Can New Cars Have Paint Runs?
2 Answers
Generally, new cars should not exhibit paint runs. This phenomenon typically occurs only after repairs when the affected area has undergone bodywork and repainting, and the issue was not noticed during delivery or when the car's paint was not fully dried. Carefully inspect the vehicle when selecting: When choosing a car, pay attention to the details of the vehicle. The paint surface is the most basic inspection item. If there are burrs, runs, or color discrepancies, the next steps involve checking the engine compartment and assemblies. If there are obvious irregular welds, signs of removed or damaged rust-proof paint on screws and nuts, or color differences in the engine compartment, these cars are likely to be transport-repaired vehicles. Identifying whether a new car has been repainted: Examine the edges and seals. Look closely at the body's edge joints, seals, trim pieces, and rubber strips for any residual paint marks. If the car has been repainted, these areas will inevitably show traces. Pay special attention to the paint on the engine hood. If you notice that the paint's fullness is inferior to the original, or if there are signs of orange peel, runs, pinholes, bubbles, cracks, discoloration, or putty marks on the surface.
As someone with considerable research into automotive manufacturing processes, I'd like to delve into the issue of paint runs on new vehicles. In the production line, the painting stage is highly automated, where robotic spraying typically ensures uniformity. However, occasional factors such as improper paint mixing, deviation in spraying angles, or excessive environmental humidity may cause the paint film to run, resulting in irregular sagging defects. Despite stringent quality inspections before leaving the factory, oversights are inevitable in mass production. I recall during a factory visit when an engineer likened this to a chef applying too much sauce that drips down, mentioning it can be corrected through polishing. For prevention, it's advisable to meticulously inspect the vehicle's paint surface upon delivery, especially in detailed areas like door frames and hoods. If such issues are found, immediately contact the dealer for resolution to ensure your beloved car remains flawless.