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

[A-10Wingman]

Lol, I just noticed it after I detailed it. No sign of impact, just loose paint.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Lol, I just noticed it after I detailed it. No sign of impact, just loose paint.

Down to the primer or metal? How big? What shape? Does it look like it could get bigger???

 

[A-10Wingman]

Oh it's down to the plastic (side skirt) and about a pinky nail in size. It looks like I can grab the piece that is lifted and just peel away

 

[MerlintheMad]

Oh it's down to the plastic (side skirt) and about a pinky nail in size. It looks like I can grab the piece that is lifted and just peel away

Eew! Plastic skirt, right, I wasn't visualizing the location very well. Are you going to touch up over it? I would. After taking pics first, of course.

 

[Revvdmedia]

Well I am joining the paint flaw group. Mine isn't a chip but looks like it is just peeling from the car. Right in front of the driver side rear wheel. Between the side skirt and wheel arch.Taking it to the dealer next week.

Ceramic silver
Born 21 February 2018

I had/have the same problem, it was a substantial area of paint missing with flaking paint that you could peel off with a fingernail. The dealer initially touched it up and I'm going to leave it be as-is but keep an eye on it closely. It hasn't gotten any worse yet.

Mine is snow white pearl, 3/28/18 build.

This was mine before the touch up:



There was another white one on the lot last time I was there with much worse peeling under the driver headlight. The blue one in the showroom didn't have any peel under the headlight.

 

[A-10Wingman]

No touch up. It needs to be sanded, primed and painted again. I really looks like I can just peel the whole thing off

 

[A-10Wingman]

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[A-10Wingman]

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[A-10Wingman]

 

[Luminary]

That looks just like the headlight "rub", just on a different spot.

 

[Revvdmedia]

That's disgusting.

 

[Revvdmedia]

No touch up. It needs to be sanded, primed and painted again. I really looks like I can just peel the whole thing off

How is the paint holding up on the metal surfaces of your car? I have similar issues with my paint (yours is worse), but I haven't found any flaws on the painted metal surfaces yet. I'm only 6 weeks and about 800 miles in though. I'm afraid of what I might find after winter.

 

[A-10Wingman]

Metal seems fine, beside the normal small rock chips here and there. I need to do a complete look over and document for the dealer

 

[MerlintheMad]

Metal seems fine, beside the normal small rock chips here and there. I need to do a complete look over and document for the dealer

Ah, you're in. Not 25 posts. 20?

I have to wonder how far that peel extends. This could be just a small contamination spot issue and not even a primer one. If the primer didn't adhere, then of course the paint is going to come up with the primer. For starters, I don't trust any plastic. It's too bad that cars are completely made of plastic front and rear, and even along the sides (rocker panels). Stupid, really. Imho.

But the real world is made of plastic in large part. So, plastic flex and propensity to absorb contaminants means that paint will be problematic.

If that peel were "mine", I'd pick it like a scab. I couldn't restrain myself. How far does this "rot" go? If it played out right away, well and good: sand, prime and touch up. Hit the dealership for warranty. At least the car won't look like a leprous victim as you drive around. Of course, dropping a generous dollop of touch up paint right on the spot is controlling yourself (not picking the scab), and will surely hold up for days/weeks/months, and be capable of retouching up as needed; until the warranty is honored and the real work of repair carried out.

 

[Revvdmedia]

My thoughts on the headlight peels and skirt peels we see, everything I've seen seems to start at the edge of the plastic part - where the upper side meets the lower side. It makes me wonder about the painting process between the front and the back of the part and if this contributes to this issue. What does it mean? Maybe if the edges don't start peeling, the rest of the flat surface is not compromised? Anything instigating peeling on the edge will start the peeling process, but only there? Just my thoughts.

 

[DiabloStinger]

That is a rough looking peel. They need to repaint that entire piece

 

[Joseph Spiegel]

Looks like the Clear Bra pieces were in the wrong location to protect it. Sigh. Sorry for your grief, A-10...

 

[MerlintheMad]

Looks like the Clear Bra pieces were in the wrong location to protect it. Sigh. Sorry for your grief, A-10...

Those clear patches are only to reduce debris coming from the front wheels, because the flare before the rear wheel wells is vulnerable down low. Ironically, when I took possession of my car, the very first nick I saw was that acute point centered between the three protective patches: black speck amidst the pristine Silky Silver, only c. the size of a small pinhead, but extremely visible because of the location and contrast. Go figure.

 

[Revvdmedia]

(Quote of OT discussion removed)

I blame Kia on this paint issue. I blame them for (at times it seems) trying to blame the customer for the issue (rock chip excuse). I blame them for inadequate painting process when painting cars even for them has been a sound and successful process for many years now. I blame the manufacturing employees if they're the ones to blame for not following procedure which may have contributed to this error. I blame the QC department if these panels had flaking paint in seams and this was not caught under visual review. I also blame Kia's dealership network for not noticing these issues when doing PDI (that they try to charge your for!) as many have found these issues with on-the-lot vehicles. I have worked in manufacturing, particularly supply chain, for years now. I know a thing or two about making non-compliant product and the repercussions of it.

This paint issue is 100% Kia's fault, and on their "halo" car no less. Regardless of how well built or how good their other models are, this will become a stain on their reputation and they'll never fully break free of "just a Kia" if they don't absolutely nail this car.

I do also believe that Kia will eventually fix all these issues. They want to be seen as a top tier manufacturer, worldwide. You can't build a car like this, trying to complete with German "luxury" and expect things like this to slide. I fully expect Kia will pay their dues to correct this issue, but it's obviously not fixed across the board yet.

While I've already decided I'm going to monitor my paint and not act on it just yet, Kia's treatment when I do choose how to proceed will decide how I choose to publicize it. I work with someone with a smaller but growing Canadian car related channel and I know how to get the word up to the big guys (networking) and will do so if this is not handled properly. Trust me, if none of you are able, I will do my best to get this brought to light depending on how mine turns out.

 

[MerlintheMad]

(OT quote and comments deleted)

I have noticed the crappy look of bumpers turning different shades and shedding paint (not from accidents either). For literally decades I have disliked the design of cars adopting plastic bumpers. I feel that ALL painted surfaces/parts should be made of the same grade of metal. And that chrome should be metallic not plastic, etc.