Exposed CF Insert Owners! Check Your Insert! GM Cust. Service/Fbodfather please look!

[G-Oil Guy]

Nope. No dice. these are definitely scratches/cracks. I don't know if it's just on the clear coat or not but these don't come off and you can feel the groove.

[silverds]

Originally Posted by G-Oil Guy

It's impossible to have a matte finish with paint without leaving the bare paint exposed to the elements. If you take a matte paint and add clearcoat for protection it becomes glossy by nature of the clearcoat.

Ahh. I see. It was an astute assumption based on inaccurate understanding.

It IS absolutely possible to have a matte finish WHILE being protected from the elements by a "flattened" clear coat. Actually, BMW offers flattened clear coats on their "Frozen" colors.

All factory matte finishes are matte because of the clearcoat and not necessarily because of the base coat.

I can all but bet you my ZL1 that there is no "vinyl" or wrap on anyones carbon fiber insert from the factory.

P.S. I hope you continue to fully enjoy your ZL1 despite the cosmetic issues. Best of luck to you in finding a solution you are content with.

[Z4me]

Originally Posted by G-Oil Guy

Nope. No dice. these are definitely scratches/cracks. I don't know if it's just on the clear coat or not but these don't come off and you can feel the groove.

IC yeah mine's a coating, if you feel an indent then of course its a scratch.
I would think the dealer would try to fill it in and buff it out before they replace it. Get a strong magnifing glass out to get a better look. GL on getting it fixed, keep us posted on the results.

[G-Oil Guy]

Originally Posted by silverds

Ahh. I see. It was an astute assumption based on inaccurate understanding.

It IS absolutely possible to have a matte finish WHILE being protected from the elements by a "flattened" clear coat. Actually, BMW offers flattened clear coats on their "Frozen" colors.

All factory matte finishes are matte because of the clearcoat and not necessarily because of the base coat.

I can all but bet you my ZL1 that there is no "vinyl" or wrap on anyones carbon fiber insert from the factory.

Thanks for the info. I wasn't aware you could do a matte finish that way. I'd like to keep the exposed cf but if they have to replace it with a AGM one that would e cool too after seeing one on the forum the other day.

[sammyv]

#250 2013 mine is perfect! Good luck with a fix!

[G-Oil Guy]

Originally Posted by sammyv

#250 2013 mine is perfect! Good luck with a fix!

awesome! (no sarcasm) I sincerely hope it was just a QC miss that me and JMAN had happen.

[silverds]

Originally Posted by G-Oil Guy

Thanks for the info. I wasn't aware you could do a matte finish that way. I'd like to keep the exposed cf but if they have to replace it with a AGM one that would e cool too after seeing one on the forum the other day.

My AGM ZL1 was ordered with the AGM painted insert due to the constraint and I have been considering a number of methods to modify it simply because there will be no contrast at all between my insert and hood. One of my options is to simply spray a flattened clear coat over the ashen gray insert to give it a "ghost" contrast.

[G-Oil Guy]

Originally Posted by silverds

My AGM ZL1 was ordered with the AGM painted insert due to the constraint and I have been considering a number of methods to modify it simply because there will be no contrast at all between my insert and hood. One of my options is to simply spray a flattened clear coat over the ashen gray insert to give it a "ghost" contrast.

sounds sweet man. be sure to take pics when it arrives

[JMAN311]

Originally Posted by RJTV6A

Looking at Jman's car you see the wiper is directly behind the mark. I believe someone left the wiper in the upward cleaning position and then opened the hood into it. Anyone else see what I mean?

I totally know what you mean, thought it might have been that, but I looked at this further and moved the wiper up and it doesn't line up with where the crack on the insert is, so it seems like it must be from a defect or closing the hood.

[G-Oil Guy]

Originally Posted by JMAN311

I totally know what you mean, thought it might have been that, but I looked at this further and moved the wiper up and it doesn't line up with where the crack on the insert is, so it seems like it must be from a defect or closing the hood.

Don't know if you saw it JMAN, but I posted (no pics) that I have some cracks in the same place you do just not as bad. I also have one on the left and a small on in the middle of the back part that faces the driver.

[JMAN311]

Originally Posted by G-Oil Guy

Don't know if you saw it JMAN, but I posted (no pics) that I have some cracks in the same place you do just not as bad. I also have one on the left and a small on in the middle of the back part that faces the driver.

I'll be seeing what my dealership has to say about this tomorrow. I'm glad it's on the back edge and not super noticable. Regardless of this defect people sure can't get enough of our ZL1's. Went to a small show this afternoon and met a lot of people that wanted to know all the details of the car. So many stares and 2nd looks while driving around.

[G-Oil Guy]

Originally Posted by JMAN311

I'll be seeing what my dealership has to say about this tomorrow. I'm glad it's on the back edge and not super noticable. Regardless of this defect people sure can't get enough of our ZL1's. Went to a small show this afternoon and met a lot of people that wanted to know all the details of the car. So many stares and 2nd looks while driving around.

Yea the ones on the back and the sides where it meets the painted areas don't really bother me much. it's the two in the main backbone of the insert and the left of the 2nd vent that tick me off because they are plainly visible.

But I got so many looks today. Saw a corvette driver on I-180 going in the opposite direction do a complete head turn.

Bunch of people in town looked at the wheels and a bunch of kids on bikes all turned to see what the noise was coming down the road.

Again, if they have to replace it with a painted one that's fine with me. I just want my $600 back in that case. But my first preference is to keep the ECF. I bet dollars to donuts they try to buff it out tomorrow.

If that doesn't work they better call in some favors to get a replacement insert.

[JMAN311]

Originally Posted by G-Oil Guy

Yea the ones on the back and the sides where it meets the painted areas don't really bother me much. it's the two in the main backbone of the insert and the left of the 2nd vent that tick me off because they are plainly visible.

But I got so many looks today. Saw a corvette driver on I-180 going in the opposite direction do a complete head turn.

Bunch of people in town looked at the wheels and a bunch of kids on bikes all turned to see what the noise was coming down the road.

Again, if they have to replace it with a painted one that's fine with me. I just want my $600 back in that case. But my first preference is to keep the ECF. I bet dollars to donuts they try to buff it out tomorrow.

If that doesn't work they better call in some favors to get a replacement insert.

I'm not accepting anything less than a 'we will order a new one under warranty' from my dealer. There is nothing that could have caused this except a defect. This should not crack like that under normal usage, and there is no way a rock or something would have done this where it's located.

[autoguy]

2012 #1771 here. Just inspected and Perfect. 999 miles since 6/20 delivery.