Factory vs. repaint?

M

mgates

New member
My 4mo old RSX has a dime-sized spot etched in the hood from some kind of very acidic bird poo or sap. The clearcoat is gone, and the underlying paint has micro-crinkles in it (as well as a few VERY tiny spots where the paint is completely gone). I'm left with a hazy spot that is slighlty off color. Plan to try Klasse Twins in hopes that this will help reduce how visible the blemish is. I also wanted to know if AIO & SG will be enough to prevent further damage to the compromised area.



Interestingly, when I bought my car new in March there was a very tiny void in the paint of the hood which is under the clearcoat. It isnt very noticable and the guys at the dealer service dept told me that repainting the hood wouldnt be near as good as the "baked" factory paint, so I decided to not have it repainted. However, I suspect I could call them on this since I was never compensated and demand my repaint. I was curious what the opinion was here about having a major portion of the car repainted vs. keeping the exisiting paint with blemish.



Thanks,

Mitch
 
It's sorta a toss-up. Repaints aren't as durable and they usually do look like, well, repaints. But if the problem bothers you (or is a true durability issue) then maybe you oughta take your chances. I've played it both ways and I'm seldom satisfied with either :o



Painting the hood without blending into the fenders might make for an obvious difference, BTW.



As for the K twins, they probably won't make it any less noticeable, maybe they'll even make it *more so*! But I sincerely doubt that you'll ever have a problem with the paint coming off in sheets or anything like that as long as you keep it protected. Really nasty problems can be managed pretty well with a little extra diligence.



But by the sound of it, I'd probably paint it, myself. If the painter is good enough, I'd think about having the spot in question repaired and that repair blended into the rest of the hood. I had a spot on the hood of one of my silver Audis done that way and I can't tell where they blended it (note that I almost *always* CAN tell, this one just went especially well).
 
My father-in-law backed his tailgate into my fender 4 months ago. :angry When they replaced the panel they feathered the paint into about half of the hood and partially into the driver side door.



They did a great job and I can't find where they started and stopped on the painting. They were also well aware of the obsession I had about the paint being perfect, so I think that helped my cause, just not my father-in-law's checkbook. :D



I would say if they are footing the bill to get the repaint go for it. Just make sure they know it better be perfect when it is done.
 
A repaint can be better than factory if you are willing to spend the money. Go to a few custom car shows and I think you will agree that no factory finish can match the custom paint finishes. While there ask around to find out who does their paint.
 
I fell your pain - excatly feel it - I got a brand new 03 TL-S with acid rain damage all over the hood roof and trunk (took delivery at night - got it home and eeeek!) Dealer told me the same thing - that a repaint would not be as good and I should just live with it (that was a whole other battle and too long to get into). I finally go them to repaint it. My car is antharcite grey a hard color to match. And the body shop did a crappy job (so bad the first time I had to have them repaint it again). The second time was better and the average joe probably cannot tell it's been repainted but I can .. and worse - the body shop still managed to mess it up - there are scratches UNDER the clear - they scratched my trim bad while buffing the paint out (apparently they don't tape off) burned the rubber around my sunroof - it was bad. So my advice is unless it is major (mine was) don't get it repainted..and if you do INSIST that you choose the shop..get gurantees in writing for no swirls or scratches and redone if not completly happy!
 
If you are going for a repaint, then spare no expense to insure that you are getting the best quality that's available. Aftermarket paint jobs that are well done will tend to have a deeper resolution than your average factory paint.



The downside that I've experienced with many aftermarket paint jobs is that they can be less durable, are more prone to chipping, and in general (although some may look better than factory) will have a lower quality and life span than a well maintained original paint surface.



Sometimes, though, you will get scr@wed by the factory in getting a poor paint job, that will require re-finishing even before your warranty expires. In those instances, an aftermarket repaint is the only solution, and will serve you as well as the original paint would have.



Personally, despite past experiences, if you luck out and get a really good painter that will give you good layerings and professional results, then I think you should definitely come out ahead as opposed to tolerating sub-standard original paint.



Believe it or not, It is my observation and belief that in general non defective factory paint, (of course not taking into consideration natural fading) if meticulously cared for, should last as long as the useful life of a typical modern car (I'd say about 7-12 years on average, although I've seen older well cared for original paint last longer).
 
So, are there any options for "spot refinishing" that might reduce the appearance of the blemish without completely repainting the hood? Even it it's not perfect it would be good to just make it less visible. Also, anyone have a lead on a top-quality shop in the San Fernando Valley area (Burbank/Glendale/N. Hollywood)?



Thanks,

Mitch
 
mgates said:
So, are there any options for "spot refinishing" that might reduce the appearance of the blemish without completely repainting the hood?
Click to expand...



Yeah, it can be done. After the "deer incident repairs", I had a section of the hood (less than a third of it) redone and blended into the previous repair. I absolutely cannot tell where they did it. It's all a matter of how good the guy doing the work is...
 
I think if youre spending money on a new vehicle, it should look like a new vehicle.. If there are any imperfections, you should let your dealer know and stand your ground about getting the fixed.

Although a repainted car can turn out better than factory if youre willing to spend the money and take it to a reputible painter and not go for the least expensive way, You always get what you pay for.
 
Last June/July when I took delivery of my new Dakota it was at night and I looked it over best i could...next day I found a small fish eye in the tailgate and a small dent in one of the bed rails, both of which would require repainting to repair. Adfter much yelling and screaming the dealer agreed to have it done by and outside shop (the other option was to replace the truck) adn I can honestly say that I was so anal about it that I brought a lupe with me to pick it up and can see no difference whatsoever. They took it to one of the better shops in town and I checked themk out thoroughly and spoke to the manager so I feel a quality job was done.



That being said, I had two small areas to worry about, if it was the whole hood then the dealer would have been swapping vehicles with me
 
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