Dull/ Flat Feeling Paint

[2k16A6]

Last spring I bought a 2016 A6 and I have recently noticed that there is an area on the passenger side c-pillar that the paint feels flat/matte like. It is very difficult to see except in certain lighting you can see a distinct border to the area so it was obviously re-sprayed at some point. Color seems to match, just the sheen seems a bit off. The area is not that large, maybe 1/4 of the way up the c-pillar down to the top body line about as far back as the gas cap. To my very uneducated eye it almost seems like there is no or at least an inadequate amount of clear coat if that makes any sense. Obviously without seeing it this is probably tough to say but does this sound like something that a detailer could work with or might this be more of a body shop fix?

Not the point of the post but worth mentioning that before buying the car, I paid an Audi dealer (rhymes with "hookline" to anyone in the Boston area) just shy of $400 for a Pre Purchase Inspection (PPI), and I specifically asked that they look for any evidence of accident or body work. The result of the PPI was that everything was great, the only recommendation was to change the windshield wipers. Once I got the car and set it up with MyAudi I saw there was a service history at a different dealership for something along the lines of "bodywork" and "replace wheel". While it is certainly possible that maybe they didn't notice the lack of sheen on the c-pillar, they surely should have seen it in the service history....

Anyways thanks in advance for any suggestions!

[paul-g]

when I was looking for a car earlier this year when looking at reviews people would complain about certain dealerships that pulled car faxes early knowing that a wreck wouldn't show up for a month or so after people bough them......specially if they did they would after buy car from auction

[2k16A6]

Yeah my biggest frustration was that the bodywork was done by an Audi dealer and was in the system, I can see it so I have to imagine they would have too had they actually looked. My guess is they never looked

[jeromium]

I just took delivery of a 2017 Q5 on Friday and gave it a wash yesterday. Noticed some dull paint on my rear bumper so I searched and came upon this thread.

Paint is dull in a few areas, mainly above the bumper lights on both left and right. You can see it pretty well in this photo. Is this basically what you're seeing on yours? And have you since found a solution? I don't know if this would require a respray or if there's a product that can help make it match the mirror-like quality of the factory paint.

[2k16A6]

I just took delivery of a 2017 Q5 on Friday and gave it a wash yesterday. Noticed some dull paint on my rear bumper so I searched and came upon this thread.

Paint is dull in a few areas, mainly above the bumper lights on both left and right. You can see it pretty well in this photo. Is this basically what you're seeing on yours? And have you since found a solution? I don't know if this would require a respray or if there's a product that can help make it match the mirror-like quality of the factory paint.

You can't really see the dullness on my car, your really only notice it if you rub your fingers over it. It feels like what I'd expect very fine overspray to feel like, but I've clayed it and that didn't help at all. I haven't done anything since its really not noticeable but it still bugs me every time I'm pumping gas.

[MugelloB7RS4]

You can't really see the dullness on my car, your really only notice it if you rub your fingers over it. It feels like what I'd expect very fine overspray to feel like, but I've clayed it and that didn't help at all. I haven't done anything since its really not noticeable but it still bugs me every time I'm pumping gas.

If you've tried clay, your next step could be an aggressive compound. I'm being very general here because I can't see it. But a compound is the more aggressive than a polish. If that doesn't work, you can always try wet sanding.

Getting the shine back is the easy part. You should be able to polish it out, but the issue for me would be your comment about it feeling like overspray. I'd want to correct that before I spent too much time polishing.

[SQ5AudiMaria]

Hello 2k16A6,
I discovered there are 3 different grit in clay bars. You may want to look up a detail supply to get recommendation. On my SQ5 17’ I had swirling scratches thru my brilliant black paint. (Recently purchased it from a dealer that way) i decided to get Quotes for Ceramic coating. I went with Audi dealer to get it done. The dealer took before after Video showing dull paint in certain areas that were touch up prior to my purchase.
Took 15 hours for the dealer to work on my paint to ceramic coat. Greatest investment. Purchased my car cheap due to the swirls and by ceramic coating the my SQ5 paint and rims, look new again. I would highly recommend getting some quotes, if the price is right you won’t regret it. 187993187993


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