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

[KiaofMuncie]

No kidding............ I did some searching (and soul-searching over lots of alcohol) and the Stinger is just a bad ass car, no arguments. Theres really not much, at the same price point, that offers the total combo of performance and options. Kia knows they built a bad ass car, they just stopped at the frame and motor and didn't consider paint to go with it.

I'm 100% in agreement that I am going to wait until I get my letter and talk to KMA (Kia Motors America) directly with some very hard questions that they need to provide very good answers too, and THEN I will decide on what my ultimate option will be.

Are you sober yet?

 

[PieceOfChum]

Is there anyway to tell if the paint is bad or good with these cars? My paint meter showed that the total coating thickness (paint, base, clearcoat) is around average thickness for an economy car but I didn't see any flaking and such at the dealer. I wish there was some kind of test for it.

 

[davebo]

Kia corporate called me last night and left a message, so at least we know they're directly contacting owners to start the process. I'll give them a call back Monday to see what exactly they want to do for someone who hasn't actually experienced any chipping on the metal sections yet, but I'll certainly ask about the bumper since that's where I lost paint swapping the badge.

Edit: Also I am not interested in a buyback at all unless they're gonna add Sunset Yellow to the 2019 models. I can't drive this yellow as hell car and go back to some boring non-ridiculous color

 

[AV8R]

With the possibility of a buyback, I have been looking around at other cars. I drove a Mazda 6 Turbo yesterday and it felt like a slow dog. I though he brought me a non turbo model by mistake! I think I might be ruined from driving a normal car with reasonable horsepower...

Audi Q7 diesel has a kick, maybe drive then look at one second hand?

 

[gilthanis1]

Are you sober yet?

Nope, not until this gets resolved

 

[gilthanis1]

Edit: Also I am not interested in a buyback at all unless they're gonna add Sunset Yellow to the 2019 models. I can't drive this yellow as hell car and go back to some boring non-ridiculous color

I don't want to loose mine either, but the chipping and flaking will start to occur sooner rather than later. Granted some are worse, as I have ~15 or more chips all around the car, INCLUDING THE PLASTIC ROOF MOLDING KIA!!!!! Headlight bumper rub, which is what they expect me to accept back after a 'repaint'.

I don't want this color to go, it's the only color I wanted, but unless its a quality job I can't in good conscience keep a car this pricy without everything being perfect to match.

 

[A Member Who Left]

Is there anyway to tell if the paint is bad or good with these cars? My paint meter showed that the total coating thickness (paint, base, clearcoat) is around average thickness for an economy car but I didn't see any flaking and such at the dealer. I wish there was some kind of test for it.

A really strong 3M tape applied and peeled off fast at a 90 degree angle would be a decent test, but it might also leave a big wide strip of no paint at all. Definitely a pass/fail type of test. Would not recommend doing it at a dealer......or maybe......? LOL. There doesn’t need to be a test. Paint quality is ASSUMED when you pay $30k, $40k or $50k.

 

[StingerGT68]

Audi Q7 diesel has a kick, maybe drive then look at one second hand?

I don't think there's anymore Audi diesels in the States because of that whole scandal thing

 

[StingMe]

I still want to know why they won't paint bumpers if there is obvious paint chipping off especially by the headlights...

Exactly, the same shitty paint is on the bumpers too. I will be getting a different color if they won't respray the bumpers also.

Anyone know why they are not painting the bumpers? Seems like if their is an adhesion issue, which appears to be affecting cars based on build date and not color that the entire car is affected.

In their tests, Kia must have determined that the yellow paint on primed plastic adheres. Whereas on the primer used on the steel it does not in those cases where chipping is noticed. The rubbing of the headlight causing a chip to wear at the edge is not a paint failure. Kia is not addressing rubbing headlight damage so far, or so it seems.

Agreed. Headlight rub is a separate issue not caused by defective paint.

One of the items that they are repainting is the fuel door, I'm pretty sure that it is plastic.

The parts not being re-painted are supplied to the assembly line already painted.
Bumper covers (fascias) are always supplied pre-painted.
Some other cars don't match the metal, and this is why.

"2. The body was painted on a production line at the factory, while other parts, such as the bumper and trim, were painted at another location using a different application method."

http://northiowacollisioncenter.com/dl/PPG_Article_BumperColor.pdf

 

[forzanerazzurri]

So the NZ response letter just muddies the water on this issue. Per the members here KMA (Kia Motors America) is offering a "full," respray which we now know is not a full respray rather it is limited to the exterior metal panels. Which is pretty frustrating, how expensive would it be to put a new GT bumper, prep, prime, and paint to ensure the paint matches. That isn't even addressing blending the bumpers to the body panels that will be resprayed. Im very concerned that the respray will never be fully right.

