I was just wondering what kind of reputation Infiniti has on their paint jobs. I've read internet forum posts about Japanese paint (Toyota, Nissan) being soft and prone to chipping. How does Infiniti paint hold up?

 

Infiniti's paint is fairly soft. It's not uncommon to incur light scratches and swirls quite easily. The front bumper can get chipped fairly easily as well. Infiniti has never been known for hard paint. A clear bra will definitely help combat keeping your front end looking good.

 

I fully agree. Very soft paint. Take care and be gentle with it. Gorgeous colors but very soft.

 

In one word, Sux, bigtime.

If I stare at it too much it scratches.

My elcipse has better paint on it then my G. Much more durable.

 

So what's the point of putting soft paint on these cars? Does it cut costs? I've noticed that my FX has been chipping like a **** lately because I don't have a bra of any kind on it. I drive at least 120 miles everyday and I didn't have anyone to tell me, "hey, the paint sucks" when I bought the car. Not that it would have deterred me necessarily...but I would have put a clear bra on the car immediately after I bought it. Just curious...does any one have any idea?

 

Overall, I think most automotive paints today are softer. AFAIK, most manufacturers use water based paints as opposed to solvent based paints for environmental reasons. Most cars that I have detailed has soft paint like Infiniti, including the Porsche I detailed. On the other end of the spectrum, an 03 Corvette that I detailed had paint as hard as a rock.

 

Hey, thanks for the insight, Shane. This makes sense. I didn't even think of that. Does this change your approach to detailing? Say the Corvette vs. your G? I'm learning all I can about detailing because frankly, I haven't done the best job.


That Porsche was looking damn good after you finished, btw.

 

Yeah, it sure does Alex. When I first detailed the Vette, I used an orange pad and Menzerna 0106FF polish. Btw, the 0106FF is outstanding polish, I love it. Anyways, I wasn't able to remove all of the swirls because the paint was so freakin' hard. I had to order from George a yellow pad and Menzerna Power Gloss, which is a more aggressive pad and polish. At least I have this in my arsenal now for future customers.

 

You know, I have read a bunch of posts about soft paint, and maybe it's a problem for pre-'08 cars, because I'm not seeing it yet.

I drive a 24 mile bug-infested bridge everyday (finagle knows what I'm talking about) and I see no difference between my '05 TL, my '07 MDX, or the new G. I keep plenty of wax on the front end and religiously clean the bumper hood, and mirrors; sometimes everyday when it's really bad. After the ride home last Thursday, the front end looked like it was covered in black felt!

I think Garnet nailed it when he mentioned the water based paints being the problem. I'm not saying the problem doesn't exist, just that it doesn't seem to be any different from my Acuras.

 

It is the new environmental standards and laws. When they first changed over to water based paints from solvent based paints the paints were really bad for a variety of reasons. Too hard, Too soft, Clearcoat not adhering. Over the years the paint has gotten progressively better, but so far not as good as the old type of paint. Of course lead based paint was really durable and held it's color but the negatives outweighed the positives. In my experience, the paint on new cars is delivered soft, but hardens over the years.

 

lol hey i think the paint is beautiful, its not mercedes paint, but its waaay better then my SVT black paint

 

In general, Japanese manufacturers have softer paints. German vehicles typically have harder clear coats. American paint is primarily on the harder side but in some cases like the Corvette, they can have very hard clear coats.

Knowing what type of paint you are working with can change the routine or products you use on a specific vehicle. This is part of the reason why there is no "best product" because every vehicle has different variables and the owner has different needs and objectives.

A very well known professional detailer in the Toronto area, Kevin Hamill who runs GTA in Detail, shares his thoughts on different manufacturers clear coats here.

Hope this helps.

George

 

Kevin is definitely master detailer. I never get tired of looking at his work.