Dealing with stone chips
Discussion
Question for owners regarding the above.
I've got my eye on a car in Volcano Orange being retailed by main dealer. All the oxidisation has been addressed when the car was repainted by them in 2022, but obviously since then it's picked up a number of stone chips to the front and in the showroom lights they are quite noticeable.
Whilst the answer might be to repaint the whole front end what concerns me would be a match with the rest of the car as I was told when the oxidised panels were repainted in the McLaren bodyshop the paint colour did not match the rest of the car (5yr old v new) hence McLaren agreeing to a full repaint under warranty. I suspect it was traded back in at the time hence no PPF was considered.
Clearly they've not repainted the front end as it's being retailed as is so the question is can they be 'touched in' by a professional given the colour etc?
I've got my eye on a car in Volcano Orange being retailed by main dealer. All the oxidisation has been addressed when the car was repainted by them in 2022, but obviously since then it's picked up a number of stone chips to the front and in the showroom lights they are quite noticeable.
Whilst the answer might be to repaint the whole front end what concerns me would be a match with the rest of the car as I was told when the oxidised panels were repainted in the McLaren bodyshop the paint colour did not match the rest of the car (5yr old v new) hence McLaren agreeing to a full repaint under warranty. I suspect it was traded back in at the time hence no PPF was considered.
Clearly they've not repainted the front end as it's being retailed as is so the question is can they be 'touched in' by a professional given the colour etc?
There's an excellent YouTube video from Thorney Motorsport regarding Volcano Orange and paint matching. You should def watch
https://youtu.be/DIz_UFfIxQU?si=4pjjRJH0EZgOG2su
https://youtu.be/DIz_UFfIxQU?si=4pjjRJH0EZgOG2su
Cheers. I think the cost of spraying the whole panels (bonnert, bumper and at least one wing) at dealer expense is what's driving the reluctance to get it done after trying to match it last time. For a 540c at 32k miles for £75k with no real 'added value' extras is stretching it. That said I do like it and never thought I'd give 'pleather' another look 
Armitage.Shanks said:
Cheers. I think the cost of spraying the whole panels (bonnert, bumper and at least one wing) at dealer expense is what's driving the reluctance to get it done after trying to match it last time. For a 540c at 32k miles for £75k with no real 'added value' extras is stretching it. That said I do like it and never thought I'd give 'pleather' another look
It's just a headache waiting to happen unless you know a very good paintshop and get it ppf immediately it's painted. Probably safer bet to stick to one of the "easier" colours if not. Armitage.Shanks said:
Cheers. I think the cost of spraying the whole panels (bonnert, bumper and at least one wing) at dealer expense is what's driving the reluctance to get it done after trying to match it last time. For a 540c at 32k miles for £75k with no real 'added value' extras is stretching it. That said I do like it and never thought I'd give 'pleather' another look
I would imagine the dealer will have the same with any potential buyer, so don't be put of by pushing them to get it done.Thorney seem very confident they can match Volcano colours, you could enquire with them for a guide price or as 200 says above, if you have a trusted bodyshop local to you speak wirh them also, it's certainly not impossible
I accept that stone chips happen on a car and ordinarily I wouldn't immediately be put off. However after now watching some of Thorney's videos the 'corrosion' issue appears to be in the base primer applied to the aluminium where the panels are usually swapped and then painted to resolve. These stone chips expose the base primer and may be down to the aluminium (which I need to confirm). John does go on to say that once re-done he's not aware of the issue coming back (albeit the video is 5yrs old).
I don't know if the dealer has replaced the front end panels (I suspect not) or just repainted them. I need to take another look at it and see what they're prepared to do but suspect anything extra at their expense will be offset against a potential PX price . An OPC for example would not retail a Porsche in their showroom with the level of stone chips this McLaren has which suggests this is more problematic and expensive to sort.
I tend to buy cars and hold on to them for several years, if this was for 12-24 months I'd be less concerned.
I don't know if the dealer has replaced the front end panels (I suspect not) or just repainted them. I need to take another look at it and see what they're prepared to do but suspect anything extra at their expense will be offset against a potential PX price
. An OPC for example would not retail a Porsche in their showroom with the level of stone chips this McLaren has which suggests this is more problematic and expensive to sort. I tend to buy cars and hold on to them for several years, if this was for 12-24 months I'd be less concerned.
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