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

[Kato_the_kia_stinger]

Absolutely awful day for my Stinger today with paint (Black). Was doing a re-badge on the front as I've done with other cars in the past, so I figured there wouldn't be any problems. After removing the badge, however, I noticed that quite a bit of paint came off with it . I've never had something like this happen before, and I feel terrible. My wife suggested touch up paint where the new badge doesn't cover the bad spots, but I don't think the adhesion will be good long term. Looks like this $25ish badge will end up costing me hundreds to repair. Any chance just this section can be re-painted or might they tell me the whole bumper will need a re-paint for matching?

I also noticed several paint chips on the hood. This paint just doesn't seem very good overall.

What was your removal process?

 

[nhcowboy28]

As much as everyone is afraid of heat, you have to soften the adhesive (especially early build cars). Low settings. 6-12 inch away. Then slowly using a rubber wedge/spatula. Using fishing line / hard plastic / brute force will cause damage.

 

[Calsonicgtr]

As much as everyone is afraid of heat, you have to soften the adhesive (especially early build cars). Low settings. 6-12 inch away. Then slowly using a rubber wedge/spatula. Using fishing line / hard plastic / brute force will cause damage.

I did do the heat gun, but also the fishing line unfortunately

 

[nhcowboy28]

So I suggest instead of a circle badge up front, you go with a different oval that will cover the damaged area (vintage k or something custom).

Emblemsonly has a good selection.

 

[Calsonicgtr]

I'm actually going with the Vintage K, but some of the damage extends past the new badge. If I put the badge over that area and touchup anything still visible will that badge stay on?

 

[nhcowboy28]

I'm actually going with the Vintage K, but some of the damage extends past the new badge. If I put the badge over that area and touchup anything still visible will that badge stay on?

Yep. Still go through the effort to clean the are under the badge with alcohol, then if you have it some adhesion promoter. Won’t be an issue.

 

[Jean]

I'm believe @Kia Stinger can get you a badge slightly bigger so that you can cover that monster. It may be a little pricey as it is one off, but it won't be several hundredths. Hit him up and see if he can help

 

[MerlintheMad]

I also noticed several paint chips on the hood. This paint just doesn't seem very good overall.

I for one would like to weigh in about the hood chips. Could you take pics?

For sure, paint issues plague some cars. Sorry that yours seems to be one of the unfortunate. Probably, if the "chips" on your hood are not large or numerous, and you don't see any chipping elsewhere, this would be a good time to get your car protected in PPF and/or ceramic. It's either that, or watch your paint get injured in the next few years to the point that only a respray will make it look good again. If you find that paint is chipping off here and there, and it looks like a serious widespread adhesion problem, then Kia has a 36 month paint warranty for a reason.

 

[cornpop1]

Those are really small, and apparently where impacts could occur, especially over a distance of 6300 miles. The headlight assembly chipping looks minor too, compared to some I have seen. It could have looked exactly like that on the dealership lot and not have gotten any worse. Most sellers and buyers don't even see those. Unless the paint actually peels away from the headlight assembly, it won't get any worse than the initial chipping. (I've only seen one "peeler" out of c. eight or nine cars that I inspected; the rest were minor chipping, and only one car had chipping under both headlight assemblies, that was the one with peeling chips.)

When a nick or flake is that small, it is a perfect subject for touch up paint: a tiny dot of paint dropped in the hole, from the end of a toothpick, will make the flaw invisible, especially if you remove the slight excess. Then, PPF that baby!

Hi MerlintheMad,
I agree that the chipping is minor and a normal thing to occur. However, I would like to state that all other cars I have owned, when chipped, you can still see some type of the same color paint underneath. For my car, I just see the actual naked bumper. It feels like the actual thickness or composition of this paint on my car at least isn't made to take dings or hits as well as other more quality painted cars. A few dings here and there are okay, but what happens when I am at 63000 miles? Getting PPF is always good for a new car, but should not be the go-to thing to do. That sort of feels like I have to get PFF to cover up a thin paint problem. I am also worried that because the paint chipped so easily, it is more prone for the current chips to peel/flake into bigger chips over time from natural erosion from regular driving and various weather conditions. Don't get me wrong though, I absolutely love the car, but I just don't think Stinger owners should even have to think twice about paint quality. Though the issue is small, and may be only related to a handful of owners, it is still an issue to me. I shouldn't have to accept the headlight assembly peel just because it is barely noticeable. And it could just be a matter of time when it becomes more and more noticeable. I just hope 2019 owners won't have to deal with this.

