Blistering in hood paint

[7TH_SIGN]

Some of you may remember my GEN V had some blistering and bubbling in the paint on the hinge cover panels within the first couple of miles on the car. This was due to the second cat located right above the hinge cover and excessive heat. After visiting a dealership and the service advisor stating that the doors would have to come off to replace the panels, I cut rope and ran. Decided to find a way to replace the panels myself. Took some leg work on my end to get in contact with Prefix and Chrysler but I was able to get Chrysler to cover it under warranty and Prefix sent me two new covers. Installed the new covers and the panels blistered again. Contacted Prefix and they sent me another pair of covers but this time before installing them I removed all the cats on the car. The panels never blistered again. Problem solved and time to enjoy the car.....So I thought.

I was out of state on a family vacation and when I got back home of course I went to check on the car in the garage as I missed seeing it. While opening the hood I noticed what I never wanted to see again. Yes, the hood has now begun to blister like the hinge covers. Its a small location right above the passenger front tire. The car only has 1200 miles on it. I called Chrysler America to notify them of the issue and then Prefix. They are both looking in to what the solution to this will be. Prefix appears to want to replace the hood while Chrysler has talked about the possibility of replacing the entire car as this is the second time it has paint issues and the blistering may appear on other parts of the car as time progresses. I would have to uninstall my aftermarket exhaust and not sure if I would be able to use my Arrow PCM on the replacement vehicle.

Prefix understands that I don't want a dealership touching the car and have talked about sending me a replacement hood for me to install however I've never removed a Viper hood before. Chrysler understands that I want the paint to match perfect and that Prefix is the only one who can make sure it does. There is a long detailed paper trail of the issue from when it started with the hinge covers on both sides of the table, Chrysler and Prefix. If its one thing I have to say about this entire experience its that Chrysler and Prefix are making a good attempt in keeping me happy.

Anyways, take a close look at your paint, hopefully I'm the only one seeing this. Will keep you all updated.

http://i882.photobucket.com/albums/ac26/7THSIGN_photos/8051A29D-3C95-4048-8B76-40E2ED67826F_zpsjcgdg6vs.jpg

http://i882.photobucket.com/albums/ac26/7THSIGN_photos/6CC55B33-B3F5-4DDC-80D3-8C4C5101F690_zps523trsof.jpg

[swexlin]

If they want to give you a new car, go for it. Even if the old Arrow controller didn't work, the cost of a new one pales on comparison to the deal you would be getting on a replacement brand new car.

As an aside, the paint on my car is good. Has a couple small rock chips on the hood, but that's cause I was cheap didn't Xpel the whole car.

[SRTViperSD]

You shouldn't have to remove ANYTHING on the car to keep the paint happy. Good job to you on sticking to your guns on pushing FCA to follow through and not letting a dealership touch anything.

[ViperGeorge]

Go for the new car and be done.

[NT-ACR]

As others have stated, go for the new car.

On a separate note, is the panel gap between the hood and the front bumper really this large or is it an optical illusion?

http://i882.photobucket.com/albums/ac26/7THSIGN_photos/6CC55B33-B3F5-4DDC-80D3-8C4C5101F690_zps523trsof.jpg~original

[SSGNRDZ_28]

Sorry to hear but good to know you are being taken care of. +1 for the new car if you can manage it just because you don't want something else to start bubbling down the road.

[ViperSmith]

Get a 17 :)

[Stealth78]

Is this car currently listed for sale on cars.com?

[ACR Steve]

New car - no brainer

[7TH_SIGN]

Guys I have an update.

I just received a call from Prefix and they have gone above and beyond yet again. I'm located in Virginia right outside DC. They are not only replacing the hood but are having one of their engineers and body specialists drive from Michigan to my home with the new hood and installing it in my own garage. As someone who works in a small family business, I cant say enough good things about Prefix and how they have treated me as a customer. Excellent service!

I also received a call from Chrysler America HQ. They requested that I take the car to a dealership to have them look at it and take pictures. He made no mention of replacing the car as the lower level customer service rep told me maybe an option. He did say they would do whatever it took to address the issue including repainting the hood. Thats when I stopped him and shared with him that I had already been in contact with Prefix which he was unaware of. I informed him on how they not only would be replacing the hood but also how they would be coming to my home to do it. He then said that was great and if I or Prefix needed anything to call his direct number which he provided.

Shreen at Prefix has been my point of contact and really is the one who has been taken care of me. I can't say for certain but I really feel she is the one who got this all done for me when she found out about my negative experience at my local dealership during the first incident. She made a disappointing situation better within a couple of days and phone calls.

