PAINT/FINISH QUALITY: How's Your's??

[CottyGee]

How's the quality of your paint?? I'm not too happy with mine, to be honest. I really really like the car - but am disappointed with the quality of the paint job. There are two pieces of "dirt" in the paint - little "bumps" that are about half the size of the head of a pin - one on the rear pillar on the driver's side, and another on the top, near the centerline, back toward the rear window.

I took a picture that shows the overall quality of the finish. There is orange peel all over the finish, and what I've heard called "FLA" in the hood and top. ("FLA" is a reference to the texture of an overweight woman's posterior.) To see the orange peel, you have to view the image "full sized", rather than shrunk down like some browsers do... The file is about 500K in size.

The second pic of the dark car is what a world-class paint job looks like. IMO, if Chrysler wants to try to complete with the high-end European and Japanese luxury performance sedan segment, they've gotta step up to the plate with regard to the single most important factor in the emotional impact of the car...

• My car
  
• The competition

[pd171]

Mine does not have that orange peel look. It looks like there was to much heat during the drying process. I would try to get Chrysler to repaint your car. I think the quality of the paint on mine is about the same as the BMW I traded in for the C.

[5point7]

I don't have OP, but have noticed 2 very small areas in the paint on mine where it appears there is an imperfection. IMO you can look at it 2 ways. 1st is character. 2nd is low paint quality. Was I a little upset when I found them for the first time? YES!
**My daughter (12) today says to me in the grocery store parking lot.
Why do people everywhere we go stare at your car??
Suddenly, the 2 paint imperfections in it became character....

I looked at both pictures - how much was the BMW? As far as "competing" with the high-end Euro and Japanese luxury performance cars, what are you considering high-end? The guy driving the BMW won't be able to see your paint anyway....you'll be out of focus and all he'll see is little red lights.

There are some sacrifices in materials with the 300 - thus the price point...it's one hell of a car for the money though! (I know you agree as you drive one too!).

[CottyGee]

Originally Posted by pd171

I would try to get Chrysler to repaint your car.

Thanks for the replies, guys.

As for repainting, I'm reluctant, actually. The concern I have is with the quality of the non-factory paint job, since it can't be cured like it is at the factory. But maybe I should pursue it, I dunno. I've heard white paints are the hardest paints around, so maybe that offsets somewhat the benefit of the factory baking...

Prolly, they'd just need to wetsand and re-clear. Orange peel in an of itself isn't a terrible thing - it just has to be removed with wetsanding, and then you can have a truly terrific looking paintjob!

I'm just curious what you all have received - if my paint is really sub-par for the car... (Knowing that will help in addressing the issue, if I choose to do so...)

[5point7]

If you think your's is a prob, rather than the dealer, try and take it to reputable body shop, stop by there and ask their opinion - especially if you know someone there. I know quite a few, and when they do it for a living, they will tell you whether you have a prob or not.
Good luck! I hope you love your C as much as I do.

[C-Man]

I also have orange peel and several pimples on the car. I also noticed the OP on the C's at the dealer when I was last there so I just figured that was SOP.

[Krock43]

I'm wondering are there specific colors that have the OP? I have a BB C and yes it does have a couple of small imperfections ( little white dots ) in the pant but overall I think the paint quality is great.

[300c Ryder]

My buddy owns a paint shop... This winter i am having it repainted w/ a bit more class to the Vanilla that is already there... Wet sanded and buffed will make it look a whole lot nicer... I'll post pics of my new scheme soon...

[Redman]

Originally Posted by CottyGee

IMO, if Chrysler wants to try to complete with the high-end European and Japanese luxury performance sedan segment, they've gotta step up to the plate with regard to the single most important factor in the emotional impact of the car...

Look pal, the single most important factor in the emotional impact of the car is the ENGINE!
That "world-class paint job" comes with a pretty high price - NO PERFORMANCE!
What are you, some kinda shill for the competition (who really must be worried sending guys like you out on the Internet UNARMED)?

[jeepgrady]

Maybe it's my eyes, but I can't see anything wrong in your picture. Sure, if you have little specks of dirt, that sucks. You have to make a decision whether to just live with it, or risk the chance that it will look worse after the dealer messes wiith it. I had some paint imperfections with my Liberty, and the dealer was able to wet sand it and it looked perfect afterwards.

As for me, I have the Cool Vanilla, and I must say, paint wise, this is the best quality job I have seen on any of my new vehicle purchases.