Its getting a little tiresome hearing many complain about the soft and thin paint on our cars and attributing it all to cost cutting and wrong doing by Acura which is just not the case.

Listen up guys, the soft paint is not an issue with just ours cars, or just Acura. ALL new cars have issues with their paint being much softer than years ago. The reason being that EPA regualtions have caused major changes in paint formulation making them water based for newer cars that have made the paints softer than they used to be which is affecting ALL major mainstream car manufacturers.

Acura/Mercedes/BMW/Nissan/Lexus/Toyota; all the owners of newer cars have noticed the same problem in comparison with the paint of their older models they may have owned or traded in.

While auto manufacturers specify painting processes and specific colors, they dont make the paint, or even mix it themselves. companies like Dupont do.

The Soft paint is not an Acura issue, its a paint issue that we will all have to live with until newer more durable formulations are found which have less of an environmental impact. Till then proper hand washing, detailing, sythethic polishes/sealants and avoiding automated car washes will be the best way to protect your finish from chips, swirls, and scratches. Clearbras like X-pel are also an option for protection.

 

Except that my car was covered with orange peel first and then painted black.
I don't think Lexus is offering this fruity option.

 

U2SLOW:

What are you talking about, this orange peel? What the heck happened with your car?

Inquiring minds want to know

 

If you take an orange and look at it, you'll notice how "smooth" it is. All I'm trying to say is that my paint is far from being Lexus smooth.

 

Okay, thanks...I'm with you now.

 

Those damn environmentalists

 

I think the paint looks fine.....

 

Thanks for the heads-up Mr. Hyde.....

 

Mr. Hyde (if in fact you really are Mr. Hyde, and not an Acura spokesman ):

I have been in the car wash business for the last 13 years and I agree with you. Today's paint in general just sucks ass. We have more people than ever complaining about scratches in their new cars that "weren't here before I brough it in." Most of the time we accomodate these customers by offering to polish their vehicles to remove the scratches, but it is getting a little annoying. It seems that if you just lean on a car today it puts a scratch in it and everyone thinks that we are doing the damage at the car wash.

I hate to say it, but people are just so damn stupid sometimes. They put their briefcases, coffe mugs, or even keys on the painted surface of their cars as they get gas or whatever else they do near their vehicles. I've even seen people sign documents on the hood of their cars.

I love my vehicles and hate to see a scratch. But just deal with it folks. Take the best care that you can, but enjoy your vehicle. Just don't play dominoes on the rear decklid of your TL.

And remember...please patronize your local professional car wash.

 

Well said, Amen brother

 

Well said Mr Hyde. We have been preaching this for a while now- nobody seems to want to hear it. Guys- the government dictates a lot more about how your car is made than you want to believe! Trust me- the car companies don't want to have to deal with these issues- they would much prefer to have happy customers, but htey are regulated by the government and must follow the law.

 

I would love to agree, but reality is that the paint quality and fit/finish of my wife's 2001 Odyssey is far superior to my TLS. Odyssey has no orage peel, has not chipped on the hood and front bumper, and has no water spots on the hood and roof. The body panels on the Odyssey are also much more accurate.

Ditto on the paint of the 1998 V6 Accord she had before the Odyssey; that paint was very good too, much better than the 02.

The paint that the Marysville plant is using today is not of the same quality as that of the Aliston plant, and what they were using in 1997 was also better.

These are real world observations from a long time Honda owner folks, our paint is not what it should be, regardless of what Acura tells us.

 

Wayneg,

I totally get the point regarding the paint restraints and laws...that is out of Acura's control. But, is it true that Acura is now using a 3 part system vs. a normal 7? What I want to know is that if Acura already knew that the paint was going to be of a less durable nature.....why not try to reinforce it some other way.......more clear coat, longer process? Acura as a mfg must work with what they have and solve the problem....not merely pass it on to the customers and then hide behind "the government made us do it".

 

Lead was an additive for many years to most poaints, incl automotive. It acted as hardening agent. As part of the environmental rules, lead was removed, and in addition to the stuff Mr Hyde already mentioned, compounded the flimsy state of current finishes.