Brand new car - Bumpers don't match - ?

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DanS

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Cliffs Notes: Brand new car, front and rear bumper have less metallic flake than rest of car - repaint? or other factor?


Full story:

So I just got a brand new 2016 STI in WRB pearl. I ordered this car and waited 2 months, car arrived on a Friday at the dealer and I picked it up Monday morning 2/8 with 5 miles on it.

I didn't let the dealer do any prep other than remove some of the plastic so I could avoid the dealer installed swirl option. So the car was obviously a bit dirty when I picked it up, as to be expected after transport. I've since noticed about about 6 or 7 minor defects on the paint that I know I'll be able to remove, no big deal I pretty much expected some due to being handled by various people.

The weather here has not been great, so day of pick up I did a wash and quick wax with collinite 845, with the intention of doing a full detail at some point in the near future. It was a bit nicer this weekend so I was able to do a wash followed by a topping with Souveran. I had previously noticed what appeared to be a difference in the amount of metallic flake in the paint on the front bumper. Since we actually had some sun, I was able to really fully inspect the car and it appears that the front and rear bumper share the same difference in flake from the rest of the car.

Now, the reason for this post is I want to get everyone's opinion here as to why there's a difference. I know that cars can be repaired in port due to damage during transport, so I don't know if the bumpers have been repainted, or if it's a case of the front and rear bumper being painted separately from the rest of the car at the factory, or if it's just a case of the paint laying differently on the plastic of the bumper as opposed to the metal panels on the rest of the car (though the rockers and wing are plastic and look no different)? Subarus aren't known for excellent paint quality, I know this, but didn't expect what seems to be a mis-match on a brand new car.

Thoughts?

Front bumper / fender:
















Quarter panel to rear bumper:

















 
Yeah you can definitely see the color difference on both the front and rear fascias. Take it back.
 
Always possibility of a repaint, but alot of painted plastic seems to have different color than metal components. At least in my opinion.
 
My senior eyes can see the difference . I know the new challengers had same problem..

Yep, back and talk with dealer...suppose to be nice monday and tuesday in Da Burgh..
 
Most bumpers these days are supplied to the assembly line by the external vendors already painted. What you see is the product of different paint number batches or possibly totally different paint manufacturer even
 
custmsprty said:
Yeah you can definitely see the color difference on both the front and rear fascias. Take it back.
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MikeC said:
Always possibility of a repaint, but alot of painted plastic seems to have different color than metal components. At least in my opinion.
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KBsToy said:
My senior eyes can see the difference . I know the new challengers had same problem..

Yep, back and talk with dealer...suppose to be nice monday and tuesday in Da Burgh..
Click to expand...

Thanks for the super fast replies. Agreed, I think my next step is back to the dealer, but I was somewhat hoping that I was seeing things. Not too crazy about having a respray done. I know it can be difficult to match metallics, should I let them blend it or just request to do the bumpers?

MikeC - have you seen any differences in person with the plastics? This was my initial thought at first, but I guess regardless it's going to continue to bother me.
 
Ccrew said:
Most bumpers these days are supplied to the assembly line by the external vendors already painted. What you see is the product of different paint number batches or possibly totally different paint manufacturer even
Click to expand...

Interesting, I wasn't aware of that. That definitely would explain it.

I guess it still comes down to either living with it or making them respray. Not sure which is worse...
 
I don't have that problem with my current Wrx, but mine is also an 03. However, my current Toyota and past toyotas always had a different shade compared to the rest of the car. Toyota always explained it as something along the lines that because it was different materials (plastic vs aluminium) it would always be a different shade.
 
Ccrew is right. I would not try to fix it. They would probably make it worse. Perfection is unrealistic...
 
