Painting 2002 Camaro

[CamaroJoe]

I recently bought a 2002 V6 hard-top Camaro and in the process of having it repainted, the body shop ran into a problem with the paint bubbling around the perimeter of the roof. From googling and reading previous articles, this is a known GM issue with the 98-02 gen 4 cars with the only solution of replacing the roof panel. GM no longer makes this part, after market roof panels are hard to find and expensive.

Has anyone else found an alternative solution to this problem other than replacing the roof panel?

[ssms5411]

Never heard of this, mines a 96' had it painted twice and never had a problem, will have it painted again next year. Thats weird its 98-02 models. Id try aftermarket if you plan on keeping it, good luck.

[LETZRIDE]

There is no solution unfortunately other than replacing the roof panel. The glue/urethane that GM used bleads through and no matter how many times you refinish the panel and paint it, the bubbles will come back on the 98-02 panels.

Buying the panel new is crazy expensive- when I do mine I am going to do one of two things:

• Go to the junkyard and get a 93-97 panel, have it painted if it isn’t in good shape and install it. I have heard of guys picking them up for 25-50$ from wreckers and possibly even less if you go to the yard on a pick apart day. You can use this link to find out which wreckers in your area might have the panel: http://car-part.com/mobile/index.htm just make sure it is 93-97 or you will have the same issue.
• Do a T-top conversion

[CamaroJoe]

Thanks LETSZRIDE, new paint job looks good but paint on current roof panel won't last long.

[LETZRIDE]

I meant paint the junkyard roof panel if it is scratched up or the wrong colour and install.

The 93-97 roof panels used a different glue/urethane from the factory that doesn’t bleed, so once it is on your car you should have no further issues

[CamaroJoe]

Located a 1995 roof panel that I am having installed and re-painted Black to my 02 Camaro, this should resolve the paint bubbling issue. Will post pictures when completed.

[ssms5411]

Good deal, btw how much was your paint job? Im getting mine repainted next year.

[CamaroJoe]

Love your ride...

Having job done at Maaco, checked out several Maaco body shops in the area, this Maaco body shop got the best reviews. Original full price for new paint job with black roof was $2000 includes Base Coat / Clear Coat (remove all body parts, car prep, paint door jams, under hood, and under trunk). They tried painting the roof panel three times with no extra charge until we discovered the paint bubbling issue was due to GM defect. Couldn't find any used junk cars in my area, had to go with a guy from another body shop that had a 95 Camaro roof panel for sale. Maaco is charging $300 to install new roof panel - Total cost for paint change and new roof panel is more than I wanted to spend but will look great once all said and done.

The car body was in good shape but the original paint on the car was really bad, especially the hood and roof. The original color was Monterey Maroon, changed color to Sunset Orange with glossy black roof.

[ssms5411]

Thanks, thats not too bad, got mine painted from white to black about 10 years ago and it was $1800, they filled in the Camaro in the rear panel was alittle extra. Did the door jams and stuff and under the hood. Only thing I've noticed is they didn't use the right paint on the bumper and ground effects, its started to peel off because it wasn't flexible. It was a independently owned shop. Definitely post pics theres a Macco near me but Im going to get about 3 estimates before I decide.