Headlight Paint Rub

[Grishbok]

Just wondering if anyone else out there is having an issue with the headlight tolerance being too tight and rubbing the paint off the front bumper right beneath the headlight?

 

[Mach_Tuck]

Just wondering if anyone else out there is having an issue with the headlight tolerance being too tight and rubbing the paint off the front bumper right beneath the headlight?

Yes, many are...included in the "Paint Chip" thread...

 

[Grishbok]

Yeah, I want to separate this from the paint-chip thread since it's not really a paint-chip defect so much as it is tolerance issue rubbing the paint off. The headlight is just too closely mounted to the front bumper, I would've thought this would be identified and addressed in the 1 million miles of testing they did for the car.

 

[Mach_Tuck]

Ok - then put me down for a yes!!

 

[Rufus]

Yup to that, though still checking daily to see if my 12/17 Micro Blue is developing similarly reported paint issues. Of course, I saw the thread regarding the paint chipping AFTER I clear-bra'd the entire front end

 

[MerlintheMad]

No rubbing problem here. My Feb 18 build has a rubber bead running all the way around the back of the headlight assembly on the fender (steel). Where the assembly is above the bumper there is no bead, and there is a narrow clearance between the bumper and the edge of the assembly. I can imagine that if the bumper gets really hot in the summer sun, that it might swell to fill that gap. Maybe I can keep a lookout for this theory.

 

[Mach_Tuck]

No rubbing problem here. My Feb 18 build has a rubber bead running all the way around the back of the headlight assembly on the fender (steel). Where the assembly is above the bumper there is no bead, and there is a narrow clearance between the bumper and the edge of the assembly. I can imagine that if the bumper gets really hot in the summer sun, that it might swell to fill that gap. Maybe I can keep a lookout for this theory.

Been over 100F in Phoenix since Mid Feb so Summer is here! Mine developed in mid May.

 

[KiaofMuncie]

I have a new GT2 on the lot. Same issues. 12 miles on her.

 

[KiaofMuncie]

Yeah, I want to separate this from the paint-chip thread since it's not really a paint-chip defect so much as it is tolerance issue rubbing the paint off. The headlight is just too closely mounted to the front bumper, I would've thought this would be identified and addressed in the 1 million miles of testing they did for the car.

If you drive the Stinger under 40mph this will not happen

 

[Weareblondi]

Or, in reverse

 

[A Member Who Left]

I have a new GT2 on the lot. Same issues. 12 miles on her.

A new vehicle with 12 miles on it has not been driven enough for the headlight to be rubbing off paint. This is a factory defect.

 

[KiaofMuncie]

Could of happened during transport as the vehicle shifted back and fourth on transporter. The headlamp sits very close to the bumper. Its not going to take much at all.

 

[Grishbok]

Interesting that it's an even split so far. Need more votes to start digging into it further. I wonder if a particular build group had a bolt over tightened or something. The headlight is extremely close though, i suspect if you don't have this issue, you will. I first noticed mine at 800miles.

I will add that as a temporary fix, I cut a tiny rectangle of protective clear film and placed it over the area where the paint had rubbed off to prevent any further flaking or deterioration of the surrounding paint. I would recommend if you have this problem, do the same as a containment measure.

 

[A Member Who Left]

Guess I am lucky again with silky silver. No issue here and what appears to be an adequate gap. Keep checking though.

 

[eflyguy]

Could of happened during transport as the vehicle shifted back and fourth on transporter. The headlamp sits very close to the bumper. Its not going to take much at all.

Posted this in the Paint chip thread - went out to local dealer and looked at three (new) on the lot - one had the same issue, inside corner of drivers side headlight assembly, looked like the edge of a sticker peeling off. All three, both headlights, were in direct contact with the bumper cover.

A strip of rubber between each part would solve this, I think..

 

[Mach_Tuck]

I will add that as a temporary fix, I cut a tiny rectangle of protective clear film and placed it over the area where the paint had rubbed off to prevent any further flaking or deterioration of the surrounding paint. I would recommend if you have this problem, do the same as a containment measure.

Not a bad idea. I already have PPF on mine and the flaking is just past it. Cannot migrate any further at this point. Makes me wonder what would happen if attempted to remove PPF at this point??

Posted this in the Paint chip thread - went out to local dealer and looked at three (new) on the lot - one had the same issue, inside corner of drivers side headlight assembly, looked like the edge of a sticker peeling off. All three, both headlights, were in direct contact with the bumper cover.

A strip of rubber between each part would solve this, I think..

Unreal...i have a dealer apt early next week for some work on the wife's Sorento and will def check the lot stock there to see if any show this. They have about 20 sitting there now of various trims.

 

[MerlintheMad]

There is a rubber strip under the headlight assembly, but only between the assembly and the steel fender, not over the plastic bumper. On my car there is a clearance gap between the forward part of the headlight and the plastic bumper. On the Chip thread, the Yellow (@BallsAwesome 's car) posted today shows paint failure under the rubber strip, not at the bumper.

 

[SilverNitr8]

Has anybody tried loosening the headlight a bit to see if you can separate the headlight further from the bumper and maybe pit a rubber strip to stop the headlight from rubbing?

 

[MerlintheMad]

Has anybody tried loosening the headlight a bit to see if you can separate the headlight further from the bumper and maybe pit a rubber strip to stop the headlight from rubbing?

The headlight assembly is already cushioned in place all around the fender end by a rubber strip or seal. The bumper end is free floating. Perhaps at that acute point (the forwardmost lower corner where the rubbing occurs) a thinner but similar strip of material could be inserted between the headlight assembly and bumper.

 

[SilverNitr8]

The headlight assembly is already cushioned in place all around the fender end by a rubber strip or seal. The bumper end is free floating. Perhaps at that acute point (the forwardmost lower corner where the rubbing occurs) a thinner but similar strip of material could be inserted between the headlight assembly and bumper.

Yeah Merlin, that's what I was thinking. I just dont have any access to my car right now to see what rubber piece can be inserted in that section to at least stop it from rubbing.

If any dealership know the part number to that rubber piece surrounding the headlight on the outer portion that goes between the headlight and fender, please let me know.