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

[StingerGT68]

I'm dealing with this issue right now. I got my car back 3 weeks ago, and every shop in AZ I have contacted will NOT install a PPF until the clearcoat has cured, unless they have in writing from KIA or the paint shop that they will not be held liable if the paint comes up while installing. Even after three weeks, my clear coat is still soft with a simple fingernail pressure test.

Wow, very interesting! Is that normal for clear coat to stay that soft for that long??

 

[Expert4]

It is recommended you wait a minimum of 30 days and if possible up to 60 days before getting film installed. 30 days minimum is needed for the solvents to cure in the paint. I will be waiting the full 60 days or close to it just to make sure my paint is perfectly cured and able to take the abuse of film being applied lifted and reapplied if needed.

 

[SilverNitr8]

slightly off topic, but is your interior color really gray or is it more of a beige color?

 

[Christopher]

I'm dealing with this issue right now. I got my car back 3 weeks ago, and every shop in AZ I have contacted will NOT install a PPF until the clearcoat has cured, unless they have in writing from KIA or the paint shop that they will not be held liable if the paint comes up while installing. Even after three weeks, my clear coat is still soft with a simple fingernail pressure test.

Hoping this helps... Check with the bodyshop that did the work and ask them how long the curing time is on the paint they used. Depending on the type of paint, clear coat, etc. Rapid clear application allows for PPF to be applied the next day, some you need 72 hours and some 60 days. It all depends on the process used and the bodyshop should know what process they used, what materials and the curing times before application of PPF. If the paint shop can't tell you that, then that's another issue. This is good to know because I'll be going through the same thing so I'll be curious as to what your bodyshop says.

 

[MisterMac]

slightly off topic, but is your interior color really gray or is it more of a beige color?

I'm not sure whose car you meant, but mine is Grey

 

[SilverNitr8]

I'm not sure whose car you meant, but mine is Grey

Ok thanks. I just saw some pics and they looked beige so it must have been the lighting.

 

[MisterMac]

Ok thanks. I just saw some pics and they looked beige so it must have been the lighting.

Let me put it this way. It is named light grey, however it is closer to the color of moderately creamed coffee.

 

[Mach_Tuck]

@Mach_Tuck: I added an "Optimistic" vote. Even if Kia won't repaint everything under the SB, they surely will under warranty. There is no way on earth that a repaint will return crappy bumpers still untouched! There is no way that Kia will expect you to take twice as long to get your car finished: which is what would occur if the bumpers had to repainted subsequent to the metal panels being painted!? The only issue I see with any of these decisions is if Kia insists that the front bumper damage is from road debris. If you clearly document that most or all of it cannot be road debris, then it has to be covered under warranty.

From page 14 in the warranty manual https://www.kia.com/us/k3/content/media/all/warranty/2018_warranty.pdf
2. What is Not Covered • Any perforation due to corrosion of the Kia Vehicle which is caused by industrial fallout, accident, damage, abuse, vehicle modifications or damaging or corrosive cargo in the Kia Vehicle. • Any surface corrosion of the Kia Vehicle which does not result in perforation, such as that caused typically by sand, salt, hail or stones. • Any perforation due to corrosion of a part of the Kia Vehicle which is not a body sheet metal panel. As used herein, “body sheet metal panel” specifically excludes all parts which are components of the exhaust system of the Kia Vehicle. • Defects or damage resulting from the use of parts not sold or approved by Kia including the resultant damage to associated parts or systems. • Any perforation due to corrosion of the Kia Vehicle caused in whole or in part by a failure to maintain the Kia Vehicle in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph 3. “Your Responsibilities”

Obviously, bumpers are not "corroded" in just a few months of the first year. And picture evidence taken by a dealer will be accepted by Kia as proof of not being caused by "stones", etc. In bold, we have a possible "out" for Kia, but I am counting on not this early! Chipping/flaking paint is not due to any corrosion. Nor has enough time elapsed to result in the amount of damage seen due to stones/debris; not on this many cars. They've admitted as much with the Yellows. And all other colors exhibiting identical characteristics must be treated as non corrosive damage due to paint failure, i.e the warranty must cover it.

Thanks @MerlintheMad. I am not quite sure i agree about the bold statement with regard to the bumpers. The "perforation" warranty is different from the "paint" warranty as i understand. That being the case, they would NOT, in my opinion, have an out for paint issues on the bumper under the statement you posted above. I will def read this again closer to be certain.

For me specifically, ALL of the "damage" to my bumpers are related to the headlight area and are between the edge of the bumper and PPF. Otherwise, i would say that 98% of my bumper is covered...last 2% is the 2-3mm border edge. There is NO way a rock could have impacted the areas where the paint is lifting. Originally the dealer, while on the phone, said it was rock damage because, hey its AZ. Once they saw it, it was clear it was not. Throw on that the fact that the showroom car with 12 miles has similar paint damage on the bumper and its almost a foregone conclusion.

All in all, i am satisfied with how KIA is handling this so far as they seem to be reviewing my requests in good faith. Should that stop then additional action or option will be taken on my part.

 

[eflyguy]

You don't need to let it cure 4-6 weeks. Two weeks should be more than fine. Call the Xpel dealer near you and see what they suggest.

Please provide a credible reference for this statement.