My only concern is that I will start to see blistering in the paint on other locations eventually if the issue is in fact the entire car. I guess we will cross that bridge if and when we get there.

Stealth78, thats correct I do have it listed on autotrader and cars.com. I don't need to sell it however it would make life a little easier due to the birth of our second son and the wife now being a stay at home mom. That being said I'm certain it won't be leaving my ownership as I've gotten nothing but low offers and I like the car too much to give it away for free.

NT-ACR, the hood was open in that pic.

[NT-ACR]

Guys I have an update.

I just received a call from Prefix and they have gone above and beyond yet again. I'm located in Virginia right outside DC. They are not only replacing the hood but are having one of their engineers and body specialists drive from Michigan to my home with the new hood and installing it in my own garage. As someone who works in a small family business, I cant say enough good things about Prefix and how they have treated me as a customer. Excellent service!

I also received a call from Chrysler America HQ. They requested that I take the car to a dealership to have them look at it and take pictures. He made no mention of replacing the car as the lower level customer service rep told me maybe an option. He did say they would do whatever it took to address the issue including repainting the hood. Thats when I stopped him and shared with him that I had already been in contact with Prefix which he was unaware of. I informed him on how they not only would be replacing the hood but also how they would be coming to my home to do it. He then said that was great and if I or Prefix needed anything to call his direct number which he provided.

Shreen at Prefix has been my point of contact and really is the one who has been taken care of me. I can't say for certain but I really feel she is the one who got this all done for me when she found out about my negative experience at my local dealership during the first incident. She made a disappointing situation better within a couple of days and phone calls.

My only concern is that I will start to see blistering in the paint on other locations eventually if the issue is in fact the entire car. I guess we will cross that bridge if and when we get there.

Stealth78, thats correct I do have it listed on autotrader and cars.com. I don't need to sell it however it would make life a little easier due to the birth of our second son and the wife now being a stay at home mom. That being said I'm certain it won't be leaving my ownership as I've gotten nothing but low offers and I like the car too much to give it away for free.

NT-ACR, the hood was open in that pic.

Great to hear that Prefix is someone who can be trusted! Hopefully, this is the last of your blistering issues.

As for the hood being open, I should have realized that.

[Vibert]

I'd go new car too if it's truly an option but I'd be surprised if that's on the table. It sounds like prefix is really going above and beyond in fixing the situation. I'm so glad I live in close proximity to these guys in case the need ever arises.

BTW, I think arrow is capable of reprogramming those PCMs in special circumstances, but others would know better than me.

Hope this gets straightened out to your satisfaction. Let us know what the explanation is weird place for bubbling.

[SRT BILL]

7th, glad to hear this problem is starting to work out for you. Hopefully this process goes smooth and to your liking. Have you thought about trying to keep the original hood? Just a greedy thought.

[Terminator02]

7th I had paint blistering on my rockers and a few other areas with the same black paint. I wouldn't be surprised if others with black paint show it as well. The venom clear shows everything and it gets hotter than any other paint. I just hope it doesn't happen again but I'm wondering if it has to do with how thin the clear is to begin and how hot black paint gets. My bubbling looked worse. At the time I was so upset at my initial dealership experience I let it go and assumed it would happen again just due to how thin the clear is. I hope this is a final fix for you without further issues.

[Stealth78]

7th I had paint blistering on my rockers and a few other areas with the same black paint. I wouldn't be surprised if others with black paint show it as well. The venom clear shows everything and it gets hotter than any other paint. I just hope it doesn't happen again but I'm wondering if it has to do with how thin the clear is to begin and how hot black paint gets. My bubbling looked worse. At the time I was so upset at my initial dealership experience I let it go and assumed it would happen again just due to how thin the clear is. I hope this is a final fix for you without further issues.

Is that your car for sale right now at Ganley? Funny enough I was looking at both of your cars online if it was. How bad is the bubbling and where is it all located. Is this only happening on black cars?

[7TH_SIGN]

7th I had paint blistering on my rockers and a few other areas with the same black paint. I wouldn't be surprised if others with black paint show it as well. The venom clear shows everything and it gets hotter than any other paint. I just hope it doesn't happen again but I'm wondering if it has to do with how thin the clear is to begin and how hot black paint gets. My bubbling looked worse. At the time I was so upset at my initial dealership experience I let it go and assumed it would happen again just due to how thin the clear is. I hope this is a final fix for you without further issues.

I haven't seen any other locations. Did you ever end up repairing it? I am worried it will happen again as it did with the panels due to heat becuase once I removed the cats it never did it again. I can't really remove the engine in order to save the hood.


