Brand new car paint is in TERRIBLE shape (pics included)

[Vector-SS]

Hi Folks,

Our company recently bought us new cars, and while they have 0 mileage on them, they are a couple of years old (old stock). I have absolutely no doubt that the storage of the cars was horrible with them basically parked out in the open exposed under the sun for prolonged periods. Living in Saudi Arabia, where the temperature easily hovers over 120 degrees in the summer, I

[Vector-SS]

Re: Brand new car paint is in TERRIBLE shape (pics included)

I'm not sure how or why my thread got chopped but here is the continuation:

.....I

[davey g-force]

Re: Brand new car paint is in TERRIBLE shape (pics included)

Where's the rest? That was beginning to sound interesting..

[Eldorado2k]

Re: Brand new car paint is in TERRIBLE shape (pics included)

What kind of vehicle? Any pictures?

[Vector-SS]

Re: Brand new car paint is in TERRIBLE shape (pics included)

My initial thread contained a whole lot more details and pictures for everyone to see. Not sure why it was cropped and when I tried adding the remainder of the thread it said I needed to wait for approval, so I guess I will wait for that.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Brand new car paint is in TERRIBLE shape (pics included)

Did you start to compose your post in another program, like Microsoft Word, then copy and paste here? vBulletin software hates that even though their last update claimed to handle Word docs better. It's usually special characters like apostrophes, quotes, dashes, etc that break the code and truncate a message at that point.

[Vector-SS]

Re: Brand new car paint is in TERRIBLE shape (pics included)

Did you start to compose your post in another program, like Microsoft Word, then copy and paste here? vBulletin software hates that even though their last update claimed to handle Word docs better. It's usually special characters like apostrophes, quotes, dashes, etc that break the code and truncate a message at that point.

Yes, that's exactly what I did!

Anyway I will re write it here as I wanted to prepare my post prior to approval so I can just paste it here.

So to continue...

Basically the car is a 2012 Renault Safrane with a metallic midnight blue paint job, which I know is quite difficult to maintain. It has swirls, faded area, polisher burn marks, etc. However the biggest issues with it is that it has some sort of spots all over the hood, roof, and trunk which are very visible. Upon closer inspection, they seem to be acidic and have eaten through the clear. They are quite small, look like crystals and come in all shapes..round, lines, etc. The most affected part is the hood.

The car has a panoramic roof as well with a bit of plastic parts on top which were also affected with those spots. On the plastic trim, the dots can be felt by hand but on the metal they are flush with the paint.

I went out and bought the following: Scratch X 2.0, Deep Crystal Polish, Ultimate Compound and Gold Class Carnauba Liquid wax, and a couple of polishing pads.

I've already attempted removing the spots using Ultimate Compound and then a bit of Scratch X but I don't think they budged. I may have imagined that that one of the spots I targeted was less visible, but after 2 runs, I gave up. The good news is that the finish around the spot improved dramatically but the spots I'm afraid are permanent. As this is a company car, I've raised a complaint to the transportation department in our company and they will take a look at it at the dealership's workshop to see what they can do. Unfortunately, I don't trust the "professionals" here in this field as I've witnessed proper detailers (when I lived in Canada) and the local ones here.

They may suggest a re paint of the hood but I know they won't be able to match the color so I may just have to decline and live with it. My goal is to remove the spots, and my secondary goal is to get the car to sparkle.

Here are some of the pics, your opinion and advice is appreciated.




















And my car..

[Vector-SS]

Re: Brand new car paint is in TERRIBLE shape (pics included)

I just retyped the post and attached my pics. Awaiting approval! Thanks.

[davey g-force]

Re: Brand new car paint is in TERRIBLE shape (pics included)

Wow, it's hard to tell what those are, but they don't look too good. I think a repaint is in order.

Don't worry, any decent painter will be able to match the color. You may get the car back with swirls and holograms from their "detailers" but you can take care of that yourself.

[davey g-force]

Re: Brand new car paint is in TERRIBLE shape (pics included)

Sorry can you clarify if this is a new car or not? Your thread title says it is, but the post above says its a 2012 model.

[Vector-SS]

Re: Brand new car paint is in TERRIBLE shape (pics included)

Wow, it's hard to tell what those are, but they don't look too good. I think a repaint is in order.

Don't worry, any decent painter will be able to match the color. You may get the car back with swirls and holograms from their "detailers" but you can take care of that yourself.

I guess I can live with the spot or two that are on the trunk, but the hood is an absolute mess. I guess I will see what they say/do tomorrow and then decide whether I will take the option of a repaint - that's if its even offered.

Sorry can you clarify if this is a new car or not? Your thread title says it is, but the post above says its a 2012 model.

This is a brand new car, got it last week and it had around 35 miles on it! However, these are old stock (left over stock from 2012) the dealer had in their lot which our company decided to pick up.

Edit: BTW, this car is known as the Renault Latitude on your side of the world!

[davey g-force]

Re: Brand new car paint is in TERRIBLE shape (pics included)

Aah yes, I know the ones. Not too many around here though.

In light of what you said, I think it's definitely up to the dealer to rectify. I mean it's still effectively a new car.

Beware of the dealership "detailers" though....

[mis3]

Re: Brand new car paint is in TERRIBLE shape (pics included)

I am surprised that the dealership would deliver a car in this condition. These defects are not hidden at all. Since it is an older car, is it possible that your company bought the car "as is"?

[Vector-SS]

Re: Brand new car paint is in TERRIBLE shape (pics included)

Aah yes, I know the ones. Not too many around here though.

In light of what you said, I think it's definitely up to the dealer to rectify. I mean it's still effectively a new car.

Beware of the dealership "detailers" though....

I went to meet the workshop manager at the Renault dealer and while I could feel he was trying to blame me for the "damage" he ended up offering to repaint the hood and trunk. I also found out that the car leasing company we are dealing with is the sister company of the Renault company here so they do their own body work in the Renault garage, so that gave me a piece of mind. But yes, I'm still skeptical of the "detailers" there. I can only hope for the best.

I am surprised that the dealership would deliver a car in this condition. These defects are not hidden at all. Since it is an older car, is it possible that your company bought the car "as is"?

Unfortunately, things here operate completely different than anywhere else in the world. The company bought 4 more other cars just like mine, one even with the same paint color; inspected it and nothing was wrong with my colleague's car. But yes, I know for a fact that they got great deals on them.

Anyway, now that this is being taken care of, what do you guys suggest I do after I get the car back. Allow the paint to cure then wax it? If so how long.

Also, I have Scratch X 2.0, Deep Crystal polish, Ultimate Polish, and Gold Class Wax which I bought out of excitement! The rest of the car has swirls and some burn marks which I assume happened from the orbital? I was thinking perhaps using Scratch X 2.0, then DCP, and finishing off with a wax for the entire car?

Thanks for the suggestions.

[davey g-force]

Re: Brand new car paint is in TERRIBLE shape (pics included)

I was thinking perhaps using Scratch X 2.0, then DCP, and finishing off with a wax for the entire car?

That's a good start. You may not remove many of the swirls etc, especially if you're working by hand. Did you say you had a DA?

What's your goal with this? Are you trying to get all the defects out, or just shine it up a bit?

Another variation of your plan (using what you have) can be ScratchX, UP, Wax. A test spot will tell you what responds best.

Just don't put any wax on the freshly painted parts for about 3 months. You can polish them though..