Question about paint

J

JessicaWalton

Member
Location
Texas
I am looking to purchase an 09 FX35. Its Midnight Mocha with Java interior (beautiful combo). I originally was set to get a black one, got the paperwork drawn up, but couldn't go sign all week, and today I went to sign and they had sold the car last night. So they found this Midnight Mocha FX and I like it so much more. My question is, when we were looking at the paint, my dad (insisted on coming along) thinks that the paint on the hatch differs from the paint on the side fenders. He said the metallic flakes were a different size. I looked at it from several different angles and I could not see what he was talking about. He insisted that it must have been damaged and repainted, so we got the carfax and its clean. He says they probably paid cash to get it repaired so it wouldn't be reported.

I want yalls opinions. I can post a picture of the back, its not close enough to see the detail of the paint, but you can see that there don't appear to be any gaps (to me anyway) between the hatch and the sides. Could it be infiniti's paint is inconsistent? Or maybe a little damage may have happened during transit when it was new, so the dealer got the back re-painted?
 
i guess the only way to check it out is for you to take some pics. Did you check it out with direct sunlight? Direct sunlight might make it easier to see the paint difference. If you see it then maybe show the sales rep and maybe get more money off lol. I personally think the Midnight Mocha is a sweet looking color.
 
It was in direct middle of the afternoon Louisiana sunlight lol. Like I said, neither my husband or I could see a difference in the paint. I didn't take any pictures myself, the only picture I have is the dealer picture on the website, and like i said before its not close enough to tell detail in the paint. I cant figure out how to directly load the photo either, just a link.
 
you will have to have atleast 10 post to add pics. Or maybe just put the link to the FX and maybe someone can see if they see anything. The thing is that if you don't see what your dad is talking about then go for it and purchase it. You will love the FX and then you might do some mods to it.
 
The tool you need is called a "paint thickness gauge". It works with ultrasonic frequencies and does no harm to the paint being tested. They are made specifically for your situation.

Here is what they look like:
paintmeter4.jpg

and here is a guy using one:
MTE013.jpg
 

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Not 100% sure but the hatch would probably have been painted off the body from the factory. That may cause the paint to seem a little off compared with the rear quarter panels. But even if the paint did seem different, there will be a VIN tagged on every panel... including doors. See if the hatch has the VIN tagged on it in the jams. If it's there, then it's the original door panel. Meaning that even if it had to be painted, there wasn't enough damage done to warrant replacing the whole hatch. Me personally, I would be fine with that but that's just me. But if there is no VIN on the door, it's probably been replaced... just make sure the VIN's match the other one's in the doors. Hope this helps
 
JessicaWalton said:
I am looking to purchase an 09 FX35. Its Midnight Mocha with Java interior (beautiful combo). I originally was set to get a black one, got the paperwork drawn up, but couldn't go sign all week, and today I went to sign and they had sold the car last night. So they found this Midnight Mocha FX and I like it so much more. My question is, when we were looking at the paint, my dad (insisted on coming along) thinks that the paint on the hatch differs from the paint on the side fenders. He said the metallic flakes were a different size. I looked at it from several different angles and I could not see what he was talking about. He insisted that it must have been damaged and repainted, so we got the carfax and its clean. He says they probably paid cash to get it repaired so it wouldn't be reported.

I want yalls opinions. I can post a picture of the back, its not close enough to see the detail of the paint, but you can see that there don't appear to be any gaps (to me anyway) between the hatch and the sides. Could it be infiniti's paint is inconsistent? Or maybe a little damage may have happened during transit when it was new, so the dealer got the back re-painted?
Click to expand...

If the price is awesome and you love the car and you can't tell the paint difference so obviously the job was done really well, drives great, no issues at all, etc.....why fret over some metallic flakes not being the same size and then start second guessing that it was in some horrific accident. No car is perfect and obviously if this is seems perfect in every way to you including the price, seems silly to pass up.
 
I think I am going to go back and test drive it by myself. It has a lot more miles on it than I wanted and looks more used (and has a funky smell). I looked online and found a couple of white ones down in Houston that have low mileage and still look brand new inside. I just wish the white came with java interior.
 
I say go for the white FX specially if it looks newer and has less mileage. Maybe after text driving it you will fall in love with it.
 
