Paint ain't up to scratch - is it me?

[Snakes]

Not too many issue with my T350C in the first 1,000 miles (fingers crossed, touch wood, etc.) but dissappointed with the paint quality. Before I go for the first service can other owners share their views?

There seems to be a weird defect under the lacquer on some surfaces that looks like water droplets that have dried. I daren't try to polish too much to check that this isn't what they are 'cos the lacquer finish scratches oh so easily and that's another issue. Some other defects on the nose that look like blemishes that have been filled and not flatted properly.

Anyone else got these probs and what advice can you give me?

Snakes

>>> Edited by Snakes on Wednesday 11th June 22:27

[jigs]

Complain and tell them about the roof (piranha) too!

[Bodo]

There seems to be a weird defect under the lacquer on some surfaces that looks like water droplets that have dried.

These 'drops' sound like polysiloxane (silicone), on which the paint is not adhering properly. Probably caused by unsuffient cleaning of the surface before painting.

[COOPS]

Hi Snakes
Any inperfections in the paint you find, tell the dealer to sort out under warranty at the the 1st service. I ended up having a front end respray on mine due to both wings showing their joins. When I got it back the car was perfect.
Glenn

[koen]

Snakes, I got the same poor finish on the paintwork of my Tuscan (build a couple of weeks before yours as you know...).
Dealer has sent a claim to the factory, and will get the car resprayed after the summer on costs of the factory.

[SwanJack]

Could be microblisters. I recently found a few on my Chim. Took it to my dealer's bodyshop who informed me that it is water in the body/paint preparation that is drawn to the surface by extremes of temperature. Apparently it can happen at any time and is not dependant on the car's age. He also told me that it is quite common and had seen a Tuscan's boot lid covered in them.

[jedi]

All the TVR's I have ever bought from new have all had paint defects. Comes with the territory unfortunately. I would push your dealer to get it sprayed somewhere local rather than the factory..... as consistency is not the factories forte.

[maddog-uk]

Resurrecting this thread! This sounds like the problem I have on my boot lid. It looks like tiny popped blisters or little lacquer stains. Oh well thats what warranties are for. I guess its off to the TVR Centre for me!

[targarama]

Yep, mine had similar problems, the dealers' local bodyshop did a far better job repainting the affected sections than the original factory paintjob. When I went to the factory the paint/preparation area seemed quite comprehensive and the employees were certainly busy prepping bodies, but obviously they are rushing the work or not cleaning the bodies down properly before painting.