Dealership wants to repaint my new Z cause of scratches ???

WSM370

The day I test drove my 2013 it was covered in dust from from sitting on the lot. The day I picked up my car it was raining, I drove an hour to pick it up and when I got there it was outside. I should have known better, but I thought its brand new never had a problem in the dozens of new cars I've purchased before, so I'll just trust that things will be fine as always.
A few days later after washing my car with a new microfiber wash mitt and best soap and 3 bucket process with grit guards and the whole deal and the meticulous process of drying to avoid any damage to the paint. I find the car has scratches all over it, like the wash attendant washed it with a mitt filled with grit. I called the dealer and explained to them what was going on. They said bring it back and they would buff it out, no problem. After 4 hours of driving to drop it off get loaner and then driving back to pick it up. I see my car outside on a bright sunny day covered in swirl marks and still has every scratch in the paint ? I'm so pissed I can't see straight, so the manager gives me a We Owe : for $ 320.00 dollars to have it done by a shop near my house that has an awesome reputation.
Got it back today and the shop says it got a lot of scratches out, but still has a dozen scratches all over that just won't come out. The dealer wants me to bring it back and wants to repaint my 2013 car with 1600 miles !!! Anybody have any idea how much something like that might cost ? I would rather ask for half that amount in cash and my spent some on mods & maybe a good wrap job ??? Any input would be awesome, especially if you know what a repaint would cost the dealership ?
Thanks Bill

OldGuy

Get his written assurance that it will be a full-fledged professional paint job and have yourself a new car that looks like a new car. The mods will wait. Easy decision from here.

Mike

a full repaint should be about 4-5000 to factory spec

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God-Speed

I would see if they had another Z like yours or go with another color.

cossie1600

I am painting the roof deck lid and rear bumper and it is 4500

scottIN

In gold??? No way it should be that much.

To the OP: you really don't want a complete respray on a new car. I've seen few after market paint jobs that are even close to a factory job. Even Nissan's crappy factory paint.

I had the same issue with my Solid Red. And I'm pretty sure they took a broom to it to clean the snow off since it's only horizontal surfaces. I got it as good as I could and then just use waxes with fillers. It's still not as good with my truck with 120,000 miles on it, but it's better. And it will always bother me until the day I sell the car. They weren't supposed to do anything but pull the plastic off before delivery. They obviously washed it, and probably cleaned it with a broom.

You might look into a wetsanding and a light over spray of clear. I've heard of that being successful. You soften the scratches with the wetsand and then a light spray of clear gives you some more material to work with and buff out. Keep in mind that the scratches aren't in the color, but in the clear. If you want a good opinion, take some high quality photos and post them up on Autopia with your story and see what everyone there has to say.

WSM370

scottIN - It sounds strange, but mine are very hard to photograph. I've had it compounded and buffed out 2 times in the last 30 days and that's what I know of, once by the dealer & once by a independent shop that has a five star rating from all the best body shops. Its a little better, but after a good rain which around here in the summer is everyday. It looks like crap, especially in my garage under the lights.The owner of the independent shop said he's afraid to cut in the clear anymore. I'll look into the wet sanding and re- clear option - Thank You & Thanks to Everyone for the information - Bill Miller

gsxr750

roof and rear hatch, bumper should only be $500-$1000, my rear hatch was repainted for only a $250 charge to the dealer, at their cost, $4500 is robbery.

didymus

Assuming theyre not deep scratches from something other than washing, someone should be able to polish them out. Repainting would be crazy..

USMCASA

unless you're getting ripped off no all over paint job should exceed 3000 +or- 500. for 3 panels i would expect no more than 1300 on the high end... but if they are paying for it let them get ripped off

cossie1600

If you own the shop, you might be able to pay your guys $1300 to paint it. At the insurance rate, it is nearly $4K (CA is also $80/hr, probably $65 in the midwest). The actual paint cost less than $500, the prep work cost like $3000.

gsxr750

Immediately call Nissan consumer affairs and get them involved in the situation, basically you were delivered a damaged car right from the start and you should get Nissan to take the car back as a buy back or get a new one..

The car should have never been delivered to you in that state.

I had a paint defect that the dealer kept playing games on and Nissan consumer affairs got results in about 5 days.

Bottom line is that if they repaint the car it needs to remove all the exterior windows , and trim , lights grills removed to paint it properly, otherwise you will have paint transition lines all over the body of the car.

If you allow them to paint the car it will never be the same. my sister had the same problem as you on an old Pontiac in the 80's and the dealer repainted the whole car due to a problem matching the color, after painting it you could see paint on all the trim , windows , moldings and even areas where they painted over dirt.

Bottom line use the lemon law in your state if available , file case with your state attorney generals office, contact Nissan consumer affairs, and possibly a lawyer.

WSM370

Thank You

DEpointfive0

It really would've been better if you didn't accept delivery, but honestly, I wouldn't want them to paint my brand new car. And it should cost $8-10k to repaint a WHOLE car to do it right and for people to not be able to tell.

Take the doors OFF, take the hatch off, take the hood off, take the plastic door trim pieces off, take the gas cap and bumpers off, maybe even the fenders.

Make sure people like ME cannot tell its been painted due to ANY paint lines and stuff. And if they DO end up repainting it, make sure they let every layer of paint dry, make sure they don't let the car out of the paint booth at all so that there isn't any dust, and have them do a FEW layers of clear

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Amj2020

Well I do believe the word 'reasonable' comes into play here. Cars are picked up at all times of day, the light shines differently all day and may hide or show paint defects depending on the angle of light etc...

I had issues with A Spec-V I bought in 2002 and corporate switched me to a new dealership which then had to install a 6 cd changer, moon roof deflector, and repair paint due to a horrible experience with a local dealership which lied to me upon buying the Sentra. They said they had taken the items off to prevent them from being stolen, turns out they were already stolen and they did not disclose it to me.

That being said I was deceived by the dealer and I think you were as well. For all you or we know, they were aware of the damage and knew exactly what they were doing. Even if they didn't it shouldn't excuse the local business (dealer) from righting the wrong. Don't expect too much as they do everything to not help once you leave the lot. The manager at the first dealer in the above mentioned story (Garden City /Major Nissan) told me to go F--- Myself when I demanded resolution.

It may be worth consulting a friend or family member who is a lawyer and let them write a strong letter to the dealership if corporate will not provide a dealership transfer or a satisfactory resolution to your paint issues.

There is no sense in buying a Z if its gonna be delivered with 1000 dollars in paint work needing to be done and a ton of aggravation, this car is to be enjoyed not lamented.

If all else fails destroy them online (the dealer, and nissan if need be) on BBB, yelp, forums and all other places you can find so they lose business at the very least.
good luck