A buy back or a swap to another Stinger have also been stated. Buyback certainly seems like a better option at this point.

I think we need to establish that some facts are becoming apparent. Per the build date poll, cars built in October, November and December are the most at risk. I thought I read that the Kia affirmed it is a paint adhesion issue; i.e. primer. When I see images of the Yellow cars with chipping, the primer looks the same as the Blue cars with chipping, as the Black cars with chipping. I think there may be a correlation here given that the Yellows were likely the first cars produced followed by Blue. I only assume Blue since it has the highest number of owners claiming to have an issue. (This would be the time to build a spreadsheet or create a multi-response poll admins ) The paint process for these cars a GT2 or a 2.0 appear to be the same...

So I think what KMA (Kia Motors America) is missing in this whole ordeal is the impact this situation is having within the Stinger communities.
KMA (Kia Motors America) developed, marketed, targeted, and sold the Stinger to performance minded buyers. The Stinger has a small market share, as of May I think the total number of units sold was less than 6,000. Every single owner of the Stinger is a brand ambassador for KMA (Kia Motors America).

Every single member on this board is an important marketing tool, a tool of brand awareness, and ambassador for KMA (Kia Motors America). KIA has struggled for years to shake the reputation it gained when it first entered the US market. Look at Facebook and Forums where the Stinger v Mustang or Stinger v 2017 Commodore reviews are posted. The majority of the owners post about Kia's being crap cars, Kia being cars that cannot perform, Kia being a junk brand thats a poser. I think we all know how far from the truth that is, but when an owner is saddled with a 50k car and paint is performing worse than a rental Corolla we have a problem!! Currently in a rental Corolla with 32,000 miles and the paint is holding up better than your Stingers. Just to clarify ceramic coating is not the freaking answer when the paint isnt sticking to the dang primer. I've seen this posted here since February; yeah I've been lurking for a hot minute and Im glad I didnt jump on a lease now.

Its my hypothesis that the primer used on the yellow cars, is the same that was used for the early production cars. Kia needs to own this issue if they want to see the Stinger be successful within the performance minded buyers. This issue isnt going to affect just the Stinger, I think you will see apprehension toward the G70 as well. Kia needs to step up and offer a true respray, buy backs, or swap and compensation to the owners.

If they drop ball, maybe Tom McPharlan of Jalopnik fame can help lead a class action suit, he seems to like that kind of work ))))

I am happy to see this post. I too chuckled at the references to ceramic coating, especially in the poll.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I am happy to see this post. I too chuckled at the references to ceramic coating, especially in the poll.

You are easily, perversely amused by the pain of others.

And it isn't "6,000" sales. It is at least twice that number by now.

Paint protection in all its forms will help small imperfections, but obviously not anything like a large area of paint failure. Even so, it would "contain" it for a while. Sooner rather than later, the paint failure will manifest even under the coating. I haven't heard of any failures that are this drastic under paint protection. The failures appear to be varying numbers of very small flakes/chipping, as if there were some kind of contamination responsible in specific spots, rather than a true failure of the paint to adhere to the primer. It could be a combination of factors. There are Yellow cars running around that have not "reported in"; indicating that they are fine or at least satisfying to their owners (i.e. they don't look like crap).

The results of the Stinger Forum polls are puny. Highest response is from people with problem paint jobs; but nearly half have "no problem". The results pale to insignificance compared to the total number of Stingers sold. This continuing fact should not be ignored. The poll here is instantly available to anyone on the Net, anywhere that Google is. (I haven't tried other search engines but assume that the poll page will come up well toward the top of the first search results page.)

 

[StingerGT68]

You are easily, perversely amused by the pain of others.

And it isn't "6,000" sales. It is at least twice that number by now.

Paint protection in all its forms will help small imperfections, but obviously not anything like a large area of paint failure. Even so, it would "contain" it for a while. Sooner rather than later, the paint failure will manifest even under the coating. I haven't heard of any failures that are this drastic under paint protection. The failures appear to be varying numbers of very small flakes/chipping, as if there were some kind of contamination responsible in specific spots, rather than a true failure of the paint to adhere to the primer. It could be a combination of factors. There are Yellow cars running around that have not "reported in"; indicating that they are fine or at least satisfying to their owners (i.e. they don't look like crap).