This tool works great but I dont think it works with aluminum. The 1st gen FX has an aluminum hatch so it would not work, not sure bout the 2nd gen. I have the exact tool pictured and it does not work with aluminum. I think there are ones that work with steel and aluminum though.




tchuck said:
The tool you need is called a "paint thickness gauge". It works with ultrasonic frequencies and does no harm to the paint being tested. They are made specifically for your situation.

Here is what they look like:
paintmeter4.jpg

and here is a guy using one:
MTE013.jpg
Click to expand...
 

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check under the car near rear bumper area and under trunk floor mat, if no sign of repair was done then don't worry too much.
 
It is possible that the hatch is of different material. i haven't checked on mine. I have the Moonlight White which is a two layer paint process. The front bumper of my car has a very slightly different color of White than the car itself, which is normal because it is plastic vs. metal or whatever. Mine has never been in a wreck and comes from the factory that way. It may be perfectly normal on the hatch as well especially if you don't notice any overspray anywhere.

If you get the white one DO NOT get tan interior. It is a bitch to keep clean. I shuld have stayed with blakc leather. The Java color would also be easier to keep clean than the tan. Good luck with whichever you purchase.

I am on my fourth Infiniti and I currently have a '10 FX35 and I love it. I will never drive anything other than an Infiniti. Just my $0.02. :smug:
 
I am going back to the dealer thursday and I am gonna inspect every crack and crevice of that car. It is a beautiful color combo. It has a few more miles on it than I would prefer (46,000) but I would definitely get it for the right price. Plus its way closer to where I live than the white one I found is.

---------- Post added at 01:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:34 PM ----------
Fxellent said:
If you get the white one DO NOT get tan interior. It is a bitch to keep clean. I shuld have stayed with blakc leather. The Java color would also be easier to keep clean than the tan. Good luck with whichever you purchase.
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Yeah I am trying to find one with dark interior. I have a two year old and that beautiful tan would quickly turn dingey brown with him in the car. Plus I remember my jeans always discolored the leather in my first (and last) vehicle with light colored leather.
 
falcondrgn said:
This tool works great but I dont think it works with aluminum. The 1st gen FX has an aluminum hatch so it would not work, not sure bout the 2nd gen. I have the exact tool pictured and it does not work with aluminum. I think there are ones that work with steel and aluminum though.
Click to expand...


Actually no, the 1st gen FX has a composite hatch. The paint gauge should work on any body panel that has paint since it works by detecting differences in density. If yours does not work, it could be working on a magnetic pricipal instead (less expensive gauge).

That being said, if the carfax is clean I wouldn't remain suspicious. It seems it's a moot point now anyway since you are continuing the search. Bunch of us in Houston - feel free to hit us up for advice or referrals to local dealerships! Sewell seems to have a good reputation here in Houston.
 
when i went to look at an IP FX in San Antonio, i noticed differences in paint here and there that my friend couldn't see. it had a lot of miles, some funky smell also and the only great thing was the tires were brand new BFG long trail T/A (crappy tires tho). I walked away, went to Dallas and bought this Pearl FX I couldn't find anything wrong with. TEST DRIVE and pay very close attention to what you hear.
As for carfax, I wouldn't trust it completely.
Also, I disagree with the statement that it's a 'bitch' to keep wheat interior clean. I don't spend a lot of time cleaning mine. perhaps it also depends on whether you like to eat your big mac burger and drink your smoothie while driving.
 
Yeah....I don't eat big macs or smoothies or anything else while driving. I am very methodical at keeping my car spotless at all times so if I am saying that tan is hard to keep clean then its hard to keep clean.

I not saying I am out there everday in the Texas heat sweating and scrubbing the leather to keep it clean......didn't mean that literally.

Just meant you have to pay a little extra attention to it than with Black. Plus I hate having anyone ride in my car, which is why I try and avoid driving with groups if possible because people cross their legs and scar shit up and so forth so it usually is more of the passengers you have to worry about than the driver. :wink (2):
 
I agree on the black or darker leather > wheat or tan, as in general, it will be easier to care for over the long run and you won't see as much discoloration.

And that's a great tip on the paint thickness reader.
 
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