Dratted Paint Blistering - Again
Discussion
My Aston is 2007 V8 Vantage. In common with a lot of other early V8Vs it suffers from paint blisters in the recess around the driver's door handle.
I've been quoted eye-watering prices for correcting 2 small blisters, because (they say) the whole door requires repainting, requiring removal and replacement of all door trim and window glass. One shop even wanted to respray the rear quarter panel, involving removal of the rear bumper!
I'm trying to retain a sense of proportion, but can't reconcile the minimum required to do a decent job. My car is in excellent condition, but will never be entered in a concours - it has paint protection film, which would disqualify it.
From those among us who have had paint blisters repaired, what was involved and how much did it cost? Were you happy with the result?
I just ca't justify £2,000 for a couple of small blisters. It's not that I can't afford it, I'm just not prepared to pay the price of 2 suits of new tyres for what's little more than a cosmetic job.
I've been quoted eye-watering prices for correcting 2 small blisters, because (they say) the whole door requires repainting, requiring removal and replacement of all door trim and window glass. One shop even wanted to respray the rear quarter panel, involving removal of the rear bumper!
I'm trying to retain a sense of proportion, but can't reconcile the minimum required to do a decent job. My car is in excellent condition, but will never be entered in a concours - it has paint protection film, which would disqualify it.
From those among us who have had paint blisters repaired, what was involved and how much did it cost? Were you happy with the result?
I just ca't justify £2,000 for a couple of small blisters. It's not that I can't afford it, I'm just not prepared to pay the price of 2 suits of new tyres for what's little more than a cosmetic job.
Upperworks said:
depends on when in 07 it was built.
If it's over the 10 year corrosion warranty I don't see why they'd do anything. If it's under then have the battle about whether it is actually corrosion or paint etc etc.
Mine was over 10 years and, having been told by the dealer that there was nothing they could do given it's age, I wrote a charming letter to Dr P and he came up trumps. I had spent a small fortune with them over the years mind you. If it's over the 10 year corrosion warranty I don't see why they'd do anything. If it's under then have the battle about whether it is actually corrosion or paint etc etc.
As it happens, I've just discovered the same problem. I've got an 59 V12V and it's happening on my passenger door too. Just got it booked into works to investigate. pretty poor that in this day and age such a basic problem rears its head. I'm of the opinion that quality control in the Bez era was shockingly poor.
woodsypedia said:
As it happens, I've just discovered the same problem. I've got an 59 V12V and it's happening on my passenger door too. Just got it booked into works to investigate. pretty poor that in this day and age such a basic problem rears its head. I'm of the opinion that quality control in the Bez era was shockingly poor.
In all fairness, most cars have faults. We're just very picky about the quality of our AM's 
I genuinely opted for an AM with known niggles such as paint blistering, general "soft" paint, misting-up rear lights, etc. which can all be remedied easily under warranty compared to the major engine issues Porsche had for years (996, 997, Boxsters). It was a shock to me when I researched it imagining the opposite stereotypes in play.
As someone who knows a bit about bodywork and has done a fair amount, I agree that in the case of a metallic paint, you need to paint the whole door at least.
The handle needs to be removed to properly prepare the area for paint which needs the door panel removed. Paint on an Aston Martin should also be " colour sanded" to get the quality finish to match the rest of the car.
You would also need to blend in the clear coat over the adjacent panels to make the painted area fully blend in finish to the rest of the car.
A small blister it may be but the work involved to do it properly is almost as much as an area of notable damage.
If you want to do it on a budget you can mask the handle and try blending in but it's not a Codes and the repair will show.
IMHO, do it properly or leave it.
The handle needs to be removed to properly prepare the area for paint which needs the door panel removed. Paint on an Aston Martin should also be " colour sanded" to get the quality finish to match the rest of the car.
You would also need to blend in the clear coat over the adjacent panels to make the painted area fully blend in finish to the rest of the car.
A small blister it may be but the work involved to do it properly is almost as much as an area of notable damage.
If you want to do it on a budget you can mask the handle and try blending in but it's not a Codes and the repair will show.
