Paint chips?

[houndman]

I have read from users on another forum that Subaru paint chips
easily. Anyone see that on theirs? I saw an older one on Ebay, and
there was a closeup pic of the hood, and the black paint looked
chipped. I live in a big city, and cars take a beating, and wondering
if Sube's have a problem.

VF

 

[Todd H.]

I have read from users on another forum that Subaru paint chips
easily. Anyone see that on theirs? I saw an older one on Ebay, and
there was a closeup pic of the hood, and the black paint looked
chipped. I live in a big city, and cars take a beating, and wondering
if Sube's have a problem.

I'd say it's overblown.

Yeah, I have touched up a few paint chips on the front of my hood.

But that was also true of the Mazda I owned, the Dodg I owned, the
Honda....

Buy $20 of touch up paint and move on with life. Only things I'd
worry about are head gasket integrity on certain model years on the
2.5L engine, how the prior owner appears to have cared for the
vehicle, and budgeting for routine maintenance which can be a bit
pricey, like most modern import vehicles.

 

[houndman]

I'd say it's overblown.

Yeah, I have touched up a few paint chips on the front of my hood.

But that was also true of the Mazda I owned, the Dodg I owned, the
Honda....

Buy $20 of touch up paint and move on with life. Only things I'd
worry about are head gasket integrity on certain model years on the
2.5L engine, how the prior owner appears to have cared for the
vehicle, and budgeting for routine maintenance which can be a bit
pricey, like most modern import vehicles.

I'm looking at New, but wanted to check some things about older
ones, and saw the pics, and remembered other things I had read.

Yea, the head gaskets are a bigger concern, and something I'm thinking
about, but my old chevy looks like it has scars on it from all the
scrapes and chips. I had a car that when it got dented, the paint
peeled, not sticking to the metal when bent. I don't need more
stressors in my life, so investigating all that I can. Don't really
need a new or another car, but just had a birthday, and need a
present.)

VF

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

I have read from users on another forum that Subaru paint chips
easily. Anyone see that on theirs? I saw an older one on Ebay, and
there was a closeup pic of the hood, and the black paint looked
chipped. I live in a big city, and cars take a beating, and wondering
if Sube's have a problem.

VF

I dunno how it compares to other cars - some treaties and other
environmental laws have forced manufacturers to reformulate paints to
reduce VOCs and likely all cars could have had a year or 2 that were
worse than previous.
Keep in mind also that many soobs are used in conditions other cars do
not or can not regularly operate. Gravel, dirt,etc.

Carl

 

[Vanguard]

I have read from users on another forum that Subaru paint chips
easily. Anyone see that on theirs? I saw an older one on Ebay, and
there was a closeup pic of the hood, and the black paint looked
chipped. I live in a big city, and cars take a beating, and wondering
if Sube's have a problem.

You saw an "older one" WHAT? Subaru is a brand, not a model. I've had
my Legacy L for 15 years and the rust that it has was from malicious
damage or road damage that I didn't repair (but now doing after getting
disgusted with the rust spots). When I got mine, I noticed that all,
and I mean all, the Loyales were badly rusted more than just the years
would account for here in salty roads Minnesota.

If you actually mentioned WHICH model you were interested in buying new
then someone that has had one for awhile and even performed average
maintenance on its body, like dabbing touchup paint on the stone nicks
and getting it washed and waxed (things that I didn't do for several
years), could tell you how the paint fares over time.

 

[houndman]

You saw an "older one" WHAT? Subaru is a brand, not a model. I've had
my Legacy L for 15 years and the rust that it has was from malicious
damage or road damage that I didn't repair (but now doing after getting
disgusted with the rust spots). When I got mine, I noticed that all,
and I mean all, the Loyales were badly rusted more than just the years
would account for here in salty roads Minnesota.

If you actually mentioned WHICH model you were interested in buying new
then someone that has had one for awhile and even performed average
maintenance on its body, like dabbing touchup paint on the stone nicks
and getting it washed and waxed (things that I didn't do for several
years), could tell you how the paint fares over time.

I was thinking that Subaru would use the same paint on ALL models.
I'm looking at new impreza's. The car I saw was an 02', but others I
read who complained about chipping had 06's.

VF

 

[kaboom]

I was thinking that Subaru would use the same paint on ALL models.
I'm looking at new impreza's. The car I saw was an 02', but others I
read who complained about chipping had 06's.

