Paint bubbles by handle - warranty claim

[Mike Scott]

Guys I was speaking with a fellow vantage owner earlier today and he mentioned some paint bubbles around the handle.

I have done some research and have found a few posts but wanted to enquire if anyone else has experienced this and if it was covered by warranty? He has mentioned it to a franchised dealer but they didn't seem to keen to get it resolved without a fight. He did admit that he didn't buy it from them if that makes a difference?

His car is a 2006 or 2007 but under extended warranty. Surley this should be covered?!

[Tonto]

Won't be covered under the extended warranty necessarily, but should be covered under the corrosion warranty.

[Steve*B]

Tonto said:

Won't be covered under the extended warranty necessarily, but should be covered under the corrosion warranty.

No, not fully covered, but you will get a percentage towards it in a goodwill gesture.

[Mike Scott]

Thanks for the replies so far guys. Have either of you guys had to claim? It was news to me so I am going to inspect mine to ensure I don't have the same problem. Reading the other post it looks like it can effect most but should I be checking any other areas?

[yeti]

Think I posted about this before, it's called a galvanic reaction, the juxtaposition of aluminium and steel, they corrode when wet as a reduction/oxidation reaction happens.

I don't think it's covered entirely under the corrosion warranty as the smallprint suggests that the body needs to be corroded to the point of perforation to be a warranty claim! Hence a goodwill gesture hopefully, no idea how much though.

I think it may happen to us all

[NigelStn]

I've just bought an '07 V8V and it has bubbling around one lock barrel and one door handle, plus underneath one of the door mirror brackets. It looks more like the Aluminium etch prime was not applied or damaged post application, so aluminium oxide is forming underneath the paint.
I do not have an extended warranty, but AM has agreed to pay 60% of the respray costs. Both my doors will need completely stripping down and respraying. I just need to get it booked in at my local AM approved refinishers.

[glugcom]

I have also been offered 60% contribution towards similar corrosion.
Time to have some stone chips fixed whilst it's at the shop.
My car is late 2006, no warranty, not purchased from a main dealer and owned by me for a month, so I'm pretty happy.

[Murph7355]

Steve*B said:

No, not fully covered, but you will get a percentage towards it in a goodwill gesture.

This.

[Luckyluciano]

Check your bonnet to. You might need to look at it whilst it's open.

[hartley]

Have a look at the 'aluminium rust' thread - consensus is that they are so much more expensive your 40% pays for the whole job

[glugcom]

I'm having 2 doors and a bonnet done for £450 out of my pocket.

[NigelStn]

glugcom said:

I'm having 2 doors and a bonnet done for £450 out of my pocket.

That seems a really good price - are they stripping all the trim and hardware from the door for that price?

[Murph7355]

hartley said:

Have a look at the 'aluminium rust' thread - consensus is that they are so much more expensive your 40% pays for the whole job

That as well

[glugcom]

NigelStn said:

That seems a really good price - are they stripping all the trim and hardware from the door for that price?

I'll report back tomorrow. They didn't explain the work in detail but will be starting on her in the morning.

There is bubbling on the bottom of the doors, around the latches and between the mirrors and the doors so I guess they will need to dismantle?

Edited by glugcom on Wednesday 18th May 21:05

[NigelStn]

glugcom said:

I'll report back tomorrow. They didn't explain the work in detail but will be starting on her in the morning.

There is corrosion on the bottom of the doors, around the latches and between the mirrors and the doors so I guess they will need to dismantle?

I've had a total quote for just over £1400 (direct with an AM approved re-finisher), to respray both doors, and strip completely. It's essential to strip the doors completely to be able to access all the edges, where most of the vulnerability to corrosion starting is.

[glugcom]

I'll check to see if they're planning to cut any corners

[bogie]

that sounds good Glug ...will have to touch base with you on that one ....I have about 2 panels that dont have bubbling, all others have something somewhere !

so getting some form of goodwill on a 5 year old 60k mile car will be encouraging

[peterr96]

yeti said:

Think I posted about this before, it's called a galvanic reaction, the juxtaposition of aluminium and steel, they corrode when wet as a reduction/oxidation reaction happens.

I don't think it's covered entirely under the corrosion warranty as the smallprint suggests that the body needs to be corroded to the point of perforation to be a warranty claim! Hence a goodwill gesture hopefully, no idea how much though.

I think it may happen to us all

It's nice to see AM learnt some lessons along the years. I was chatting to a top gent (with fighter pilot tache no less) a few years ago who had just splurged the equivalent of a house in the north refurbishing his DB5 sills for just that reason.
You'd have thought given that it is so well known about they'd have designed it out by keeping anodic metals apart....... ho hum. I guess they must consider it part of the heritage!
Spotted our N/S door is exhibiting signs of it. Happy days.

[WantanewV12V]

I had bubbles on the driver door handle when my car was just a year old. The dealer was extremely careful to take several photographs to send to AM for checking that no perforation had occurred (caused by a stone chip for example or a minor key scratch - not the the car utilises a key of course). Once that had been confirmed AM gave their approval for the warranty to be put in to effect and the handle was repainted at their cost. I can't remember how long paint is covered for but, from my experience, AM are very careful about what they cover but will take responsibility if it clearly is a paint defect.

[glugcom]

I now have a firm price for the following work at an Aston approved bodyshop;

Dismantle and paint both doors, paint bonnet £495.00 inc VAT (My 40% contribution)

Paint front wings, front bumper, rear quarters, boot and mirrors, including materials £1750 inc VAT

So, car should look like new for £2245

Just have 2 whole weeks without her