Dealer painted Fender before purchase

[curtiswatkins91]

I went to replace my brand new Outer Banks emblem with the script ones. On the passenger side it was easy. However, on the driver side there was a perfect outline of the badge left behind. First thought was it was glue, nope, too hard. Then I thought it was a PFF but there is no seam on the edges.

I had a detailer take a look and he pointed out the paint residue on the emblem. He concluded that the fender was repainted after putting the emblem on. Now I need to take it to a body shop and see what they say they can do to fix it. It shouldn’t be a major fix but I bought the car new and am frustrated I am having this issue 500 miles into owning it.

Is this kind of thing normal? Should the dealership be responsible?

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[Ducati1098]

I don’t understand why anyone would paint the fender with the decal left on. That sounds ridiculous

 

[HighVelocity]

Likely damage during transport. It's one of those things that happens. Painting with the decal on is pretty lazy though.

If they didn't care enough to disclose it before you purchased it, they really aren't going to give a shit now.

 

[Noco]

If the dealer repainted it there should have been a discount for it having been previously damaged, and they should have told you about repairing it. It should be similar to when you buy a house, the previous owner has a responsibility to provide disclosure of a previously known issue. I’d say an attorney that deals with consumer protection would have a field day with this.

 

[Noco]

Take it back to them and inform them that this is not acceptable, and is not in the same condition as a new vehicle since it was painted before it was badged, and now their shoddy work is exposed, and that if they do not professionally correct this paint issue they caused you’ll get an attorney involved. An attorney can sue them for fraud. They will not like the attorney option.

 

[HighVelocity]

I’d say an attorney that deals with consumer protection would have a field day with this.

Sure...at $500/hr.

$10k later you settle on a coupon for a free oil change.

 

[23OBX2.7]

Its an amateur repair they should have removed the logo. Call Ford if dealer wont redo the fender.

 

[Cam3512]

There are another couple posts about this exact same thing on other’s Broncos.

 

[Area51BS]

Ford or dealer fixed a scratch on my dash with a black sharpie. At least I don’t see it unless opening passenger door. Repairs happen all the time. Ever see how nasty the look coming off the truck? Ford doesn’t use the white protective film during shipping.

 

[battering ram]

Before I accept a new car I walk around it 2-3x and inspect everything. That’s the chance you have to find stuff like this. Assuming a new car is perfect is a lesson you just learned. You’ll get nothing out of it now.
I bought a new 5.0 mustang 35 years ago. Found out later it had been in an accident and the whole front of the car was repainted. I found out as the paint peeled 2 years later. That’s how I learned that lesson. Clues were there. Radiator had some smash marks.

no one but you will notice your cars issue. There’s no accident on car fax. So no one will know. No value is lost

 

[MayhemMike]

Okay, there is no way anyone took the time required to tape off and mask the decal. I am interested in knowing if the original decal was simply painted over and the new decal affixed over the obvious original decal. Try picking an edge and see if the original decal is still there. The photo you posted sure looks like the decal is simply covered with paint. Of course the other possibility is they painted over the original decal, then removed it and attached the new decal over the now obvious imprint.

 

[CarbonGrayBronco]

I had a Jeep (yeah I know, never again for a variety of reasons) that a dealer repainted without disclosing, only found out when I found tape lines and realized they repainted a huge portion of the vehicle and did it poorly. Turns out the Jeep had service records from before I bought it showing multiple repairs. The dealer offered to repaint it...again! Yeah, no... I raised hell until the dealer got me in a new vehicle.

 

[dougcjohn]

That's a disappointment, and a frustration.
Although one of the documents or included in a document content that you sign/acknowledge during purchase (at least in Iowa and other States I'm aware of) is a statement of damage. That "damage" has a minimum value before legally required to report. I think in Iowa it's $1500-2000.

When I buy, I always directly ask, was it damaged in anyway during delivery? They always answer saying it was not, but the Finance guy always points out they legally are required to report damage when above the legal minimum. They assure me it wasn't but always leaves me with a nagging question of doubt?

Reason for that is to cover transport & Dealership minor damage, not be recorded to Vehicle's history or title. When I worked GM Dealership as Mst Mechanic (1980's) there were always newly delivered cars in the Bodyshop getting minor attention. Some were even special ordered and they were hustling to get it repaired before contacting the New Owner.

It's business to a Dealership, the inventory is just Inventory. The Saleman show emotion and care to Buyers; the Mgmt side is just interested in business and profit.

You might get "good customer relation" credit and get it corrected, but I don't believe the Dealer's obligated to repair once sold and not called out prior to sale.

 

[BigBlueBronc]

Okay, there is no way anyone took the time required to tape off and mask the decal. I am interested in knowing if the original decal was simply painted over and the new decal affixed over the obvious original decal. Try picking an edge and see if the original decal is still there. The photo you posted sure looks like the decal is simply covered with paint. Of course the other possibility is they painted over the original decal, then removed it and attached the new decal over the now obvious imprint.

Decal should have been removed with a heat gun. Area cleaned, then sanded primed painted and clear coated. Then New Decal applied with proper template. This dealer is pretty mickey mouse. Give them a Google Review if they do not fix properly. Also mail Ford a letter. A one atar review always gets attention.

 

[Aknobronco]

I went to replace my brand new Outer Banks emblem with the script ones. On the passenger side it was easy. However, on the driver side there was a perfect outline of the badge left behind. First thought was it was glue, nope, too hard. Then I thought it was a PFF but there is no seam on the edges.

I had a detailer take a look and he pointed out the paint residue on the emblem. He concluded that the fender was repainted after putting the emblem on. Now I need to take it to a body shop and see what they say they can do to fix it. It shouldn’t be a major fix but I bought the car new and am frustrated I am having this issue 500 miles into owning it.

Is this kind of thing normal? Should the dealership be responsible?

By law your selling stealership has to disclose any damages or repairs done to new untitled units prior to sale.

If they did not disclose, get ready to sue for good money.

Autonation Ford had a brand new bronco badlands they stated that was repaired after damages from transport. The repair was like maaco, over sprayed black paint in engine bay close to right fender. Orange peels everywhere... Nah

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