So, I've had my sonic for about three months now, and I've noticed some ever-so-slight chipping of the paint where the rear hatch door meets the top right corner of the tail lights on the driver side, and the top left corner on the passenger side. I'm not sure if this is a paint quality issue, panel fitment issue, or I just got a sonic where the rear hatch wasn't quite assembled right. The paint ship is roughly the size of a small fingernail clipping. Any other hatchback owners have this happen to them? Kinda makes me nervous given the car is 3 months old and already experiencing unusual paint wear.
Paint issues? Hatchback owners read here.
- Thread starter AJL13
- Start date
Rowdy_Sonic_RS
New member
Actually, yeah. Mine is doing the same thing. I just figured it was the stupid people in my apartment complex walking to close to my car.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
nickalltogether
New member
I'd like to see a pic as well. I can say that my 2012 Sonic definitely has a ton of rock chips in the bumper and some on the hood. I think the paint used these days just isn't as tough as it used to be due to environmental regulations.
The Champ
New member
I think this is what he is talking about = with the hatch door open and looking at the passenger side tail light.
If you look REAL close, you can see a light paint rub about 1/8th of an inch in from the tail lamp trim - about dead center in this photo - just before the panel curves from vertical to horizontal.
I wouldn't call it a "chip", but a rub. Common on hatches or trunks.
Mine is only on the passenger side.
If you look REAL close, you can see a light paint rub about 1/8th of an inch in from the tail lamp trim - about dead center in this photo - just before the panel curves from vertical to horizontal.
I wouldn't call it a "chip", but a rub. Common on hatches or trunks.
Mine is only on the passenger side.
Last edited:
nickalltogether
New member
I think this is what he is talking about = with the hatch door open and looking at the passenger side tail light.
If you look REAL close, you can see a light paint rub about 1/8th of an inch in from the tail lamp trim - about dead center in this photo - just before the panel curves from vertical to horizontal.
I wouldn't call it a "chip", but a rub. Common on hatches or trunks.
Mine is only on the passenger side.
Good call. Mine has the same but bigger. Pretty sure that piece is plastic so it's not like it will rust... just a nuisance.
I think this is what he is talking about = with the hatch door open and looking at the passenger side tail light.
If you look REAL close, you can see a light paint rub about 1/8th of an inch in from the tail lamp trim - about dead center in this photo - just before the panel curves from vertical to horizontal.
I wouldn't call it a "chip", but a rub. Common on hatches or trunks.
Mine is only on the passenger side.
Yes, it's this exactly...BUT, the chipping is on the actual hatch door, right at that contact point referenced in your picture. So yes, there is paint rub on the tail light contact point, which doesn't bother me....but there is actual chipping on the corresponding contact point of the hatch door. I'll see if I can snap a pic.
Pics
Here they are. First shot is of the passenger side tail light. Circled is the chip area...you can see the off-blue part which is permanent marker until I find a code-matching touch up paint. Second pic is with the hatch open, side profile.
Here they are. First shot is of the passenger side tail light. Circled is the chip area...you can see the off-blue part which is permanent marker until I find a code-matching touch up paint. Second pic is with the hatch open, side profile.
Attachments
-
IMG_0567.jpg -
IMG_0568.jpg
2014 Blue RS
Active member
Alignment issue with the Hatch
Identified this issue and the chaffing of the plastic trim before I drove the car off the lot. The had to adjust the alignment of the hatch and replace tail light housing because by the time I came back a few days later it was more noticeable and you could see it was going to get worse. Lake Chevrolet fixed it and no issue since.
Identified this issue and the chaffing of the plastic trim before I drove the car off the lot. The had to adjust the alignment of the hatch and replace tail light housing because by the time I came back a few days later it was more noticeable and you could see it was going to get worse. Lake Chevrolet fixed it and no issue since.
Thank you for your insight. Any idea how they adjusted the alignment? Is this a DIY job? I hate going to the dealer and would like to avoid a trip if possible, but if it's 100% necessary, I'll do what I have to.
2014 Blue RS
Active member
You can DIY this. Just a matter of loosening the 2 brackets. Need at least a second set of hands or two though. That hatch is heavy and will move as soon as those brackets loosen. You're probably looking for a 16th of an inch adjustment so you'll want to control the weight of the hatch.
Sweet, thanks for the info!
JesusTheAgnostic
New member
I haven't noticed it on mine. The paint on my roof and hood is totally ****ed though!
bluejay
Member
just notice the same problem but not quite as bad as the pics show , i may just file a bit off the tail lights if i feel adjusting the hatch is a pain to do . im afraid if i adjust the hatch ill get leaks . the damage is so small i wouldnt have noticed if it wasnt for this thread . thanks 
just notice the same problem but not quite as bad as the pics show , i may just file a bit off the tail lights if i feel adjusting the hatch is a pain to do . im afraid if i adjust the hatch ill get leaks . the damage is so small i wouldnt have noticed if it wasnt for this thread . thanks
Might do the same myself. Is but a minor scratch right now. And I hope it stays that way. But filing a bit might so the trick
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