IMHO, do it properly or leave it.
I had paint bubbling on the front L panel of a MY16 GT... so it's not only an "age" thing.
Mine however was rectified under warranty (as an aside does extended warranty cover for this paint bubbling?)
It would be interesting to see how the new DB11s go... but as they say it's part of the "charm" ...
It's also a problem on Ferraris: personally seen a 458 Speciale with carbon fibre warping and bubbling in engine bay and a 599 with paint bubbling on the rear Aerofoil...
Mine however was rectified under warranty (as an aside does extended warranty cover for this paint bubbling?)
It would be interesting to see how the new DB11s go... but as they say it's part of the "charm" ...
It's also a problem on Ferraris: personally seen a 458 Speciale with carbon fibre warping and bubbling in engine bay and a 599 with paint bubbling on the rear Aerofoil...
woodsypedia said:
As it happens, I've just discovered the same problem. I've got an 59 V12V and it's happening on my passenger door too. Just got it booked into works to investigate. pretty poor that in this day and age such a basic problem rears its head. I'm of the opinion that quality control in the Bez era was shockingly poor.
I have very light lines around the edge of my passengers door handle , not bad enough to do any thing yet and has not got any worse either 2012 car.Try AV Classics near Tring (near Aylesbury):
http://avclassics.co.uk/
They did my DB9 when I first got her from AM Amersham after their body shops (they tried 2) couldn't get the match, although I paid the bill.
They've done several AM's now, and there very good.
Take a look on their website as they specialise in prestigious marks but prices are VERY good.
Hope that helps.
http://avclassics.co.uk/
They did my DB9 when I first got her from AM Amersham after their body shops (they tried 2) couldn't get the match, although I paid the bill.
They've done several AM's now, and there very good.
Take a look on their website as they specialise in prestigious marks but prices are VERY good.
Hope that helps.
My 2088 DB9 has come back from the paint shop for blistering around the door handle, and at the top of the wheel arches on both rear wings. The door and wings we're resprayed at an approved Aston bodyshop.
It was done under warranty (I did email Dr. Palmer, who got start back to me and absolutely nothing was a problem), and things went like greased lightening.
The car looks outstanding - like brand spanking new.
Customer service like this cannot be faulted, and it kind of ensures that my next car will be another Aston.
It was done under warranty (I did email Dr. Palmer, who got start back to me and absolutely nothing was a problem), and things went like greased lightening.
The car looks outstanding - like brand spanking new.
Customer service like this cannot be faulted, and it kind of ensures that my next car will be another Aston.
Yesterday I was picking up my new AMR carbon fibre sills being painted at the paint shop and I asked the guy about fixing the paint blister at my drivers door handle.
He was very honest and said just leave it as they could not guarantee it would not happen again.
Bearing in mind the very same door has already been painted previously (at a different, but AM approved paint shop) I have decided to just let it be for now.
I fitted Carbon Fibre door handles which a least stop me looking at the paint blister.
Don't let anyone tell you it only happens to older cars as my friend had it on his year old Vantage which he got fixed and then sold it because of that.
He was very honest and said just leave it as they could not guarantee it would not happen again.
Bearing in mind the very same door has already been painted previously (at a different, but AM approved paint shop) I have decided to just let it be for now.
I fitted Carbon Fibre door handles which a least stop me looking at the paint blister.
Don't let anyone tell you it only happens to older cars as my friend had it on his year old Vantage which he got fixed and then sold it because of that.
Manwhoneverwas said:
He was very honest and said just leave it as they could not guarantee it would not happen again.
Bearing in mind the very same door has already been painted previously (at a different, but AM approved paint shop) I have decided to just let it be for now.
I've just had the tiny bit of bubbling below my drivers door mirror re-done after 2 years as it had recurred. Fortunately the AML approved body shop that did it previously offer a lifetime guarantee on work they've done so I've now had it done for free twice Bearing in mind the very same door has already been painted previously (at a different, but AM approved paint shop) I have decided to just let it be for now.
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