Paint problem - please advise

myvet · #1 (**permalink**) 10-10-08, 03:45 PM

I bought a new 2008 CTS Labor Day weekend. At that time I noticed that the paint (black) had what appeared to be water spots in the paint. The salesman told me that it just needed buffed, but they could not do it because it was the weekend. She guaranteed me they would come out with the buffing, and wrote me a work order to allow me get it buffed anywhere. Well, on Monday I returned the car to the dealer to get it buffed. They buffed and buffed, and then told me that the spots will Not come out, they are IN the paint. They said I needed to speak with the GM factory rep, who would not be in town for 6 - 8 week!!!! In the meantime, they have buffed off all the wax, and did NOT rewax the car. I live in Arizona (100 + degrees today), but bought the car in Las Vegas (nearest true Cadillac dealer) 2 1/2 hours drive away. I am concerned that the car does not have any wax, however I am worried that if I wax the car, they will blame the spots on me. The dealership told me that they will most likely repaint the car. I find this unacceptable because they will never get the paint as good as a "factory" paint job. The car looks much worse after the buff than it did before.

What I am asking this group for is some suggestions on what I should do, and what I should ask the dealership/factory to do. I feel like they should give me a new car, but I don't know if that is reasonable. hat would you do, and has anyone heard of anything like this before????

Thanks

rmbcar31 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-10-08, 04:29 PM

Hello This should come under the new car warranty. Don,t try to wax or do anything.Call Cadillac Connections /Customer Assistance Center/ 1-800-333-4CAD. Make a complaint with them. I had paint problems from day one. They took the ball got things rolling and got my paint problem fixed to my satisfaction. Good Luck and be Patient.

KW5413 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-10-08, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myvet

... The dealership told me that they will most likely repaint the car. I find this unacceptable because they will never get the paint as good as a "factory" paint job.

Apparently, your current "factory job...ain't to good.

I would contact the selling dealer whose salesman guaranteed that the spots could be buffed out...time for a pow wow.

The Drakester · #4 (**permalink**) 10-10-08, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KW5413

Apparently, your current "factory job...ain't to good.

I would contact the selling dealer whose salesman guaranteed that the spots could be buffed out...time for a pow wow.

Sage advice!

voodoodr · #5 (**permalink**) 10-10-08, 08:25 PM

Sorry to hear of your problem. However, if you do not want them to repaint the car as a solution to your problem, what solution are you seeking? A new vehicle?

Best of luck getting it fixed.

1stCad · #6 (**permalink**) 10-10-08, 08:27 PM

I would be shocked if they had to repaint the car. I'd bet it is not from a faulty paint job but from a BLACK car in the desert that got wet either by a thunderstorm or a careless hose or sprinkler and let to dry in the desert sun. This will do it every time and if the car was dirty prior it will only make it worse. I have my doubts the people your dealership put on your car knew what the hell they were doing. They are mostly soap, spray wax and tire dressing qualified at best. You said she wrote out a work order for you to get it detailed anywhere. I would find the most reputable detail shop (one that deals in high end cars) in your area and have them take a look at it. Any dark color, especially BLACK, is a pain to take care of and only more so when you live in the desert. Good Luck

myvet · #7 (**permalink**) 10-10-08, 08:34 PM

I hope you are right, and that a body shop will be able to fix it. One of my employee's husband is a paint man at a high end bodyshop, and I will be meeting with him to get his opinion.

I am just shocked that they want me to wait 2 months to meet a factory rep - what is that all about except a stall tactic......

rmbcar31 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-10-08, 08:44 PM

Is your car under warranty?

cts_mark · #9 (**permalink**) 10-10-08, 10:08 PM

Another problem could be that the people who buffed it may have done more damage to it than was originally there.

I do hope it all work out for you.

-Mark

myvet · #10 (**permalink**) 10-10-08, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmbcar31

Is your car under warranty?

Yes, I purchased it new.

myvet · #11 (**permalink**) 10-10-08, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cts_mark

Another problem could be that the people who buffed it may have done more damage to it than was originally there.

I do hope it all work out for you.

-Mark

I am seriously concerned that is the case. The car looks much worse now than before. I am considering taking it to a local GM (not cadillac) dealer in the area to see what they say - and if a factory rep will be here to look at it before 2 months.

1stCad · #12 (**permalink**) 10-10-08, 11:47 PM

There is no reason to wait 2 months for a factory rep. Insist on them letting you take and get it detailed by a professional detailer. The paint today is actually pretty tough and can take quite a bit of abuse and still recover. It is has a base coat (black) followed by a clear coat. If there are any flaws such as orange peeling (not totally glass smooth but similar to the texture of an orange) they can be taken care of by what is referred to as color sanding and buffing out using various compounds that will bring it to swirl free deep lustrous finish. No other color responds as well as black. That would be the the extreme and I don't think that will be necessary with your car. It sounds like they just did not know what the hell they were doing. If by the very remote chance its something else and can't be taken care of by a detailer I would insist on a re-paint or a new car. Anything else in my opinion would be unacceptable.

bobelew · #13 (**permalink**) 10-11-08, 12:05 AM

I'm not to sure that I would want a repaint. There is no way they can duplicate a factory paint job anywhere except at the factory. If a high end detail cannot resolve the problem, I think that I would be asking for a new car. But I would definetly check with a high end detailer because some of them can work wonders on these new cars. If they cannot....New Car!
Good luck and please keep us posted.

1stCad · #14 (**permalink**) 10-11-08, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobelew

I'm not to sure that I would want a repaint. There is no way they can duplicate a factory paint job anywhere except at the factory.

I don't know where you got this idea but you are so wrong. With the paints used today and a decent painter it is very easy to match any factory job, including the factory IMPERFECTIONS. Custom paint jobs in some of the finer shops in Calif. are now going for close 20K for just a base coat clear. The talent out there today is more then capable at producing a factory job. The paint coming out of the factory is the best I've seen but inferior from what is being produced in a lot of shops.

RustedElvis · #15 (**permalink**) 10-11-08, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stCad

Custom paint jobs in some of the finer shops in Calif. are now going for close 20K for just a base coat clear. .

20 thousand for a base coat