Hi,

 

Today I noticed some suspicious bubbles while cleaning my 2 years old Octavia.

 

They don't seem to be caused by rust (they are hard) but they seem suspicious nonetheless.

 

Thoughts?

That looks pretty ominous. From day one of buying my VRS I've been arguing about the state of the paint. When you mention it to a dealer you would think you've asked for an unconditional refund.

 

If you're in warranty take it in for an inspection. If not seek some professional but not biased opinion on what's best.

8 hours ago, ExSEAT said:

That looks pretty ominous. From day one of buying my VRS I've been arguing about the state of the paint. When you mention it to a dealer you would think you've asked for an unconditional refund.

 

If you're in warranty take it in for an inspection. If not seek some professional but not biased opinion on what's best.

Yes, the car is still under warranty. I also think I'll take first for the non-biased professional's advise, then to the dealer. Thanks

After closer inspection, it seems like same problem is on both rear fenders. It definitely seems like some kind of production defect. I'm wondering if any other Octavia owners have had the same problem on recent models (>2017)

Today I was at the dealer and it was not as bad as I expected. They acknowledged there is a problem and took some photos under the microscope for further investigation. They said they should contact me in about one week with the results.

Edited 25 May, 20206 yr by gnaklers

Pain thickness gauge and then claim it’s been resprayed so not their fault....

 

I would get a body shop to do that before you hear back j from the dealer and write a report if all is good.

 

If not did you buy the car new from that dealer?

57 minutes ago, cheezemonkhai said:

Pain thickness gauge and then claim it’s been resprayed so not their fault....

 

I would get a body shop to do that before you hear back j from the dealer and write a report if all is good.

 

If not did you buy the car new from that dealer?

I bought the car new from the dealer - actually had to wait a few months to be produced - so I'm certain (or almost certain) it's never had a paint job before. Whatever is going on those fenders, it came form the factory. The car is just 2 years old at the moment, so it's under warranty. I think I'll wait to see what they have to say about those microscope photos

Edited 28 May, 20206 yr by gnaklers

Repairs / corrections happen at the factory, then damage can happen in transit, or in storage as many cars were Bunkered with the WLTP Approval hold up, 

and then repairs happen before dropped off at a dealership or after delivery.

So as it is the paint will need the thickness checked.

But then that is often done when doing as the Warranty T&C's say.  Report ASAP to an Approved Repairer, or that can be a Dealership. 

photos taken then and some check thickness.

It is not for the Dealership to decide if all is well or Skoda Customer Services that is for a qualified painter / inspector.

But as long as they approve a repair to factory standard that is OK.

That is proper Quality Controlled Factory Paint standard, not the job that slipped through...

Indeed...

 

my post was just a heard the respray line used before, so be prepared.

Edited 28 May, 20206 yr by cheezemonkhai

1 hour ago, Roottootemblowinootsoot said:

Repairs / corrections happen at the factory, then damage can happen in transit, or in storage as many cars were Bunkered with the WLTP Approval hold up, 

and then repairs happen before dropped off at a dealership or after delivery.

So as it is the paint will need the thickness checked.

But then that is often done when doing as the Warranty T&C's say.  Report ASAP to an Approved Repairer, or that can be a Dealership. 

photos taken then and some check thickness.

It is not for the Dealership to decide if all is well or Skoda Customer Services that is for a qualified painter / inspector.

But as long as they approve a repair to factory standard that is OK.

That is proper Quality Controlled Factory Paint standard, not the job that slipped through...

Just by curiosity, what a "repair to factory standard" does exactly involve? does it involve a local area fix, the whole part (eg. car door), the whole car?  I'm trying to figure out what kind of solution they will offer me and if that will be acceptable. The car's fenders belong to a quite big part of the car's body...

Edited 28 May, 20206 yr by gnaklers

Well that needs to be to the correct paint spec and any corrections / repainting not detectable.  

In your case paint.

With Corrosion like the Zinc Inclusion issue on Yeti's it needed to be panel replacement and paint, but Skoda / VW were too greedy and a 'kerbside auto's' cheapo paint job was what they tried to get away with.

