Paint bubble forming on 2 month old paint - Body shop says it's not his fault. HELP! - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

Darkshot · 11-14-2009, 12:39 PM

I paid 4 grand for a paint job less than 2 months ago. Couple weeks ago I noticed this on the rear passenger upper quarter panel, right above the fender, next to the hatch glass on the top "deck" part of the body just next to the hatch glass. It's some type of air bubble. I can actually push it down, it's soft and hollow underneath. It's also growing.

I showed it to the body shop that painted it, and here's what I got:

Quote:

Since it's coming up from the bottom, it's not our fault. We only cover things that come in from the top.

I have no idea what this means.

Quote:

The problem is the old cheap 80s paint reacting with the new paint and causing it to separate. It's not our fault, it's the fault of the old cheap paint reacting.

They made no mention of any possible compatibility problems with the old paint when I gave them the car. I asked why he didn't warn me, and he said "You wanted a paint job, not a restoration."

Quote:

Your car was painted with solvent based paints, which I can no longer get because they are illegal for use in CA starting in October.

Can anybody confirm this?

Also, can anybody confirm whether or not you can repair solvent based paint jobs with the newer water based paints? Or must the whole car be repainted?

THEN, he went on the say this!

Quote:

I'll fix this one little spot. But I'll be straight with you, since it's happening here it will likely happen elsewhere and get worse and I cannot fix those issues.

So, he's basically telling me that he'll fix this one spot (After he already implied that the solvent based paint is gone and he can't get it) because he's a "nice guy", but making it clear that it's not covered by his warranty so he can cover his *** and not have to fix more bubbles should they appear.

Can anybody offer some advice?

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howy03 · 11-14-2009, 12:46 PM

I would beat his *** but thats just me.for four grand it still should be right he did not prep something right or use a good epoxy sealer.thats on him make him fix it.sounds like he did a fast job to make some quick cash.there is a proper way to prep things.this guys a hack.

92purplehaze · 11-14-2009, 03:08 PM

wow dude.. I'm sorry to hear that, the paint was/is bitchin. In other words hes saying "you paid for a paint job, not prep". Make him make it right, or have him pay for your car to get painted elsewhere.

Wolnam · 11-14-2009, 03:19 PM

The guy didnt prep your car right. There was some type of oiol or wax that was left on the surface prior to paint. He ****ked and he should have to pay for it. $4000 for a paint should be as good as they get. In Canada, where I am, I can pay $4000 and have a full prep job, disassembled painted and reassembled, by a quality painter. I would **** that dude up hard. I almost feel like coming down and helping you do that.

Solvent base and this new water based **** are totally compatible. The only difference bbetween them is the liquid use to dry, solvent or water. That **** doesnt effect the type of paint. Its the curing agent. **** HIM.

transplant · 11-14-2009, 04:58 PM

He did not prep the vehicle right. The bad thing is that if it is happening in one spot it will do it again somewhere else. If I were you I would ask him again to make it right. If he does not then remind him of the BBB & tell him you are talking to a lawyer. If you really want to screw him then call OSHA & lets not forget about the EPA. Tell them he is sanding cars outside & letting the paint wash down the storm drain, he is poring used paint down the sink, he doesn't have a filter on his paint booth.....ect. I sure you can find something

Opher · 11-15-2009, 12:16 PM

As a shop owner and painter I see both sides of it.

If you didnt have the car stripped, the paint is only as good as what lies underneath. However you options should have been explained to you as well as what could happen

Yes, in CA they now have to use water based base coats. Like the other post mentioned, it is only in the base coat

Did they give you any type of warranty?? Did you have a contract with the shop.

All my projects are on a contract, outlining the details of whats being used, how its being used, etc.

$4000.00 does not seem bad, I guess it really depends on how much work they did. A typical de-trim minor body work and respray at my shop averages about $7500, if you want to strip it and start over its upward of $10,000 so I do not think the price was bad.

There are always two sides to every story, my advice would try to be as civil as possible with the guy. Especially if you have no written warranty. If thats the case he really does not have to do anything.

I do not agree with his methods, they're not very professional however I have a feeling there is more to the story.

Stephen · 11-15-2009, 12:33 PM

As already said....Poor prep by the body shop. Fir $4000, they should have preed correctly & the mid 80's problem is nothing new & they should have forseen a possible paint incompatibiliity & dealt with it.

I had one of my cars done years ago & they had to repaint the roof 3 times, due to those bubles coming back.

After the first time, they were hoping it would stay & not hafta do that, but they did in the end. After the the second time, they COMPLETELY stripped the roof down to bare metal & started over.

InfernalVortex · 11-16-2009, 03:35 AM

I thought I remembered Darkshot telling me that there was a 3 year warrantyo n the paint, but that they decided this particular issue didnt fit in their warranty criteria.

ellocojorge · 11-16-2009, 03:45 AM

its skull cracking time! for $4000 i would expect much better results. in all seriousness talk to the paint and if a resolution is not worked out contact the bbb

trocustoms · 11-16-2009, 08:25 AM

If he quoted you that he would fix the problem, Let him fix it and if there are no other problems then there is no issue. The problem is not poor prep work. It doesnt look like a adhesion problem. It looks like a lifting issue which occurs quite frequently.Generally the issue only appears in isolated areas and not the whole car. It happens when you sand through multiple layers of paint and apply new products it attacks the feather edge of the old paint and lifts it. I would have him fix the issue since he offered and you may not have any more issues. Good luck

GusbZConv · 11-16-2009, 06:35 PM

He should of used a sealer on it and ddi proper prep work and this would not of happened! I been doing autobody for 15 years and when I use a good epoxy (PPG DP) I have never had this happen. I would hold him to it and if he dont make it right tell him everytime you visit a car show you will put up a sign that says his shop did this kind of work.

Darkshot · 11-16-2009, 07:14 PM

The paint is covered under warranty, but the issue here is while he is saying he'll fix it, he's trying to be very specific in saying that this type of thing is NOT normally covered under warranty because it's not his fault. He's saying he won't fix it if it happens in the future and he doesn't want to admit he's fixing it under warranty because that would mean he would have to fix the same problem in the future as it would also be under warranty.

steve87ta · 11-16-2009, 09:37 PM

Bad prep if you ask me. I like Gusbz solution

Arizona IROC · 11-17-2009, 12:08 AM

The paint guy is full of excuses now isn't he..

The really stupid thing is it's probably easy for them to fix it but he still has to give you a hard time.

I have painted a car or two and the few times I had problems I knew who's fault it was.

transam85dudeman · 11-18-2009, 09:57 PM

im wanting to get a paint job soon. what should i expect to pay? $5000 to stripped the old paint the right way the first time? sorry bout that dude. it bothers me when people arnt honest up front.