Paint rubbed off in Bonnet/Engine Bay!!!

Alpha Motoring · #1 07-09-2007, 10:19 PM

I was just finishing up removing the cosmoline from the engine bay I was using WD-40 and in one area I was very gentle in the entire process, but in one area, the paint actually rubbed off, I heard the paint is very soft in the engine bay and I was wondering stuff like this will the dealership cover? Let me know! Thanks!

MLPearson79 · #2 07-09-2007, 10:26 PM

The problem with the paint in the engine bay and door sill areas is that it's not clear coated....so it's very easily rubbed off and/or otherwise damaged.

If it's not somewhere extremely visible, I wouldn't worry about it...the thought of taking the car in to touch up the engine bay for me is not worth it. BUT if you are super-concerned for whatever reason...it never hurts to call your SA and ask what they think...although my guess is they'll just tell you to be more gentle next time

Alpha Motoring · #3 07-09-2007, 10:33 PM

Will there be rust in this place in the future?

MLPearson79 · #4 07-09-2007, 10:34 PM

There shouldn't be. IIRC (and someone will correct me if I'm wrong), the metal itself is rust-preventative coated. As long as you didn't like, gouge into the metal or anything, you should be okay.

Alpha Motoring · #5 07-09-2007, 10:36 PM

That is the area that was affected.

Alpha Motoring · #6 07-09-2007, 10:45 PM

After seeing the pictures, I don't know if fellow NAM'ers will think that this will be covered under warranty or not?

**OctaneGuy** · #7 07-09-2007, 10:53 PM

Just spray it with some paint--either from your factory color--paint match from a body shop or paint shop--or to be really ghetto, spray some primer on it.

Alpha Motoring · #8 07-09-2007, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Just spray it with some paint--either from your factory color--paint match from a body shop or paint shop--or to be really ghetto, spray some primer on it.

If I leave it the way it is, will it possibly rust in the future?

ImagoX · #9 07-09-2007, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OctaneGuy

Just spray it with some paint--either from your factory color--paint match from a body shop or paint shop--or to be really ghetto, spray some primer on it.

I was thinking the same thing - just get your paint code color online (the code is on the sticker inside the door) and cover the engine and as much of the car as you can with a sheet to prevent overspray dust settling on anything. Remember that 2-3 light coats, with time to dry in-between is much more durable and will not drip, unlike one heavy coat.

As for warranty - I'd try it... what's there to lose? You may have to turn over the car for a day while they touch it up, but at least that way the repair is also covered under the warrantry. If they say no, then you can get your spray-paint on...

Alpha Motoring · #10 07-09-2007, 11:10 PM

Quote:

As for warranty - I'd try it... what's there to lose? You may have to turn over the car for a day while they touch it up, but at least that way the repair is also covered under the warrantry. If they say no, then you can get your spray-paint on...

I'm going to call the dealership first thing tomorrow.

MINIBee · #11 07-09-2007, 11:12 PM

This same thing happened to me only I was using Simple Green. I bought an aersol can of factory paint from MyMINI (now Minspeed) for $18, masked off the area and fixed it so well you can't even tell.

http://www.minspeed.net/ESP.htm

You can also use it to paint custom parts to match your MINI.

ImagoX · #12 07-09-2007, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MINI_Bee

This same thing happened to me only I was using Simple Green.

Me too - also with Simple Green. I stopped shy of rubbing through the paint, but I most certainly marred it where there was cosmoline before. If I'd reached metal, I would have definitely invested in a can of color-matched paint to fix the hole, both for looks AND rust prevention.

k_h_d · #13 07-10-2007, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MINI_Bee

This same thing happened to me only I was using Simple Green. I bought an aersol can of factory paint from MyMINI (now Minspeed) for $18, masked off the area and fixed it so well you can't even tell.

http://www.minspeed.net/ESP.htm

You can also use it to paint custom parts to match your MINI.

EXACT SAME here. Simple green and rubbing. When it started marring the paint I quit but you can tell it was doing something bad.

Alpha Motoring · #14 07-10-2007, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Me too - also with Simple Green. I stopped shy of rubbing through the paint, but I most certainly marred it where there was cosmoline before. If I'd reached metal, I would have definitely invested in a can of color-matched paint to fix the hole, both for looks AND rust prevention.

I was told by the dealer that it shouldn't rust, is that true, they said the grey color was primer, they said i'd have to bring the car in for them to check it out. I am a bit far away from the dealer, so I might just paint this myself. So will there be any other NAM'ers that would know if rust would possibly be a problem here in the future?

ImagoX · #15 07-10-2007, 10:55 AM

Better safe than sorry - I'd put a few light coats of spray paint on it. Easier to stop it from happening in the first place than to clean it up after it takes root.... And it will look better.

**OctaneGuy** · #16 07-10-2007, 11:32 AM

Alpha Motoring--Just be thankful you live in California! My MINI lived in Wisconsin for a year and there is rust everywhere. My exhaust looked horrible when I removed it recently.

CHKMINI · #17 07-10-2007, 11:33 AM

Tape off all around the area(newspaper works just fine), scuff the surface to be painted with a 3M sanding pad, wipe with a clean cloth and then spray two or three light coats (10-15 minutes between coats).