Discussion of Stinger paint quality (Was - Paint Chip Issue)

[StungnTn]

I think everyone will eventually have headlight rub, design flaw imo.

 

[supershanesta]

Might put rubber between that spot or even vinyl wrap to protect it. If I push the headlight up with my hand I can tell it is touching and causing the issue. I imagine that if they can adjust the headlight up a bit it would fix the issue.

 

[Dmchristie1]

It's likely that the headphones giveaway is over. The scuttlebutt last year was, initially, that the first 10K Stinger buyers in US were getting headphones. Then that changed to first 15K buyers. That number was exceeded near the end of last year.

I bought 2 in the first 6 months. One was a preorder and one of the first in Tampa sold - still no phones

 

[MerlintheMad]

I bought 2 in the first 6 months. One was a preorder and one of the first in Tampa sold - still no phones

Did you ever talk to Kia directly about it? I got a case number and two days later my headphones arrived via FedEx. Two or three months after that I got a follow up call from Kia asking if my headphones case was satisfactorily settled.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I think everyone will eventually have headlight rub, design flaw imo.

But it won't turn into some big flaking/peeling issue. All that will happen is the paint will wear away right on that exact spot. And it won't show unless you know it could be there and go looking for it.

The White was the only car out of 16 I examined last summer that had actual peeling beyond the rubbing point on both headlight assemblies. So the rub was revealing an adhesion issue that was separate from the rubbing issue.

 

[Revvdmedia]

But it won't turn into some big flaking/peeling issue. All that will happen is the paint will wear away right on that exact spot. And it won't show unless you know it could be there and go looking for it.

The White was the only car out of 16 I examined last summer that had actual peeling beyond the rubbing point on both headlight assemblies. So the rub was revealing an adhesion issue that was separate from the rubbing issue.

I've been keeping an eye on my headlight / bumper peeling and I don't feel it has gotten any worse after 7 months since I've taken delivery, if that makes anyone feel better.

 

[Doel]

I have just picked up a GT a little over a week ago. I thought the 2019 model would have these kinks worked out. My car has headlight rub. Only have 400 miles on her. Does this warrant going back to the dealer to correct this issue. Anyone else speak to a dealer regarding this?

I wouldn't worry about it, my car has it too, several months later it's exactly the same. The front bumper is also plastic, it won't rust. You'll never see that rub unless you're on your hands and knees actively looking for it.

For the people with the rub on the back of the hood, it definitely looks like it's most likely rub from the windshield wipers being improperly raised. The ONLY way to raise them off the windshield is to first get them in the stop position where they're facing upward, then raise them. If you raise them while they're in the down position, you will rub your hood paint. When I brought my car to the dealer for the harness recall, they washed it for free, I found a rub mark on the hood where I'm going to assume they didn't raise the wipers properly. It eventually buffed out, but if it's done over and over the clear and/or paint will absolutely start coming off. My guess is that most of dealers aren't raising the wipers properly when detailing the car, so the longer it's been on the lot, the higher number of times it's been washed, and the greater chance there's going to be a rub on the back of the hood.

 

[MerlintheMad]

For the people with the rub on the back of the hood, it definitely looks like it's most likely rub from the windshield wipers being improperly raised.

This is only true in some cases. In most reported cases on the forum, the rub (or actual paint damage) to the rear edge of the hood does not line up with the wipers. And the "consensus" is that the damage occurred during assembly and escaped notice.

 

[gobluestinger]

Taking my 2018 Stinger GT2 (bought it two months ago, 6k miles) next week to meet with GM and DM. There are rust spots all over my hood, roof, trunk, chip on the lip of hood (by the wiper), and rust spots where the headlight meets the paint. Any advice? I did lease the vehicle. Wondering what types of options others who leased the vehicle got. I have heard bad stories of mismatched paint after the respray or the painting process taking 8 weeks. I know yellow owners got a respray + 5 k but I wasn't sure if that was only offered to people who purchased the vehicle. Thanks in advance!

 

[TwiceStung]

Taking my 2018 Stinger GT2 (bought it two months ago, 6k miles) next week to meet with GM and DM. There are rust spots all over my hood, roof, trunk, chip on the lip of hood (by the wiper), and rust spots where the headlight meets the paint. Any advice? I did lease the vehicle. Wondering what types of options others who leased the vehicle got. I have heard bad stories of mismatched paint after the respray or the painting process taking 8 weeks. I know yellow owners got a respray + 5 k but I wasn't sure if that was only offered to people who purchased the vehicle. Thanks in advance!

Can’t be rust by the headlights, the bumper is plastic. Pretty sure the trunk lid is also.

 

[gobluestinger]

Can’t be rust by the headlights, the bumper is plastic. Pretty sure the trunk lid is also.

There is some rust in this headlight. I don't think that the headlight itself is rusting. But the fact I just picked this car up and there are many rust spots in a little ridiculous, right? I am really hoping Kia fixes this problem.

 

[Revvdmedia]

There is some rust in this headlight. I don't think that the headlight itself is rusting. But the fact I just picked this car up and there are many rust spots in a little ridiculous, right? I am really hoping Kia fixes this problem.

