Is our paint really that bad?

[russv]

After years of owning Honda's and Acura's with their crappy water based paint that chipped if you ust looked at it, I find the FRS paint just fine.

[tnt]

it's not very good - got some scratches already on my door !

[picus]

Originally Posted by russv

After years of owning Honda's and Acura's with their crappy water based paint that chipped if you ust looked at it, I find the FRS paint just fine.

^^^ You're used to water based paint. I think the issue here is a lot of guys are coming from acrylic or from cars they didn't really look at like their FRS/BRZs. Sadly, these cars are similar to most in paint quality now. It's standard water based paint. Actually they aren't even what I would call thin (I've measured two, both were over 60m); it's just regular ol' fragile water based paint. Almost every modern car is the same. :/

If you want to protect it as much as possible film the front end with a reputable installer, then coat the rest of the car.

[drew935]

Welcome to the thin paint car group lol!

[ahausheer]

I wonder if the paint on some cars is not actually 100 percent cured, maybe its like 98 percent cured? I don't know just an Idea.

[Gen]

Originally Posted by picus

^^^ You're used to water based paint. I think the issue here is a lot of guys are coming from acrylic or from cars they didn't really look at like their FRS/BRZs. Sadly, these cars are similar to most in paint quality now. It's standard water based paint. Actually they aren't even what I would call thin (I've measured two, both were over 60m); it's just regular ol' fragile water based paint. Almost every modern car is the same. :/

If you want to protect it as much as possible film the front end with a reputable installer, then coat the rest of the car.

Seems no different than any other car I've owned, maybe even a bit better. One of a few complaints I don't understand. S2000's paint was shitty, mercedes' paint was shitty, Lexus' paint was shitty, Lotus' paint was DEFINITELY shitty, mazda's paint was so-so. I agree on it being typical water based paint.

[drew935]

Originally Posted by Gen

Seems no different than any other car I've owned, maybe even a bit better. One of a few complaints I don't understand. S2000's paint was shitty, mercedes' paint was shitty, Lexus' paint was shitty, Lotus' paint was DEFINITELY shitty, mazda's paint was so-so. I agree on it being typical water based paint.

Correct on that. It doesn't matter what the car is. My wife's hood measured 75-88 on a few areas today and this is the first time I corrected it.

No car has perfect paint straight from the mfg regardless of how much the car costs.
The mfg's are making the paint thinner and more eco friendly.

Which is why there is more orange peel and more issues with them right from the start

[DetroitJake]

Just don't rub dirt on it!
Some of you guys are pretty anal about this. Thats probably a good thing. I can appreciate a shiny car just as much as the next guy for sure. However My 2003 Honda has been through high pressure washes and lots of hand washing (but never an automatic wash unless I took it to an idiot dealer. Automatic washes are for soccer moms who could hardly even remember the color of their minivan). I use about 1 to 3 rags to wipe it down after a wash. Heck, sometimes I don't even use soap. Just water spray and wipe down. Microfiber wasn't really a thing in the early 2000's so it was just plain terry cloth. But ya Microfiber is worth it. Thats what I use now. Anyway the point is my Honda is ten years old and doesn't have a scratch on it. The key is just to be careful not to rub dirt in the car. The front end did get to be pretty sand blasted looking after years of driving and drafting, but I had it repainted for something like a grand or so, and it looked brand new. Not the whole car, just the front. The point is, take care of it with common sense, don't worry so much and it will look great for years. If you decide to keep your ride for ten plus years, it might need some fresh paint, but other than that you should be good.

One more thing. Waxing a car. Yes awesome. I wax my car about 2-3 times a year. Thats how you keep it shiny!