Paint chips on Black 2011 G37xS - Had car 1 week

[jimbo0607]

All,

I'm looking for some advice on my new G37xS purchased 1 week ago.

I took it through a high pressured car wash because I was always told the car washes with the brushes are bad for the paint.

Well, I found out the hard way that high pressured car washes are bad for car paint as well since I found many paint chips on my hood after the car wash.

Is there anything I can do about this? Bring it back to the dealer and have them fix it?

There are 500 miles on the car and I'm extrememly surprised that the paint couldn't withstand a carwash.

Any suggesstions would be greatly appreciated.

Jim

[jimbo0607]

Also, when I go to the dealer, should I tell them I brought it through a car wash?

Thanks,

Jim

[audtatious]

I've had mine through those and the brush-style (eeeek) car washes and have not had any issues that were caused by the wash itself. The G's are painted in Japan where they have even more stringent air limitations than California, thus, the paint is the weak spot. I would suggest you take it back to Infiniti and get them to fix it. Once fixed, look into a 3M clear bra. I have that system on my nose and it does wonders.

Welcome to NICO!

[jimbo0607]

Thanks for the info.

I'll circle back around once I have an answer from Infiniti.

Jim

[audtatious]

Yep, let us know. Don't accept them simply using touch up paint to cover the chip marks either.

[jimbo0607]

So the Service Manager stated that it was road debris that is causing the tiny paint chips.

I fired up another thread on the transmission issue I'm having but I'm calling the BBB tomorrow.

I spent way to much money on this car to have issues like this already.

What a downer.

Jim

[audtatious]

Are they going to fix them?

Try calling Infiniti consumer affairs at 800.662.6200 if the dealership is not being helpful. Don't take "no" for an answer on a car with that low of miles.

When you do get it fixed then get a clear bra asap.

[jimbo0607]

Nah they won't budge. The chips are so tiny that it looks like road debris was the culprit and not the car wash.

I'm more concerned with the transmission to be honest.

I'll give a call to the consumer affairs once I pick the car back up (ugh).

Thanks for the help.

Jim

[kirkwood]

I just bought a black 2009 37x with 13,000 miles. Mint condition when we bought it four weeks ago, but now we have dozens of chips on the hood, front fender and shoulders. We suspect that it was touched up poorly before we bought it although dealer swears it has not been touched.

At first we only noticed one or two nicks and thought we had caught a rock on the highway, but not there are dozens. One of the chips now has a little scratch streak extending from it, and we've also noticed a few paint depressions -- not chips but little spots where the paint surface is lower than the surrounding area.

Dealer (Fields Infiniti in Glencoe, IL) says this is all normal wear. Bullsh*^. He even said "have you ever owned a black car before?" like I should expect black to chip in 4 weeks. What a crock. The paint obviously sucks. I threatened to return the car, and they offered to strip and paint the hood and fender like new. Not sure if I should accept that or return the car and go somewhere else. i'm not sure if I should trust them.

Is there any way to tell if a car has been touched up in the past couple months? I've heard it takes 6 months for paint to fully cure, so maybe there's a test.

[audtatious]

Honestly, it's not surprising. My 2k2 Majestic Blue Nissan Maxima looked like a speckled egg on the nose after the first year. It's the main reason I purchased a clear bra for the G when I bought it.

[jimbo0607]

Infiniti has terrible paint. I took my car through an older car wash a couple weeks ago and I now have scratches all over my doors. I'll have to buff them out if I care to do so.

There's no way that a new car should have the issues I'm having.

My advice is do not take your car through a car wash unless you know the brushes are soft and that it's a newer car wash.

Jim

[kirkwood]

thanks, team.

A lot of posts on paint problems mention clear bra. what is that?

[jimbo0607]

A clear bra replaces the old type bra that covers the nose of your car. The idea is great but it doesn't resolve problems on the rest of your car like the remaining part of your hood.

I have little white spots all over my hood (brand new g37).

Jim

[kirkwood]

I googled "clear bra" it and saw something that looks like an industrial version of shrink wrap. Wasn't sure if that was the same thing.

Any luck with your dealer on the spots? I'm very torn about this and wonder if I should fight to turn the car in and cancel the sale.

[jimbo0607]

They wouldn't budge on my car. Harte Infiniti of Hartford, CT sucks big time!

I brought it to an Auto Body shop today and they offered to fix (compound and buff and stuff) all 4 doors for $225 so that's not too bad.

I still have to get the seat problem resolved and I also want them to fix my steering wheel issue now. The steering wheel is loose; wiggle room up and down.

Jim

[audtatious]

I googled "clear bra" it and saw something that looks like an industrial version of shrink wrap. Wasn't sure if that was the same thing.

It's a film that is cut to fit for your car and installed over the paint. The installation process is similar to installing window tint (you can do it yourself but I suggest a professional). It's designed to last appx 5 years without yellowing or changing colors. The cost itself is about the same as what a repaint of the hood and nose (and other sections) would cost without using it. Of course, going that route means you have dealt with the rock chips for that 5 year period. I have it on my nose, 1/2 hood, across the front of my fenders, and on my mirrors. I still have a few rock chips where the product does not cover (small areas around headlights and grille areas, edges of hood, etc) but where it's covered is pristine, so I am absolutely glad I have the protection and not fully dimpled like those without.

FWIW, I see complaints about rock chips on other non-Infiniti vehicle boards as well. Maybe not as much but there are plenty of complaints.

[audtatious]

FWIW, here's a pic of my hood showing the clearbra...

[jimbo0607]

That bra is pretty sick. I didn't realize it went so far up the hood. I wish I got with mine from the start. I'll probably get it with my next car however.

Jim