PREVIOUS REPAIR INDICATORS
Many incidents are the result of an improperly repainted surface, and not the result of the factory paint failing. That is why it is important to look for evidence of previous repairs. Look around the suspected area for overspray marks and masking lines. Check to see if bolts and brackets have been repositioned. Look for inconsistently applied seam sealer. Also, measure the paint thickness at various points on the vehicle to see if it varies.
Note: Even if there is no visible evidence of previous repair, you should investigate the vehicle service file at your local Infiniti or Nissan Dealership for previous warranty paint claims to determine if the vehicle has been repainted.
When referring to this section, please look for the following clues to determine if a car has been repaired. Many paint incidents are created as a result of collision damage repair. Paint incidents resulting from collision repairs are not covered under the Nissan or Infiniti warranty.
REPAIR INDICATORS (LOOK FOR THESE)
Sanding Scratches
Look for rough areas where the refinisher did not sand the vehicle with fine enough grit sandpaper. Sanding scratches may have the appearance of straight scratch marks (hand sanding), or circular scratch marks (machine sanding).
Dirt in Paint
Look for tiny isolated bumps in the paint surface. Dirt in paint is a result of contamination during the painting process. These incidents usually occur during the repainting process.
Varied Paint Thickness
The thickness of paint is key to a good finish. Too much paint and the paint cracks; too little paint and the paint cannot withstand environmental abuse. If certain areas of the vehicle have thicker paint than other areas of the vehicle, they might have been repainted. The following illustration shows the different paint layers.
Visible Paint Overspray
Look for spots of vehicle color on places they shouldn’t be such as engine components, brackets, antennas, or trim. Since the body is painted at the factory before these parts are installed, there should be no overspray present unless the vehicle has been repainted. Overspray is a common indicator of a previous repair. An example of overspray is shown below.
Bracket/Bolt Repositioning
When panels are removed they have to be unbolted and this process leaves marks. Look for imprints on brackets for indication they were reattached.
Body Filler Evidence
Look for excess body filler in corners and crevices. If body filler is not properly mixed before it is applied it can change the color of the paint that is applied to that repaired area. Pinholes can also be evidence of body filler, indicating a previous repair. An example of how improperly prepared body filler has changed the vehicle paint color is shown below.
Poor Seam Sealer Application
Seam sealer applied between panel seams is key to preventing rust. Look for uneven application on body seams to determine previous repairs.
Misplaced Under Hood Labels
Labels under the hood have specific positions and alignments. If the labels are not aligned or missing, then the hood might have been replaced. If the labels are not present, the part or panel could also be a replacement.
Glossy Paint Under Hood/Deck Lid
Look to see if the paint on the underside of the hood or deck lid has a glossy finish. Sometimes body shops will use the same paint to cover both sides of the hood or deck lid to save time. If the underside of the hood or deck lid is glossy like the rest of the vehicle, a repaint job has been performed. The factory applies a non-metallic color-keyed satin-finish primer to the underside of the hood and the deck lid of all vehicles.
Clearcoat Application On Non-clearcoat Vehicles
Some Nissan vehicles do not have a clearcoat applied at the factory. If a non-clearcoat vehicle has clearcoat applied it is a sign that it has been repainted. Non-clearcoat vehicles are:
• Solid Black - Prior to 1999 - Altima, Sentra, Truck, and Frontier.
• Solid White - Altima, Sentra, Truck, Frontier, Xterra, and Pathfinder.
Catastrophic Peeling
Look for simultaneous peeling from different areas of a body panel. You may be able to remove a large amount of paint with the tape test. This incident commonly occurs on bumpers that have not been properly refinished. Catastrophic peeling is rarely seen on a vehicle with factory paint.
Peeling at Stress Concentration Areas
Paint, especially clearcoat, begins to peel at panel edges and around areas like door handles or key cylinders if it wasn’t applied correctly. During the repainting process, key cylinders, door handles, antennas, and moldings are often not removed. If the paint has an open edge that is delaminating or peeling, this is a sign the panel has been repainted.
Masking Lines
Look for areas where masking has been applied, such as around moldings or trim. During the repainting process, to save time, many trim pieces are often not removed. In the photo shown below, you can see how the paint was applied over the molding.