I bought my 2010 Max in January w/25K miles. Washed it for the first time in bright light today and noticed fractures in the paint around a number of different spots where there must have been minor collisions.

My gripe is, why didn't Nissan develop a paint that doesn't fracture to complement the anti-dent bumper?

 

Because its Nissan and not Knight Industries applying the special paint coating to K.I.T.T.

 

Yea but it seems to bend to the point of fracturing the paint well before other bumpers would even take damage or have more than a scuff.

 

What color is your Maxima? Sounds to me like it was involved in some sort of collision and the bumper "popped" back out. They probably buffed the h3ll out of it to sell it and now the rubbing compound and wax have worn off enough for you to see the paint fractures you are referring to. Post some pics as it will help with understanding exactly what you are talking about.

 

All paint does that when it is hit. They are called stress cracks and they are formed when a bumper is hit but not damaged. It has to be painted to be removed.