Okay, obviously there's no way Nissan is going to fix everyone's rock chips. But, they just fixed mine at no charge - and others have done it too (they gave me the idea), so obviously it's possible. I figured the rest of the folks in this boat might find some suggestions on how to try for a re-paint helpful. Anyone else who also pulled this off, please post how you did it too.

Here's mine:

First, I have an outstanding dealer, and from what I can tell from others' posts, the dealer makes all the difference (which unfortunately means a lot of people are screwed...).

I called my dealer and honestly told him the problem (six-month-old car, over 60 rock chips, mostly driven on slow back roads not highway, etc.). He looks at it, and tells me they're rock chips and warranty won't cover it. I suggested maybe the paint was thin (defective process), and he offered to check my paint (amusingly, he admitted later that he was planning on this being the final nail in the coffin ). He checks it, and surprise - it's only 3.5 to 4 mils in most places (as I understand it, typically it's around 5).

So now Nissan warranty gets involved, and they send an official paint inspector. As you'd expect, this guy is a contractor, an idiot, and he also uses the crappiest instrument I've ever seen to check the thickness. He reports 4+ everywhere - and Nissan reports that anywhere from 3 to 5 mils is normal anyway (nice variance... ).

A few days later my dealer calls to say Nissan warranty has rejected the claim. But, he suggests that I contact customer service to see if they'll be willing to help. He advises me to be friendly, and help them understand that I'm a valuable customer they should be motivated to keep (in my case, the fact that this is my second Maxima probably helped).

So I call Nissan customer service, explain the problem, let them know I love Nissan products and am likely to buy in the future - but am very upset that the typical Nissan quality has not shown through in the paint . They agree to contact my dealer and look into it.

Had to check back with them a couple of times, but long story short (too late!), they agreed to pay the $550 to have the hood and bumper repaired and repainted. And I just picked up my car - it looks perfect. In fact, the only way to tell it was painted is that the ****ty orange peel texture in the factory paint isn't as bad on the hood - the dealer texture is better (the light reflection isn’t any different, and apparently only I can tell. My wife is rolling her eyes from the couch )

A couple of other suggestions: Take a bunch of pics before you take your car in, so you have proof of what condition it was in BEFORE you leave it (in case of door dings or whatever). And make sure you get an invoice that states specifically why the car was re-painted (i.e. not because of a wreck) so you can show it to the next buyer of your car. Otherwise you'll have no proof that it wasn't accident-related, which could de-value your car.

So - if you're in this situation, get started! Read the other posts on this that hopefully will come for more ideas. Then call your dealer - and be nice, make them want to help you. Good luck!!!

 

Repainting may still devalue your car. Most experts can tell if a car has been repainted. If you can tell they can tell. That will reduce value right away.

 

Don't see why - why would they care? Same warranty, and if it looks the same...

I usually keep my cars for a long time anyway, so it's unlikely to make a diff.

 

Good job Maximax2 ! It seems like you found an effective approach.

Bob

 

I had the same thing done last month, except the inspector never showed up. He claimed from the pictures that it was normal wear from rocks (duh!). I had tons of little paint chips missing, but the nail in the coffin for me was that when I took it to a car wash, the paint literally started peeling off of the nose of the car. Each of the two holes were almost as big around as a soda can. Not cool!

The dealership had it painted for me for free. They called it a "good will" coverage.

 

No. Repainting to a different color or an odd/unusual color may reduce the value, but repainting with factory color will not devalue the car.

 

amazingly, the only part that's chipping on my car is the driver side sidesill.....it's horrible....I'm gonna get it painted....the bumper is fine and the hood has the clear bra now..