Strange: unpainted driver's door frame

[goodvibes3]

The frame around the window of the driver's door on my 2009 Vibe is unpainted and beginning to rust--not at the edges, but evenly across the surface. It is as if the piece of metal along the top and sides of the window missed the factory conveyor belt where paint and weather coating were being applied. Has anyone ever seen anything like this? I'm afraid that if I sand and paint it, there will be places I can't reach that will continue rusting. Can anyone offer advice?

[star_deceiver]

Welcome to GenVibe!!! Pics?How many miles are on your Vibe?

[goodvibes3]

36K miles

[A Psycho Martyr]

never heard anyone mention it. We'll need some visual on that if we're to help tho. Got a pic?is it on the inside or outside?

[goodvibes3]

did some research and figured out it's surface corrosion. I'm going to take it to a dealer as I believe it's covered in the 6 year/100k mile warranty on Corrosion Protection: "Pontiac vehicles are designed and build to resist corrosion. All body and sheet metal components are warranted against rust-through corrosion for 6 years or 100kmiles..." While it hasn't rusted all the way through yet, this is clearly a factory defect -- there is no paint on it whatsoever.

[A Psycho Martyr]

awesome. That's good news Glad it's coveredI'm still curious tho... was it on the outside? or in the door jamb?

[scherry2]

the parts are dipped and primer and paint are electropainted. i would guess that yours was repaired at the plant and was missed painted by hand. repair parts, unless replaced, are repaired the old fashioned way. call the dealer.

[goodvibes3]

don't know for sure if it's covered yet. it's on the outside face of door.

[vibenvy]

I would definitely like to see pictures to better understand what part you're referring to.

[IMakeVibes]

Yes, pics please if possible. Doesn't sound like something that should have gotten passed multiple qc stations...but anythings possible. I've heard of stranger things coming out of there.

[djkeev]

Quote, originally posted by IMakeVibes »Yes, pics please if possible. Doesn't sound like something that should have gotten passed multiple qc stations...but anythings possible. I've heard of stranger things coming out of there. Could have been a dealership repair or distribution depot repair.When I worked for Mercedes Benz it was amazing the wrecked cars they would repair! Right there at the docks in Newark. Things potential buyers never knew about.Yes, take it to the dealer and don't leave without satisfaction. If the dealer will not help you, ask when the factory rep is stopping by next and request a face to face meeting with him when he comes.If was fixed by Pontiac along the delivery trail, he can find out about it. IF it was damaged and fixed at the selling dealer and they are covering it up, there should be records of the repair in the stock # file.Dave

[goodvibes3]

Thanks. That's a great suggestion--to ask to talk to the dealer if they don't agree to fix it. I bought the car used, the previous owner was a rental company, but the carfax was clean.