Let's talk about lousy factory paint jobs!

You can blame the VOC regulations for orange peel for the most part, because today's paints are high solid, low solvent as opposed to lacquers and early enamels that were high solvent, low solid. The latter flows out and self levels to a certain extent, as it cures, with the help of the high solvent content.



Today's urethanes are lacking in solvents to help it flow out and level, and the paint cures with the orange peel effect more pronounced.
 
I think it's poor quality control in addition to paint chemistry since I've seen different degrees of the problem on the same make, model, and year. I went so far as to have a new car repainted because of it. The manufacturer offered me $350 to have the car wet sanded and buffed, but the paint was so thin I didn't want to go that route. Cost to me for the repaint was $3000. Cost to the manufacturer was $0. The trap I fell into was that I picked up the car on a day where the sun was shining so brightly that it concealed the paint flaws. I'll inspect the next vehicle I purchase more carefully.
 
tcl



Wow, a total respray on a new car is a rather extreme response to poor factory paint. Not only did it cost you $3000, it probably depreciated the value of your car an equal amount. Even a high quality respray (i.e. windows and trim removed) can be spotted by an untrained eye. My used car saleman friend also brings an electronic paint guage to the auctions and can identify a repaint job in seconds.



From your sig, I assume that you have a Nissan 350Z. I have an 2003 Silverstone Track model myself, and I'm satisfied with the finish. However, I would advise new Infiniti and Nissan owners to invest in "clear bra" paint protection. Nissan paint, like others, chips easily.
 
BlackSunshine said:
Infiniti/Nissan paint is really crappy, too. Really thin, almost brittle it seems. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...



Agreed. The reason my dealership knew me on a first name basis was that I was out there almost every week getting paint chips removed from the '02 Maxima.



The sad part is that Nissan/Infiniti paint as been that way for years. Many 4th generation Maxima owners were complaining about that and it seemed to get worse with the 5th generation Maxima. The 6th generation Max owners are complaining of the same thing.
 
I'm VERY unhappy with the OP on my 2005 Chrysler 300-C. I've emailed DaimlerChrysler Customer Service with my complaint. We'll see what they have to say. There are also three spots with pinhead-sized pieces of dirt embedded in the paint - covered by the basecoat and clear.



I was thinking that maybe the way to go was to have a wetsand down to the base, smooth it out, then re-clear it. What do you gurus think of that?? Does this significantly reduce the value of my 4 week old car?? Can this be spotted??? Does this mean the clear would be softer and more easily damaged???



Sorry for all the questions. VERY upset about this...



Here are some high-res ~500KB pics...



http://members.cox.net/mywebfiles/300c/cpillar.jpg



http://members.cox.net/mywebfiles/300c/pass_frt.jpg
 
Jut looked at a brand new red ''05 Chevy Equinox thee darn paint was like orange peel all over, you can't even see a straight reflection on it ...OMG I can't believe the s**t they are turning out in those factories !
 
Dean said:
tcl



Wow, a total respray on a new car is a rather extreme response to poor factory paint. Not only did it cost you $3000, it probably depreciated the value of your car an equal amount. Even a high quality respray (i.e. windows and trim removed) can be spotted by an untrained eye. My used car saleman friend also brings an electronic paint guage to the auctions and can identify a repaint job in seconds.



From your sig, I assume that you have a Nissan 350Z. I have an 2003 Silverstone Track model myself, and I'm satisfied with the finish. However, I would advise new Infiniti and Nissan owners to invest in "clear bra" paint protection. Nissan paint, like others, chips easily.
Click to expand...



Yes, it is a 350Z and the job was done to very high standards. Don't know what it might do for depreciation. See link below then click on image for larger version.



showphoto.php
 
04 civic orange peel package. actually not to bad on the car. This is the worst area (sides) and angle. The horizontal surfaces are pretty damn good, just a little wavyness. As far as durability, well it seems to spiderweb pretty easy (but maybe thats my fault :rolleyes: ) but it takes a really large high speed rock to actually chip the paint

I think orange peel is more evident/annoying on non-metalic paints because the reflection is the only thing that grabs the eye.



PICT0028.jpg
 
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