The paint thickness seems in order so I don't expect them to play that card

Some close-up pictures 

 

2 hours ago, gnaklers said:

Some close-up pictures 

 

That almost looks like welding

3 hours ago, gnaklers said:

Some close-up pictures 

 

Good god, that’s terrible.

 

It looks like poor welding to me too.

10 hours ago, SkodaKing said:

That almost looks like welding

My thoughts exactly. Those bubbles extend across the whole 2 rear fenders.

I got an update today by phone call from my dealer.

 

Skoda analysed the photos taken under microscope by my dealer and, as @cheezemonkhai suggested, they are claiming that the car has been probably painted BUT the dealer has asked me to bring the car once more in order to confirm that by measuring with paint thickness gauge.

 

They gave me an appointment for next week, so I'll keep updating

Could I suggest you go to a good local Bodyshop and ask them to use a PTG to assess wether they think it has been repainted and the probable cause of the paint damage.

 

That way you have it before the dealer does their report and you can get another after the dealer inspection if needed.

 

Disgusting that you have to, but sadly not unheard of ...

1 hour ago, cheezemonkhai said:

Could I suggest you go to a good local Bodyshop and ask them to use a PTG to assess wether they think it has been repainted and the probable cause of the paint damage.

 

That way you have it before the dealer does their report and you can get another after the dealer inspection if needed.

 

Disgusting that you have to, but sadly not unheard of ...

So I just went to a local car detailing just to have a second opinion. They closely examined the area using the paint thickness gauge and a special inspection lamp.

The PTG confirmed that the thickness is inside the nominal range (it's about 130um at most), whilst the close inspection under the lamp confirms the absence of any residues or trapped particles which are common to find after paint jobs even if performed in a closed chamber.

Long story short, it's very unlikely that this car has ever received a paint job outside the factory, but we will see what they have to say next week

You will want them to give you the PTG readings on the area and the area around it, plus some a distance away.

If you can show the car is approx 130um over most of the car, they don't really have a leg to stand on.

 

Anything you can get in writing before is a bonus, even if you have to pay a little to get it.

 

I've heard of people given the run around using this exact excuse on the forum before, so if you can find the threads in search, it will help to see what others claim to have had happen to them.

Edited 3 June, 20206 yr by cheezemonkhai

As it is the actual paint can be checked to see if a repair was carried out at the factory, 

and not an In-transit / post transit repair.

5 hours ago, Roottootemblowinootsoot said:

As it is the actual paint can be checked to see if a repair was carried out at the factory, 

and not an In-transit / post transit repair.

And if there was a repair before your “new” car was handed over to you, then it’s not your problem but the dealers.

@cheezemonkhai

Exactly.

Sadly as in various threads in this very forum there are dealerships that say they have no record of anything after the vehicle arrived with them.

When i did Paint Corrections on new vehicles it was before the vehicles arrived at dealerships.

But the actual pain can be tested when it is a case that Skoda tries being ballshy, that is what independent experts are for and then Skoda can pick up their bill as well.

PVWI Paint Specialist.

Annoying when they do a report and then Skoda try dismissing that.

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/430237-bonnet-paint-defect

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/451758-paint-missingfrom-inside-hinge-part-of-wing

 

2 hours ago, Roottootemblowinootsoot said:

@cheezemonkhai

Exactly.

Sadly as in various threads in this very forum there are dealerships that say they have no record of anything after the vehicle arrived with them.

When i did Paint Corrections on new vehicles it was before the vehicles arrived at dealerships.

But the actual pain can be tested when it is a case that Skoda tries being ballshy, that is what independent experts are for and then Skoda can pick up their bill as well.

PVWI Paint Specialist.

Annoying when they do a report and then Skoda try dismissing that.

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/430237-bonnet-paint-defect

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/451758-paint-missingfrom-inside-hinge-part-of-wing

 

 

It's quite sad indeed. I'm starting to see a pattern and I don't like it.

 

And finally this. Let's say they agree to fix it. In my case it's not like respraying the bonnet or replacing a small panel. Those fenders are part the car's larger piece of bodywork. I really don't see a happy ending to this story..

Good luck with it.

 

You do get the feeling that if things carry on like this, the reputation they fought to get rid of may come back and bite them again.