Porsche approved/certified color change process

[1994964speedster]

Dear friends,

Does anyone has Porsche's guildlines to Porsche approved/certified color change process. ie how many steps and what are the steps are employed.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Regards,

[Loren]

Porsche has a couple of paint manuals but I do not have access to them.

Check with your local dealer and see if they have these and if you could look at them. That would likely be a good place to start.

[1994964speedster]

Dear Loren,

Thanks for your note, I need the manuals to hopefully understand Porsche's Paint process. I purchased a Porsche Approved 997 and had my local dealer colorchange it. Our car started out as a perfect example of a Porsche Approved product with less than 10,000km on the clock; in short it was “like new.” As my fiance and I preferred a black car so we paid for and were promised a Porsche color change that was to be conducted by the dealers talented team of Porsche trained painters at Porsche’s paintshop in accordance to Porsche’s color change and painting guidelines. We were concerned that should the car's paint eventually chip (we certainly did not expect so soon after 2 months) and that original paint would be revealed but we were assured by our Porsche salesman that Porsche's paint process would ensure that our car would be properly treated and painted so stone chips would “not show yellow paint but rather the grey paint primer undercoat.” After driving it for less than 2 months, we were shocked to find the car had already collected 3 paint chips along with 2 busted paint bubbles. Needless to say we were far from impressed….

Before speaking to them, we decided investigate the problem and have our car’s paint job independently and professionally evaluated by not one but two paint specialists for high-end cars. Both knew of Porsche’s guidelines towards color changes but did not have the manuals. After evaluating our car’s paint job both specialists confirmed that the car was surprisingly painted without any application of paint primer or treated to any basic wet sanding of the original coat of yellow paint to gain adhesion. Both felt that by bypassing these crucial steps was a disastrous approach as the car’s new paint would just be applied on top of the original coat without any adhesive preparation to bond with and hold the paint to the panels. The effect is clear as the paint on our car chips easily as its new coat of paint does not “stick” onto the coat of paint. To compound the problem, due to humidity in my country paint bubbles have also appeared in areas – some have burst. The specialists also pointed out that the coat of paint was also very thin and that the job was clearly done in a hurry as the paint was un-even in certain areas. The conclusion from both specialists was that the paint job on our car was POOR!!!!!!!!!

A friend in the US shared with us that all Porsche dealers along with all approved Porsche repair centers (even independent ones) globally are mandated to follow strict guidelines for painting and repairing Porsches – the guidelines cover; color changes, repairs, and even bolt on/add-on components. All painting according to Porsche’s guideline requires careful preparation and the application of a coat adhesive primer – even on bolt on dealer installed parts such as spoilers and bodykits.

After the research was conducted we contacted the Porsche dealer who responded well and immediately took our car back to be re-painted. They realized that they did a poor job and appologized sincerely. They have agreed to take photos of the paint process and assured us that this time they will follow Porsche's proceedures. The fact that they didn't the first time still irritates and baffles me. But I want to be productive and I just want to know exactly what they are so I can know that they are doing the job properly this time. I am a Porsche enthusiast and expect to remain so for many years.

Regards,

K

[White987S]

1994964speedster, how much did they charge you for the color change? You would think finding the car in the color you wanted would have been easier.

I hope this all works out for you.

[1994964speedster]

Thanks for your reply. The Porsche Dealer charged the USD3870 for the job - which was a discounted sum and part of the deal (we did not get a penny discount on the car) due to the fact that the car was a Porsche Approved vehicle purchased from their dealership. I would have loved to purchase a car in the exact color but there are very few 997 cabriolets in my part of the world. Most are coupes.

[ard.]

Thanks for your reply. The Porsche Dealer charged the USD3870 for the job - which was a discounted sum and part of the deal (we did not get a penny discount on the car) due to the fact that the car was a Porsche Approved vehicle purchased from their dealership. I would have loved to purchase a car in the exact color but there are very few 997 cabriolets in my part of the world. Most are coupes.

never heard of an "approved color change" for ANY car.

US$3870 is a laughably low price for such a task. to do it right requires major disassembly- removal of interior and exterior trim, glass, etc,etc. $3870 is about that a fender and door repair runs. $15000+ is what a total repaint should run.

next time import.

Best of luck