Thin Paint on FRS Release Series 1?

[wbradley]

In the days of water borne paints as per environmental laws, most manufacturer's paints are thinner.

[Texas BRZ]

I had a feeling the Yuzu would show chips more easily because of the lighter and brighter color... I believe the white is the same way from what I've heard.

Looks like everyone universally agrees that our paint is very thin and sensitive.

And I feel that you can protect your car only so much. The best way may be to keep the car in the garage and not drive it... But that wouldn't make sense. These cars are meant to be driven and enjoyed.

The good thing about this is that once you get your first blemish, it becomes MUCH easier to not worry as much and just enjoy the damn car for what it's worth.

[phobos512]

Originally Posted by wbradley

In the days of water borne paints as per environmental laws, most manufacturer's paints are thinner.

This. Every vehicle forum I've been on for the last 10 years, folks have always complained about how "thin" the paint is. Paint's thin, folks. And environmental regulations for VOCs are making it less durable, as well. It is what it is. It's nothing to do with Toyota or Subaru. I've had Toyotas, GMs, Fords, Dodges, Mercedes...all scratched down to the primer from road debris.

Look at it this way - would you rather it was your car getting dinged, or your face? My motorcycle helmet has scratches from flying road debris as well, for example.

[carma143]

get some clear armor to apply (no spray). I have my car covered and even then rocks have ripped through it a bit.

[Turbo95eg6]

Originally Posted by Slowmotion

So, within a week of owning my release series, what I thought was a big black bug, was actually a nice large chip taken out of the from bumper. From the looks of it, it went through everything, clear, paint and primer (though, I do not know if the primer under yuzu yellow is actually black or not).

(No pictures of the damage as it promptly went to the shop after I found it, but I will show pictures the fix once I get the car back from the tint/paint protection film shop.)

I was wondering, has anyone else found rock chips on their releases series yet? It seems like the paint is quite thin, though I am comparing it to my VW and Audi, but I wasn't sure if this was just the release series or if this was the same for all FRS's.

If you're planning to take it for repair after every paint chip, plan to keep your weekends free for the next few years. They aren't gonna do a much better job than touching it up yourself.

[8R6]

Originally Posted by wbradley

In the days of water borne paints as per environmental laws, most manufacturer's paints are thinner.

truth

[Chimera]

I had my front bumper repainted after road debris damage. its been way tougher for it actually.

[tennisfreak]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

... like, in a parking garage? Did it escape? Will you be able to find it again?

Wife totaled it

[Jegan_V]

Sadly this is the case with all modern cars. They all use water based paint, the reason why many believe Subarus have inherently worse paint is because they were one of the earliest adopters of this paint. To save your car from having chips investing in a full frontal paint protection is absolutely necessary. My car does a lot of highway driving and its been frequently hit with stones and once large bits of broken road, my car still looks fine thanks to a complete front PPF.

I had my 2004 Impreza be a reference in deciding to go the whole way. That car the original owner only did the 1/2 hood. The result, the hood where the PPF was looked fine...beyond that chips with rust, the top of the roof had chips, even the bloody A-pillars got chipped.

BTW for those wondering, the make and country of origin don't make a big difference in how well these new paints hold up. I've seen my share of Passats, Mercedes C300s, BMW 320is and A4s all having stone chips. Even American trucks apparently chip really easily. The strength of the panel also matters little, the paper thin Jeep Wrangler hood damages just as easily as the made out of lead Jeep Liberty's hood.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by Turbo95eg6

Wish that was the case for most… Even with my clear bra I've had debris go through the film. If anyone looks close enough at their paint, there will be little specks here and there especially the roof, sides and maybe the trunk... If you don't, you're either blind, your clear coat was magically coated in diamond or you're not driving the car as you should.

I don't get your point. Paint protection film obviously helps with front end impacts. This was never about the likelihood of the rest of the car getting hit. And no the trunk of my car doesn't have stone chips...guess I'm not driving the car as I should be

[dem00n]

While it is true that due to the organic compounds put on modern paint jobs makes the paint more brittle. Our paint overall is just crap. The paint job it self is decent, but the thinness is pretty bad. Buy a paint thickness gauge and start checking out cars. And yes the make of the car does matter unlike the post above me notes. Different paint and painting techniques gives different results. Also where you drive and how you take care of your paint will always give you different outcomes. Even then, your Bentley still gets rock chips.

Thickest i ever saw was on a Lambo. Or was that a Honda Accord Coupe...so hard to tell sometimes...


Anyone leaving with one of these out of the showroom needs a clear bra, or their just stupid.
Like me.

[Liquidsnake]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Yep!
Get yourself a touchup stick and you will soon have enough practice that you can do almost invisible repairs.

God this is so true I've become like a paint chip expert with a toothpick

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by dem00n

Buy a paint thickness gauge and start checking out cars.
Like me.

Not a bad idea! We have a really good one at work I might grab it at lunch one day and do a few cars just for shits and giggles!

[Turbo95eg6]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

I don't get your point. Paint protection film obviously helps with front end impacts. This was never about the likelihood of the rest of the car getting hit. And no the trunk of my car doesn't have stone chips...guess I'm not driving the car as I should be

My point is, covering your front end will not protect your car from chips to the rest of the body.... I think it was obvious.

Give me 5 minutes for a walkthrough with your car, I guarantee I'll point out a handful of imperfections lol.