2013 B8S4 Clear Coat Peeling

[carlos33018]

Hi everyone,

Long story short, I purchased a CPO 2013 S4 with 25k miles on it. A few days after the purchase, during its first wash, I noticed that the clear coat on the front bumper was peeling. I took it back to the dealer, they reviewed it, and it was re-sprayed and covered by AoA. Last weekend I'm washing the car and now the rear bumper has started to peel. Its happening on both sides just behind the wheel wells. The car currently has 34k miles and I'm taking it back tomorrow to get the rear bumper checked out and for the 35k service, which should be covered by audi care.

Questions:
Has anyone had this same problem with a peeling clear coat?
Is this an indication of a more serious problem? As in, is all my paint affected?
Being that this is the second time this occurs, what are my options besides asking for a re-spray?

Thanks for all the help!!
Carlos.

[B6cool]

I think since is cpo car, the bumpers were painted already before, and looks like someone didn't do a good job. I don't believe audi would release a car like that from factory. Good luck.

[carlos33018]

Interesting, as in maybe an off lease car that someone backed into a curb and painted prior to return to the dealer ? Would this event be covered under the CPO warranty ?

[Usa]

Pics??

[carlos33018]

Pics??

I'll take some tomorrow.

[LINDW4LL]

Not normal. It seems likely that they've been repainted, but I suppose anything is possible. Any body shop (or Audi dealer) should be able to tell you by using a paint depth gauge. I'm not sure what to think since AoA covered the front bumper under warranty; that makes me think it was the factory paint job. In other words, would Audi have covered peeling clear coat it was a third party paint job? Again, I'm not certain, but I'd lean towards "no".

I'd suggest you first find out if the car has been repainted or not. If it has, hopefully it was just the bumpers as the quality sounds like a fail. If the whole car was painted, you need to be proactive as it's likely the rest of the car will show issues in time.

[Habber]

Sounds like the car has bumper work done. I hope that it wasn't involved in an accident that wasn't declared.

[carlos33018]

Well I'm hoping the car wasnt involved in an accident either. The service adviser is already on the defensive saying that paint and finish is only covered for 12 months / 12k from service date... Well see how this turns out. Prior to purchase we looked at the car fax and everything looked clean. All the services were performed at the dealer and nothing seemed out of order. Grrrr I'm really worried now.

[Jango3434]

I have a patch of clear peeling I need the dealer to take a peak at it's really odd


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[WJN S4]

I have a couple spots, one random on the body, and one near the wheel well that the paint is chipped.. I think there are issues with the paint being very soft/less adhesive to the body

[carlos33018]

I have a couple spots, one random on the body, and one near the wheel well that the paint is chipped.. I think there are issues with the paint being very soft/less adhesive to the body

Question to both of you with peeling clear coats. Is the peeling isolated to the plastic panels aka, bumpers, or is it also occurring on the metal panels aka fenders, roof, etc.

[adamkb26]

Clear coat was peeling on my front bumper too. Repaired by Audi.

[carlos33018]

They have sent pictures to AoA for repair approval since its outside of the 12 month 12k mile "paint" warranty. I thought paint would be included in the "bumper to bumper" warranty but apparently its not. This is the second panel that has to be painted under warranty. The first time through this rodeo was a nightmare. I had to hound the service guy for a month on status, eta, talk to management etc... What a nightmare.

[Tumbleweeds]

I know VW has had issues with clear coat peeling in the past. It seems to be limited to red cars though.

[teylix]

i got a spot on my rear fender that looks just like that. i only noticed it when i was washing my car myself. i bought my car used with an aftermarket warranty. i doubt it will get covered though.

[B G 8er]

+1 I will absolutely bet both of the bumpers on your car were resprayed. Could have just been scrapes and if the car was previously leased, the previous owner might have even had them done prior to turning the car in to avoid being charged for excess wear and tear/damage. It would be quite coincidental if the clearcoat on your bumpers all the sudden failed right after you purchased the vehicle if it was oem paint. You need to visit a good (not affiliated with the dealer) body shop, have them look over your entire car to see if your car was previously in an accident. Then you need to return to the dealer and demand they fix the paint failure on your rear bumper or if there was major damage beyond the bumper covers, ask them to buy it back for a full refund and run from that dealer as far as you can.

