Spiral Gray Paint Issues?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, CA
Spiral Gray Paint Issues?
I just bought a 2004 Z51 A4 coupe over the weekend. Clean Carfax, clean Autocheck, one owner, 17k miles. I was thrilled for about two days, until after going over the car in extreme detail, I noticed that the whole passenger side of the car was repainted. I didn't notice it at first because the paint is practially an exact match, and there are no areas of overspray, etc that I saw. It's actually one of the best partial re-paints I've seen.
I just had the car inspected by Steve at Automotive Expertise Unlimited in Huntington Beach; he didn't identify any evidence that the car had been in a wreck of any kind.
Steve said that there were some problems with the Spiral Gray paint, sometimes even from the factory, whereby many of the owners had their cars repainted. Is this true, or can has anyone heard anything like this?
My situation is really wierd; really low mileage, one owner car, no accident history (that I know of based on available information), and yet half the car has been repainted...
I just had the car inspected by Steve at Automotive Expertise Unlimited in Huntington Beach; he didn't identify any evidence that the car had been in a wreck of any kind.
Steve said that there were some problems with the Spiral Gray paint, sometimes even from the factory, whereby many of the owners had their cars repainted. Is this true, or can has anyone heard anything like this?
My situation is really wierd; really low mileage, one owner car, no accident history (that I know of based on available information), and yet half the car has been repainted...
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 234
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From: Anchorage Ak
Maybe it got keyed or scratched somehow down the side so it was repainted. My pewter looked flawless also until I removed the BSM's. Then I found that the drivers door had been repainted from the BSM up. You could not tell before but with the BSM removed it was horrible. Unbeleiveable that a painter would actually do a half a$$ job like that.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 178
Likes: 9
From: Tempe Arizona
I just bought a 2004 Z51 A4 coupe over the weekend. Clean Carfax, clean Autocheck, one owner, 17k miles. I was thrilled for about two days, until after going over the car in extreme detail, I noticed that the whole passenger side of the car was repainted. I didn't notice it at first because the paint is practially an exact match, and there are no areas of overspray, etc that I saw. It's actually one of the best partial re-paints I've seen.
I just had the car inspected by Steve at Automotive Expertise Unlimited in Huntington Beach; he didn't identify any evidence that the car had been in a wreck of any kind.
Steve said that there were some problems with the Spiral Gray paint, sometimes even from the factory, whereby many of the owners had their cars repainted. Is this true, or can has anyone heard anything like this?
My situation is really wierd; really low mileage, one owner car, no accident history (that I know of based on available information), and yet half the car has been repainted...
I just had the car inspected by Steve at Automotive Expertise Unlimited in Huntington Beach; he didn't identify any evidence that the car had been in a wreck of any kind.
Steve said that there were some problems with the Spiral Gray paint, sometimes even from the factory, whereby many of the owners had their cars repainted. Is this true, or can has anyone heard anything like this?
My situation is really wierd; really low mileage, one owner car, no accident history (that I know of based on available information), and yet half the car has been repainted...
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 86
From: San Diego CA.
I bought an 04 Sprial Gray a few months ago. 1,660 miles. In the 90"s, I bought a new Audi that I noticed was repainted on the passenger side. The car was black, so I could really see it. I took the car back and they said it was damaged in shipping. If the fix is good, and the carfax is clean, what does it matter? You got a great low millage car for half price or less? As long as it matches, who cares?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, CA
Thanks for the replies, all. I was really put off at first when I noticed it was repainted, since I felt like I bought one thing (a perfect car) and got another (a half-repainted car). However, now that it appears it has not been in an accident (at least not that anyone can tell), I feel a little better. I paid $21k excluding tax and license, so I feel like I got a very fair deal. Regarding the paint, I can honestly not tell the difference in color- it is very uniform. Since the car will be my daily driver, hopefully the repainted portions will hold up.
From what I've gathered so far, it doesn't seem that there is an inherent problem with the MSG paint color. Not sure what the mechanic was talking about when he said that.
From what I've gathered so far, it doesn't seem that there is an inherent problem with the MSG paint color. Not sure what the mechanic was talking about when he said that.
Last edited by nkx1; Mar 18, 2010 at 07:48 PM.
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Thanks for the replies, all. I was really put off at first when I noticed it was repainted, since I felt like I bought one thing (a perfect car) and got another (a half-repainted car). However, now that it appears it has not been in an accident (at least not that anyone can tell), I feel a little better. I paid $21k excluding tax and license, so I feel like I got a very fair deal. Regarding the paint, I can honestly not tell the difference in color- it is very uniform. Since the car will be my daily driver, hopefully the repainted portions will hold up.
From what I've gathered so far, it doesn't seem that there is an inherent problem with the MSG paint color. Not sure what the mechanic was talking about when he said that.
From what I've gathered so far, it doesn't seem that there is an inherent problem with the MSG paint color. Not sure what the mechanic was talking about when he said that.
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I have an 04' MSG vert and the paint is perfect. My advise if it really bugs you is to buy a Specter Werks rear fascia or some other body enhancement and then have the entire car repainted to match and provide uniformity. Most pro painters I know tell me it's not much more expensive to paint an entire car vs. one section because all the cost is in the prep, etc.
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Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: HAMILTON ALABAMA
I would have to disagree with that
John@autobuffs
Auto Buffs LLC.
2 Kerry Ct,; Suite E
Southampton, NJ 08088
OFFICE_609-859-0900
CELL_856-776-3079
www.autobuffs.net
Custom Painting & Airbrushing
Pinstriping
Custom Detailing
Car Audio
Mobile Electronics & Video
Remote Car Starters / Alarms
Authorized HRE / IFORGED Dealer
Authorized East Coast Supercharging Dealer
Authorized TireRack Dealer
Authorized Carravaggio Dealer
John@autobuffs
Auto Buffs LLC.
2 Kerry Ct,; Suite E
Southampton, NJ 08088
OFFICE_609-859-0900
CELL_856-776-3079
www.autobuffs.net
Custom Painting & Airbrushing
Pinstriping
Custom Detailing
Car Audio
Mobile Electronics & Video
Remote Car Starters / Alarms
Authorized HRE / IFORGED Dealer
Authorized East Coast Supercharging Dealer
Authorized TireRack Dealer
Authorized Carravaggio Dealer
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,450
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From: Palm Beach Florida
Materials are pretty expensive these days. I just painted my 1970 GTO and the materials were five times as much as 8 yrs ago when I last did this. Alot of improvements w/ the new materials but much more money too.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,532
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From: Willow Springs Ca.
I have an 03 smg coupe. About a month after I bought it ( new ) I notices the paint on the area of the top behind the removable part, was thin and you could practly see through it. Rydell repainted that part under warrenty and it was fantastic. I believe the paint guys name is Johnny. He actually painted a piese of fiberglass first and got my approval on the match before he did the car.
earlier this year I hit a coyote and busted the front nose piece. The local body shop fixed it and then repainted the entire front end from the windshield forward. You really can't tell. It looks new.
earlier this year I hit a coyote and busted the front nose piece. The local body shop fixed it and then repainted the entire front end from the windshield forward. You really can't tell. It looks new.
