PAINT CONUNDRUM 09 vs 10
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From: Aurora, CO
What is important to recall about paint is the increased safety and environmental standards that were put into place in the 90's. Automakers had to reduce the amount of toxic chemicals and venting they'd used in car finishing operations at that point. The result? Water-based paints that were safer to apply, less pollution and...less durable than the ones produced earlier. It's not just Infiniti/Nissan--it's industry wide.
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From: Austin, TX
Folks, hate to break it to you but EVERY manufacturer's paint in today's market is going to be 'soft' compared to what it was, say, 10 years ago, mainly due to EPA regulations requiring that certain paint additives and stabilizers can no longer be used for environmental reasons. It sucks, and especially if you have a dark colored car, those scratches and swirls are a lot more noticeable.
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Ok, It's been announced that the 2010 Infiniti Coupes will return to the previous cross-linked clear coat replacing the much ballyhooed self-healing paint. Would it be a logical conclusion that because the self-healing paint was used only one year, that it was either a functional or durability failure. Or is it strictly a financial decision? I see there are numerous complaints in reference to paint finish and durability on the 370z forums, however the 09 Z apparently uses the cross-linked clear that the 10 Infiniti's will utilize. Is there any definitive insight within the "G" brain trust????
Lot's of opinions but no one has addressed this original post. Why was the self-healing paint discontinued after only one year???
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From: Philly
probably because it did absoloutely nothing, the self healing paint was a marketing scheme...............if your ever in an accident do you think the body shop that would do the repair would be using "self healing" paint? nope(considering i had my bumper replaced and it got the same paint that every other car gets)
I think this is probably a big part of it. People hear "self healing" paint and they think it will cover up scratches and chips. It's not THAT good (yet 
).
I think some of it is also the Cost/Benefit that Infiniti managers look at...sure it's nice to have and a cool new product, but is that worth the cost of production/PR problems?
I have no problem with the paint on my 09G, but I can understand why they might want to shy away from it for now
). I think some of it is also the Cost/Benefit that Infiniti managers look at...sure it's nice to have and a cool new product, but is that worth the cost of production/PR problems?
I have no problem with the paint on my 09G, but I can understand why they might want to shy away from it for now
I don't know if anyone has the "correct" answer, but I think a lot of the speculation about it is correct as to why they're discontinuing it
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Agreed- so that being said, is buying an 09 vs 10 a paint durability disadvantage? I'm mentally and financially ready to buy thus my thread title "Paint Connumdrum" I just don't want to be sorry when I make my 09-10 decision.
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From: Saint Simons Island, GA
People complain because other manufacturer's paint is not as susceptible to swirls and light scratches so easily as Nissan/Infiniti clear coat is.
I have actually induced swirls simply by drying the car with a clean microfiber towel if I use too much pressure. That is too soft. I own and have detailed many other vehicles by different manufacturers and this is not the case at all.
I have actually induced swirls simply by drying the car with a clean microfiber towel if I use too much pressure. That is too soft. I own and have detailed many other vehicles by different manufacturers and this is not the case at all.
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From: Edmonton, AB
I was at the dealership ordering a 2010 G and he said it was being discontinued and will be used on cell phones. The paint works as intended it was a cost issue. Infiniti was losing too much money on it because they can't charge customers extra for it.
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the paint on my 08 white g37 is alright, doesn't really shine all that much though(it's like they went overboard on the pearl), and I am pretty well experienced with detailing to make/keep cars looking shiny and new (rotary/orbital polishing). It seems like most other newer white cars on the road have way more shine than my car.
The paint on the front and rear bumper on my car is extremely soft--I can take my finger nail and jab at the paint on the bumpers, and I will see indentations in them where I jabbed my nail into the paint. I did buy this car pre-owned, so I don't know if the previous owner put a thin clear bra on both bumpers. If not, then I have to say that Nissan used some pretty damn ****ty paint on the G37 bumpers (worse than Sentra paint, which I've been detailing for years).
The paint on the front and rear bumper on my car is extremely soft--I can take my finger nail and jab at the paint on the bumpers, and I will see indentations in them where I jabbed my nail into the paint. I did buy this car pre-owned, so I don't know if the previous owner put a thin clear bra on both bumpers. If not, then I have to say that Nissan used some pretty damn ****ty paint on the G37 bumpers (worse than Sentra paint, which I've been detailing for years).
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The paint works as intended it was a cost issue. Infiniti was losing too much money on it because they can't charge customers extra for it.
My '09 arrives this weekend so I'll be able to see first hand. If it works I'll be happy. I have a two year old that likes to bump things into our cars.
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