[roadkillrob]

Used cars like 90% of the time have the bumpers resprayed. Unfortunately the dealers are cheap and just use these mobile units that will just come and literally spray it outside in the back lot. Typically not the best paint job and depending on the prep and temps things like this happen.

[timob]

I've had two body shops that seemed to know their stuff tell me that the only way a bumper refinish will hold is to grind/strip all the paint and re-paint, and both said the labor plus paint puts that over the cost of a new bumper plus paint. My bumper is doing the same (CPO), one shop said it had been re-sprayed, and the dealer offered to have their "bumper guy" go over it. The body Shops both said that would look okay for a while, then do the same thing. I'm not up for$1500 to make the bumper look good.
I'd be interested to know what others think.

[carlos33018]

Ouch!! Crazy rude over chat.

3/30/2015 6:19:40 PM Maureen: Hello Carlos. My name is Maureen. If you will provide your full name and e-mail address, I will be able to contact you in case our chat should drop. (We do not share your information.)
3/30/2015 6:20:33 PM Carlos: Carlos Fernandez
3/30/2015 6:20:38 PM Carlos: [email protected]
3/30/2015 6:21:00 PM Maureen: Thank you.
3/30/2015 6:21:05 PM Maureen: How may I assist you today?
3/30/2015 6:21:21 PM Carlos: Well, a few months ago I purchased a certifed pre owned 2013 audi s4
3/30/2015 6:21:35 PM Maureen: Congratulations on your purchase, Carlos!
3/30/2015 6:21:39 PM Carlos: thanks,
3/30/2015 6:21:59 PM Carlos: discussing with the dealer prior to the purchase, they assured me that there is nothing to be worried about
3/30/2015 6:22:11 PM Carlos: no accidents on the car, everything seemed great
3/30/2015 6:22:15 PM Carlos: 8 months later
3/30/2015 6:22:29 PM Carlos: and the car has spent more time in the dealer for repairs than any other car ive owned
3/30/2015 6:22:51 PM Maureen: I so regret your inconvenience Carlos.
3/30/2015 6:22:55 PM Carlos: broken volume knobs/ rattling coming from B&O speakers/ rattle from the engine bay
3/30/2015 6:23:02 PM Carlos: and the two latest
3/30/2015 6:23:10 PM Carlos: paint is peeling from the front and rear bumper
3/30/2015 6:23:12 PM Maureen: I will register a formal complaint on your behalf.
3/30/2015 6:23:15 PM Carlos: literally the clear coat is coming off
3/30/2015 6:23:59 PM Maureen: So disappointing. We are not able to address vehicle concerns via chat, though, Carlos.
3/30/2015 6:24:10 PM Maureen: Is the vehicle with your dealer now?
3/30/2015 6:24:14 PM Maureen: Who is your dealer?
3/30/2015 6:24:22 PM Carlos: Audi of north austin
3/30/2015 6:24:34 PM Carlos: I'm extremely corcerned especially with the paint
3/30/2015 6:24:50 PM Carlos: and to be quite honest I'm starting to regret my purchasing decision
3/30/2015 6:25:33 PM Carlos: This is my first time purchasing an Audi product and it has been a rather disappointing experience
3/30/2015 6:26:05 PM Maureen: I understand, Carlos. How may I assist you?
3/30/2015 6:27:21 PM Carlos: So far these are the list of issues that have occured
3/30/2015 6:27:27 PM Carlos: *Broken/ Malfunctioning MMI volume knob center console. Resolved.
3/30/2015 6:27:34 PM Carlos: * Rattle on B&O speaker mounted on front center Dash. Resolved after 2 dealer visits.
3/30/2015 6:27:42 PM Carlos: *Front bumper paint failure, clear coat peeling. Multiple visits to dealer. Resolved.
3/30/2015 6:27:46 PM Maureen: Are you able to note what it is that you are seeking? You contacted us to register a formal complaint.
3/30/2015 6:28:03 PM Carlos: I am not sure what my options are
3/30/2015 6:28:07 PM Carlos: had this been a new vehicle
3/30/2015 6:28:09 PM Carlos: it would be a lemon
3/30/2015 6:28:18 PM Carlos: I need these issues resolved permanently
3/30/2015 6:28:42 PM Maureen: The only way we are able to address/resolve vehicle concerns is through our authorized dealership.
3/30/2015 6:28:45 PM Carlos: I cannot go to the dealer every single month
