Woman in the Forum!

[SusanMT]

I have just joined Autopia.org, with a particular problem/focus of the moment. That focus is to ask whether any other members have had a similar issue with their car paint finish.

Just after applying Carnuba Wax and detailing with Griot's Garage Speed Shine, I brought my car into the dealer for an oil change. They always wash the car after service. I noticed what looked like water spots on the back bumper and figured they had not used a chamois to dry the car and was not concerned. Within a few days my car finish started to oxidize, not evenly, but in spots and drips, some the size of my fist. To get a mental picture of splotch/drip oxidation, imagine an irregular circle eith a drip or two falling from the bottom of the circle. These were on the bumpers, hood and fenders. As I had just waxed the car by hand I was thoroughly familiar with the finish on my Red Acura Integra. Although it is 13 years old and the finish had undoubtedly oxidized to some extent, the oxidation was even on the bumpers and hood.

The dealership offered to rewax it for me, but the problem persisted. They then offered to again wax it, this time with carnuba wax and polishing. The oxidation again came through after a couple of weeks AND the front driver's side of the hood looks like they were very aggressive in their polishing as I can see the paint worn through with shades of the primer showing.

I feel that the dealership recognized they had some of this problem, otherwise I have the nicest service people in the USA. On the third reappearance of the oxidation I called and explained the problem to them, suggesting that there may have been an accident in the service bay where my car was splashed with some sort of cleaning product or chemical not intended for the paint surface of a car. They deflect this suggestion and state that they always wash customers' cars and have never had a complaint.

Does anyone out there have a similar experience or have any idea how this irratic oxidation of a car could have happened?

[BigJimZ28]

sorry for the bad news but IMO it sounds like
the wax was just hidding the oxidation
and when it starts to fade you see it

but I could be wrong.....it has happened before

I would like to see some pictures

but most likely it needs a good polish by machine
if you are up for doing it youself......start reading

if you want it fixed correctly by a pro make a post in the regional forum asking for help


Welcome to Autopia and good luck!

[SusanMT]

Thanks, Jim. I will take some pictures. I also appreciate the information about the Regional Forum.

Susan

[kaval]

+1 to what BigJimZ28 said!

Welcome to Autopia btw!

[karburn]

Sounds more like a dealer screw-up and someone likely sprayed a strong degreaser, engine cleaner or other solvent on the car instead of the wash soap. They never admit this kind of mistake, and it will probably take an attorney or a complaint to the better business bureau to even get their attention. If they actually burned through the paint into the primer with their polishing effort, only a re-paint will fix that. Sorry to hear about your dealership problems - you are not alone.

Welcome to the forums - hope you pick up some useful information.

[Picus]

I had something similar happen to a client of mine. The dealership had mistakenly sprayed a full strength degreaser on the car and let it dry. It de-laminated his windows and left pretty terrible stains on his paint. It's impossible to say if something like this happened to you, it could be exactly what BigJim said. Regardless, a good polishing is probably in order to see if you can bring it back. It's a cheaper option than going right to a respray.

[GP guy]

Hi and welcome to Autopia. Believe me thats the same feeling I get when my car goes to the dealership hoping it comes back in the same condition as it came in.Good luck with your car.

[AeroCleanse]

Sounds like the dealership messed up. If they refuse to fix it to what it was before you took it in, get a second opinion / estimate and take them to small claims court if you have to.

[MASKDMARVL]

Red is very easily messed up, oxidizes the quickest. I agree a harsh degreaser was used without expierience. I think your on the path to a new paint job if you play your cards right. Good luck !

Next time paint it silver.

[Jason M]

I agree with getting a second opinion. Even if you don't go to the extent of suing them. I would suggest using a pro detailer from the regional forum on here. Possibly start by having the detailer go to the dealership with you. Getting a repaint out of it will be tough as you have no way of proving that the dealership caused the damage. If they did indeed burn the paint to the point you are seeing primer then repainting that area is your only option. Again, having a pro look at it will get you answers right away. Posting pics would be an easier option but doesn't really give you any backup with the dealer. If all it needs is a good machine buffing you could start by asking the dealer to pay for the detailer of your choice to do the work. Best of luck and welcome!

[SusanMT]

Well, they still claim that whatever happened was just bad timing with the car's clearcoat. I went to my State Farm insurance claims center to have someone asess the damage and they agree with all of you about the damage done by the dealer. They said that they had not gotten any complaints about my particular dealer. I had not realized I still had comprehensive insurance (on a 13 year old car!). State Farm is covering the repainting of both bumpers and the hood, up to a certain level; the Dealer's body shop is accepting the State Farm hourly amount and negotiating with them to cover the original 3 stage paint. I am leaving it at this point, knowing I want to continue using the same dealer for major repairs. Good will and all that. Then I will have the car detailed. Thanks to everyone!

[trinitybrown]

hello Susan

welcome to the forum, hope you like it