7th, glad to hear this problem is starting to work out for you. Hopefully this process goes smooth and to your liking. Have you thought about trying to keep the original hood? Just a greedy thought.

I actually thought about requesting a ACR E hood but thought that would be a little pushy on my end due to the fact they are driving all the way here and installing it for me. I believe they are taking my hood for R&D as they did with my panels.


Is that your car for sale right now at Ganley? Funny enough I was looking at both of your cars online if it was. How bad is the bubbling and where is it all located. Is this only happening on black cars?

Thats not mine on Ganley. Not sure if its only happening on the black GEN Vs. Its right where the blue painters tape is in the above pic. Its not too bad now however will increase the more I drive the car and the more heat gets to it.

[Terminator02]

Is that your car for sale right now at Ganley? Funny enough I was looking at both of your cars online if it was. How bad is the bubbling and where is it all located. Is this only happening on black cars?

Yes that must be my car I haven't checked but they don't have any other vipers. The bubbling is on the drivers rocker I believe. Overall my paint is fantastic been corrected and Cquartz Finest applied. There's some scratching on the underside of the steering wheel but that's the only imperfections. I properly broke in the car and changed the oil at 500 miles and during the r29. Always washed well and kept engine bay clean. Depending on what they are pricing it at, someone will get a very nice stock Viper. Regarding the paint blistering further, my detail guy thought it was just factory handpaint imperfections but after seeing 7th sign post I'm convinced it's due to the heat of the black paint and the thin clear. The blistering never got worse on my vehicle. But who knows in time...

[Terminator02]

Yes that's my vehicle. Not to derail this thread but to be clear they didn't mention the Harmon kardon upgrades in case you are shopping for one. Also that price will likely be firm because they took my car in for near that price...

[Terminator02]

I haven't seen any other locations. Did you ever end up repairing it? I am worried it will happen again as it did with the panels due to heat becuase once I removed the cats it never did it again. I can't really remove the engine in order to save the hood.



I actually thought about requesting a ACR E hood but thought that would be a little pushy on my end due to the fact they are driving all the way here and installing it for me. I believe they are taking my hood for R&D as they did with my panels.



Thats not mine on Ganley. Not sure if its only happening on the black GEN Vs. Its right where the blue painters tape is in the above pic. Its not too bad now however will increase the more I drive the car and the more heat gets to it.

7th I think it was on my rocker driver side and that's it. There were some minor imperfections I think I'm remembering but weren't blistering. I'd probably just let the car sit a bit when you replace the hood and let it cure a bit more. Maybe consider adding the nano coating quickly and a partial bra. I never fought to have my rocker repainted because I didn't think anything would happen and I had a horrible initial dealership experience. Plus my detailer (who is the best) wasn't convinced the rocker was bubbling but rather paint imperfection revealed after the correction. However now I'm convinced it's not the case after looking at your car.

I love the black paint but if this happens again, go for another car or consider having them pay a full xpel or something. Certain parts of the car have very low readings of clear. The roof was the least on mine registering 22-25 microns. The hood thankfully was heaviest at about 47. Still 47 is very low.

[ACRucrazy]

Oh man, this car again with the same issue. I remember the first go around. Good luck on the fix!
(I would want a new Viper)

[Stealth78]

7TH_SIGN, I was originally asking about the one on cars.com fro sale by owner. I assume that is yours.

Terminator02, Yes that's the one that I was talking about at Ganley. Between your screen name and your Incredible Hulk analogy, I think we are two peas in a pod! :lol2:

[ViperPete]

I'll take your old hood.... Will look great on the wall ;)

[ViperSmith]

I'd worry that any number of panels on the car could have the same defect. I'd be asking, since this is the 2nd panel that has had paint issues, for them to extend the warranty as well.

[7TH_SIGN]

I'd worry that any number of panels on the car could have the same defect. I'd be asking, since this is the 2nd panel that has had paint issues, for them to extend the warranty as well.

Good idea. I will do that.

[ACR]

Hard to see, positive that isn't road rash pitting up the panel? It's in the right location to do it

[7TH_SIGN]

Yeah its not road rash. I couldn't get it in the photo but the blistering continues higher up in to the hood.

[Vprbite]

Any chance this is due to the panel not being cured all the way before being painted? Similar to the way it happened on the Gen II hoods?

I'm sorry this happened again. Im glad prefix is handling this with some real class. That's good to see. Still it sucks to deal with though. Best of luck from here on out. Hopefully they learn something from the panel that helps in the future.