3/30/2015 6:28:48 PM Carlos: to get an issue resolved
3/30/2015 6:28:52 PM Maureen: Will you please answer my questions, Carlos?
3/30/2015 6:28:59 PM Maureen: Where is the vehicle located now?
3/30/2015 6:29:04 PM Maureen: It is at the dealership?
3/30/2015 6:29:06 PM Carlos: it is in my possesion
3/30/2015 6:29:17 PM Carlos: the dealer is seeking area management approval
3/30/2015 6:29:22 PM Carlos: to re paint the rear bumper
3/30/2015 6:29:28 PM Carlos: it was returned to be yesterday
3/30/2015 6:29:30 PM Maureen: That is correct.
3/30/2015 6:29:33 PM Carlos: after being at the dealer for a week
3/30/2015 6:29:45 PM Carlos: approval should come in within a week
3/30/2015 6:29:53 PM Carlos: and yet again, another trip to the dealership
3/30/2015 6:29:56 PM Carlos: to get this resolved
3/30/2015 6:30:01 PM Carlos: if not more
3/30/2015 6:30:02 PM Maureen: We review possible financial assistance with vehicle concerns only through the service manager at our authorized dealer, who has his/her own Audi resources to contact for a decision.
3/30/2015 6:30:26 PM Maureen: I will close the chat now and follow up with you by email no later than close of business Thursday, 4/2.
3/30/2015 6:30:37 PM Carlos: thats it ?
3/30/2015 6:30:51 PM Maureen: Please allow me to explain our role here, Carlos.
3/30/2015 6:31:15 PM Maureen: We are happy to act as liaison between you and your authorized dealer. All decisions are made by Audi ONLY through the service manager--not here.
3/30/2015 6:31:34 PM Maureen: We contact the dealer on your behalf to ensure the service Manager is aware of your concerns.
3/30/2015 6:31:37 PM Maureen: and your request.
3/30/2015 6:31:53 PM Carlos: that seems very reasonable
3/30/2015 6:31:59 PM Maureen: We then follow up with you to ensure you received our decision, as presented through our service manager.
3/30/2015 6:32:30 PM Carlos: however I think there are situations where upper management , public relations, or whoever cares about the brand needs to step in and resolve the problem
3/30/2015 6:32:38 PM Maureen: the service manager does contact Audi upper management. That is our highest authority for decisions on possible goodwill repairs.
3/30/2015 6:33:01 PM Carlos: the car has guarantee up the guazoo and i feel like its in for repairs every month
3/30/2015 6:33:04 PM Maureen: I'm sorry if I'm not successfully explaining our procedure, Carlos.
3/30/2015 6:33:14 PM Carlos: oh I understand
3/30/2015 6:33:18 PM Maureen: I will be in touch with you no later than Thursday.
3/30/2015 6:33:24 PM Maureen: Have a pleasant evening, Carlos.
3/30/2015 6:33:24 PM Carlos: do I ever get to speak to this person
3/30/2015 6:33:32 PM Maureen: No. That is a dealer contact only.
3/30/2015 6:33:33 PM Carlos: really,
3/30/2015 6:33:53 PM Carlos: you just cant wait to close this conversation
3/30/2015 6:33:57 PM Carlos: thats fine.
3/30/2015 6:33:59 PM Carlos: thanks a lot.
3/30/2015 6:34:03 PM Maureen: I have provided you with all the information we have. We are just going around in circles.
3/30/2015 6:34:15 PM Carlos: no we are not going in circles
3/30/2015 6:34:16 PM Maureen: I have tried to explain, we are not able to address vehicle concerns via chat.ie
3/30/2015 6:34:29 PM Carlos: I was politely asking who the people were, at the different levels of approval
3/30/2015 6:34:41 PM Carlos: and if there was a way to reach out to them
3/30/2015 6:34:51 PM Carlos: also,
3/30/2015 6:34:54 PM Carlos: one last thing
3/30/2015 6:35:19 PM Carlos: I have sent an email to : [email protected]
3/30/2015 6:35:32 PM Carlos: is this email monitored?
3/30/2015 6:35:46 PM Maureen: Your email and this chat will be added to your file, Carlos.
3/30/2015 6:36:06 PM Carlos: fantastic. See we're not going in circles
3/30/2015 6:36:35 PM Carlos: I am just trying to learn the process.
3/30/2015 6:36:47 PM Carlos: have a great night
3/30/2015 6:36:53 PM Maureen: Either I or one of my colleagues will reach out to you no later than close of business Thursday.
3/30/2015 6:36:59 PM Maureen: You too, Carlos.

