Paint defect or brain defect?

[Scott2.0]

I got ambitious and decided to hand wash the X5. I was spraying it off with the lowest setting on my shitty electric power washer and this happened. What are my odds of getting this repaired under warranty, claiming it's a paint defect?



If it's a no-go, what's the best option (please don't say having the bumper resprayed). Having the bumper resprayed?

[Kdawg1966]

You should be able to get touch-up paint for it and it would be unnoticeable unless you were specifically looking for it. You would likely be the only one ever to notice it. Whether it would be covered under warranty? Have no clue. Good luck.

[DuSh]

That sucks man. I highly doubt this is your fault - it shouldn't peel like that from pressure washer. Maybe it was already something on that spot before - maybe previous owner did something, not sure. If you are under CPO warranty - BMW should repair that. It will depend if it's a manufacturing defect (bad paint) or it was done from road debris (in that case they will not warrant it). You can try - it won't hurt. If they will warrant it - they will repaint complete front bumper. If they don't warrant it - just use touch up paint. The only bad thing in this is that it may happen again, so be prepared and maybe don't use pressure washer on front bumper

[d_v_o_1]

Ya this should be warranty. You can see the paint "flaked" off and not the result of an impact accident. Dealers problem all day

[Scott2.0]

Good to hear! I'll have to call the dealership next week. I have a feeling they'll put up a fight but, hopefully I'm wrong.

[P1]

Question: was the bumper ever repainted?

[Scott2.0]

Originally Posted by P1et

Question: was the bumper ever repainted?

Not sure but I'd guess so. I bought it CPO and the front bumper was pristine. You bring up a really good point that I hadn't considered.

[P1]

Originally Posted by Scott2.0

Not sure but I'd guess so. I bought it CPO and the front bumper was pristine. You bring up a really good point that I hadn't considered.

A 2014 with a pristine front bumper means it was likely repainted, but maybe not that well. Take it in and have them respray the whole thing at YOUR favorite bodyshop

[Scott2.0]

Originally Posted by P1et

A 2014 with a pristine front bumper means it was likely repainted, but maybe not that well. Take it in and have them respray the whole thing at YOUR favorite bodyshop

I doubt they'll pay for it and let me take it to a place of my choosing. We shall see.

[P1]

Originally Posted by Scott2.0

I doubt they'll pay for it and let me take it to a place of my choosing. We shall see.

Is there a way you can show us some close up photos of the bumper? Look under the headlights. Any overspray? And fish eyes or excessive orange peel on the bumper? Do some parts feel rough whilst other smooth? All signs of poor bodywork, perhaps even done with the bumper still on the car.

[Scott2.0]

Originally Posted by P1et

Is there a way you can show us some close up photos of the bumper? Look under the headlights. Any overspray? And fish eyes or excessive orange peel on the bumper? Do some parts feel rough whilst other smooth? All signs of poor bodywork, perhaps even done with the bumper still on the car.

I'll take some pics soon. I really don't think there's any overspray on the headlights, but I'm sure whatever they did was as fast and cheap as possible.

[Scott2.0]

Definitely some orange peel going on.

[positiveions]

Originally Posted by Scott2.0

Definitely some orange peel going on.

That is a 100% respray, and a crappy job. I have been using electric power washer for the last 6 years; never had any problem with the power washer peeling the paint.

[DuSh]

On the other hand - those of us who have CPO cars (me and OP included) shouldn't be too much worried about it. I know it's easy for me to say, but I mean it's common to respray front bumper after 3 year lease end. It's still a lot better than to buy a as-is CPO that had no respray whatsoever and lots of scratches and debris imperfections. This is inevitable - 3 years of driving - around 20-30k miles can't have 100% new front bumper no matter how safely you drove - just my opinion

I for one have a ugly indentation and scratches from front plate in my front bumper - only discovered it a month later when I decided to take front plate off (to improve the look, I hate front ugly license frame) - dealer said I should have made comments about it before I signed documents and agreed to the deal. So I'm just saying a resprayed front bumper is still miles better than a dented one like mine

It is possible respray was done by 1st owner at some cheaper indy shop before returning a lease to avoid charges - I would think dealer would have done a better job, but everything is possible in today's crappy economy

P.S. OP I'm sure it's fine, but just in case check hood and fenders for a front accident damage - if that's not an issue - then front bumper paint peeling is not worth your nerves imho

[Scott2.0]

Good points. I knew it was resprayed when I bought it. I figured an OK spray job was better than evidence of 30k miles of bumps and bruises. What I didn't realize is that the job was so shitty that the paint would fly off.

