Best overall paint quality.

[Garage Troll]

So as the caption says: Which auto manufacturer has the best overall paint quality? Let's put it into two categories. Exotic and mass produce (ie Ford, Subaru, Hyundai etc.)

[DualActionDetail]

Re: Best overall paint quality.

Not Honda!!!

Can anyone back up Cadillac? I lean towards them for best overall quality. Do you have any more specific parameters?

[cnfowler]

Re: Best overall paint quality.

Don't quote me on this, but I think Lexus has won awards for their paint quality.

Colin

[Garage Troll]

Re: Best overall paint quality.

I guess lack of orange peel, durability (longevity and resistance to swirls etc.) and overall look would be the most important.

When I went to the NYIAS I was really impressed by Hyundai. Jaguar on the other hand was awful. Some of the front facias on the vehicles were different shades and no, it wasn't just the light.

[new2detailing]

Re: Best overall paint quality.

Well, Hyundai with their new Sonata has a multi-step paint process that rivals that of Mercedes. Very nice attention to paint quality.

Cadillac /Lexus / Mercedes seem to have excellent paint quality.

Hondas (while I love the brand) are notoriously thin in their paint process, leading to early paint failure.

Toyota looks nice in certain colors, but I have yet to see a standard silver. There are many different minute shades of silver in Toyota paint (making it next to impossible to color match).

As far as orange peel, it seems to be a byproduct of modern low VOC paint processes.

[Shawn T.]

Re: Best overall paint quality.

I think MINI (although made by BMW) has some of the best paint I've seen right behind Lexus. The Mercedes don't seem to stand out as much as the Lexus paints and I think that MINIs I have seen have a little something more than Mercedes.

[Driven Auto Detail]

Re: Best overall paint quality.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Audi's. They never seem to have any orange peel and look amazing when properly polished.

[imacarnut]

Re: Best overall paint quality.

Well, Hyundai with their new Sonata has a multi-step paint process that rivals that of Mercedes. Very nice attention to paint quality.

I went to the Hyundai dealership and checked out the new 2011 Hyundai Sonata and it's really nice. If I were in the market for a new family sedan, I would definitely choose this over the Accord and Camry. The Genesis Coupe and Sedan are no slouches either, I'm very impressed. I can't wait till the new Hyundai Equus hits the market so I can check it out in person.

[imacarnut]

Re: Best overall paint quality.

2011 Hyundai Equus

[Jeff120]

Re: Best overall paint quality.

My new Nissan has stellar paint! My GMC looks nice as well.

[Garage Troll]

Re: Best overall paint quality.

I went to the Hyundai dealership and checked out the new 2011 Hyundai Sonata and it's really nice. If I were in the market for a new family sedan, I would definitely choose this over the Accord and Camry. The Genesis Coupe and Sedan are no slouches either, I'm very impressed. I can't wait till the new Hyundai Equus hits the market so I can check it out in person.

I did see the Equus in person at the show. One word...AMAZING. The attention to detail and fit and finish are stunning. The interesting thing is that the Equus doesn't have any Hyundai badges on it. It's almost like it's own stand alone brand.

[Megafast13]

Re: Best overall paint quality.

Lexus has the best Paint on the market by far.

[imacarnut]

Re: Best overall paint quality.

I did see the Equus in person at the show. One word...AMAZING. The attention to detail and fit and finish are stunning. The interesting thing is that the Equus doesn't have any Hyundai badges on it. It's almost like it's own stand alone brand.

For $20,000 or more less than it's competition, it's definitely going to be a contender (offering as much or more than the Lexus LS, etc). It's funny how some people have the same old perception of Hyundai and still think they make junk. Times have certainly changed and i'm sure the other car manufactures who made fun of them at some point, aren't anymore (they've actually made money over the tough economy). People want more for there money these days and Hyundai is giving it to them while offering assurance as well. Time will tell where they will be in a few years, and i'm sure it will be continuing up the ladder, not down.

[ColonelCash]

Re: Best overall paint quality.

The Lexus LS430 is reported to be wetsanded twice before leaving the factory. Every time I see one around town they look flawless....but then again for $70K, I'd expect some might fine paint.

I've seen a lot of older Volvo's (late 90's - early 00's) that have nice factory paint.

[paulcr39]

Re: Best overall paint quality.

I've seen a lot of older Volvo's (late 90's - early 00's) that have nice factory paint.

+2

Speaking of mid '90's Volvos, here is my mother's 1994 Volvo from February of this year. I had just rinsed it and then later gave it an ONR wash followed by UQW. That 16 year old paint is holding up beautifully. This Friday night and Saturday I'm going to detail it as a belated Mother's Day gift, pics to follow Sunday or Monday.