"Toyota and past toyotas always had a different shade compared to the rest of the car. Toyota always explained it as something along the lines that because it was different materials (plastic vs aluminium) it would always be a different shade. "
I agree my plastic fender flairs on my truck look to be a lighter shade and less metallic than the rest of my truck, I wouldn't mess with it.
 
usmcpab said:
I don't have that problem with my current Wrx, but mine is also an 03. However, my current Toyota and past toyotas always had a different shade compared to the rest of the car. Toyota always explained it as something along the lines that because it was different materials (plastic vs aluminium) it would always be a different shade.
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Yeah, I had an 04 STi that didn't have this issue, but the point you raise about it always looking different on different materials is what initially gave me pause.

7.3powerstroke said:
Ccrew is right. I would not try to fix it. They would probably make it worse. Perfection is unrealistic...
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If that's how materials are now sourced, then yeah I'm not surprised by the mis-match. I share your sentiment on the possibility of making it worse, not only the match but also durability for a variety of reasons. This car is my DD so it's not going to stay perfect, I just didn't expect the stark difference. I'm also sure that 99% of people would never notice.
 
Metallic and pearl are always difficult to match due to so many variables determining how the flake lays in the paint. I have seen cars driving down the road and it was obvious a respray was done even from far away. Quality body shops will try a few tests to get the spay technique correct before spraying the car. Very few will actually do this and even less likely a dealer body shop will. Blending may help but then you are painting on brand new body panels to do so. This may turn out to be an exercise in frustration only because they won't care as much as you do and when they don't see the big deal.... good luck.
I would like to see you get this resolved but it is the exact reason I do not purchase metallic or pearl cars even when I really love the look.
 
Why take it back? What would it accomplish besides nothing but the possibility of a repaint? It is quite common on many new cars for bumpers not to match perfectly.
 
Seriously, I appreciate all the replies. More than anything I'm just glad the general concensus is that it's prepainted / plastic vs metal as opposed to repainted in port.

I am a sucker for the pearls as of late. My last car was a metallic subaru with zero color differences, looks like my luck ran out. I mean it's not bad, but I do notice it. I need to sleep on it as to my next move, but the more I think about it the more it scares the crap out of me to try and let the dealer repaint it.
 
DanS said:
Seriously, I appreciate all the replies. More than anything I'm just glad the general concensus is that it's prepainted / plastic vs metal as opposed to repainted in port.

I am a sucker for the pearls as of late. My last car was a metallic subaru with zero color differences, looks like my luck ran out. I mean it's not bad, but I do notice it. I need to sleep on it as to my next move, but the more I think about it the more it scares the crap out of me to try and let the dealer repaint it.
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If you're concerned it may have been re painted [small chance that actually happened] you could always stop by the dealership and simply ask about it/compare your car with the other new cars on the lot to ensure they all look the same.. If they don't look the same and yours is the only 1 with this look then you've got the right to start asking them some serious questions.
It can't do no harm to stop by.. Heck, they might even kiss your butt and offer something nice to keep their customers happy. [not a complete fix or anything related to fixing the paint, but whatever they can do for you without having them touch your paint, if that makes sense]
 
Eldorado2k said:
If you're concerned it may have been re painted [small chance that actually happened] you could always stop by the dealership and simply ask about it/compare your car with the other new cars on the lot to ensure they all look the same.. If they don't look the same and yours is the only 1 with this look then you've got the right to start asking them some serious questions.
It can't do no harm to stop by.. Heck, they might even kiss your butt and offer something nice to keep their customers happy. [not a complete fix or anything related to fixing the paint, but whatever they can do for you without having them touch your paint, if that makes sense]
Click to expand...
:iagree:Good idea!:props:
 
one thing i've noticed with my aging civic (satin silver metallic) is that the paint is slightly different on both the front and rear bumper (as opposed to the rest of the car) as it ages. in your case it's brand new so it should be uniform all the way around...
 
Awesome Subaru in the quintessential WRX color. Don't mess with the factory paint. Keep it clean, polished, and coated with 845.

Oh, and drive it like you stole it. Or more realistically drive it like 90% of us, dodging puddles, dirt roads, and strategically picking our parking spots.

Congrats on one modern classic!
 
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