Azkyrie6
Senior Member
- Thread starter
- #1
Background: Purchased the Integra Type S back in July and Courtesy Acura had partial clear-bra PPF installed on their showroom model. The dealer uses a 3rd party clear-bra installer:
All seemed okay, the clear-bra doesn't wrap around the edges and type of film used makes the white paint appear darker yellowish tint, which is very noticeable on a white car in certain lighting.
Autofilm Solutions PPF: I dropped the ITS off at Autofilm Solutions for a full body wrap; they are extremely professional and the best at what they do. They pointed out the clear bra installation isn't the best. After a couple of hours, they carefully removed the clear bra and this is what they discovered:
Damage: It is abundantly clear, the ITS was brand new and the servicing dealership's contracted installer took a knife to the PPF installation. Wherever the PPF was cut-to-size, there are razorblade cuts into the paint. Autofilm solutions removed each PPF film for inspection; they noticed the cuts were in line with the original edges on the PPF. The PPF was trimmed ONTO the vehicle paint.
In many areas the clearcoat was broken and down to the paint panel. "Due to the location and depth of these cuts, buffing is not possible. These panels will require repainting to bring it back to the original condition of a new vehicle"
It's quite obvious the cut mark damages were not there prior to installation. The clearoat is broken, refinishing is required. In the pictures, the clearcoat cracking has begun to spread and collect dirt. This would lead to peeling and clearcoat delamination.
Remedies: Autofilm Solutions works with an autobody shop and has given an estimate based off of the assessed damage. This will require wetsanding, and respraying the entire panels. The risk would be paint matching. Platinum White Pearl can be extremely difficult to color match to original.
The other option is to completely PPF wrap over the damages. This will not completely hide the cut marks and be at risk for delamination under the wrap. UV rays will continue to cause damages, the clearcoat adhesions will fail and cause lifting off of the base-coat.
Both cost estimates have been sent to the dealer. Currently Rick over at Courtesy Acura has been very cooperative but the ultimate decision will come from his general manager. We spoke to the guy who did the original PPF clear bra and he neither confirmed nor denied putting a knife onto the paint. Either way, the evidence is clear that someone cut into the paint.
I'm not sure what Courtesy Acura will cover, but repair costs will need to be provided. The last thing on my mind would be to peel off the clear bra and check for cuts before signing the paperwork and driving the ITS off the lot. I've been in touch with a lawyer but will work with the dealer first. They want the car brought in to assess damage but I was told I'd be exposing the paint to further damage. Any thoughts or opinions are welcome. Will update as the situation progresses.
All seemed okay, the clear-bra doesn't wrap around the edges and type of film used makes the white paint appear darker yellowish tint, which is very noticeable on a white car in certain lighting.
Autofilm Solutions PPF: I dropped the ITS off at Autofilm Solutions for a full body wrap; they are extremely professional and the best at what they do. They pointed out the clear bra installation isn't the best. After a couple of hours, they carefully removed the clear bra and this is what they discovered:
Damage: It is abundantly clear, the ITS was brand new and the servicing dealership's contracted installer took a knife to the PPF installation. Wherever the PPF was cut-to-size, there are razorblade cuts into the paint. Autofilm solutions removed each PPF film for inspection; they noticed the cuts were in line with the original edges on the PPF. The PPF was trimmed ONTO the vehicle paint.
In many areas the clearcoat was broken and down to the paint panel. "Due to the location and depth of these cuts, buffing is not possible. These panels will require repainting to bring it back to the original condition of a new vehicle"
It's quite obvious the cut mark damages were not there prior to installation. The clearoat is broken, refinishing is required. In the pictures, the clearcoat cracking has begun to spread and collect dirt. This would lead to peeling and clearcoat delamination.
Remedies: Autofilm Solutions works with an autobody shop and has given an estimate based off of the assessed damage. This will require wetsanding, and respraying the entire panels. The risk would be paint matching. Platinum White Pearl can be extremely difficult to color match to original.
The other option is to completely PPF wrap over the damages. This will not completely hide the cut marks and be at risk for delamination under the wrap. UV rays will continue to cause damages, the clearcoat adhesions will fail and cause lifting off of the base-coat.
Both cost estimates have been sent to the dealer. Currently Rick over at Courtesy Acura has been very cooperative but the ultimate decision will come from his general manager. We spoke to the guy who did the original PPF clear bra and he neither confirmed nor denied putting a knife onto the paint. Either way, the evidence is clear that someone cut into the paint.
I'm not sure what Courtesy Acura will cover, but repair costs will need to be provided. The last thing on my mind would be to peel off the clear bra and check for cuts before signing the paperwork and driving the ITS off the lot. I've been in touch with a lawyer but will work with the dealer first. They want the car brought in to assess damage but I was told I'd be exposing the paint to further damage. Any thoughts or opinions are welcome. Will update as the situation progresses.
