Look at all the high end cars on the road (MB, BMW, JLR, Audi, Porsche - esp Gen2/3 Cayennes ) with mismatched bumpers, and trim pieces from even the factory... paint matching is far more than a color code. Esp with metallics, it's not just the color, it's spray pattern, how the paint lays on the surface, clear coat, base material (metal plastic aluminum steel fiberglass eetc etc etc). I had an A6 bumper repainted like 5 times from a dealer delivery snafu resulting in a repaint. I would not want the hood repainted.

Even if it matches now, in 5 years, in 10 years, the repainted panel is often slightly noticeable. I see it all the time.

I vote PDR the dent hood decal it and demand a free roof rack nicely. Or something.

 

Have you thought about asking the dealer to apply the satin wrap to the vehicle? Don’t remember if it is offered in that color.

 

No I haven’t. Not sure how much leverage I have in that they can have it repainted under warranty but I guess at the end of the day I am being delivered a car that is not 100%. If I don’t paint would like to get them to put the sticker at their cost which is probably my less than $200. Now I’m stumped. May just go talk to a paint guy I trust for a 2nd opinion. Leaning towards leaving as is.

 

FYI took the car to a paint guy who does a lot of the dealer work in town and he recommended leaving as is. It's minor and said he doesn't like repainting new cars for something that's tough to see. He said matching wouldn't be an issue but age, fade, etc... could help with seeing the paint work. Leaning towards letting it go and pushing for some accessories.

 

This is a tough situation. Based on your comments, leaving it is clearly going to eat at you for a long time - you know its there and should not be. Fixing it opens up Pandora's box and could make it worse. I had a new car that had some minor scratches I could not see when we picked it up and when I brought it back, the detailer actually made things worse. Then I had to go back again and while it was better, it still was not 100% right. Plus the 2nd time the detailer hit the convertible roof with his buffer and left marks that were noticeable. Cleaning that up made the fibers in those areas look a bit rougher than the rest of the new top. In the end a couple minor scratches forced me to get it professionally corrected on my dime to end the ordeal, and I could always detect where the top was marked, which drove me crazy every time I looked at it.

So, I don't envy your decision here. Maybe another Defender with the same color will come in and you can convince them to swap hoods? They probably won't go for it, but you could ask. Maybe offer to pay the labor just for your peace of mind with the paint issue!

 

mlw911, you wouldn’t happen to be Chicago based would you? There’s a paint shop in highland park (Ultimate Paint Shop II) that does a better job with paint than what comes from the factory! My wife wanted to test them out one time so she bumped into a parking structure so we could see for ourselves 😅

I couldn’t tell a difference at all when I got it back. Their sprayer is a wizard!
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Ha! No I’m in NC

 

So been following this for a few days. If I were you, I'd leverage it to get an accessory or 2, I wouldn't do a single thing to it. As soon as you paint match (which a lot of 'professionals' do incorrectly), the paint is no longer factory. It'll wear different, more blemishes or paint impurities you have to worry about, etc etc. It sucks but I dunno, 1 slight minor inconvenience makes it unique to me, and a free accessory makes it a lil better lol. After that, make sure the car is 100% other than that and check for other stuff, then sign for it.

 

Thanks Royalist. 90% sure that’s the direction I’ll take. I’ve had the car for a week and it bothers me less and less and like I said I have squint at it from an angles to see but it’s there. The car is otherwise beautiful so my plan is to take it to one more paint person I trust to confirm and most likely push for a couple accessories after. Dealer has been great to work with so far. Appreciate everyone’s help!

 

Have you thought about painting hood and grille in contrast black, ala Defender X?