Model Year 25/26 Alloy defect melted paint/laquer

[Scriminjer]

Just got my new Formentor delivered last week and I’ve spotted something odd on an alloy. There’s no damage around the alloy apart from this. I’ve not yet kerbed it etc

It looks like the alloy isn’t painted correctly, it’s very smooth like you’d expect from the edge of paint. And it feels like it’s got laquer over the top. If I had kerbed it there would be more damage (from past experience on my last Formentor)

Has anyone had this before? I know I’ll need to book it in to Arnold Clark for a warranty inspection - had quite a large disagreement with them on my last Formentor so I’m expecting they’ll blame me. Just wondering if anyone else has had this?

I’ve only driven maybe 50 miles and it arrived with 250 miles on the clock.

 

[James_R]

The passenger side front wheel?

 

[Scriminjer]

The passenger side front wheel?

Yep

 

[James_R]

Was it an ex demonstrator or staff car?

 

[Scriminjer]

Was it an ex demonstrator or staff car

Nope, mileage on arrival was the distance the driver had come to deliver the vehicle. Car was brand new and unused with only a few miles on prior to him driving the vehicle to me.

 

[Karbonfaiba]

Looks like the sort of damage a crowbar would make when doing a tyre change.

Maybe find out when and where the tyres were last changed.

 

[Scriminjer]

Looks like the sort of damage a crowbar would make when doing a tyre change.

Maybe find out when and where the tyres were last changed.

It’s new so I assume fitted at production.

It’s all a smooth finish, there’s no edges or paint scratches as if kerb damage or a crowbar was used. It looks and feels melted.

 

[trew]

It's so tiny, why don't you save yourself a load of hassle and just touch it up with a bit of paint?

 

[SRGTD]

It's so tiny, why don't you save yourself a load of hassle and just touch it up with a bit of paint?

I think that’s what I would do.

As you’ve said, it’s just hassle (pursuing a warranty claim) and because there’s no way of knowing how, where or when it happened, the dealer may well just offer the same remedy of touching it up with a paint pen.

 

[James_R]

The issue you might face now is the distance that's been covered and it's been driven by two different drivers.

Plenty of justification for the supplying dealer to deny any responsibility.

Try and get the paint code and some touch up, it'll usually cost you less than a tenner and save you a lot of wasted time otherwise.

 

[trew]

I think that’s what I would do.

As you’ve said, it’s just hassle (pursuing a warranty claim) and because there’s no way of knowing how, where or when it happened, the dealer may well just offer the same remedy of touching it up with a paint pen.

It's a no-brainer, as far as I can see. Why put yourself through all that time and hassle - and probably expense - for a tiny bit of paint?

If I had a little bottle of touch up, the job would be done in half the time it's taken me to type this post.