[Travis959]

These dirty looking white spots are located on both sides of the car in front of the rear wheels. These pictures are right after the car being cleaned.

The spots weren't originally on the car when I bought it, but they have been there since probably 6-7 months after I bought the car, so about two years ago now. I clean my car at least monthly but usually more and it is garage-kept. I've run out of ideas on what this is.

It looks like dust or just dirt, but I can't get it to come off. I've scrubbed and claybar these spots numerous times over the year and as soon as the paint dries, these spots come right back. When the paint is wet, you can't see the spots. I can't feel the spots as it feels as smooth as the normal paint. I've also tried numerous auto cleaning chemicals and polishes but nothing has helped.

I don't have an electric polisher/buffer so I haven't tried that.

Does this look like some paint defect? Or should I look into taking it to a professional detailer?

[ItsChristianInHD]

I have them. It’s because GM uses thin shitty paint.
Get rock guards, made a difference for me.

[Warrior102]

Sand and stones tossed up by the front wheels is sand blasting your paint, thats pretty extensive I'm surprised you didn't notice it sooner. As mentioned above guards will help but you're kind of late to the party. I've had the OEM GM ones, they look nice but don't work that great, the ZL1 Addons work better you really only need the front ones. https://wildhammermotorsports.com/16...ds-zl1-addons/

[DC5]

As stated by others, the imperfections depicted in the photographs are the result of road debris being picked up by the front tires and flung onto the bodywork immediately in front of the rear wheels. Your best option is to have the rocker panels repainted and protected with XPel Ultimate or another reputable paint protection film (I would also recommend installing PPF on the lower door edges). Rock guards aren't very effective, unfortunately.

[nancygrl]

that's from kicking up stones and grit from the road. 5th gens had it worse because the rear hips were even wider than 6th gens. this issue has been discussed here on the forum lots. Since I got rid of the oem sticky Goodyear tires and have all-seasons I don't hardly hear as much getting kicked up as I drive.

[Travis959]

Unfortunately I’ve had the ZL1addons rock guards installed on all four tires since the week of buying the car.

[pauly1119]

GM paint and fitment sucks, thats why we can afford the cars.

[nancygrl]

They (car/paint industry) say this new water based paint is more durable, but I thinks that's a load of bshit. All my older vehicles' paint could take so much more
abuse than modern cars regardless of manufacturer. We also have a newer Honda and Toyota and the paint on those also sucks for durability.

[VINCETHEGIANT]

Like others here have said its the rocks and sand. that's actually not the worst ive seen i think a body shop can buff most of that out since its probably in the clear....but unfortunately it wont matter if you don't get some rock guards.

[Invertalon]

As one who has been a pretty serious hobbyist car detailer for many years, I will say this... Everybody thinks their car has the worst paint. On Toyota forums, they use garbage paint. GM? Garbage. Mazda? Garbage. And so on.

In my experience, German imports like BMW and the Corvette are known to have "hard" paint. But I wonder if they use a different paint or clear with Corvette than say, Camaro.

I've done paint correction on primarily Japanese import and GM. About the same correction wise.

Its wear and tear though. You can either prevent as best you can (rock guards, protection film, etc...) or deal with it.

For the most part, most cars have similar paint/clear quality. Not much a match for rock projectiles at 70+ mph.

[Travis959]

Since I can't feel any damage, is it likely for it to buff out using a machine polisher?

[PeteSS2018]

Originally Posted by Travis959

Since I can't feel any damage, is it likely for it to buff out using a machine polisher?

I've had these too, and compound & polish removes most of them, so most of mine have been surface damage to the clear coat. Its worth a try, rather than moving straight to panel repairs.

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by Travis959

Since I can't feel any damage, is it likely for it to buff out using a machine polisher?

Originally Posted by PeteSS2018

I've had these too, and compound & polish removes most of them, so most of mine have been surface damage to the clear coat. Its worth a try, rather than moving straight to panel repairs.

...then after that, I'd get rid of the tiny sliver of clear film GM used and wrap the entire rocker panel with thick sacrificial PPF. Still working up the courage to try and do it myself (sigh). By the way, I also installed rock guards practically on day 1, but still got these white flakes, there is no way around them, and I'm sure they'd be much worse without rock guards.

I'm also considering a ZL1 rocker panel+side skirt combo, heard those are a single component with very minor fitment issues.

[1hprush]

A DA Orbital Buffer and a slightly aggressive compound like Meguiars 105 would probably make a considerable difference in the appearance. Try posting this in the detail section, I'm sure someone there has a good recommendation.