"Known issue" with Arctic

As you may have read in the UK forum section, I'm having some problems with the paint on my Cayman (pre-delivery) and the car is back at Porsche GB for inspection. I have now been told there is a known issue with Arctic Silver paint, where it can have a 'dappled' look to it. The tone of the silver will appear slightlypatchy across a panel - darker patches against the standard silver tone. I have also found out that they have a 1 imperfetion per panel tolerance level, at which point they will not respray the panel. So the one spot of dust within my rear quarter is acceptable thought they will try to polish it out. Just thought I shouldlet you all know, in case you dont catch up on all the UK forum chat ! Tonse

hmmmm, I haven't noticed anything but I'm going to give it the full Zaino treatment this weekend. That sucks, they should warn you ahead of time!

I would write a letter to Mr Risto Hukkanen, Vice President Quality at Valmet Automotive with pictures of your car. I would also CC Michael Bartsch, EVP and COO of Porsche America.

That is good advice. I've got an Artic Silver coming, and if it doesn't look right, I'll bail out. I absolutely detest compromise. That's for Cambry owners. I'd rather lose a $5K Deposit, than fork out $91K on a crap paint job. FWIW, My Guard's Red 997S was flawless. Tonse, when was your car built?

Hi. My cars build date was Jan 10th Lizard King Thanks for the advice re people to write to fitegeoff - I'm seeing the car again tuesday with a new bonnet (taken from another AS Cayman ), and am meant to take delivery on Wednesday - depending on how it looks. In case you havent seen the thread in the UK section, Porsche GB have passed my original bonnet through their Quality Control as acceptable, despite having admitted a day earlier that there was a known issue ! I'll post the updates on the other thread: Click here Tonse Edited by - tonser on 02/27/2006 3:54:38 PM

I am not sure if this is the same issue but i did notice that the relection on my hood is not clear but rather a dippled relection. It is hard to explain but it almost looks like waves in the paint job - is this the same situation? Should i take it back to the dealer?

Washed and waxed my Arctic this weekend and didn't see any flaws to speak of. If you guys see defects, I'd give 'em hell!

I also have Arctic, and the paint is perfect. The paint is smooth with a consistent color throughout. Don't settle for second best on a first rate car.

I too washed the AS Cayman S this weekend and found no paint irregularities. I did find aminor crease in the passenger side flank which will be pointed out to the dealer at our next visit.

Holy Cow, my Brothers. Mine was built 1/31. But three weeks over there in Finland must seem like E T E R N I T Y. Certainly they wouldn't let a paint issue go for three weeks? Hmm.... Tonse, I would consider insisting on some quality controlled viewing at inspection. Perhaps you view the car inside the shop (flourescent) as well as outside in the sun (with polarized sunglasses you may be able to walk around the car and see if the value looks the same. and I'd want to really OCD by coming back later on and viewing it in the afternoon. What's another day? It would blow to get home and be staring at slightly... odd... paint...forever. My car is on vessel now, artic silver and all. Will it have evil robot paint from Finland? I hope not, but with what passes for luck who knows. Glad to hear some good AS paint stories too.

I got mine MOnday, Build date 11/2005.. Paint looks nice so far.. Has anyone seen this problem close up and are there any pics ?

I'm looking to order my Arctic Silver Cayman S very soon (see article ' Cayman S Cabin Heat Question' just posted) & my salesman explained to me that Porsche paints their cars with a sort of orange peel effect. He said they did that for two reasons, to get more reflection and to minimize any flaws one might get during ownership. He said if one were to get a small dent and a small scratch, the small scratch would be less noticeable, once the dent were removed, with this type of finish verses one which was absolutely smooth like glass. Sounded reasonable to me...but since this is my first Porsche, I had always thought the paint was smooth & flawless...although I never looked that close until now. 'First Porsche' Man

Well, did you look at the cars at the dealership. I've seen several AS Cayman 's and haven't noticed anything. I too have a AS on order. No fears of flawed paint. No matter how top level a manufacturer could be, there will always be a chance that one or two bad eggs show up. Granted, the car should have been inspected better at the factory.

Sounds like the salesguy knew you were a first timer. Porsche fit and finsh is superior to all others. Orange peel effect is a GM trademark. Go to a Chevy showroom and look at any of their cars in the lights - take an orange and compare. I used to sell automotive paint and supplies. I saw where paint shops would query the paint manufacturer on how to duplicate the GM orange peel!! If that happens on a Porsche; it isn't form follows function; its a mistake. You know the old saying: 'If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bull$$$$.' IMO, you've been baffled.

One problem reported so far. May not be a wholesale AS problem but a one off issue.

I have examined my AS car very carefully and so far have found only one very small speck of dust in the paint.What I have noticed though is that the front and rear bumpers compared to the metal work are not a very good colour match. J

I too have noticed my front bumper is just a bit off. Haven't noticed the rear being off. Aside from that, the color uniformity is great. I clay bar'ed the whole car today and it looked great.

I am very hapy with my choice of arctic silver.When this topic first apeared I thought should have been told of the problem by the dealer andthen would have chosen a different colour.In the end though all has worked out for the best ,colour uniformity,excepting bumpers is fine. J

I have checked all over my car when picking up and noticed a small speck of dirt caught within the paint finish on one panel, The dealer agreed to arrange for their bodyshop to polish this out. I have since cleansed and polished the car and the spot is barely visible so I have decided it is better to leave than risk any work making it worse. This aside I am really happy with the Arctic Silver as it looks absolutely stunning especially with the 19' Sports Design wheels.

I have an Atlas Grey Cayman . My girlfriend has made fun of me for spending more time cleaning it than driving it. The first time I spent an entire night Zymoling the car, I noticed bubbles in the clear coat. Not just one or two but 9 of them total. On the roof, drivers door, and on both hips of the car. Its at the dealer right now they are having it buffed out and re-painted. The I have been very impressed with the dealer. They have gone out of their way to help. Reeves of Tampa by the way.

I've had my AS CS for two months or so, 2800 miles, and I've waxed the car for the second time and I noticed for the first time a discoloration that looks like a stain under the clear coat on the rear "haunch" . I didn't notice this before and I could not wash nor wax it out. Unfortunately I live 250 miles from the dealership so it'll be some time before they'll be able to examine the flaw. The stain is a mild difference in color but it is sharply demarcated. The size is bout 10X5 cm in size, and only in that location. Interesting, no? Anyone out there have anything like this? Thanks, Bill

My arctic silver was delivered in late April. I keep a zaino polish on it and the finish looks great with no visible flaws. Judging from the responses, it looks like the problems with arctic silver are rare indeed. There are lots of arctic silver Caymans on dealer's order lists. I got mine two weeks after I ordered it because the dealer looked and found one coming in to another dealer and got it for me (I did have to compromise and get the preferred plus package, which I orginally did not want (included Xenons, heated seats, autoimatic wipers and Bose ). Since I originally did not want this, the dealer gave me more off the difference. Since very glad I got that package, so I actually came out ahead by accepting a pre-built car. You may want to reject your car and have the dealer look around to find another one that is close to what you want. Youo may get a perfect new Cayman in only a week or two. Cheers,

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