Air bubble on the paintwork - Please help! :(

[TheRuthlessObliterator]

So, today I was so excited to pick up my car. I was doing a walkaround to check for any defects and unfortunately I found a chipped area with a air bubble in the paint work. I asked the dealership to fix it and they said they can do it with a touch up pen, but they do not have yellow splash since its a 2024 color and nothing is in stock yet.

Do you guys think this is okay to pick up after they retouch it or will this air bubble be a problem in the future? What would be the fix for this and who pays for the repairs? Is it the dealership or Ford?

Also I saw a small misalignment on the small panel above the rocker and behind the door. They said they will not be able to fix it at the dealership. What to do? I forgot to take a picture because I was already too sad that I was not picking it up.

Please help, any insights are appreciated.

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[dusman59]

I wouldn't be happy with that chip. I also wouldn't want to take a chance on the dealer making things worse by painting the fender. Yellow is very hard to match. Unless the dealer has someone with 25 year experience in paint work chances things will not turn out that great. I would go with the touch up path and have written documentation on your concerns.

 

[marcekb]

That's just not a big enough deal (the paint) to worry about if they're touching it up. Not sure about the misalignment, but a picture could help.

 

[TheRuthlessObliterator]

I wouldn't be happy with that chip. I also wouldn't want to take a chance on the dealer making things worse by painting the fender. Yellow is very hard to match. Unless the dealer has someone with 25 year experience in paint work chances things will not turn out that great. I would go with the touch up path and have written documentation on your concerns.

What do you mean by documentation of my concerns? What format are we talking about? An email, written letter or something else?

That's just not a big enough deal (the paint) to worry about if they're touching it up. Not sure about the misalignment, but a picture could help.

The air bubble wouldn't be a problem? I heard that that could be a big issue if it starts peeling from there.

 

[marcekb]

The air bubble wouldn't be a problem? I heard that that could be a big issue if it starts peeling from there.

Yes, if the paint were to peel, it'd be a concern. But if touched up, that's less likely. Regardless, the bumper is at risk of all sorts of things hitting and chipping the paint. I love that yellow though. Will the dealership give you some factory touch up paint to keep? Kind of a nice trade, since you could use it anywhere else down the road.

 

[Mike Pfeifer]

To answer who would pay for it, it’s a warranty concern. So ford would pay for it. Not just now, but also down the road if it starts to get worse. Until the warranty expires. In terms of documenting the concerns, the way to go about it is to have a repair order made in the service department, describing the problem and what the dealer has to say about it. This will give you the best possible leg to stand on later, if needed for some reason. Any other format is practically useless. If they do a touch-up repair on that paint bubble, also make sure there is a repair order showing that’s what they are doing so it’s documented and they don’t try and turn it back on you down the road.

 

[TheRuthlessObliterator]

Yes, if the paint were to peel, it'd be a concern. But if touched up, that's less likely. Regardless, the bumper is at risk of all sorts of things hitting and chipping the paint. I love that yellow though. Will the dealership give you some factory touch up paint to keep? Kind of a nice trade, since you could use it anywhere else down the road.

Yes, they said they will give the touch up pen but have to order it because they dont have yellow splash with them and it's not available in ford parts yet.

 

[TheRuthlessObliterator]

To answer who would pay for it, it’s a warranty concern. So ford would pay for it. Not just now, but also down the road if it starts to get worse. Until the warranty expires. In terms of documenting the concerns, the way to go about it is to have a repair order made in the service department, describing the problem and what the dealer has to say about it. This will give you the best possible leg to stand on later, if needed for some reason. Any other format is practically useless. If they do a touch-up repair on that paint bubble, also make sure there is a repair order showing that’s what they are doing so it’s documented and they don’t try and turn it back on you down the road.

Thank you so much! That helps.

One follow up question. Can I pick it up tomorrow and have them submit a repair order on which they will order the paint/touch up pen and take it back after they receive the material?

My birthday's coming up and I really want it before then. I don't expect Ford to send the paint in a week.

 

[dusman59]

I also believe the yellow splash is a tricoat. Should have base plus top coat and then clear. If you take the car you should be ok as it appears to have a primer.

 

[TheRuthlessObliterator]

I also believe the yellow splash is a tricoat. Should have base plus top coat and then clear. If you take the car you should be ok as it appears to have a primer.

Sounds like a plan. I'm gonna pick her up tomorrow!

I will have the dealership put in a service/repair order with all the details though and set an appointment to come in to fix it.

 

[Mike Pfeifer]

Thank you so much! That helps.

One follow up question. Can I pick it up tomorrow and have them submit a repair order on which they will order the paint/touch up pen and take it back after they receive the material?

My birthday's coming up and I really want it before then. I don't expect Ford to send the paint in a week.

Take the car.

At delivery, have them make a “we owe”, a document stating in writing that the dealer owes you something they cannot provide at delivery. The we owe should say they will order the touch up paint and repair the bubble or something to that effect. When the paint comes in, you will need to make a service appointment so they can create a repair order. This is the most important part and also the most frustrating unfortunately. They may try to get you to just let them “fix it real quick” to get you on your way, with out a repair order. The problem is if it starts to have a problem later on, and you try to get them to cover it, they may see the touch up paint and say it’s outside influence and claim they have no record of them making the repair. They won’t remember that they fixed it or that the bubble was there when you bought it. It’s not malicious, just way too many things going on day to day to keep it all in memory. It sucks but it’s the only way to protect yourself from that kind of scenario. I have seen it a million times.

 

[TheRuthlessObliterator]

Take the car.

At delivery, have them make a “we owe”, a document stating in writing that the dealer owes you something they cannot provide at delivery. The we owe should say they will order the touch up paint and repair the bubble or something to that effect. When the paint comes in, you will need to make a service appointment so they can create a repair order. This is the most important part and also the most frustrating unfortunately. They may try to get you to just let them “fix it real quick” to get you on your way, with out a repair order. The problem is if it starts to have a problem later on, and you try to get them to cover it, they may see the touch up paint and say it’s outside influence and claim they have no record of them making the repair. They won’t remember that they fixed it or that the bubble was there when you bought it. It’s not malicious, just way too many things going on day to day to keep it all in memory. It sucks but it’s the only way to protect yourself from that kind of scenario. I have seen it a million times.

Makes total sense.

Thank you so much Mike! Apreciate the insights!

 

[roket]

i can say with 90% certainty that Ford should be covering that. Mike's response had a lot of good info, and here's some more info about the service side. since that looks like a factory paint defect, whoever writes up the repair order on it should also be submitting a GCR report to Ford about it (usually the RO should mention some sort of control number) so that it will be covered by Ford, then have it sent to their body shop to fix it properly. i would say that would fall under "popping" with an extra "runs" right next to it; both of which Ford's GSB 23-7003 consider warrantable. if they don't play ball, get Ford involved

 

[Dave2013M3]

My Bronco Sport Badlands in Red Hot Chili had the same flake. I just got touch up paint from the dealer (made them pay for it) and did the repair myself. I don't even notice it now.

 

[TheRuthlessObliterator]

i can say with 90% certainty that Ford should be covering that. Mike's response had a lot of good info, and here's some more info about the service side. since that looks like a factory paint defect, whoever writes up the repair order on it should also be submitting a GCR report to Ford about it (usually the RO should mention some sort of control number) so that it will be covered by Ford, then have it sent to their body shop to fix it properly. i would say that would fall under "popping" with an extra "runs" right next to it; both of which Ford's GSB 23-7003 consider warrantable. if they don't play ball, get Ford involved

Sounds good, thank you! I will bring this up with the dealer tomorrow.

Appreciate the help!

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