I don't think where you see that rust in the headlights is a metal surface, that is likely surface or subsurface iron contamination exposed to water which caused rust. Are you sure the rust on your Stinger is actually rusted bare steel (because of a paint chip)? If you looked at my car, you'd think I have hundreds of rust spots all along the doors, but mine is because it is white and the brake dust is sticking to the top of the clear coat and rusting. A bottle of Iron-X would help identify this for you...and clean it up at the same time.

 

[Chucky]

I live in SC and have always had issues with front end paint chips on every car I've owned here except one (300C, ML 350, Miata, Genesis R Spec, Genesis, G80); the only one that didn't was a Range Rover Sport. After reading about how bad this can be with the Stinger I scheduled an appointment for clear vinyl front wrap as soon as I picked up my 2019 GT 2 but couldn't get it in for two days. While the wrap place was washing the car they found several chips on the front bumper after just two days of driving!! Now paying for chip repair and upgraded from partial to full front end wrap; also doing lights, mirrors, roof, door handle sills and rear bumper to the tune of about $2000. Called the dealer and they are going to reimburse me for the chip repair and partially for the wrap; we'll see...

 

[SteveCo]

I live in SC and have always had issues with front end paint chips on every car I've owned here except one (300C, ML 350, Miata, Genesis R Spec, Genesis, G80); the only one that didn't was a Range Rover Sport. After reading about how bad this can be with the Stinger I scheduled an appointment for clear vinyl front wrap as soon as I picked up my 2019 GT 2 but couldn't get it in for two days. While the wrap place was washing the car they found several chips on the front bumper after just two days of driving!! Now paying for chip repair and upgraded from partial to full front end wrap; also doing lights, mirrors, roof, door handle sills and rear bumper to the tune of about $2000. Called the dealer and they are going to reimburse me for the chip repair and partially for the wrap; we'll see...

Good to hear that the dealer is going to step up and help out with the cost. Hard to tell from pictures, but it looks like those chips were from some significant impact damage.

I didn't have my wrap put on until several weeks after I'd had the car. There was no chip damage that required repair beforehand, and I washed and inspected it closely - and considering I had to replace a windshield in that time due to our seasonal flying gravel/road cleaning event, the bumper cover must have deflected it's fair share. Regardless, adding the PPF was a good call on your part - I'm certainly glad that I had it done.

 

[Peeso33]

I live in SC and have always had issues with front end paint chips on every car I've owned here except one (300C, ML 350, Miata, Genesis R Spec, Genesis, G80); the only one that didn't was a Range Rover Sport. After reading about how bad this can be with the Stinger I scheduled an appointment for clear vinyl front wrap as soon as I picked up my 2019 GT 2 but couldn't get it in for two days. While the wrap place was washing the car they found several chips on the front bumper after just two days of driving!! Now paying for chip repair and upgraded from partial to full front end wrap; also doing lights, mirrors, roof, door handle sills and rear bumper to the tune of about $2000. Called the dealer and they are going to reimburse me for the chip repair and partially for the wrap; we'll see...View attachment 22189 View attachment 22190 View attachment 22191

Holy cow, that's a lot of chipped paint. Are you saying the chips were there before you drove it off the lot? Or that it happened within those 2 days after you bought it. Either way, hope they make it right.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I live in SC and have always had issues with front end paint chips on every car I've owned here except one (300C, ML 350, Miata, Genesis R Spec, Genesis, G80); the only one that didn't was a Range Rover Sport. After reading about how bad this can be with the Stinger I scheduled an appointment for clear vinyl front wrap as soon as I picked up my 2019 GT 2 but couldn't get it in for two days. While the wrap place was washing the car they found several chips on the front bumper after just two days of driving!! Now paying for chip repair and upgraded from partial to full front end wrap; also doing lights, mirrors, roof, door handle sills and rear bumper to the tune of about $2000. Called the dealer and they are going to reimburse me for the chip repair and partially for the wrap; we'll see...View attachment 22189 View attachment 22190 View attachment 22191

Clearly not a paint adhesion issue: those are scrapes.

 

[Chucky]

Holy cow, that's a lot of chipped paint. Are you saying the chips were there before you drove it off the lot? Or that it happened within those 2 days after you bought it. Either way, hope they make it right.

Definitely happened in the two days of driving. I inspected the car at the dealer and have pictures after picking it up showing no chips

 

[Chucky]

Got the car back tonight, have to say I’m very happy with the results. Can’t even see a blemish unless you are looking for it at from 6” or less. Wrap is immaculate. Autoshield Columbia if you are in the are great work. Will take more pics of wrap in the sunlight tomorrow.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Got the car back tonight, have to say I’m very happy with the results. Can’t even see a blemish unless you are looking for it at from 6” or less. Wrap is immaculate. Autoshield Columbia if you are in the are great work. Will take more pics of wrap in the sunlight tomorrow.

I say superb! And that was quick work.

You won't regret the full frontal PPF.

 

[Chucky]

Autoshield Columbia took some great pics while wrapping my car last Friday. Next, Borla exhaust & Injen intake Wednesday