Are JK fenders known to have poor paint quality and / or issues?

WestCoastDan

JK Enthusiast
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Gave the new ride a bath today, then cleaned out all of the french fries & sticky nickels out from under the seats.
I learned that each of the fenders has a strange discoloration of paint, that appear to all be from the same reason, although slightly different in each case.

This appears to be related to a contaminant on the fenders before being painted, but I'm not sure of that.
Any ideas what it could be from?
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Do you park it outside in the sun a lot? Is it garaged?
I've only owned it since Sunday & it has been garaged since then.;)
Given how clean the entire thing was, (engine bay, and undercarriage even), I think it has been garaged most of it's life.
I'd think that if it were 'environmental', it would also have these issues on other parts of the vehicle besides just the fenders.
 
I've only owned it since Sunday & it has been garaged since then.;)
Given how clean the entire thing was, (engine bay, and undercarriage even), I think it has been garaged most of it's life.
I'd think that if it were 'environmental', it would also have these issues on other parts of the vehicle besides just the fenders.


The fenders are a different type of material then the Jeeps body also. Since it is the front fenders a PO could have spilled something on them sometime when adding fluids. Brake fluid will mess up paint if it's left on.
 
Well, since it's on all 4 fenders, I can't see how it would be related to brake fluid, not to mention that the paint is not lifted in these areas. This is under the clear and does not polish out with compound & a buffer.
I realize the fenders are different material, that's why I asked if JK fenders were prone to paint issues...
 
Well, since it's on all 4 fenders, I can't see how it would be related to brake fluid, not to mention that the paint is not lifted in these areas. This is under the clear and does not polish out with compound & a buffer.
I realize the fenders are different material, that's why I asked if JK fenders were prone to paint issues...


Maybe a body shop could answer that question better.
 
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It almost looks like someone painted them and didn't do a great job with the prep work. While looking away from the Jeep or with your eyes closed, take your bare hand and very lightly "wipe" over the bad spot. Do it a couple of times, and tell me what you feel
 
The small ones feel smooth, the larger one has a slight 'bump' to it, as if it is just barely thicker than the surrounding paint.
That's what made me think it was contaminated under the paint in those areas.
 
I was afraid of a bump. The paint will eventually start to peel away if and when your clear coat gets a stone chip. There's no real easy fix either.
 
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That's what I figured, I really just wondered if this is a one-off thing, or if others have similar issues which might mean a quality issue at the factory...
I'm not that worried abut it, since the fenders can be easily removed and either repainted or replaced.
 
Spit balling here...but do you have or have you seen the original window sticker? Are you certain it came with a white top and fenders from the factory. If so, my next thought would be the use of a heavy degreaser or other chemical on the wheels, which splashed up on the fenders, but was never properly rinsed off. That is frustrating!
 
The second two bottom photos look like bird poop that sat and dried on the paint. Or another acidic fluid.

Ive got a couple of those on my old TJ and they resemble the shapes. Some of them are still smooth to the touch.
 
The second two bottom photos look like bird poop that sat and dried on the paint. Or another acidic fluid.

Ive got a couple of those on my old TJ and they resemble the shapes. Some of them are still smooth to the touch.
This makes the most sense of any theory so far. I had forgotten how acidic bird shit is…
 
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Yep, after looking at the photos again, I would also support bird droppings. Have you looked at the top of the hard top? Any marks there? I am puzzled by it being on all the fender flares, but no other signs of it on the Jeep anywhere (assuming zero on top of hard top). I think that is why I asked about factory painted flares. Your issue lends itself to contamination, but that is less likely from the factory as it would be from Maaco.
 
Is the top color-match painted white as well?

Im really reaching here at this point but the only other logical thing I can "hypothesize" is that the paint has a different additive to bond with the material its painted on, thus possibly allowing it to be compromised easier by the bird turds. Thats all I got -lol

If it drives ya nuts, have them repainted. Wear and tear is a B but it's real.
 
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