Hey,
Has anyone in the PNW had issues with salt water eating into the clear coat? I washed both cars this weekend and the civic is fine, but the HHR has white salt deposits on all of the horizontal issues. I went to the dealership and they said that I could pay to have it buffed out, but that there was nothing they could do because it seemed to be environmental. I was curious if anyone else up here has had the same issue, and if so what did you do to fix it.

Hey,
Has anyone in the PNW had issues with salt water eating into the clear coat? I washed both cars this weekend and the civic is fine, but the HHR has white salt deposits on all of the horizontal issues. I went to the dealership and they said that I could pay to have it buffed out, but that there was nothing they could do because it seemed to be environmental. I was curious if anyone else up here has had the same issue, and if so what did you do to fix it.

This is covered by warranty during the first 12 months of ownership.

What do I need to tell the dealer? I noticed that your screen name is chevymgr. Do you have any inside info that would be helpful. I have had the car since july 07, so I am getting close to 12mos. I would like to get this taken care of while I can if it is a waranty issue.

What do I need to tell the dealer? I noticed that your screen name is chevymgr. Do you have any inside info that would be helpful. I have had the car since july 07, so I am getting close to 12mos. I would like to get this taken care of while I can if it is a waranty issue.

Here is what the owners/warranty manual states:

Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create a chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon and attack painted surfaces on the vehicle. This damage can take two forms: blotchy, ring-shaped discolorations, and small, irregular dark spots etched into the paint surface.

Although no defect in the paint job causes this, we will repair, at no charge to the owner, the surfaces of new vehicles damaged by this fallout condition within 12 months or 12,000 miles (20 000 km) of purchase, whichever occurs first.
_________________________________

Could it be from road salt, could be, might not, there is no way to prove it. Whatever the cause, they should take care of it per the terms listed above. The owners manual I access is online so I don't have a page number, but it is in the warranty booklet.

Do you have running boards?

yes i have running boards and the muc flaps.

yes i have running boards and the muc flaps.

Then the problem is most likely airborne pollutants, which is covered under the terms above.

thanks I will look into it.