[ArthurRW]

Anybody have problems with the clearcoat peeling on their smart? I've got a 2009 red smart, solid color, and a 2008 red smart, painted, and the '09's clearcoat is peeling. I use the same soap & wax on each but only the '09 is peeling. The '09 has the red plastic, the '08 is red painted over a black plastic panel. Could the fact that the clearcoat was applied to the plastic, not paint be the cause?

 

[SmartDigger]

I have the same year and color and I have no pealing. where is it pealing at?

 

[smartcar111]

I have some peeling right around the door handle and especially in the wheel well of the drivers side.

 

[Miss Mercedes]

WAIT...he's right!

 

[ArthurRW]

'08 red not mic, I can see the overspray lines. Peeling all around, front, rear, sides. I've got scratches on the '08 so I saw the black plastic through it.

 

[Miss Mercedes]

Quick search shows you're right .

You're not the first with this problem, I wonder what the build dates of all the reported cars are...

 

[HGB]

Could it be possible that the mixing of paint or prep of the panels was done poorly?
We always hear comments about American car quality being so so, perhaps Hambach has its own issues too. There is no excuse however.

 

[smark]

I have just peeling paint.

 

[wrumbarger]

The MIC (Molded in Colour) panels are clearcoated as well.

I have a 2008 metallic Blue, many dings and scratches, but no peeling clearcoat as far as I can tell?

 

[chieftmc]

I have the same year and color Art, no peeling

I DID have "someone" scrap the right rear panel slightly, some wet/dry 1,000 grit and a rattle can of clearcoat took care of that

 

[rfernatt]

Yes, we've had others report clearcoat peeling on the Rally Red (new for '09) MIC panels. I put the Rally Red MIC panels on my 2008 model (in early 2009) and haven't had any problems with peeling. It's really starting to sound like a batch problem.

 

[Smart Bob]

Clear coat peeling, '09 Rally Red:

There is a member of the Inland Empire smarties that has an 09 rally red Passion. The rear center panel has the clear coat lifting. My wife has an 09 rally red and there is no evidence of the clear coat peeling off. As mentioned in some of the other posts, this is probably a batch problem where the clear coat wasn't applied correctly. Try calling smartUSA & ask them to open a case or look into the matter. If they get enough complaints, they might decide to replace the damaged panels, if the clear coat peeling was caused by a manufacturing defect.

 

[Miss Mercedes]

I'd agree with the batch issue theory.

Perhaps we should gather build dates to see if they're close to each other?

 

[chieftmc]

There is a member of the Inland Empire smarties that has an 09 rally red. The rear center panel has the clear coat lifting. My wife has an 09 rally red and there is no evidence of the clear coat peeling off. As mentioned in some of the other posts, this is probably a batch problem where the clear coat wasn't applied correctly. Try called smartUSA & ask them to open a case of look into the matter. If they get enough complaints, they might look into the matter and replace the damaged panels.

Then you woke up, right ?

 

[rmsjmg]

We just noticed on our 09 red passion the clear coat is coming off badly on the rear panel and on spots on the hood and doors... Worse when it has been washed...how do you find the build information? Love our smart and my husband has become the smart "salesman" people have followed him to work asking about the car then showing days later with one.... Don't really want people seeing this as its a turn off.

 

[jwight]

:welcome: to SCoA! +1 on Smart Bob's comment; can't hurt to try. Failing that, a good auto paint place can respray the clear coat.

 

[Missm]

I have a red 2009 . My car is peeling all over. I guess the only solution is to get it totally stripped and redone.

 

[Missm]

I am almost ashamed to drive my Smart because of the clear coat missing all over it. I am wondering if there is going to be a recall.

 

[jwight]

:welcome: to SCoA! Take a look at the cost of replacing all the panels vs. respraying the clear coat - may be less expensive and you could change color at the same time.

 

[jefferios]

It must be the '09 reds. :sorrysign: My 08 blue is still in good shape with no peeling.