California T Paint Issues? | FerrariChat

California T Paint Issues?

Discussion in 'California/Portofino/Roma' started by Roy Farrugia, Dec 17, 2016.

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  1. Roy Farrugia

    Roy Farrugia Rookie

    Oct 25, 2016
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    #1 Roy Farrugia, Dec 17, 2016
    Hi Rob,
    I am trying to find out if anyone is having the same problems that I am having with my new California T. My paintwork is chipping very badly after just a few hundred miles and I think there is something wrong with the way the paint has been applied at the factory. The car is currently at a paint specialist and will soon undergo a so called distraction text on the paintwork. Ferrari asked for a depth of paint has been done, but this proves nothing. I have done some research and also being a finisher of furniture I believe either the paint has had the wrong amount of hardener mixed, or cured at the wrong temperature. The paint appears to be too brittle and is shalling like glass. I have own a number of cars and in my 40 years of owning cars, I have never seen anything like this on a car.

    ROY
     
  2. NeuroBeaker

    NeuroBeaker Advising Moderator
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    Oct 1, 2008
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    Andrew
    #2 NeuroBeaker, Dec 17, 2016
    Hi Roy,

    I can't advise on the technical issue, but I moved your query to an area where you're more likely to get a helpful response. Good luck!

    All the best,
    Andrew.
     
  3. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
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    #3 greyboxer, Dec 17, 2016
    It would be helpful if you would specify the color - there are some threads in the F12/FF sections as I recall about a few previous issues
     
  4. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
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    #4 rob lay, Dec 17, 2016
    doesn't sound good. we don't get ours delivered until March. FYI about 6-10 years ago new Ferraris were known for uneven application, like thin paint around bumpers that you could see through. I haven't heard of any current paint issues, I just know 6-10 years ago Ferrari had reputation for one of the worst paint jobs.
     
  5. DK308

    DK308 F1 Rookie

    Aug 13, 2013
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    AB
    #5 DK308, Dec 17, 2016
    What exactly do you mean by "shelling like glass"? Is the paint cracking and flaking off? I've never seen that before.

    But as far as uneven paint thickness, swirls, buffer trails, orange peel, sanding marks, over spray and scratches go? Well, welcome to Ferrari. They have some of the worst paint jobs ever put on factory produced cars. I've yet to see a Ferrari that was not presented at a Motor Show, that did not need a full paint correction straight from the factory.
     
  6. DK308

    DK308 F1 Rookie

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    #6 DK308, Dec 17, 2016
    The quality of the paint jobs is as bad as it's been for a long time - and getting the special paint jobs done at Zanasi does not really help. Be prepared to spend the money on getting it detailed from someone good.
     
  7. 4th_gear

    4th_gear F1 Rookie

    Jan 18, 2013
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    Michael
    #7 4th_gear, Dec 17, 2016
    I think it would help if you posted photos. Where exactly on the car is the paint damaged? I would be interested to see the "shalled paint" you mentioned. It would be very suspicious if the paint flaked, rather than chipped.

    FWIW, the PPG paint label in the engine compartment of my Cali30, probably like the one in your CaliT, says "Tecnologia All'acua" "Waterborne Technology". This technology first came to be used in the EU in the 1990s, about 20 years ago. This means that many of the cars from your "...40 years of owning cars..." had lead-based paints which I agree were incredibly durable and had a very tough near-perfect finish. However, lead paints are obviously no longer allowed.

    My last BMW also had a PPG waterborne paint finish and because I drove it a lot on the highways, even with a lip bra, I collected quite a few dings on the hood and air dam. The paint was just too soft. If you look at the verbiage on the PPG link I embedded you'll notice it doesn't say any about the paint being tough but rather that it is easy to match colours with, easy to repair with, compliant with regulations and is easy to use.

    Your paint expert may find fault with the paint application but as I commented earlier, you need to apply at least a clear wrap on any new car nowadays because they will all pick up chips if you do highway speeds behind traffic.
     
  8. m2o2

    m2o2 Rookie

    Aug 30, 2015
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    #8 m2o2, Feb 19, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  9. 4th_gear

    4th_gear F1 Rookie

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    #9 4th_gear, Feb 19, 2017
    Looks like the location was not properly primered, the paint did not adhere well and got pulled away when something touched the spot.

    It would help if you could post a wider angle photo of the area showing where in the trunk the peeled paint is located. Knowing the location might provide a clue to why this paint defect occurred.

    This photo also appears to only show the peeling paint from the side and it would also be helpful to see the surface of the spot where the paint peeled. I can see a spot further down where the paint also appears to have left a drip - the whole area and not just the peeled paint may be problematic.
     

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