**I have a 2005 Impreza RS and although I'm not having a chipping
problem (and I've done 3 MI to CT and back again trips), the paint
scratches like a bastard. It's dark blue and, man, do those scratches
show. During a spot of warm weather, I managed to buff one out with
polishing compound and paint cleaner wax. So I'm going to tackle all
the rest when the weather finally turns warm. I've had two other cars
(diff makes) with the identical color that did *not* scratch and swirl
as badly as this. I'm hoping a good paint cleaning and a proper waxing
will help. All that said, however, it's a *very* fun car to drive

kaboomie

 

[houndman]

**I have a 2005 Impreza RS and although I'm not having a chipping
problem (and I've done 3 MI to CT and back again trips), the paint
scratches like a bastard. It's dark blue and, man, do those scratches
show. During a spot of warm weather, I managed to buff one out with
polishing compound and paint cleaner wax. So I'm going to tackle all
the rest when the weather finally turns warm. I've had two other cars
(diff makes) with the identical color that did *not* scratch and swirl
as badly as this. I'm hoping a good paint cleaning and a proper waxing
will help. All that said, however, it's a *very* fun car to drive

kaboomie- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Sounds like you have surface mars, since you can buff them out, and
not scratches through the paint. Like the paint is soft.

VF

 

[kaboom]

On Apr 11, 8:08 pm, (e-mail address removed) (kaboom) wrote:

Sounds like you have surface mars, since you can buff them out, and
not scratches through the paint. Like the paint is soft.

**Some of them look to be deep (I can feel scratch and, on some, see a
white base) so before I do undertake "The Buffing" I'm going to pick
up some touch-up paint. To be honest, the paint and clear-coat seem
more thin than soft but we'll see what happens when I start sprucing
the car up for spring.

kaboomie

 

[Paul]

I don't know if it chips more or not but I do know the chips are a lot more
visable.
2002 silver forester. When it chips, and there are a lot of them, the paint
under (primmer?) is dark, so the chips really show. I am the original owner
so I know it has never been painted.
I also have a silver GMC 1 ton PU. It has chips but the primmer is a similer
color so they don't show as much.

 

[hippo]

I have read from users on another forum that Subaru paint chips
easily. Anyone see that on theirs? I saw an older one on Ebay, and
there was a closeup pic of the hood, and the black paint looked
chipped. I live in a big city, and cars take a beating, and wondering
if Sube's have a problem.

VF

91 Liberty wagon traded at 332000Km lots of touched up areas at front and
a few on roof, mostly attributable to significant travel on dirt, gravel
and back roads under repair.

Current 99 OBW 175000Km, still a few on roof, only about half a dozen on
bonnet (hood to you?)
and quite a lot on lower apron. Similar driving. Difference is this one
has the plastic hood and headlight protectors. Good investment if they're
available to you.

City driving never too much damage with either of them. Now the 4" bolt
that came off the rear doubles on a semi and thumped the top of my bike
helmet? That was a different matter entirely
Cheers

 

[houndman]

91 Liberty wagon traded at 332000Km lots of touched up areas at front and
a few on roof, mostly attributable to significant travel on dirt, gravel
and back roads under repair.

Current 99 OBW 175000Km, still a few on roof, only about half a dozen on
bonnet (hood to you?)
and quite a lot on lower apron. Similar driving. Difference is this one
has the plastic hood and headlight protectors. Good investment if they're
available to you.

City driving never too much damage with either of them. Now the 4" bolt
that came off the rear doubles on a semi and thumped the top of my bike
helmet? That was a different matter entirely
Cheers

You made me think of a golf ball sized stone, coming out of doubles
on a semi, going in the opposite direction, on a 2 lane highway. I saw
if bouncing about eye high, and closing fast. The shoulder was gravel,
and traveling at speed, I didn't think it was wise to try it. Things
happened So fast, I just ducked. The windsheild was in tact (I think
Screen to you). When I stopped, I looked ALL over, but couldn't
find anything. I Heard the impact Loud, so it hit somewhere. Took a
while, and then I saw, the stainless steel windshield wiper arm had a
divit in it. Saved by the wiper arm.

VF

 

[P T]

I have a dark green 2 1/2 year old Forester. I haven't noticed problems
with the paint integrity. What might be noteworthy to you: About 4
hours after I bought the vehicle, a hail storm came through my
neighborhood. Damaged my car something fierce. The hood was
particularly bad.
Try opening your hood: notice how light it is? I think it's made of
aluminum, and mere photons of light are rumored to leave dents. That
said, the paint on those unrepaired dents is still viable.
YMMV.