What to do?! Touch up or repaint brand new hood :*(

[bladz1454]

Hi Guys,

 

This really sucks, just a day after joining the forum and letting everyone know how much I love my new truck - this goes an happens. So I've had the truck for over a week now and just this morning my buddy who is a mechanic got to see the new ride. Now since I've owned it, I haven't completely walked and looked at every... single... inch of the truck like I would have like to but my buddy did for me and pointed out three finger nail clipping sized factory paint defects in the hood. Each deep enough to see the primer and then some. Now they are weird because they are completely smooth into the rest of the paint and have been factory clear coated over so sadly it looks like my hood just had bad luck at the factory.

 

Long story short, I brought it right to the dealer and they agreed that it was indeed a factory defect. Now here's my problem, the truck was custom ordered so they can't just replace it. My two options are touch up the hood (manager offered to toss in that 5 year TST 5000 protection for free if I chose this route) OR completely repaint the hood. Both of these options suck and I have to choose tomorrow. I have NO IDEA what to choose and better yet how to go about it. I feel like regardless of what I choose, I will forever be disappointed that I just bought a new truck with an already re-painted piece. I've heard getting the paint touched up this early in the life of the vehicle can cause problems down the road as the rest of the paint fades evenly and the touch up spots will not but on the other hand, nothing beats a factory paint jobs protection so getting the whole hood repainted sucks as well. I'm upset that this even happened and kind of what to be compensated some how for it but wouldn't know what to even ask for?

 

Any ideas or insight please?

 

[GMC-AT]

If they are paying to get it re painted... do it... it will be fine..

[jay15892]

Just get it repainted. It is not a big deal and they can match the color perfectly now days..

[1kwik72]

That really sucks. I can relate 1 day after getting my drag car put back back together after painting it I found out the hard way I didn't have enough clearance between the door and fender. I had to have the door and fender repainted.

 

I would ask to see some of the paint shops work. They will have to put color over the spots blending out into the surrounding paint and clear the entire hood. If they are good it should be near impossible to tell. As long as they don't have to break through the primer to feather the defect out there shouldn't be any issues with problems down the road.

[bladz1454]

Thanks guys, I was just concerned because I heard that the clear coat from the factory is usually better compared to getting it repainted. I am going to ask them how much a clear bra from the front of the hood and front bumper would cost too while they are at it. But yes, to the person above - they are covering the paint job.

[pm26]

Thanks guys, I was just concerned because I heard that the clear coat from the factory is usually better compared to getting it repainted. I am going to ask them how much a clear bra from the front of the hood and front bumper would cost too while they are at it. But yes, to the person above - they are covering the paint job.

The key to a good repaint job is proper surface preparation. Make sure they sand everything down properly. Improperly prepared surface may cause new paint to flake off in the future. If properly done, the repainted hood should be just as good as the factory painted one.

[mcnwil]

I know what you are going through as I went through the exact situation with my 06 DMAX. I chose to have the hood repainted but at a body shop of my choosing. Looked great and never had any issues.

[2016 Sierra Owner]

I would have the whole hood reprinted. Your truck is new and the paint used for repainting will be better than you have on it now. I had the side of my bed remained on my 2009 and you would never have know it.

[mzodarg]

I would also have it repainted. I would insist that the the entire hood be be done, when spraying metallic paint ( looks like your is Silver) it is very hard to blend. I know there are painters who can do it, but there are many who can't.

 

Just my 2 Cents.

 

Mike

[bladz1454]

Thanks guys, the majority has it - I will opt for a complete repaint of the hood today. I'm also going to ask if they can quote me on getting the front end clear bra'd since the bumpers are painted.

[1kwik72]

They will clear the entire hood but as far as color goes they shouldn't do the whole thing or they will have to blend the fenders also to get it to match. If the defect is close to an edge the will have to blend and clear the adjoining panel and clear it in its entirety as well. It really isn't a big deal and a good painter can match color and metallics and pearls if he is good enough. Which is why I would suggest asking to look at some of their work and ask them how much they painted and what they had to blend. Look at the whole panel in good light. Check the paint for dirt and defects sand scratches etc, Compare the texture of the paint on the repaired panel to an unrepaired factory panel Good painters can even match the factory orange peel. Clearcoat now days is pretty forgiving they can sand and polish out more than you would think but the panel will probably end up looking smoother and flatter than the rest of the paint.

 

Good luck I know it is a big deal not knowing how it will come out.

 

 

Craig

[fondupot]

Yea repaint that sucker. if the dealership will pay for it why not.