As covered above, some paint or clearcoat can be ready for wax or PP films and coating in as little as a day. Some can take 90 days.

It depends on the specific product, how it was applied and, if appropriate, finished (i.e. baked) - and even different bake processes can make a huge difference. Applying the wrong clearcoat over paint that wasn't ready for it can also cause a problem.

It's also not about how hard the finish is. It's a chemical process that if not allowed to complete can cause the product to fail. The most common term used is "gassing out" and that's the best layman's term to describe it as it's easy to imagine how protective coatings would prevent it.

The body shop should be able to tell you. If they can't, you might consider choosing a different one.

 

[Mach_Tuck]

Please provide a credible reference for this statement.

As covered above, some paint or clearcoat can be ready for wax or PP films and coating in as little as a day. Some can take 90 days.

It depends on the specific product, how it was applied and, if appropriate, finished (i.e. baked) - and even different bake processes can make a huge difference. Applying the wrong clearcoat over paint that wasn't ready for it can also cause a problem.

It's also not about how hard the finish is. It's a chemical process that if not allowed to complete can cause the product to fail. The most common term used is "gassing out" and that's the best layman's term to describe it as it's easy to imagine how protective coatings would prevent it.

The body shop should be able to tell you. If they can't, you might consider choosing a different one.

Thanks...very good to know and i will certainly be adding this to my list of questions to be asking the body shop that Kia chooses for me...as of right now, i have not been given the choice to choose the shop.

 

[KiaofMuncie]

Good news for me. Got my baby back today with her brand new freshly painted bumper PLUS Xpel covering the entire front-end (Hood, bumper, headlights, mirror backs, a-pillars and both fenders)

View attachment 11122 View attachment 11123

How soon did you have the Xpel put on after paint?

 

[Candace Smith]

I bought my car in April and have noticed 5 chips in the hood. I live in Canada and When I took it to the dealership they say it is rock chips and they wont cover the paint on warranty. I Know for a fact that it is NOT rock chips it is flaking . Dealership has been awful to deal with.. I hope KIA steps up and addresses these paint issues. Don't get me wrong I LOVE the car but when there is a flaw as big as this it needs to be addressed properly to make customers want to keep dealing with Kia and refer others to buy these cars.

 

[StingerGT68]

Please provide a credible reference for this statement.

As covered above, some paint or clearcoat can be ready for wax or PP films and coating in as little as a day. Some can take 90 days.

It depends on the specific product, how it was applied and, if appropriate, finished (i.e. baked) - and even different bake processes can make a huge difference. Applying the wrong clearcoat over paint that wasn't ready for it can also cause a problem.

It's also not about how hard the finish is. It's a chemical process that if not allowed to complete can cause the product to fail. The most common term used is "gassing out" and that's the best layman's term to describe it as it's easy to imagine how protective coatings would prevent it.

The body shop should be able to tell you. If they can't, you might consider choosing a different one.

My "credible reference" is experience. As you said, some coating can be ready in a day. In my case, I was advised to wait 4 days by the Xpel installer and the painter, so I waited two weeks to be extra careful. My case is my case only, and that's what I was speaking on. As made obvious to me now, some clear coats can take longer.

As I said in my original post, call the Xpel dealer and see what they suggest.

 

[MisterMac]

How soon did you have the Xpel put on after paint?

I am not 100% percent certain. Long-answer: The bumper was here on-site for 7 days before it went to have the Xpel Ultimate installed. I am guessing they painted the Blue on Monday-Tuesday and the clear coat on Wednesday. I dropped my car of Wednesday afternoon. The bumper swap was done on Thursday and the Xpel was installed Friday-Saturday.

The short answer is less than 3 days between paint completion and Xpel install.

 

[jondyer]

I dropped my car off this morning. The body shop there says that they will most likely just do the bumper as well. We will see.

I asked my service adviser about them putting the PPF on the car when they were done. She said they'd get back to me but she'd ask the service manager.

The only complaint that I have about this whole process (so far) is that I am currently driving a Nissan Versa...... wow, just wow. Feels like I am going in reverse when I step on the gas.

 

[Mach_Tuck]

Dealer actually called me today and said they were ready for my car. Mind you i have not contacted them yet to schedule anything as i am still waiting on questions to be answered from Case Rep. Dealer advised they (the dealer) would cover the cost for the bumper flaking and also cover the cost for re-install of the PPF...which by the way said would be done the next day after paint so who knows on that one. The company they are using for the PPF is one of the best in the area so that is good. The body shop is "in house" so i need to do some added research on that one.

All of this was verbal at this point so will wait to confirm with case rep before car is dropped off.

He did also mention they would be using Enterprise for a rental so ill be sure not request a "non versa"

 

[MerlintheMad]

The "perforation" warranty is different from the "paint" warranty as i understand.

Where is this "paint warranty"?

 

[MisterMac]

Where is this "paint warranty"?

Seriously, it's detailed in the first pages of the owners manual..

 

[MerlintheMad]

Seriously, it's detailed in the first pages of the owners manual..

"Show me." There is nadda about paint in my owners manual, no warranty "talk" of any kind whatsoever.

 

[Sabz]

"Show me." There is nadda about paint in my owners manual, no warranty "talk" of any kind whatsoever.

Isn’t that what a bumper to bumper warranty is ?