Clear coat failure on 2016??

[D_MCO]

Yesterday morning, I noticed this weird big etching that suddenly appeared on my hood overnight…
Could this be early clear coat failure??
I’m going into the dealership on Monday to have them look at it.

I called my insurance agent to check my policy coverage (nope, doesn’t cover repaint), but she said her husband’s 2016 X5 had a paint failure too that looked exactly like this.

I took it to my detailer and he thinks it was there when I purchased it (“as is”) but the seller covered it up with a coating of wax or other compound. Then after a few weeks, the wax has come off from the surface due to the daily rain and the couple of washes since buying it a month ago. This is not something I missed during the inspection when I bought it - there's NO WAY any one could miss this awful mark on a jet black car!

I also took it to Maaco and the paint tech was shocked to see it. He thinks it’s a paint failure, not a big bird poop etching.

And for the heck of it, I called Meguiar’s to ask if their Clear Coat Safe Rubbing Compound might help – I sent them photos – and, in their opinion, they think it’s a paint failure.

A potential headache might be because I bought this used from a non-BMW dealership.

Anyone else have this issue??
Any tips to pass on?

[CeeTeeX5]

Looks like clear coat failure. I don’t think and rubbing or buffing is going to fepair that.

[qocerhuang]

where you live? FL? Where you park your car?

[D_MCO]

Yes, Florida... and no garage... but shaded by big trees (no sap issues)

[D_MCO]

And there's lots of feral cats around my neighborhood.... could it be cat urine or vomit that might have been washed off with heavy rains?

[LocksmithNick]

It does kind of look like claw marks. It could be paint failure. Can’t really tell by the pictures.

[D_MCO]

No usual scratch marks can be seen...
The best way I can describe it is like the clear coat formed tiny bubbles and then popped. And it's fairly smooth to the touch but you can still feel the edges of the clear coat.
??

[originalgoods13]

that is a bird poop etch and it looked like it was not washed and are through the clearcoat. you can tell they tried to sand it down to fix it.

[Russmov]

Almost looks like a chemical was left on to long. Possibly a brake cleaner or rim cleaner. Maybe it ate it's way through.

[D_MCO]

The spot is the size of a big hand... if it was a bird, then it was one big bird or one big dropping!

It possibly could have been covered up because we didn't notice this very obvious blemish.

Ugghhh I wonder how much this will cost to fix it to match perfectly (that's if I have to pay out of pocket... I'm assuming BMW will say it's not their oroblem cuz I bought it from Lexus). Although there's still just under 2 years left on the original warranty, there's no definitive paintwork warranty clause that I can see in the warranty manual.

[CeeTeeX5]

Originally Posted by D_MCO

The spot is the size of a big hand... if it was a bird, then it was one big bird or one big dropping!

It possibly could have been covered up because we didn't notice this very obvious blemish.

Ugghhh I wonder how much this will cost to fix it to match perfectly (that's if I have to pay out of pocket... I'm assuming BMW will say it's not their oroblem cuz I bought it from Lexus). Although there's still just under 2 years left on the original warranty, there's no definitive paintwork warranty clause that I can see in the warranty manual.

It definitely won’t be cheap. They’ll need to repaint and blend all around that area or likely repaint the whole hood which would probably be less work overall.

I highly doubt BMW will be willing to foot the bill since you purchasrd it at Lexus. It’s still worth a shot though.

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by D_MCO

Ugghhh I wonder how much this will cost to fix it to match perfectly (that's if I have to pay out of pocket... I'm assuming BMW will say it's not their problem cuz I bought it from Lexus)

That's a Lexus owners bitter tears after they test drove it and realized how a SAV should handle. Their salty tears dried out and now you have to deal with this crap man. Hang in there buddy.

[D_MCO]

Thanks all...will update after I bring it to my BMW SA on Monday (we also own a 2011 3-series so I have a good relationship with the dealership / Service Dept).

The car was taken in to the original BMW dealership for regular scheduled maintenance only 10 days prior to the previous owners trading it in at Lexus. After we bought it (about 10 days after that BMW scheduled check), I contacted our SA to tell him we've got this one to bring him for the servicing when needed. He looked up the service history and said it was in great condition and nothing odd was noted in its file.

