New Vibe owner, already concerned with the car.

[ghostpuppy]

Hello fellow Vibe owners!So I bought an 05 two weeks ago and for the most part I love this car . .. . .. until last night.From reading this forum I guess there are paint issues but I thought, nah mine will be okay. Well it's not. I took it down to the car wash last night and the high pressure rinse blew the paint off my bumper! I couldn't believe it! (photo attached) I literally stood there in shock for a moment in disgust/disbelief/horror/buyers remorse.Well today I went to a pick up a bottle of touch up and I can't even find the match in the Duplicolor catalog. I dragged out a sales associate to help thinking maybe I was just an idiot but he couldn't find it either (and was just as shocked).I can already picture my bumper in 3-4 years at this rate. A landscape of raw black plastic and chipping silver paint. What a load of B{!!$#!@.Anybody know what to buy with a paint code of 14U WA-303 ? The Duplicolor book is no help.So disappointed. Maybe I shouldn't have washed her!

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[zionzr2]

Welcome to our Vibedom!! You should be able to get some touch up paint from either a dealer or body shop with your paint code.

[djkeev]

Hi,So sorry about your problem. I wouldn't be so quick to place the blame on the factory paint though. Are you 100% sure that this car never had an accident, maybe even a minor one that only required the rubber to be replaced?I can't begin to tell you how many body shops DO NOT properly prep the soft bumpers or do the ADD the flex agent they should to the paint. The result is a beautiful job.....for awhile. A gentle bump, a small flex results in a small crack in the paint. The elements get in and loosen up more paint and then along you come with a pressure washer that gets into that crack and WHOOSH!! away goes your paint.Bottom line, don't go using a pressure washer on your car. Is is harsh and unforgiving. Even a car wash is hard on your finish.Get a hose and a good sponge or at least a car wash brush on a wand.Care for your finish and it will last quite awhile.Car washes and pressure washers are like Pop Tarts for auto cleaning, they work and they work quickly but don't taste very good.Dave

[ColonelPanic]

GM touch-up paint and part numbers:14U/303M Satellite 12346858 5 oz Spray / 12346857 0.5 oz Brush BottleYou can find all the Vibe paint codes and GM part numbers in this thread.Welcome!

[ghostpuppy]

Thanks ColonelPanic,I did see that thread in a search for an answer but the in store Duplicolor book didn't have a match.Out of curiosity I just now went to their website and I think I found it on there. For some reason they don't stock it in stores? Strange.I have a strong suspicion it will cost a lot less from them than from the dealer.https://www.duplicolor.com/dup...d=24214 303MSatellite Silver

[ArcsVibe]

Welcome to the site Get used to the paint it isn't special but the car is amazing and so is this site Enjoy!

[ehoff121]

Quote, originally posted by djkeev »Hi,So sorry about your problem. I wouldn't be so quick to place the blame on the factory paint though. Are you 100% sure that this car never had an accident, maybe even a minor one that only required the rubber to be replaced?I can't begin to tell you how many body shops DO NOT properly prep the soft bumpers or do the ADD the flex agent they should to the paint. The result is a beautiful job.....for awhile. A gentle bump, a small flex results in a small crack in the paint. The elements get in and loosen up more paint and then along you come with a pressure washer that gets into that crack and WHOOSH!! away goes your paint.+1I bought my '05 used and didn't find out about it being hit until after I bought it. Then the paint started flaking off the bumper, revealing the original paint underneath- they didn't even prime...My condolence on the paint, but congrats on the car!

[NascarXprt]

Welcome! yes, the paint isnt the best, and it has its prblems but thats what we are here for, help.

[Sublimewind]

It's painted over tupperware, what do you expect.....lolIt's not that bad, the paint on my Subie chips when you look at it funny..

[ghostpuppy]

Yeah, I doubt it will chip and flake of this easy in the future on the metal body panels. Thing is I've got an old (13+ years) beater GM ride that still has perfect paint on the plastic bumper and that's after I've hit a few parking meters etc.The carfax showed a clean record but I understand a minor bumper fix/repaint might not have made it on there.Might stop by the dealer today and see if they can track down a bottle of paint.

[2002sportside]

Quote, originally posted by ghostpuppy »The carfax showed a clean record but I understand a minor bumper fix/repaint might not have made it on there.LOL, he said Carfax Unfortunately, not everything is reported to Carfax...My '05 was hit pretty good in the rear when it was six months old, over $7k in damage (all of that plastic back there is pricey). When the lease was coming to the end I ran a Carfax to see if it showed up - id does not. If it was going to, it would have in the two years in between... So, since it has no history of damage I kept it. If it had shown up the car would have gone back, no point in me taking the hit on trade in On the upside it was repaired very well, dead center took all the damage nothing on the sides. Good luck with the car, I think you'll like it

[djkeev]

Quote, originally posted by ghostpuppy »Yeah, I doubt it will chip and flake of this easy in the future on the metal body panels. Thing is I've got an old (13+ years) beater GM ride that still has perfect paint on the plastic bumper and that's after I've hit a few parking meters etc.The carfax showed a clean record but I understand a minor bumper fix/repaint might not have made it on there.Might stop by the dealer today and see if they can track down a bottle of paint. Hi,This statement you made...." I've got an old (13+ years) beater GM ride that still has perfect paint on the plastic bumper and that's after I've hit a few parking meters etc."Says it all. There are Flex agents and proper procedures that MUST be followed for painting all that plastic stuff. The factory follows it, Many good body shops use it, many lesser body shops don't bother with it. A can of touchup paint will NOT have the proper agents in it. Only an automotive paint supply store has the additives that are then added to the paint and then applied via a spray gun. Whatever you put on your peeling bumper, in time, will flake off, unless you get the pint of paint, the flex agents, strip the bumper, prep the surface as directed and spray on the color coat and clear coats properly.I'm sure you don't want to hear this information but it is sadly the only answer to your problem.Dave

[abyssvibeawd]

Sorry about the paint. I just received touch up paint with a perfect match from http://www.expresspaint.com They also sell the clearcoat and detailed instructions come with the paint. Matched my black 'Abyss' paint perfectly! Reasonably priced and fast shipping. they recommend that you touchup the paint and after several hours you apply the clear coat. Hope this helps.