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Subaru paint quality

I've read conflicting reports on Subaru's paint quality. But of course, Subarus are built in different factories in different countries. For the AS1, we're specifically interested in the paint quality of cars coming from the Gunma plant in Japan.

How good is the paint on Japanese-built Subarus? I'm interested in texture (orange peel), thickness, uniformity, resistance to fading, etc. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

Quote:

FHI Accelerates Introduction of Water-Based Paint at Gunma Plant

FHI will start operating its new painting facility at the Gunma-Yajima plant in November. Water-based paint, which is environmentally friendly, will be adopted. The original plan was to continue using solvent-based paint for several more months. Compared to solvent-based paint, water-based paint is more difficult to use in terms of drying and dealing with sharp colors. However, due to technological developments, the quality of the water-based paint has increased, and thus FHI will implement this process much earlier than expected.

The painting facility is under construction with FHI's investment of 10-15 billion yen ($US87-131 million). Once complete, painting processes of the Legacy model, and then shortly after, the Forester model will be transferred to the new facility. The old painting facility will be torn down. At the former site a new building will be constructed that will, to some extent, be used to attach parts before the production line.

Water-based paint has low contents of volatile organic compounds, which is a main cause of photochemical smog.

So basically it's crappy paint, water-based is good for the environment but not good for quality.

I can't speak to their recent quality, but early-mid 2000's Subies had fairly fragile paint and were prone to rock chips on the front bumpers.

Is there really any standard auto paint that isn't prone to rock chip damage? When a sharp-edged piece of gravel comes flying from a truck and hits your car at a relative speed of 25 mph or more I don't think any paint is going to hold up...

I've had WRX, Subaru paint is not very good but so are Infiniti, Mazda, and so on.

Most car paints are generally crappy....thin, not enough layer, poor quality clear coat....but then what do you expect? Even Mercedes and BMW are cutting back nowaday....I know cux I own both....

One of the reasons why I don't even sweat it when my car doesn't look like the shiny ones in a magazine, because I actually drive it. The way it's meant to be enjoyed, not just sitting there looking pretty.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scion FR-S (Post 116605)

Lexus vs Ford:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO10wV8Qhy4 . Fun test.

I've read Hyundai is now super durable while the Japan crew are subject to more environmental restrictions and have less options in what they can do.

Yup, domestic cars paint is amazing quality. A shame really.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryude (Post 116657)

Yup, domestic cars paint is amazing quality. A shame really.

:word:

In my case idc...if the paint fades I'll repaint with custom color like banana yellow, yea stand out....I have deadbeat friends who dont have a real job but real good at mechanic work and painting.....they will do anything for cheap....I exploit their @ss off, they did lot of works on my cars.

A friend recently bought a SWP 2012 Impreza and I have a 2009 Forester in Green. My opinion on Subaru's paint is that if it's a light shade, like it's not a dark color other then black it looks fine to me, but hey I don't have the equipment to do that lab testing for you. But I wouldn't want to run my subie behind a gravel truck lol