Acura RDX paint failure - what would you do?

[Navigator]

My wife's 2010 Acura RDX has the crystal black pearl paint and is beginning to show some pretty obvious signs of clear coat failure with check marks and crows feet on the hood. Only has about 65,000 miles on it. After doing some research, it appears this is a very common issue with black Hondas and Acuras around that time period, although no recall was ever issued.

I took it to the Acura dealer and they acknowledged the issue, but wouldn't contribute more than about 20% of repainting the entire car. They noticed some of the same issues on other parts of the car and aren't willing to just do the hood.

I haven't dealt with this issue before. I'm wondering if it makes sense to repaint the hood only, which is about the only noticeable spot right now. I understand they have to sand the paint down to the metal to properly solve the issue. Any sense how long this crow's feet and checking issue takes to really become visible on the rest of the car? Wondering if I should get rid of this rather than sink money into it. For reference, this is what parts of the hood are beginning to look like.

[JerTM]

I'd say that's pretty generous of them to even offer the 20%. Personally I would ask the body shop to open two repair orders if they have to and have the whole car painted. They can open one to bill the hood only, and a second one for the rest of the car. That way you can have the dealership pay their portion and you can get the car painted. It will happen to the rest, it just shows up first over the hood because engine heat accelerated it. I see it a lot on older, dark cars.

[Navigator]

Originally Posted by JerTM

I'd say that's pretty generous of them to even offer the 20%. Personally I would ask the body shop to open two repair orders if they have to and have the whole car painted. They can open one to bill the hood only, and a second one for the rest of the car. That way you can have the dealership pay their portion and you can get the car painted. It will happen to the rest, it just shows up first over the hood because engine heat accelerated it. I see it a lot on older, dark cars.

Any idea how quickly the failure typically progresses if it's well maintained and generally parked indoors? I haven't even noticed it anywhere else on the car other than the hood so it must be at the very early stages elsewhere.

Seems like heat and sun must affect it a lot. I live in Wisconsin but was recently in Arizona and saw tons of black Acuras and Hondas out there with the paint completely flaked off the hood and roof.

[JerTM]

I would ask the body shop their opinion on how long it will take. I honestly don't have any idea how long it would be.

[lbls1]

If it is on the hood then I'd repaint that part of it only, and I'd only do that if the car w as in excellent shape. Have you protected the paint with a wax or sealant in the past? Waxes are amazing at protecting the paint from UV rays, which is a known culprit for clear coat failure (along with poor quality manufacturing). Just make sure that you polish and wax the car every year, and the car should be fine.

Edit: Sometimes, even well maintained cars with a poorly manufactured finish may suffer from premature paint failure. If this is the case, then it is really the fault of Acura, and they should take note of this. If you begin to see cc failure marks on the rest of the car, then if it were me I would not repaint the entire car. I'd just suffer with it until I'm ready for another car.

[BMR Sales]

Wrap it in Carbon Fiber Vinyl like all the Kids do!

[Navigator]

Originally Posted by lbls1

If it is on the hood then I'd repaint that part of it only, and I'd only do that if the car w as in excellent shape. Have you protected the paint with a wax or sealant in the past? Waxes are amazing at protecting the paint from UV rays, which is a known culprit for clear coat failure (along with poor quality manufacturing). Just make sure that you polish and wax the car every year, and the car should be fine.

Edit: Sometimes, even well maintained cars with a poorly manufactured finish may suffer from premature paint failure. If this is the case, then it is really the fault of Acura, and they should take note of this. If you begin to see cc failure marks on the rest of the car, then if it were me I would not repaint the entire car. I'd just suffer with it until I'm ready for another car.

We've only owned the car for less than one year, and unfortunately I was not looking at the paint under a microscope when I bought it. From 2+ feet away, it's not noticeable. Even within two feet, it's not noticeable in all types of light unless you are looking closely.

It's a well-known issue for black Hondas and Acuras during this time period, and I understand it was an issue with the painting process at the factory. Apparently, it was not uncommon for black cars to have this issue showing months after production, and Acura and Honda were repainting the whole car under warranty. Even our dealer acknowledged this was the case.

I'm just hoping I can get by with repainting the hood properly, since I personally don't see any issues elsewhere on the car, although the dealer noticed some spots. I just have no idea how quickly this advances once it starts. Months? Years?

[lbls1]

^I would be unhappy if the mfr. had to repaint the entire car due to faulty manufacturing. See what your dealer recommends. If there are spots that are starting to fail, it will ultimately lead to paint failure. How long this happens could be a guess; a few months, or a year etc. I would just keep a sharp eye out.

Understandably if your entire car needs to be repainted, that this would be a very costly affair, even if the dealer offers to pick up 20% of the bill. At this point, I would be looking at trading if the damage was this severe. Also note, that typically your car will de-value if it had to be re-painted prematurely. There are exceptions of course: Such as salvaged cars with extensive damage, or classic cars in need of restoration.

Good luck.

[1Coopgt]

Originally Posted by Navigator

We've only owned the car for less than one year, and unfortunately I was not looking at the paint under a microscope when I bought it. From 2+ feet away, it's not noticeable. Even within two feet, it's not noticeable in all types of light unless you are looking closely.

It's a well-known issue for black Hondas and Acuras during this time period, and I understand it was an issue with the painting process at the factory. Apparently, it was not uncommon for black cars to have this issue showing months after production, and Acura and Honda were repainting the whole car under warranty. Even our dealer acknowledged this was the case.

I'm just hoping I can get by with repainting the hood properly, since I personally don't see any issues elsewhere on the car, although the dealer noticed some spots. I just have no idea how quickly this advances once it starts. Months? Years?

So you bought a almost 8 year old car(Now) guessing out of warranty(now) . And you're trying to get the dealer to foot the bill . Dude you're luck that they offered to discount 20%. They don't have to do anything.

[JerTM]

Originally Posted by 1Coopgt

So you bought a almost 8 year old car(Now) guessing out of warranty(now) . And you're trying to get the dealer to foot the bill . Dude you're luck that they offered to discount 20%. They don't have to do anything.

I didn't get the impression he was upset the dealer was only helping him with 20%.

[Navigator]

Originally Posted by 1Coopgt

So you bought a almost 8 year old car(Now) guessing out of warranty(now) . And you're trying to get the dealer to foot the bill . Dude you're luck that they offered to discount 20%. They don't have to do anything.

I was surprised they offered that much; I certainly was not expecting anything. It was worth asking, at least.

[1Coopgt]

Originally Posted by Navigator

I was surprised they offered that much; I certainly was not expecting anything. It was worth asking, at least.

My apology guess I read more into it . Very cool on the dealers part then.