Paint Question

"Vimto" (smudgey) 08/28/2014 at 15:06 • Filed to: None

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Hi guys,

I've had my Note for 3 days now and I guess once some of the dust of the "new car aura" settled, I noticed something a little strange about it, that may be normal.

The rear bumper/hatch doesn't seem to quite match the body.

I only have 2 awful pictures with which to represent this...

In the second photo, look at the gas cap area, then at the rear bumper. The bumper doesn't seem to have the same luster as the body.

Now, this could be normal. It is a brand new car I bought with 20 miles on it, obviously it hasn't been in any accidents. I received the certificate of arrival the dealer got when it was delivered to them in May (with 9 other Nissans), which says it arrived without damage.

Obviously the bumper is plastic, while the body is metal, but the front bumper blends with the body much better.

Any thoughts on this? I am I just concerned over nothing, or should I point it out to my dealer?

crowmolly > Vimto 08/28/2014 at 15:09

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Point it out.

Party-vi > Vimto 08/28/2014 at 15:11

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Looks like a different bumper attached to your car. From the second photo it looks like the rear hatch and bumper match, but not to the rest of the car.

Vimto > Party-vi 08/28/2014 at 15:14

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I took another photo, I think you're right.

Party-vi > Vimto 08/28/2014 at 15:17

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My parents had the rear bumper of their '01 Diamante replaced about a year into the warranty. The new bumper with the same paint looked just as different as your rear bumper does with the rest of your paint. Go back to the dealer and ask if the rear hatch or bumper were replaced, as your paint is apparently different.

sellphones2493 > Vimto 08/28/2014 at 15:21

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I used to sell new Nissan's at Carmax (yes, Carmax sells new Nissan's but only in Maryland).

Nissan needs to get their shit together when it comes to shipping their new cars. A lot of the time, many used cars were cleaner than the new Nissans.

I sold a brand new Xterra when I worked there, and I only realized when installing the tags that there was a 1 foot wide dent on the roof of the car. It literally looked like a very petite women fell onto the roof. The dent wizard guy got it out, but still...

Check if the Vin is both of the parts, if not they don't have it, talk to the dealer and a$k for explanation$$$.

Vimto > sellphones2493 08/28/2014 at 15:30

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Wow, that's ridiculous. A dent that big!? Then again, Xterras are very tall, no one standing next to it would see it I assume.

The VIN on the hatch matches, I assume the VIN sticker for the bumper is stuck to it somewhere not readily accessible?

sellphones2493 > Vimto 08/28/2014 at 15:32

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There were a lot of other cases where a helluva lot of buffing had to be done - especially with anything coming from Smyrna, TN.

The VIN Sticker on my Volvo is in plain sight - not sure where you'd find it on the Note.

hangus77 > Vimto 08/28/2014 at 15:34

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So, it is interesting that you bring this up because I was just in an Abra Auto Body and they had a little picture/flyer/disclaimer posted up on the wall by the main desk that addresses this very issue.

Apparently there are some paints out there that react with the chemicals used in the material that is used in the bumper cover that can cause the paint to discolor very slightly. It varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, but I would think that the cheaper paint and plastics used on an aftermarket part (not OEM) or on an economy car like your Nissan may be more susceptible to this kind of reaction. Hell, they used a BMW Z4 as the example car in the flyer, so the cost of the car may not have anything to do with it. It could just be a coincidence between paint colors and certain plastics.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > Vimto 08/28/2014 at 15:35

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If I was to guess, it is because the grime is sticking more on the bumper because it's plastic. Are any other plastic sections also darker?

MLGCarGuy > Vimto 08/28/2014 at 15:39

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Well my Note is white and seems to have the same issue on the front bumper, but is less noticeable.

pilaf > Vimto 08/28/2014 at 15:40

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There is likely no vin sticker on the bumper.

With some colors, particularly whites (especially pearl whites), the color will look different on metal parts vs plastic parts. A good example is the hood scoops on Subarus, the paint on the scoop rarely perfectly matches the hood, especially on Satin White Pearl cars. The bumpers on those cars with that color don't quite match the metal panels either.

its also possible that the bumper was repainted before it hit the dealer lot, and its also possible that the dealer doesnt know it.

As Du Volant > Vimto 08/28/2014 at 15:41

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Car paint often has a different luster when applied to different surfaces (steel, aluminum, plastic, fiberglas, etc). It's very common to see bumpers and grilles not quite matching the sheet metal. If you think Nissan is bad, you oughta see Chrysler.

Before jumping to conclusions, visit the dealership (preferably when they're closed to make it easy on yourself) and look at other cars on their lot. See if they have similar mismatches. If they do, there's your explanation.

If not... then yes, this car was probably repaired, and they should attempt to make it right. Repainting of the bumper to your satisfaction should be ample enough compensation- don't expect to get a bunch of cash out of them or a new car or anything. They may offer a maintenance package or something instead of repainting, take it if it's satisfactory to you.

For what it's worth it may not be the dealer's fault, so don't go in there yelling and screaming until you know the full story. We get new vehicles all the damn time that were damaged during transport and repaired before they even hit our lot, and 9/10 times we don't even realize it when they first arrive.

As Du Volant > sellphones2493 08/28/2014 at 15:51

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I've seen all kinds of crazy ass damage on new cars. Worst one was when a truck driver forgot to lower his top rack after his previous stop, ran under a bridge, and sheared the top 6 inches off a brand new Chrysler Aspen.

Needless to say we did not accept delivery of that one.

Vimto > As Du Volant 08/28/2014 at 15:55

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Yeah, I think I may ask the dealer about it, but not in an angry "Y U DO THIS" tone. I realize the bumper is a different material, but the front bumper matches the metal much better; the hatch and rear bumper seem to have a different finish.