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Paint issue and fix

4398 Views 4 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  vitenite
So we had an issue with our paint. My guess is that this is a one-off situation but others may see something similar.


Our Ascent has Ruby paint. We didn't notice it right away because the problem disappears in shadow or overcast skies. In full sun or bright light we could clearly see an area approximately 4 inches by 5 inches where the paint appeared to be white underneath. Even the dealer had no idea how it happened. From some angles it even nearly vanished in full sun.


The first time I saw it, thought it was just a reflection of light from somewhere.


My local dealership was sympathetic and put us in a loaner Forester and had the hood re-sprayed. After two days we had our baby back and the paint looks PERFECT. So, well done Subaru. Still not sure what caused it but it looks good now.

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So we had an issue with our paint. My guess is that this is a one-off situation but others may see something similar.
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Still not sure what caused it but it looks good now.
The good news is, it's a one-off (basically). Having said that, it's something that can happen at pretty much any time, on any car, regardless of line (Ascent, Outback, Forester, whatever). Most of the time something like this happens on a panel that's NOT visible, so it's not an issue. Typical cause is just a quick reduction of the amount of paint that came out of the gun when it was being applied. And I'm talking about literally a milliseconds worth of variance.

Now, where the fun comes into play, where you'd think someone should have caught it, is this. Paint shop inspection line has a lot of bright lights, so they can see orange peel, crackling, or other things. The bright white lights wash out and make it difficult to see thin coverage.

Then they wouldn't have caught it in trim, because up until the time they actually start the car at the end of the line, the hood is up the whole way. And once it gets to final inspection line, they're doing checks to make sure everything that was put on in trim and final is done - and then they put the plastic shipping cover (diapers)on the roof, hood, fenders - so no one sees the painted metal again until it is unwrapped at the dealership.

So yeah, factory defect, and the dealership took care of it like they should have, without any muss or fuss. That's how things are supposed to work.
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The good news is, it's a one-off (basically). Having said that, it's something that can happen at pretty much any time, on any car, regardless of line (Ascent, Outback, Forester, whatever). Most of the time something like this happens on a panel that's NOT visible, so it's not an issue. Typical cause is just a quick reduction of the amount of paint that came out of the gun when it was being applied. And I'm talking about literally a milliseconds worth of variance.

Now, where the fun comes into play, where you'd think someone should have caught it, is this. Paint shop inspection line has a lot of bright lights, so they can see orange peel, crackling, or other things. The bright white lights wash out and make it difficult to see thin coverage.

Then they wouldn't have caught it in trim, because up until the time they actually start the car at the end of the line, the hood is up the whole way. And once it gets to final inspection line, they're doing checks to make sure everything that was put on in trim and final is done - and then they put the plastic shipping cover (diapers)on the roof, hood, fenders - so no one sees the painted metal again until it is unwrapped at the dealership.

So yeah, factory defect, and the dealership took care of it like they should have, without any muss or fuss. That's how things are supposed to work.
I just noticed a few paint defects on my 2019 Limited and had the dealership write it up for Subaru to address. It is good to know that they have been willing to take care of it under warranty.
I have the exact same issue- on a 2020 red touring! But its on a part of the bumper (so far)...in very bright sunlight, when it hits at an angle, I see that...I was thinking I am seeing things...glad to know that it was addressed by the dealer...
Also would you have a picture I could use to compare to? Thanks!
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