Nissan Approved Bumper Repaint

wind.zero

My paint peeled just a few weeks after I purchased the car new. A respray from a Nissan dealer peeled just a few weeks after the first repair. Nissan authorized brand new OEM bumpers next and guess what, the PPG paint sprayed on those new bumpers peeled as well.

I have heard every excuse from defective paint at the Port of LA (where I was told all NISMO kits are painted), to improper prep, not enough flex additive, the bumpers flex at speed which creates tension that makes the paint peel (sounds plausible), the moon was blue, the moon was white, the big dipper reversed, Jesus returned to earth, yada, yada, etc, etc and the paint still peels. If I sound bitter, I am. This is my first Nissan and I will not be a repeat buyer.

IMO it is a design defect. I think the geometry of the edge where the bumpers meet is creating a surface where the paint will not stick correctly not matter how it is sprayed and prepped. The last dealer body shop manager just shook his head. I have been told this is an issue with the NISMO 370's and some GTR's.

I am not paint engineer nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn Express but I have followed every factory and warranty recommendation including new OEM parts and the damn paint will not adhere correctly. Like I said before, this will be my first and last Nissan. Some people say, hey it could be worse, but I am making payments on a car that has peeling paint.

On top of all this hassle, QAB Pearl White is extremely difficult to match. For several months my NISMO kit was Elmer's Glue White and the rest of the car was QAB Pearl White. When I would fuel the car, people would ask what happened to your paint? The last dealer had to deal with PPG directly and did a special mix (not following the exact paint forumula) that matched pretty good.