[Alpine Missile]

It's likely an adhesion problem from a poor prior refinish from a "lot lizard". Those are the guys brought in to perform touch up and spot refinish to used cars upon trade in. They spray cars outside in the open and don't use care in properly sanding and priming to promote adhesion. If you look closely, you'll probably also see trash (small dust particles) in the paint as well. Original factory paint will not flake off from a low powered electric pressure washer unless you put the nozzle super close to the paint. I would take the vehicle back to the dealership and leave out the detail of "pressure washing" as it might give them an out. If you can get them to commit to respray of the bumper, politely ask them to pay for a full bumper refinish at a body shop. This will mean the bumper has to come off and all air ducts etc removed for a proper job. It's also quite expensive.. $700-$800. The dealership will likely have the same guy spot the bumper back in, especially if they don't have a body shop. It's better than nothing. By the way, touch-up paint will look like ass on something that big, especially if the paint is metallic. Good luck.

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by Alpine Missile

It's likely an adhesion problem from a poor prior refinish from a "lot lizard". Those are the guys brought in to perform touch up and spot refinish to used cars upon trade in. They spray cars outside in the open and don't use care in properly sanding and priming to promote adhesion. If you look closely, you'll probably also see trash (small dust particles) in the paint as well. Original factory paint will not flake off from a low powered electric pressure washer unless you put the nozzle super close to the paint. I would take the vehicle back to the dealership and leave out the detail of "pressure washing" as it might give them an out. If you can get them to commit to respray of the bumper, politely ask them to pay for a full bumper refinish at a body shop. This will mean the bumper has to come off and all air ducts etc removed for a proper job. It's also quite expensive.. $700-$800. The dealership will likely have the same guy spot the bumper back in, especially if they don't have a body shop. It's better than nothing. By the way, touch-up paint will look like ass on something that big, especially if the paint is metallic. Good luck.

Agree. This is what i used couple of times on my BMW Alpine White cars (had 2 AW cars and this is my 3rd one): https://scratchwizard.net/bmw-alpine...ray-paint.html

I bought a $34.95 option - a spray paint + clear coat = 2 cans aerosol AW II 300 - in my experience it matches BMW AW III 300 exactly and is a lot better than touch up for such peeled paint (but worse than total respray of course). I'm just saying in case if dealer will deny warranty

[Scott2.0]

Good news, dealer is fixing it under warranty. Anything I should ask for to ensure that they don't do a crappy job this time around? I'm not sure that I want to bring it to their attention that it was previously resprayed, even if likely done so by them. That seems to possibly open a can of worms regarding the warranty eligibility.

[iRyan_3]

Originally Posted by Scott2.0

Good news, dealer is fixing it under warranty. Anything I should ask for to ensure that they don't do a crappy job this time around? I'm not sure that I want to bring it to their attention that it was previously resprayed, even if likely done so by them. That seems to possibly open a can of worms regarding the warranty eligibility.

Thats good bro....now I learn something new

[P1]

Originally Posted by Scott2.0

Good news, dealer is fixing it under warranty. Anything I should ask for to ensure that they don't do a crappy job this time around? I'm not sure that I want to bring it to their attention that it was previously resprayed, even if likely done so by them. That seems to possibly open a can of worms regarding the warranty eligibility.

Excellent news! I'd simply act as the concerned owner of an expensive X5, and ask them which body shop they'll be taking it to. Maybe ask them if you should be worried about any other panels?

[Scott2.0]

Originally Posted by P1et

Excellent news! I'd simply act as the concerned owner of an expensive X5, and ask them which body shop they'll be taking it to. Maybe ask them if you should be worried about any other panels?

This is in a monstrosity of a Penske auto mall complete with Porsche, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Maserati, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, yada yada yada. They have their own body shop and that's all they'll use for warranty repairs.

[P1]

Originally Posted by Scott2.0

This is in a monstrosity of a Penske auto mall complete with Porsche, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Maserati, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, yada yada yada. They have their own body shop and that's all they'll use for warranty repairs.

Perfect, let's get this done!