VW Paint problem

[CJM36]

Hi guys

Purchased a MK7 Golf GTI Launch edition in January, 1 owner from new, sold by my local VW Dealer.
Long story short, I bought that over a different MK7 GTI, not sold by a VW dealer, because of various concerns, one being paint which looked like it had a terrible respray - the colour, not just the clear, bubbling, as if there’s solvent under the paint.

However, washed my car today. And the front end has started to do the same as the other car. It feels rough to the touch, and I know it’s original because the west is consistent with the mileage, and the guy who detailed my car used a depth gauge and verified the paint appears original.

Have any of you experienced this before? Will VW just laugh at me if I try to see if they will sort it?
The car is under a VW warranty.

[aaron_2000]

Christ that's appalling, reminds me of a badly rattlecanned patch I had on an old ML. Does the VW paintwork guarantee require it to have full dealer service history and an inspection? I'd 100% be chasing them up, that isn't acceptable at all. On a 10+ year old car you could write that off as being kinda crap factory paint, but not on something that's presumably only a few years old.

[V8covin]

Looks like it's been painted to me.

[CJM36]

aaron_2000 said:

Christ that's appalling, reminds me of a badly rattlecanned patch I had on an old ML. Does the VW paintwork guarantee require it to have full dealer service history and an inspection? I'd 100% be chasing them up, that isn't acceptable at all. On a 10+ year old car you could write that off as being kinda crap factory paint, but not on something that's presumably only a few years old.

Hahah I know, shocker!
I’m going to have a look at the warranty info and get my facts straight before I make a Wally of myself at VW, but it has full VW history and they sold it as an approved car so I’d certainly hope there’s some comeback in that.

[CJM36]

V8covin said:

Looks like it's been painted to me.

I’d have said the same if it wasn’t for the fact I’ve seen it on other VW’s of this age.
Again it could even look like a Stevie wonder impersonator has given it a smart repair.

[Miserablegit]

Some modern paint finishes are shocking.
I was in a dealer waiting for a service to be completed and was looking at some of the showroom cars. This was an electric mini

[Bonzo1930]

Hi, when was it first registered? Factory warranty on paint is 3 years, the approved used warranty won't cover paintwork.

[Evercross]

My neighbour has an MG ZS. Not a spectacular car by any manner of means but every time I walk past it it catches my eye and it occurred to me a while ago why. It is a dark metallic blue and the paint and clear-coat finish on it is as smooth as glass and the depth of the reflection on the paint would not be out of place on a Rolls Royce.

I am putting this down to European manufacturers using exclusively water-based paint finishes now. It is difficult to get a good finish with water-based stuff on a speedy production line (BMW are particularly shocking for this, the MINI above being a very typical example of a dark finish from them) and it just isn't hard-wearing enough against airborne contaminants, bird poo and stonechips.

The Chinese are still using the good stuff.

Edited by Evercross on Saturday 26th March 08:12

[GhiaInjection]

My 2019 Focus ST in Performance Blue unfortunately has a similar finish to the Mini above. Although the finish on the plastic bumpers is fine!

However my wifes 2018 Fiesta in Black has a fantastic finish! So I think colour has an impact too. (See pic, actually of a dent!)

The Golf in OP looks worse than you'd expect even from "modern' water base Paint?

[Trevor555]

Looking at your picture close up it looks like there's chips underneath that have been painted over.

[av185]

Yep looks like its been very poorly 'smart' repaired and it appears there is a spray line in the top photo.

Fairly vulnerable part of the bumper too probably been scuffed during delivery and a cheap repair.

[anonymous-user]

+4 on poor repair.

At first I thought orange peel. Then I thought badly contaminated and needs a clay bar. Looking at it closely though you can see the spray lines and poor prep.

[Panamax]

It's a used car.

Have you read the warranty? What does it say about paintwork.

[aaron_2000]

Panamax said:

It's a used car.

Which isn't very old and was supplied by a main dealer. Sketchy paintwork is understandable on a K reg Cavalier or a 52 plate Accord, not on a nearly new main dealer £30k+ car

[resolve10]

Miserablegit said:

Some modern paint finishes are shocking.
I was in a dealer waiting for a service to be completed and was looking at some of the showroom cars. This was an electric mini

Mini paint is one of the best I've come across for orange peel (as in there isn't any), but admittedly my experience is with the hatch which is made in Oxford whereas that looks like a Countryman which is made in Europse (Holland I believe?).

Not acceptable I agree, but could be a repair. Even delivery mileage cars sometimes have damage repairs, it happens more than you'd expect.

[Summit_Detailing]

+? for a poor smart repair.
What is the edge of the parking sensor hole like?..photo 2 looks rough and like it doesn't have paint? - although that could of course be the camera playing tricks.

It would be interesting to see what the finish is like under and around the number plate plinth if you took that off!?

Cheers,

Chris

[SteBrown91]

aaron_2000 said:

Which isn't very old and was supplied by a main dealer. Sketchy paintwork is understandable on a K reg Cavalier or a 52 plate Accord, not on a nearly new main dealer £30k+ car

I’m not sure where a 16 plate Golf GTI is worth 30k plus….

[V8covin]

aaron_2000 said:

Which isn't very old and was supplied by a main dealer. Sketchy paintwork is understandable on a K reg Cavalier or a 52 plate Accord, not on a nearly new main dealer £30k+ car

Mk7 Golf is 17 reg at the latest.
That's not a nearly new car by any stretch of the imagination.
It's had paint,live with it

[aaron_2000]

Ah well in that case I'm shocked it hasn't got clear coat falling off. OP should be grateful it even runs at that age, dealers must love you both if you go buying a car that's 5-6 years old and expect it to have paintwork that poor. PH never disappoints

[V8covin]

aaron_2000 said:

Ah well in that case I'm shocked it hasn't got clear coat falling off. OP should be grateful it even runs at that age, dealers must love you both if you go buying a car that's 5-6 years old and expect it to have paintwork that poor. PH never disappoints

I'm a painter mate so I've seen brand new unregistered cars that have paint defects and need rectification work.
A car can be involved in an accident the day it leaves the dealer for the 1st time,get a knock in the supermarket or can be vandalised.
If you're buying a 5-6 yr old vehicle and expect it have never been painted you're naive