Glad it worked out Tom.

I told you Doe.

(doe...a deer, a female deer...)

 

I have the same issue in the south. I had my blue 1LT for 1 month when we got a 2 day ice storm in Dallas. They sanded all the roads for the ice. I only drove on the sanded roads for 2 days. Once everything dried out and I washed my car, I found out I'd been sand-blasted. Rear fenders and rocker panels had a frosted look. I only had 1500 miles on my HHR then. My local dealer did not hesitate to say it was a problem. They immediately offered to repaint it for me. They did some investigation with GM and no official word from GM on it. My dealer installed the molded splash guards, repainted the rear fenders and rockers, and provided me a loaner from Enterprise at GM's expense. I suggested that they leave the plastic guards off of the rear fenders and cover them with the clear vinyl paint protection similar to the clear bras. I have been told by several sources that the vinyl would be more impact resistant than the paint or those plastic protectors that GM installed initially. They said they didn’t think it would be necessary after having the mud flaps installed, but said they would do it if I saw the need after trying the mud flaps. As I expected, the mud flaps did help deflect debris from the rear fenders. However, after extensive testing, (washing my car and intentionally running through puddles at a high rate of speed) I found that there was still going to be a problem with debris hitting the fenders and chipping the paint. The spray pattern only covered about 1/3 of the way up the fenders now, but was still there. So, I contacted my service manager again. He gladly added the clear vinyl to the rear fenders and rockers. Their vinyl cutting software did not have a template for the rear fenders of the HHR yet, so they did a custom job. They covered the entire fender from the point it flares out all the way to the wheel well. They covered a much larger area than the pre-cut sets you can get at www.invisiblemask.com and others. Can’t even tell it is there. Looks great. I just hope it holds up next winter when I run through sanded roads again. If not, I will be going back to them again…

I am very happy with my dealer's response. I have to say, I have had great dealer support. I hate to hear that many of you do not have the same luck. To my knowledge, they didn’t go through the district GM rep at all. They just did it and charged it to GM as a warranty issue. I hope GM will eventually step up to the plate across the board for us though.

 

My dealer really sucks! It took over 2 months to get my floor mats in . And when they did arrive, they did not inform me of it. Also they tried to withhold the cargo mat.

 

Hey, Tex, aren't you affraid the vinyl will yellow after some time? That stuff's been around for years and it eventually looks like ....

 

The high quality stuff doesn't get cloudy or turn yellow. It's only the cheap stuff like people buy on Ebay that has that problem. It's one of those things where you get what you pay for.

 

talked to someone at GM ( not the 800 # ) and they claim they are NOT aware of the pitting or sandblasting or whaterver its called on the rear fender guard area of the HHR's without runningboards or any other model
so too the people who got their runningboards and repaint free or at a low cost and was told GM foot the bill , well someone is lying either GM or the dealer. i think both know but are not going to admit it just like any other issue with a car or truck , " we don't know ".
GM claimed that even repainting was not a warranty issue !!!!!
Has any executive even botherd to see if there is any complaints at all about the HHR , i don't think so. all i was looking for was a little help from the manufacture for repair of the paint spotting or pitting and runningboards , but noooo they can't be bothered. if they can't back up what they make i guess it is not worth buying ,gee it makes me wonder why GM is not doing so good .
anyone that has got their repair and r/b free or at a low cost , tell us all who the dealer is and were so we can tell GM so we can figure out who is lying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

If you look back through the post pages you will see the dealers who have done them. My dealer will be posted after my installation and repair is complete. The dealer is located in Cloquet MN. And yes GM Does know about the issue, ask to talk to the district rep, they can verify it.

 

thanx

 

I have running boards and mud flaps, no chips 2lt with crome kit and leather.

 

you are one of the lucky ones that don't have to fight GM or dealer to make sure you paint does not get blasted every time you drive it