The results of the Stinger Forum polls are puny. Highest response is from people with problem paint jobs; but nearly half have "no problem". The results pale to insignificance compared to the total number of Stingers sold. This continuing fact should not be ignored. The poll here is instantly available to anyone on the Net, anywhere that Google is. (I haven't tried other search engines but assume that the poll page will come up well toward the top of the first search results page.)

Don't feed the troll. He only has negative things to say and seems to enjoy people having issues.

 

[LeoDragon]

Kia corporate called me last night and left a message, so at least we know they're directly contacting owners to start the process. I'll give them a call back Monday to see what exactly they want to do for someone who hasn't actually experienced any chipping on the metal sections yet, but I'll certainly ask about the bumper since that's where I lost paint swapping the badge.

Edit: Also I am not interested in a buyback at all unless they're gonna add Sunset Yellow to the 2019 models. I can't drive this yellow as hell car and go back to some boring non-ridiculous color

I got the same call about mine on Friday afternoon. The first from Kia Corporate and then an hour later I got a call from my local dealership. Both have asked me to call them back. I'll call corporate first on Monday morning as well.

 

[Dunebuggyjay]

Dealer just told me they can now sell the yellow gt i was inquiring about. Sounds like some parts are going to be repainted...but they didnt give me much more info than that.

 

[gilthanis1]

Dealer just told me they can now sell the yellow gt i was inquiring about. Sounds like some parts are going to be repainted...but they didnt give me much more info than that.

That's interesting....... Maybe a 1 in a million shot that the repaint notice was to dealers with yellows on their lot...... Maybe owners get the full monty repaint??? Call me optimistic, but I REALLY don't want to loose my dam yellow Stinger!!!!

 

[somedudedontknowwhoheis]

I disagree with him being a troll, maybe just more pessimistic while some others here seem more (or too) optimistic.

Anyways, I'll be calling Kia tomorrow as well, for options on my car. I also just finished a JD Power survey on the Stinger (I guess Kia had my information to give them for a survey, but not on my headphones ). Curious if Kia holds it's top 3 spot next year after this, and the more serious fire issues I've been reading about.

 

[Fred Pahlke]

I got the same call about mine on Friday afternoon. The first from Kia Corporate and then an hour later I got a call from my local dealership. Both have asked me to call them back. I'll call corporate first on Monday morning as well.

Same here. No paint problems as of today. 12/17 build date on my yellow. Will call them Monday.

 

[forzanerazzurri]

Don't feed the troll. He only has negative things to say and seems to enjoy people having issues.

Huh? What the %&$# is positive about defective paint on a brand new car? I find it ironic how people are acting as cult like torch bearers for Kia even though they cant even wait for the motor to be broken in before replacing every single kia logo on the damn thing. Kia dosent need you to defend them, they have lawyers who will gladly do that, much to your detriment. The situation sucks. I really like this car but there is zero chance ill touch it now until they figure this out. That should really concern you if you are a current owner. This is the reality for many perspective buyers. Stop shitting on pragmatic posters who are trying to assess this situation without blind emotion for the car.

 

[StingerGT68]

Huh? What the %&$# is positive about defective paint on a brand new car? I find it ironic how people are acting as cult like torch bearers for Kia even though they cant even wait for the motor to be broken in before replacing every single kia logo on the damn thing. Kia dosent need you to defend them, they have lawyers who will gladly do that, much to your detriment. The situation sucks. I really like this car but there is zero chance ill touch it now until they figure this out. That should really concern you if you are a current owner. This is the reality for many perspective buyers. Stop shitting on pragmatic posters who are trying to assess this situation without blind emotion for the car.

There's a way to have a conversation about something like this without putting people down who plan to keep enjoying their car after Kia fixes the issue. In your mind it seems there's only one logical path and anyone else who accepts a different solution is being emotional and irrational. Telling Sunset Yellow owners their car is "Lemon coloured" doesn't add to the conversation.

We all know this is a serious situation but actual owners of the car are dealing with it and you're just simply telling everyone that their cars are now worthless. Doesn't seem helpful to me.

 

[Ivansito]

Huh? What the %&$# is positive about defective paint on a brand new car?

Let me reframed this question. How can A positive perspectivebe created by a negative situation? I'm glad you ask.

You see ,in life there will be trials and tributlations. Hopefully some sprinkles of good times but mostly unwanted circumstances. There is no control over these things. But the one thing we do have control over is how we prepare ourselves mentally to eventually overcome these situations. Yes, easy to see the bad situation and call it for what it is. Hard is to see the bad situation and declare that this event will eventually be in your favor. That's having blind hope, despite the negatives. Believing despite not seeing. I believe this situation will, in the end, be our most finest moments. Don't know how, but I have faith.