Thanks!

 

[MerlintheMad]

Don't get me wrong though, I absolutely love the car, but I just don't think Stinger owners should even have to think twice about paint quality. Though the issue is small, and may be only related to a handful of owners, it is still an issue to me. I shouldn't have to accept the headlight assembly peel just because it is barely noticeable. And it could just be a matter of time when it becomes more and more noticeable. I just hope 2019 owners won't have to deal with this.

It looks like they might have to deal with MY19 paint issues too; but in smaller numbers yet? We can't tell yet.

I agree that paint shouldn't be an issue. But it is. And not just a Kia issue. Paint isn't what it used to be, both chemistry and thickness. One of the economies that Kia employed to keep the Stinger's cost down was the way they paint the car. If you have the first signs of paint issues, the determinant is how bad. If they look not very numerous or large, then PPF after touch up of the few nicks is the only recommendation. Realistically, if you don't PPF, your car is going to look pretty sad in a few years. I don't see any way out, other than to not buy new cars to begin with.

 

[forzanerazzurri]

It looks like they might have to deal with MY19 paint issues too; but in smaller numbers yet? We can't tell yet.

I agree that paint shouldn't be an issue. But it is. And not just a Kia issue. Paint isn't what it used to be, both chemistry and thickness. One of the economies that Kia employed to keep the Stinger's cost down was the way they paint the car. If you have the first signs of paint issues, the determinant is how bad. If they look not very numerous or large, then PPF after touch up of the few nicks is the only recommendation. Realistically, if you don't PPF, your car is going to look pretty sad in a few years. I don't see any way out, other than to not buy new cars to begin with.

The paint issues seen on the Stinger are not consistent with the "downsides of modern paint" and the general statement you made linking the two is absurd. The stingers paint issues are not consistent with or typical of what the average owner will experience in the current new car market. You're being disingenuous, again...

 

[MerlintheMad]

The paint issues seen on the Stinger are not consistent with the "downsides of modern paint" and the general statement you made linking the two is absurd. The stingers paint issues are not consistent with or typical of what the average owner will experience in the current new car market. You're being disingenuous, again...

And you are apparently assigning only adherence as the cause of all the paint failures/flaws. Until he posts pictures of what he's describing you nor I can know whether it is down to the primer coat or bare metal. Recently, a "paint failure" was turned into nothing by a thorough detail: what looked like might be chips was only clear coat and it came out. Modern paint does compare poorly with earlier paint for durability and quality. If we want paint like yesteryear we have to consider either a body shop and complete strip and respray, or buy an upper tier priced car.

 

[jondyer]

I own several new cars.

Huh?

Where are you getting this information?

Not one of the 12 cars I bought in the last 5 years exhibit this issue, save the Stinger. Not one. Not the Mazdas (6 sport, CX7, CX9 or Mazda 3), not either Hyundai Genesis, not either Jeep Grand Cherokee, Kia Soul, either Toyota.

Spending years as an engineer who has an admitted "car ADHD" problem, I've run into this once or twice and both times it was an issue of significant merit that the manufacturer had recalls. Granted bmw took their sweet time, but it was acknowledged.

I simply don't follow what you're saying. It might be correct, but I think that simply more than assertions, I might want a link or two so I can do some research myself. I am still open minded and willing to learn.

Please demonstrate where you found this information.

 

[TwiceStung]

I’ve owned more cars in 35 years than I care to admit. I recall my 1986 Toyota pickup having more durable paint. Granted, it rusted from underneath, but they eventually fixed that. Lol. I swear if I look at the Stinger paint the wrong way it leaves a mark.

