Background: I just purchased an Infiniti 2012 G37x Coupe back in December 2014, so approximately 3-4 months ago. The car had about 5400 miles on it when it was purchased, and now it about 9500 miles.


I brought my car in today for the free first oil and filter change, when the car was given back to me, I notice an area of about 1.5in x 1in of several deep scratches. These scratches were not there before, as I honestly inspect my car every day for dings from other cars. I inspected my car before handing it over to them, so when I saw this, I knew this had happened during the oil change process. I walk right back in and talk to one of the guys, and they came out to look at the car and told me to bring it to a body shop and have them send the quote to them and they would take care of it. After this incident, I drove straight to the body shop, where the guy told me the scratches were too deep, that the whole door would need to be replaced. Any “touch up” on the spot would make it look even worse he said. The quote was abut $900 for the whole door to be sanded and repainted.


Here are my questions:
1. - If I get the door repainted, would it devalue the car?


2. - Even if they were to use the exact same paint color to repaint the door, would there be a noticeable difference because the paint would be new?


3. - Is getting an aftermarket repaint “worse” than an original factory paint job?


4. - Is it worth it to get it repainted? What would you do in this case?


AnAny feedback would be appreciated.

 

I would let the dealer handle it ... for free. If they try a touch up and goober it up, let them do the whole door. Explain to the Service (and Sales) Manager that you expect nothing less than new quaility and will settle for nothing less. Express your reservations about a "touch up" but will give them a shot. I went through a hood repaint and first they tried a touch up/blend and it wasn't good. I had to push but got them to do the whole hood.

 

The dealer told me to bring it to a body shop that was also with them (under the same boss, I think). I did and they said the whole door would have to be repainted, that touching it up would make it look worse. Even though it is free, would getting the whole door repainted be worth it for this scratch? I'm concerned about the resale value and the fact that the whole door has to be repainted which may make it a noticeable shade different than the whole car?

I'm not too experienced though, so I'm at a loss of which route to go. Thanks for your reply by the way, I appreciate it

 

Get it fixed .... it will eat away at you like a cancer if you don't

 

Get the whole door repainted. No...doubt...about...it. I have NEVER seen ANYONE do a touchup on deep scratches that wasn't glaringly obvious to me. I've had many body panels done that had perfect color match, especially on a car as well-kept as yours. Count yourself lucky that they're willing to do the door.

 

Yeah, I was caught off guard how responsive the dealer was in this situation and willing to fix the problem by whatever means necessary. Consider the hard part over.

Once they start the work, it will be their responsibility to make the car look as if it never happened. When they do, no one will know when you go to sell down the line.

 

So you guys can see the scratches look, this is a picture. I apologize it does not show the size of the scratches in comparison to the car, but I would say total area is about 1.5in x 1in.

Also, thanks for the replies guys. I guess I'm just afraid to get a whole door repainted over this and have it come out not looking the way I want and have to go through a huge amount of trouble and be disappointed.

 

No paint job will be ever 100% because the amount of metallic flakes and the spray direction/pattern. It's definitely a tough choice because I think you will see this imperfection either way since you are such an detail oriented person.

 

That looks like it can be buffed out.

 

Some of that could be buffed out, but not all. I can see the primer in some spots. He already had a professional body guy who works with the dealership that is paying for this say it can't be buffed out.

I vote for the respray.

 

Also.. just wondering since most of you are more experienced than me, is it deep enough that it may have a chance of rusting?

 

ok so here is my background. Im a collision and custom painter have been in the business since i was 18. I worked for 6 yrs at a nissan infinity benz dealership in clearwater fl as the head painter. I am currently living in bristol tn working for a chevy caddy dealership in the area. I am the head painter there as well. I am very **** about color and quality of my work. Unfortunately not all painters are or can even see color good enough to be a painter but somehow they are lol. The scratches from what i can see are to deep for it to be buffed out. not to mention the infinity has what they call a hard clear coat which boils down to it being a ceramic clear. so when it scratches it actually 80% of the time is to deep to buff and is very hard to buff. the estimate for 900 to me sounds like they are atlas "blending " into either the 1/4 panel or the fender. or even both. which is a good thing cause most painter can't blend or match for **** so the extra room is good. When you drop it off tell them you don't want the color to be off at all. you want the ceramic clear on it like it comes from the factory and you do not want any dirt in the paint at all. Dirt is very fine dust that can get into the base coat or clear and is noticeable to a trained eye and you can feel it in the clear. a good painter gets minimal dirt in the paint. It is just wet sanded and buffed after the car is baked. and tell them you do not want any swirl marks either. if you tell them that they will think you know what your looking for and they will make sure usually that the car is perfect when its finished.

 

and HOLDMYMOUSE that is completely incorrect if the painter is a real painter and can match paint good then you will never know. I've had many warranty surprise reinspections where even the trained guy couldn't tell the difference. not even with a mill gauge. same flake size no paint lines nothing. the sad part is this misconception comes from the fact that a good painter is not easy to find. you could set 500 painters in the same room and maybe 1 or 2 is a good painter 5 or 6 are worth a damn. There is a big reason why a good painter WILL make over six figures a year no matter what. I know i do and have for the last 7 yrs.