Just curious, where are you finding it on HHRs?
Hmm, Ive been over my '08 pretty good during washes, no sign of orange peel anywhere yet. Maybe Im too focused on the spider web scratches from cheap microfibre used for the first couple washes.

 

what is "orange peel"? any pics?

 

I found the orange peel on the top of the rear driver side door, and on the back hatch, near the drivers side tail light.

Cant help with pictures at the moment.

Sunbound

 

I just purchased an '08 panel two weeks ago (Black color) and I have to say that I am very pleased with the paint. I'm a former paint and body guy and the panels are laser straight and orange peel is very low compared to earlier GM's I've seen.

My wife has an '06 Trailblazer (also Black) and my new HHR paint looks much better.

I *am* concerned about how the water base paint is going to hold up. I am keeping the car very clean and parked in the garage at night, so I my fingers are crossed.

 

I have found GM paint from the late 90's on ages pretty well. I think after the huge problems on late 80's-early 90's cars they made sure to get it right.
I have a '97 cavalier that still looks great except for scratches. That is what you have to look out for, just about every automatic car wash or cheaper home wash product will cause fine scratches. And dont let water sit in crevices like inside the bottom of doors, it will rust.

 

I haven't seen any orange peel on mine. But then again, I do have the dark silver metallic, so it's not going to show that much anyway.

 

Or match in color, texture, or "layup" in the metallics. Just say no to re-paints until you're ready to accept these realities or you're willing to squirt the whole thing (then you'll get to complain about overspray, cost, etc.)

 

What about stuff under the paint? On my SS I have three spots, one looks like a hair and the other two look like a tiny pinhead sized pebble. I also have a drip from overspray on one of the rear fenders.

I was thinking on mentioning this to the dealer but don't want them to repaint it. I too believe the factory painting is better than the dealer doing it.

 

I find your Ixnay symbol offensive. If that's what you were aiming for, you succeeded.

 

With the cars I have been around I think the paint holding up is all in how you take care of it.

Kris