Corolla
Santa Fe
Lexus
Sportage
Stinger
Outback
Tundra....2003 still shines w/no rust
Elantra
Odyssey
Camry
Sonata(s)
F150
Civic (hood was thin - they repainted)
Integra
Protege
T100
Grand Caravan(s)

I’m sure I missed a few. Brain hurts thinkin of all that money. Ha!

 

[MerlintheMad]

Please demonstrate where you found this information.

Here? Way back there in this thread it was talked about, including the BMW paint flap you mention. How the paint these days does not hold up like the old paint did. It was discussed quite a bit.

On the subject of this thread specifically, paint quality, we can segue to the three types of base coat:

Water-borne paint is the dominant paint process in the US. I don't know about Korea. And I don't know how an individual vehicle when purchased used can be determined as to which paint process, solvent-borne medium solids (MS), solvent-borne high solids (HS), or water-borne, the buyer is getting.

HS is less environmentally impacting than MS; and water-borne is the most environmentally friendly. There is no way that water-borne paint is going to hold up like HS or MS.

Regardless, the Stinger process is new, vis-a-vis new factory setup; so impurities can get into the painting process before they are discovered and eradicated. Those here who assert that Kia's painting process on the Stinger is crap/cheap have the burden of proof: and the evidence clearly does not support such an assertion. Very few Stingers have paint failures. Those few which exhibit "blistering—bubbling, pitted, or swollen appearance [can be attributed to these kinds of] causes: Trapped solvents; painting over dirt or moisture." Evolution of the Automotive Body Coating Process—A Review If a car comes back from a body shop and soon manifests these problems, painted over rust can also be a culprit. But these problems are rare, therefore Kia's painting process on the Stinger is not at fault; but temporary contaminants as the painting process is nailed down could be.

@TwiceStung Now, Durability, that is a whole nother subject.

 

[jondyer]

Here? Way back there in this thread it was talked about, including the BMW paint flap you mention. How the paint these days does not hold up like the old paint did. It was discussed quite a bit.

Water-borne paint is the dominant paint process in the US. I don't know about Korea. And I don't know how an individual vehicle when purchased used can be determined as to which paint process, solvent-borne medium solids (MS), solvent-borne high solids (HS), or water-borne, the buyer is getting.

HS is less environmentally impacting than MS; and water-borne is the most environmentally friendly. There is no way that water-borne paint is going to hold up like HS or MS.

Regardless, the Stinger process is new, vis-a-vis new factory setup; so impurities can get into the painting process before they are discovered and eradicated. Those here who assert that Kia's painting process on the Stinger is crap/cheap have the burden of proof: and the evidence clearly does not support such an assertion. Very few Stingers have paint failures. Those few which exhibit "blistering—bubbling, pitted, or swollen appearance [can be attributed to these kinds of] causes: Trapped solvents; painting over dirt or moisture." Evolution of the Automotive Body Coating Process—A Review If a car comes back from a body shop and soon manifests these problems, painted over rust can also be a culprit. But these problems are rare, therefore Kia's painting process on the Stinger is not at fault; but temporary contaminants as the painting process is nailed down could be.

@TwiceStung Now, Durability, that is a whole nother subject.

I will read over a Scotch.

Thanks for the information.

 

[TwiceStung]

I will read over a Scotch.

Thanks for the information.

I’ll take two please.

 

[Jimmer]

wow, some of you guys must be truly loaded to be able to afford a ton of cars in so little time. I mean, I do really well, but two new car payments is my limit.

 

[TwiceStung]

wow, some of you guys must be truly loaded to be able to afford a ton of cars in so little time. I mean, I do really well, but two new cars is my limit.

My list was mostly used and over 35 years, with 5 drivers in the family the past several years. It was long before the kids were of driving age (now they’re 19-24) that we had few if any car payments. It IS painful.

 

[Jimmer]

My list was mostly used and over 35 years, with 5 drivers in the family the past several years. It was long before the kids were of driving age (now they’re 19-24) that we had few if any car payments. It IS painful.

Yeah, my kids will have vehicles when they buy them. Well my youngest, my only daughter, might get a car for graduation ;-)