[OminouSS]

It's not paint cracking. It's a sloppy cast. Mine is even worse, or so it seems since its flat red paint.

[unavailablezl1]

Yes, it almost looks like too much paint and it ran....no telling

[crossroaddemons]

Originally Posted by OminouSS

It's not paint cracking. It's a sloppy cast. Mine is even worse, or so it seems since its flat red paint.

There are lots of molds for these towers.it stands to reason the same mold was used for many strut towers in these cars. If the mold is bad the exact same fissures will be apparent in all of the poor examples in certain cars..Most cars don't have those issues and likely the molds used to cast them have few imperfections. I'm still convinced the cracking we see it s a result of some reaction in the paint on the prepped surface. There might have been a contaminant that caused the paint to wrinkle that way.

[OminouSS]

Originally Posted by crossroaddemons

There are lots of molds for these towers.it stands to reason the same mold was used for many strut towers in these cars. If the mold is bad the exact same fissures will be apparent in all of the poor examples in certain cars..Most cars don't have those issues and likely the molds used to cast them have few imperfections. I'm still convinced the cracking we see it s a result of some reaction in the paint on the prepped surface. There might have been a contaminant that caused the paint to wrinkle that way.

Hey bud, not looking to argue with you. In my particular case it is the cast, not the paint. If you take a small file to the 'wrinkles' you'll find that it's rough metal cast. Hell, I even have a small cut on my finger from going out to double check. The dang stuff splinters off. I really don't think it matters - to me anyway. I would not turn down a car because of it. The exterior is fine. And it hauls ass.

[ForgedReality]

You're telling me this thing doesn't have mounts for a strut tower brace? Whaaaatt?! Deal breaker. I'm gonna go buy a Honda instead.

[crossroaddemons]

Originally Posted by OminouSS

Hey bud, not looking to argue with you. In my particular case it is the cast, not the paint. If you take a small file to the 'wrinkles' you'll find that it's rough metal cast. Hell, I even have a small cut on my finger from going out to double check. The dang stuff splinters off. I really don't think it matters - to me anyway. I would not turn down a car because of it. The exterior is fine. And it hauls ass.

Not arguing. What I'm saying is down by the base of the tower I see numerous fissures like cracks. The paint would have filled in those lines better. It simply appears as though the paint did not cure properly. No doubt some of the raised ridges are indeed casting flash. Ultimately it looks rough. Not what you'd expect on a car of this level.

[OminouSS]

Originally Posted by ForgedReality

You're telling me this thing doesn't have mounts for a strut tower brace? Whaaaatt?! Deal breaker. I'm gonna go buy a Honda instead.

Don't laugh...people think the ZL1 needs it because it's a 'race' part.

If it was any more rigid I would fight understeer. GM did impressive design work reinforcing the strut tower and connecting it to other structure. Now, if they just painted the darned thing adequately...

Originally Posted by crossroaddemons

Not arguing. What I'm saying is down by the base of the tower I see numerous fissures like cracks. The paint would have filled in those lines better. It simply appears as though the paint did not cure properly. No doubt some of the raised ridges are indeed casting flash. Ultimately it looks rough. Not what you'd expect on a car of this level.

I get what yer throwing down as that certainly makes sense too. But what you 'see' isn't what you would 'feel' if you just went out to the garage to lay hands on your beauty. Youfeel me ? Even the cracks are just raised cast, not really cracks. Paint can't feel, err uhh, Fill it. You dig Daddo O?

Too much? okay I'll stop. Not your fault I took the day off and its raining outside. Even my dog wants me out of the house.

I think what I'm most bummed out about is that they didn't clear coat it. It's just the base coat. Do any of the other cars produced in later cycles have the engine bay base and cleared?



[IMG][/IMG]

[00 Trans Ram]

I'm still trying to figure out how people are looking at your shock towers while you're driving the car???

I had someone look at my car the other day. He was asking about my exterior mods (stock front, debadged fenders . . . GM clear rear tail lights, tinted 3rd brake light, blacked-out reflectors). He commented, "Looks like you spent a lot of time making the back of your car look nice."

My response, "Well, that's the only part that most other drivers will ever see . . ."

[OminouSS]

Originally Posted by 00 Trans Ram

I'm still trying to figure out how people are looking at your shock towers while you're driving the car???

I had someone look at my car the other day. He was asking about my exterior mods (stock front, debadged fenders . . . GM clear rear tail lights, tinted 3rd brake light, blacked-out reflectors). He commented, "Looks like you spent a lot of time making the back of your car look nice."

My response, "Well, that's the only part that most other drivers will ever see . . ."

Hey, wait...what about other Camaros? Maybe you should consider a reverse print bumper sticker or something? Like Cambulance... NO?

I think I would be pretty bummed too if my thing was showing off my car at shows or the weekend car & coffee. Think if you bought a ZL1 to demonstrate your business product, i.e. CAI, headers, Stereo etc., and that's what you had to take to trade shows. I get it.

[hawk02]

Originally Posted by 00 Trans Ram

I'm still trying to figure out how people are looking at your shock towers while you're driving the car???

I had someone look at my car the other day. He was asking about my exterior mods (stock front, debadged fenders . . . GM clear rear tail lights, tinted 3rd brake light, blacked-out reflectors). He commented, "Looks like you spent a lot of time making the back of your car look nice."

My response, "Well, that's the only part that most other drivers will ever see . . ."

You're right....the quality of paint on the shock towers has no effect on the car's ride. For those of us, however, that show our cars, the overall look of the engine bay is important. Not sure how many judges will appreciate imperfections in the casting, especially when other ZL1s don't have a paint issue on the shock towers. Guess I'll find out next month when show season starts.

[00 Trans Ram]

Originally Posted by hawk02

You're right....the quality of paint on the shock towers has no effect on the car's ride. For those of us, however, that show our cars, the overall look of the engine bay is important. Not sure how many judges will appreciate imperfections in the casting, especially when other ZL1s don't have a paint issue on the shock towers. Guess I'll find out next month when show season starts.

Nah - I'm just messing around. I totally get it. Those smudges my kids leave on the windows don't slow me down one bit. But, it doesn't stop me from threatening to make them wear mittens over the whole summer! hahaha

But, think of this another way. Would it look better to have 100% perfect paint all over the car? Sure. But think of all those old muscle cars you see on TV. The ones that go for $500k and up. They always have something wrong with them. You'll hear the auction announcers say things like:

- Early cars from this particular model and year had a problem with their paint from the factory. It was cured later in the model/year, but you can see that this one still has the original orange peel on the lower rear fender. I see that the owner has kept this flaw, which should show when he sells it.

Or stuff like that. It may not be pretty. But, it's certainly unique.

[ScottV503]

Originally Posted by 00 Trans Ram

But think of all those old muscle cars you see on TV. The ones that go for $500k and up. They always have something wrong with them. You'll hear the auction announcers say things like:

- Early cars from this particular model and year had a problem with their paint from the factory. It was cured later in the model/year, but you can see that this one still has the original orange peel on the lower rear fender. I see that the owner has kept this flaw, which should show when he sells it.

Or stuff like that. It may not be pretty. But, it's certainly unique.

I was thinking the same exact thing ^