Is the triple paint option a much better paint job?

There is no doubt that the difference is very noticeable to the eye. That is the result of the three layers being sprayed from different directions. The effect is of greater depth and more vivid color. What I do not know is whether the tri-layers have the same problem with poor finishing of the clear coat that afflicts a certain percentage of the standard and "regular extra cost" paint jobs. These often require extensive paint correction. Other threads have discussed this extensively. Here is an example from the 458 Forum http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=389643

Perhaps others have experience with the clear coat finish that they can share. But I will tell you that if I were ordering a new Ferrari, I would seriously consider a tri-layer because it makes for a very distinctive appearance and should be practical to own if you do not track your car. Only price would deter me.

 

I would be concerned about being able to touch up chips and dings, or respraying any damaged panels and getting the right match. Otherwise, I agree; the ones I've seen have been fabulous to look at.

 

yes... small chips may show more than usual if you try to touch them up. Wholesale repaint is doable by a good body shop. I think an extensive paint protection wrap is called for.

 

My standard paint needed extensive correction from my detailer. It was ridiculous.

I'd never pay any extra considering how lousy the quality was on a standard color.

For such an advanced car company the quality of the paint is a complete aberration.

 

I agree 100% with your comments. 3 Ferraris and paint quality got worse on each car versus better.

The overall sad comment is that many threads discuss this, many have spoken with the dealers and yet Ferrari has done NOTHING to improve paint quality and to many of us it has gotten worse. Do you think they even care when they sell every car that leaves the Factory?

 

If you don't mind, what was the expense of the paint correction?

 

£350 per panel on this side of the pond to get it done properly.

 

My 360 had an area on the roof from the factory that looked like a car from the 1960's where someone had just painted over rust damage. Then my 430 had a run in driver's side rear quarter and the door jam was covered in overspray. This was the repaired state. I can only imagine what was wrong to begin with. My 458 coupe had areas that showed damage to paint/gasket interface at rear roof edge. imagine my surprise when my Rossa corsa spider I got on Saturday had literally perfect paint. I saw it just off the truck and it looked great even in that state. It is the deepest/best finish I have ever had in a Ferrari or any car. I assume luck (4 tries to get it right) but MAYBE quality improving. For all of us getting new cars, I hope so.
Best

 

Yes. Many are finished just great. That makes the bad ones very hard to understand.

 

I am absolutely amazed to read this. Lack of excellence from an iconic company like Ferrari disapoints me a lot...

Is it a well known fact ?

 

Yes...pretty much everyone who I know who has or has had a Ferrari agrees that the quality of paint is a disgrace.

 

Disapointing. Like a beautiful lady farting. Seriously.Ferrari Thumb Down.

 

I believe the triple colors and the out of range color paint jobs are done at a satellite facility where the quality of the paint work is much higher. Someone here can probably come up with the name of the facility that does the work. That alone is almost worth the price of admission.

 

I recall seeing some new cars from Wide World of Cars being sent to the Paterek Brothers (famed Porsche restorers) in Chatham, NJ, for paint correction before delivery to clients.

 

See Post 15 at http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/458-italia/397043-brand-new-458-spider-major-paint-correction-progress.html According to expert paint restorer Todd Cooperider, Zanasi is no better than Ferrari paint work. He has seen bad results in all colors!

 

Well, so much for that theory.

 

There is a school of thought that says that the issue is a problem with dealer prep, that Ferrari ships the cars after their road tests with the understanding that the dealers will address paint correction, as you observe here. If that is true then some dealers are badly dropping the ball because quite a few customers are receiving cars that are badly in need of correction.

 

Based on your other threads, I don't think you buy into this school of thought. Certainly, I don't buy "paint correction" is the dealer's responsibility. I also don't buy that the cars get in this condition from road testing at the factory and the travel to the end user. In the other thread linked, that car came from the factory loaded with scratches, compound in the seams, and was untouched by the delivering dealer. So, the damage was done BY Ferrari, period. Dress it up anyway you want, but if it looks like a duck....

Jimmy

 

silverstone 458 spider delivered with perfect paint job however after I saw a R marinello FF in the showroom I spec'd my F12 in that 3x color.It really enriches the lines of the car.

 

No. I don't buy it. Many other cars are exported for delivery around the world and anything less than pristine condition upon arrival is a rare exception. I don't know what percentage of cars arrive in less than satisfactory condition, but there is certainly a perception among customers that this is an area of concern. Perhaps a respectful letter to CEO Luca di Montezemolo calling attention to the problem might get attention. The letter should be signed by several (~ 10) customers who have had sad experiences.

 

It is a wonderful color. If I were going to order an F12, I would do the same.

 

Experience leads me to believe that most hand-built makes suffer from variable finish quality. Dealers are usually responsible for either correcting paint properly or for making things worse. The wise ones leave things as they are and advise a customer prior to taking any action, sometimes at their cost.

The issue however is not that the paint process has failed; this is not often the case.The problem is production pressure, ie releasing and invoicing cars out of the door to dealers. The Factory, or Zanasi, seldom have the time to allow for the paint to fully dry and breathe so that defects can be repaired on site. Immediately post-production, paint is still soft and (wisely) the final inspection process does not attempt to correct the finish fully.

The responsible attitude, as my dealer in Athens did with my 2002 575 upon delivery back then, is to advise of something they picked up and ask for further instructions. I simply waited for a visit to Fiorano for a track event three months later, picked up some stone chips as well and corrected everything invisibly on seasoned paint!!!

Always ask to see your pride and joy when it arrives, preferably immediately after the dealer has completed their inspection but not attempted anything further. With the possible exception of stock cars that have spent some time in an air conditioned environment, even just-landed (say) US or Aussie cars will not be seasoned enough for paint correction.

The more complicated the process (ie three layer, etc) the more cautious and prepared one has to be that paint correction may need to be completed later rather than earlier.

My two cents 'orth.

 

This is what I was told at the factory. I ordered a special paint job (3L red roof, Nero Stellato body), and certainly my car is much better than the average 458. Whether this is an exception or the rule when you order a 3L colour, I cannot say.


Onno

 

I have a bicolor 458 with triple layer "F1 2007" red and a black roof. Paint came out fantastic.