I can accept the regular paint chips and minor scratches that come with a used car... those are easy enough for my detailer to handle. But this massive blemish is a whole different beast...

Luckily this isnt an alpine white car cuz I'd never notice it and leave it to get worse!

[P1]

Are you sure it wasn’t already painted (poorly) once before? I can see the sand marks from here. Willing to bet we aren’t dealing with factory paint here.

[D_MCO]

My best guess is the previous owner or seller-Lexus tried to wet sand it and used a compound to cover it up for resale. They may have tried to do only the spot because the hood matches the front panels perfectly - there's no difference in color or gloss from the clear coat.

I'm curious to see what BMW says caused it... it was my insurance broker that suggested clear coat failure as it was her husband's issue with his 2016 from the same original BMW dealership (they repaired it but the difference is his is a CPO bought from that dealership)

Whatever the case, if this will be my expense to bear then I'm going to have ithe hood re-coated or repainted using a BMW-certified body shop. The dealership has one of their own... hopefully my SA can cut me a break

[Maverik259]

If it's a failure then they'll cover it no matter where you bought it from. But only if they can't find evidence of sanding or prior work on that area. Have you thought about going back to lexis and having them pay for it. I would accuse whoever they bought the car from of attempting to hide it and how upset you are and maybe even cautiously hint at they should've caught it before passing it on to you.

[D_MCO]

I bought the X5 "as is". I don't think I have any leverage with Lexus because I signed. If BMW finds there was tampering, then I can't tell who was responsible - previous owner or Lexus. So I don't think I have any chance going that route.

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by D_MCO

I bought the X5 "as is". I don't think I have any leverage with Lexus because I signed. If BMW finds there was tampering, then I can't tell who was responsible - previous owner or Lexus. So I don't think I have any chance going that route.

Lot of dealers help out if some problem came up quickly after purchase. Even if sold as is. Doesn't hurt to ask.

[Maverik259]

Ya there a big difference between sold as is and purposely hidden faults. If they tell you to pound sand I would threaten a law suit and would definitely crush them on social media, BBB, google, you name it you crush them. Also I would go immediately to the general manager and let him know you've spoken to an attorney about what your options are and that you want him to help make this wrong a right. Maybe save the attorney thing till after you ask for his help. It's his reputation. And if he won't help I would go to the owner of the dealership and escalate. Whatever you got the patience for my friend.

[Russmov]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Ya there a big difference between sold as is and purposely hidden faults. If they tell you to pound sand I would threaten a law suit and would definitely crush them on social media, BBB, google, you name it you crush them. Also I would go immediately to the general manager and let him know you've spoken to an attorney about what your options are and that you want him to help make this wrong a right. Maybe save the attorney thing till after you ask for his help. It's his reputation. And if he won't help I would go to the owner of the dealership and escalate. Whatever you got the patience for my friend.

Completely agree. This is obviously something that was covered up. Any reputable dealer is going to fix the wrong, and if they don't escalate to the top if you have too. Just keep your cool and be polite. Good luck!

[artem123]

I can certainly say, it was painted before.

[wankelman24]

Originally Posted by D_MCO

My best guess is the previous owner or seller-Lexus tried to wet sand it and used a compound to cover it up for resale. They may have tried to do only the spot because the hood matches the front panels perfectly - there's no difference in color or gloss from the clear coat.

I'm curious to see what BMW says caused it... it was my insurance broker that suggested clear coat failure as it was her husband's issue with his 2016 from the same original BMW dealership (they repaired it but the difference is his is a CPO bought from that dealership)

Whatever the case, if this will be my expense to bear then I'm going to have ithe hood re-coated or repainted using a BMW-certified body shop. The dealership has one of their own... hopefully my SA can cut me a break

That's really too bad. I'm also a Fields customer and my service tech (Rich) recommended Brennan Body Works. I have a 2016 X5 MSport Carbon Black and needed a hood and front fender repainted after a board flew up and hit my car on I-95. They did an amazing job! I would use them again, but I hope i never have to. www