
8,750 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (4 reports)
2008 Pontiac Wave body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2008 Pontiac Wave Owner Comments

problem #4

May 092008

Wave 1.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Shortly after taking possession of my Tahitti Green (Aqua blue to me) wave I noticed after I washed and waxed it the first time that along bottom rockers and going up the back door corners ahead of rear wheels that it had a whitish look to it. So I buffed till I could not buff anymore and it has always stayed that way, until recently. I tried something different as the car is now 4 years old and I am trying to make it last a few more years. I went into town to the store and started reading the different auto detail products. Meguiars seemed to offer a solution, so I thought I have nothing to lose but the cost of the products. So I purchased three of them. 1. Ultimate compound, 2. Ultimate polish, and 3. Ultimate liquid wax. (make sure the wax is the synthetic one!) I followed the steps on each bottle, after I went to the Meguiars site and watch a couple of video clips for some tips. Makes sure to follow the instructions. Because the wax has no white film or residue it leaves the natural color and finish showing more than the scaling. I could not believe the change in the appearance of my car, even when it needed washing again it still sparkled. For 86. - 100 bucks instead of maybe couple of thousand for new paint job. The wax seems to stay pliable only way can explain it even the bugs don`t stick so bad after baking on, they pretty much wash off with just the hose. I know it does not solve scaling but helps diminish the nastiness of it.

- terryann, Maccan, NS, canada

problem #3

Jul 242008

Wave

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,427 miles

We too have Paint Scaling on both waves we have, dealership said basically "tough" at 2 yrs of age paint is GONE from the area in front of rear tires where body flares at bottom. bare metal = rust starting. wonder how long before it rots through. poor design as this area basically ends up sand blasted with any driving you do.

- Sylvia B., CentreVillage, NB, Canada

problem #2

May 082009

Wave

  • Manual transmission
  • 12,427 miles

Extreme paint scaling in front of rear tires, along edge of back doors and all along underside edge. Noticed in May 09 at around 20,000km (purchased in Jul 08) and thought it was dirt.

Had car detailed in June and that was when I realized it was paint scaling. I took the car to a dealership for regular servicing and brought up the problem - they said no to warranty and that is was caused by rocks/stones - dirt roads! I don't drive on dirt roads and had perhaps been on one/two for a short period and at a low speed. There's no way this kind of damage should happen from that!!!!

I then contacted GM customer service, they also say no to warranty. The customer service rep there has said she will escalate this to management as I totally disagree - I've never had a car show paint scaling like this.

My previous car was an 89 Toyota that was driven on dirt roads and on shale roads up north - over 450,000 km's and NO paint scaling at all!!!!

Perhaps I should not have purchased a GM product and stuck with the tried and true.

As of right now I have a $20,000 car less than a year old showing paint scaling that would be on a 10 year old car!!!!

Update from Aug 20, 2011: GM offered to cover 1/2 the cost of the paint repair as a 'goodwill' gesture. I was not prepared to cover 1300$ for the paint myself so said no and once home in the Yukon would address the issue with my dealership.

Update from Aug 20, 2011: 35000km Oct/09 Paint Scaling is spreading and dealership has contacted GM Canada. Basically from here it was stalled until July of 2011 (full file reopened at GM in Jan/10) when I was advised that nothing would be done (km's then about 45000).

Paint scaling continues to spread and I'm sure it will turn to rust soon..... :(( See other complaints as this car has had major work. Driving is in-town and highway (paved roads).

- Tina R., Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada

problem #1

Mar 032009

Wave 1.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 9,942 miles

paint in front of rear mud flap and along rocker panels is scaling off and now rust is forming. first noticed around 16000 km and one week past the one year warranty. dealer and GM customer service commiserate but say too bad, so sad or words to that effect. local body shop says definitely a paint defect. still trying to get dealer or GM to come through on this but.....GRRRRR! if you have similar problem please contact us at rp_oldford@hotmail.com We are long time GM customers but now , not sure if we'd buy another.

Update from May 4, 2009: rec'd call from dealer today,advising to bring car in May 21st for repair. apologies to Gm they appear to have come through for us.

- oldford, Bunyans Cove, NL, Canada

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