Factory Paint Defect Repair Question

D

Da5Id

New member
Hi All,

In my continuing saga. Took my 1 month old titanium silver BMW 330ci to the dealer body shop this morning for evaluation of a hazy/cloudy 6X4 inch paint section on the right rear fender (same problem from my previous posts on the subject).

The manager confirmed that the cloudiness is underneath the clear coat and they'll have to fix it under warranty.

The process he explained is to remove the clearcoat on the entire fender (not just the effected portion) and apply "just enough paint" to the entire fender to cover the defect and and then reapply clearcoat.

Does this process sound correct?

Based on your experience, the color of the car, and the fact that the car is brand new, do you think this repair will be noticeable?

Thanks!
 
Sounds right to me based on what I have seen in body shops. I had a large scrtach on my black BMW back fender, from a keying. They did the whole fender so that they can match the color better is what I was told.

I'm sure that they will do a great job its a BMW!! :rofl

Looking forward to hearing what it turns out like.

Oh and I'm totally jealous of your ride!
 
I know we all strive for perfection here, but is it something you seriously can't live with? I mean, to have the whole fender repainted on a one month old car kinda scares me. Just having my car in the body shop to get overspray, things taken apart, etc. would kinda scare me, especially with it being a BMW. And with it being "warranty work" I would have to wonder if they would put it down on the priority list or do a shabbier job than if you were paying. Personally, I would have to really think it over and weigh my options. I hope everything goes well for you and if you do decide to have it sprayed, I hope it goes better than you could have hoped for!
 
Be careful....Very Very Careful.....

No matter who the dealership is, they usually use an independant body shop to do work like that. What that means is, since it is warranty, they will do just enough to make it right, since they are paying a third party. They use an estimate book and thats all they pay. The body shop in turn will only do what they are paid for.

I went though hell with a dealership on a brand new car that was painted too thin on the side door. You could actually see a little sheet metal. Since it was warranty, they did it the cheapest way possible, just like what the delear is describing to you. In the end, the paint did not match excatly. In direct sunlight you can see it, but you cant tell in the shade. It's just enough to make me nuts everytime I look at it.

They also have to compound and buff to blend, and you know what can happen there. My car had such bad wheel marks and holograms, I got tired of arguing and paid Sean to fix it. But the paint still looks like hell in the direct sun. Goes from metallic blue to a Purple Pearl looking finish in the area. And since it has clear over it, its too late.

If it really bothers you, have them paint the whole fender. They'll be more likely to get the color right, and the repair will be harder to spot since they wont have to wheel it. If they send it to a bodyshop, talk to the bodyshop directly and see if you can have him do it right. If they are doing it, stay on top of them.Good luck, let us know how yo make out.
 
Thanks everyone for the hints and warnings.

For what it's worth, my salesperson is very conscientious and I am the third person at my workplace to buy a car from her (two coworkers referred me to her). She expressed her concern about the situation and asked "if there is anything I can do". I'm going to take her up on the concern and try to use any influence she might have with their bodyshop to do the job as completely and properly as possible.

The manager who inspected the car did mention that they would do the entire fender, as it was necessary to get the job done correctly. I'm going to have a heart to heart with him to make sure that I understand exactly who will do the work and what the specific procedure is.

One small saving grace is the car is a lease. I hope to purchase it and resell the car prior to lease end. However, since they're doing the work, at least I wont' get stiffed on the lease return if I decide to just turn it in a walk away. I'll also impress upon them that unless the job is perfect, they will have no chance of a return customer from me or either one of my colleagues.

Having the work done on April 11th. I'll let you know how it goes. :bigscream
 
I have to agree with Craigster. My paint chipped off in my rear bumper and brought it to my dealer. When I saw the work.. :eek , it was terrible. There was cloudiness under the clear, and the paint kinda looked flat. I brought it to a reputable shop, and they took care of it. I also had them spot repair some chipped areas (front bumper) and it looks like new! :) The safest bet is to just have the whole fender painted.
 
Best of luck... I hope you get to post a proud pic when it is all done. Remember too...Wait at least 30-60 days after it's painted before applying a wax or sealent. The paint needs to dry out and the solvents wont do that with a sealer. You'll wind up with cloudy paint. If you need a shine, you can use 3M Hand Glaze. It's actually recommended for that. Here's a link with info:

http://www.autogeek.net/3mimhanglaz.html
 
1 month old?????

I would tell them, to hell with warranty work, that is for batteries and crap like that-give me another car or ill never step foot in here again.

I am always polite where i do my business, but the second i think they are trying to be cheap with me, i let em have it.

Its awesome the dumb looks and blinks i get when i turn on them lol.

And a couple places i have never been back to...

Give them stuff like "do you think i am a moron"

I would find the best body guy in your area, and pick his brain. Say "oh, i thought it could be buffed out", but have a detailed correction process from the best you can find, then go see the cheapo stealership.
 
I actually did have quite a battle. It started because the dealer kept switching my delivery day until it was raining. My mistake for allowing that. I noticed it the next day. It took a month of fighting all the way up the the lawyers in GM's customer service center, the BBB, Consumer Affairs, etc. I never knew this, but insufficient paint does not qualify as a defect in workmanship to the letter of the law. I would have had a better case if the door was rattling. I even had my lawyer wrestle them. As long as they offer to repair the problem, there is nothing else you can do. I figured if I keep the car, rather than give the money to a lawyer, I'd give it to a good shop and let them redo it.

In the end, if you saw the final job, you would think I was crazy. You can only notice it in direct light if you are looking for it. But the anal individual that I am makes my eyes find it everytime whether I want to or not. The same attention to detail that brings us here can be a double edged sword.....
 
My wife had a Z3, and the subwoofer between the seats blew after a week.

The salesman started giving me crap about how i played the radio....

Im 6' 4" and i wouldnt be caught dead driving a z3 lol.
 
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