jes42

I've been reading all this about the inferior quality of the paint on the 5th gen Maximas and it is true. My 03 GXE only has 700 miles on it and it has a chip in the lower driver side door and two on the passenger side moulding that I have found so far. I have a nose mask on the front and so far none there but it can not be left on all the time (rain and such). And to top it off it has dark paint (primer) underneath. If someone so much as touches the side moulding with their door the paint comes off showing black underneath. I saw a 2002 SE the same color as mine with at least 20 places on the side moulding. Looked bad! It's like they sprayed on one coat of some cheap paint and let it go. This is really sad that Nissan ripped us off like this.
My old 89 GXE had a lot of chips on the hood but it was the same color underneath and the bumper had very few after 14 years and 115,000 miles.

kjpierce

iTrader: (1)

welcome to the wonderful world of 5th gen paint! "Here at Nissan, we believe ONE coat of clear is sufficant"

seriously, i recommend that you get a paint protection system like Klasse or Blackfire(if you have dark color) it will take all day to do it, but it is worth it. here is the steps: wash, clay bar, cleaner wax, paint protection polish.

i just did mine, a little late ,but better than not at all!
good luck

CTmax02

iTrader: (3)

I have a 2K2 and I don't have alot of chips except on hood bcause I tailgate sometimes and hang around trucks but other than that paint is a ok.

jjs

In short, it sucks.

trey

Should the polish step always be done after the wax?

foodmanry

iTrader: (15)

You have few options. A lot of people go with a clear bra. It's made by 3M and it is clear plastic laid over the paint. There are pieces made for the bumper, and front of the hood, the side mirrors, and lights too. I have it on my Max. It's not the cheapest thing in the world, but its much better than having numerous paint chips. It can be found at www.xpel.com

Also you can go with a nose mask, I think you mentioned you have one, but it will rub the paint off in some areas and leave marks. Plus you have to take that off all the time. PITA...

Clear bra is the way to go...or take it to a body shop and have them slap on a couple extra clear coats.

jes42

I might have expected this from GM, Ford, or Chrysler but not Nissan. At least I know the car is reliable (and VERY fast) even if the paint chips off. I guess I just expected better based on my past Nissan/Datsun experience. Perhaps Nissan will make it all better and give us all decent paint jobs (man, talk about optimism)