[LINDW4LL]

Sorry, but I don't think she was rude. She's simply a customer service representative and can't help with things going wrong with your vehicle. That's what your warranty is for, which is obviously done through Audi dealerships.


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[Johnnycash]

agreed that the rep wasnt very rude and exercised excellent restraint, you have to understand its nothing personal for her she is also bound by the process and how their system works or doesnt work for that matter...

I feel your frustration though!

[carlos33018]

agreed that the rep wasnt very rude and exercised excellent restraint, you have to understand its nothing personal for her she is also bound by the process and how their system works or doesnt work for that matter...

I feel your frustration though!

Just got the call, rear bumper will be repainted.

[Johnnycash]

sometimes asserting yourself is frustrating and time consuming, but seems like it was obviously worth it, best possible result!

[carlos33018]

sometimes asserting yourself is frustrating and time consuming, but seems like it was obviously worth it, best possible result!

Until the roof starts to peel :P.

[Thumper3]

I've had two body shops that seemed to know their stuff tell me that the only way a bumper refinish will hold is to grind/strip all the paint and re-paint, and both said the labor plus paint puts that over the cost of a new bumper plus paint. My bumper is doing the same (CPO), one shop said it had been re-sprayed, and the dealer offered to have their "bumper guy" go over it. The body Shops both said that would look okay for a while, then do the same thing. I'm not up for$1500 to make the bumper look good.
I'd be interested to know what others think.

I think those shops are taking you for a ride. Or they don't know how to prep a part for paint and have had failed re-sprays come back. If we were talking about a Corolla with a $200 bumper cover, yeah, cheaper to just replace than repair a lot of times. Or maybe they charge $100/hour for labor LOL Our bumper covers are NOT $200.

Out of curiosity, do these shops warranty their work?

They MAY be concerned about painting over a previous poor repaint, but it's not the PAINT failing here, it's the clear coat. If paint was falling off or cracking then I would be with them, strip it and re-spray to be sure of quality. But clear coat failure is just as likely to be from A) defective clear from the manufacture (PPG, DuPont, BASF, ect) or B) improper thickness. Clear has to be a certain thickness to protect the paint and stand up to the UV rays itself. If the thickness is not enough, it will degrade over time and peel. If this is the case, proper prep (which will remove much of the existing clear) and correct clear thickness on the re-spray will be sufficient.

Carfax is useless for what people use it for. It pulls data from DMV records/title events and some info from insurance claim databases. Some.

If someone gets their bumper scratched in a parking lot and they come in and we fix it, we don't call Carfax and say "OMFG, this totally cool guy with a nice Audi got a SCRATCH!!! We had to repaint!!" LOL And we have an 8 year warranty on our paint work.

[DownhillA4]

She wasn't out of the norm rude in that chat.

I too am doing research now that AudiUSA has a Sub-Form on AZ. I've been plagued with clearcoat peeling on my roof and rear trunklid on my Red Audi and have seen so many other Red Audi / VW vehicles locally with massive clearcoat peeling issues. Something that Audi of America needs to step up and assist with. Not sure how over the past decade enough people have complained about the issue to warrant a response.

PS, this is coming from a vehicle who sits in a garage and isn't abused in the direct UV elements and hot sun everyday. Not impressed with factory red Audi paint. Its a shame to see a perfect looking car with no flaws have clearcoat peel.