Just got back from my dealler with this paint proble they will paint the car for the second time but will not paint the car any more because it is rocks causing the damage and i need to purchase the extended warrenty. Also contacted the BBB first and the was a huge mistake because once chevy found out they refuse to work with me and the rep was very disrespectful towards me because i made the mistake of calling BBB first and not Chevy

 

We have the same kind of looking stuff on our car as the photo Angel N Tinkerbell posted, but someone told us it's break dust, and when I touch it, it comes right off, like ashes. It's all over the side of the car as well.

 

Well then it's not pitting it's most likely brake dust. However if you don't have the boards expect to get pitting eventually. I couldn't comment on the dust since mine is black

 

The pic you looked at of my HHR was right after I washed it. The white is from smaller rocks and sand, there is dings from rocks also. There is 3M invisible clear shield that sticks on you can put on that will help protect the fenders for a while that some have applied, they would have to chime in and give their comments on how they are doing as far as protection. If you put on the boards later, leave the door guards on for the extra protection.

 

I too took that picture right after I washed it.

But I am just an idiot who wouldn't know the difference between something that washes off and pits in the paint, right?

 

I don't think anyone thinks you're an idiot but from the pic you posted I myself would guess you drove on fresh tar or asphalt. It's hard from the pic to see any actual damage because it just looks like dirt or tar. Now if someone were looking at your vehicle up close rather than via a pic on the internet they might actually be able to tell if there is actual paint damage. There is no reason to get defensive. I would suggest you clean it with bug and tar remover first before taking it to your dealership because I highly doubt Chevy would use black primer on a white vehicle.

 

Actually, it has been to the dealer and they too attempted to clean it up. It still had several chips in the paint...he said you should get some touch up paint for the bigger chips...and sent me on my way.

But ya...I am getting defensive because all I did was come here and ask a question/favor and got flack left and right. All I asked for was for those who HAVE gotten their boards for free or under $200 to speak up.

And I am not great on people calling me a liar either (which is basically what you are doing by saying it is tar and such). What the hell would I have to gain by lying here? There is enough paint damage that the area feels like rough sandpaper. But ya....I need to just clean it since it isn't damaged. LOL whatever.

 

Sounds like sandblasting to me.

 

I'm not calling you a liar. I'm just saying it's hard to tell the extent of damage or even if there is any damage without seeing the vehicle in person and the pics you posted just look like dirt and tar has attached itself to your vehicle. Pics on the internet don't do minor auto damage justice. Like when people try to post pics of dings and scratches they are usually hardly noticeable if they are even noticeable at all unless there is a huge crease in the car and it's missing an area of paint. It's not like looking at the vehicle in person where you can run your hand over it and feel the pitting and check it out at an angle. Why exactly should GM give you free running boards again? If there is road damage from you driving around on open public roads after you purchased the vehicle how is that GM's fault? If the salesman didn't push the running boards how is that GM's fault? Didn't you look over the HHR message boards and see how many people are complaining about said damage and see there is a TSB over what some people feel is a major issue before purchasing an HHR? Did you research your vehicle any before the purchase or did you just let the salesman sucker you and bought it because it's cute? Once you drive off that lot you are going to end up with chips in your paint and you just have to deal with it. If your not happy use the provided TSB to get it repainted your one time, then buy some running boards, chip guards, or both and stop complaining and blaming GM for damage that normally comes along with driving a vehicle. People need to step up for their own actions, stop blaming GM for actions of privately owned dealerships, and not expect free stuff from GM for something they chose.

 

Looks like tar or brake dust to me also. It`s accumulating in the seams and behind the guard, probably will come off with a little wax/tar remover in the spray can.
As far as the "I didn`t buy them because of price or I didn`t know", if the boards costed $800.00, spread along 72 months, that increases your monthly payment, what about $10.00.
And who knew, before buying , what paint problems or fuse problems, or arm rest problems or any of the things people come on and complain about, would be encountered when they went to buy the HHR, or any car for that matter. Who would willingly go buy something they wouldn`t like.