Dear Full Fat Crew

I purchased my L322 AB two years ago and the first owner had the roof painted silver. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I liked it. Anyway, it wasn't done very well and the paint started to peel off the front above the windscreen. LR Finance were very accommodating and got my local dealer to respray and I have a guarantee from them which quoted the work at £3,400.

I have found some peel in the middle. They are refusing to repair as they say it's bird poo damage, but I have kept it clean and got it off as soon as I find any. However, even if it was, surely it should not affect the lacquer so badly? Any views from the paint and/or legal experts? Any advice greatly appreciated. Cheers Roy

I'll have a word with a pal of mine and see what he thinks.. Ex Bentley body guy, who's now an insurance assessor semi retired. Yesterday I couldn't spell Engineer... Today I are one!
Inventor of the 'Guide-o-Matic automatic wheel alignment tool'
Former long term L322 owner, Up/Down graded to a Classic Tractor!

£3400 to spray a roof!!!!! Or was the whole car done? Drives:
2010 FFRR TdV8 Vogue - Stornoway Grey
2010 FFRR TdV8 Vogue SE - Zermatt Silver
1998 BMW E36 M3 GTII

£3000 for LR dealer to look at it, £400 to get it sprayed  .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

miggit wrote:

I'll have a word with a pal of mine and see what he thinks.. Ex Bentley body guy, who's now an insurance assessor semi retired.

Right I got my pal to look at your photo, and he is 95% sure that it's "Micro blistering" which is caused by contaminants in the air line (moisture) and not Bird Poo. He suggests that you get a report from a member of the Institute Of Motor Engineers, who is of MI standard, not AM, who are associate members... He reckons that it shouldn't be more that £120 to get a report done to hit Land Rover with.. further more as an ex Insurance Engineer he couldn't see it costing more than £1000, and reckoned that most reputable paint shops would have your arm off for that sort of money.

He also suggested that it might be an idea to find an independent approved paint shop to cast an eye, as this might be a freeby if they thought that they'd get the work. Either way he couldn't justify the £3400 costs, that's more like a complete colour change, not the roof. Yesterday I couldn't spell Engineer... Today I are one!
Inventor of the 'Guide-o-Matic automatic wheel alignment tool'
Former long term L322 owner, Up/Down graded to a Classic Tractor!

If it's peeling then the roof was not properly prepared for the subsequent paint job. 2 Pac paint these days is very durable and pretty resistant to outside elements like bird poo. Is the paint peeling at the edge of the roof where the windscreen is? to do a paint job correctly the windscreen would have had to be removed to paint in the windscreen frame, if it was just masked and painted then paint can lift and peel.

This is incredible feedback - thank you guys.

They want £200 to repair but my concern is that this could appear elsewhere if it's not done properly. I would prefer to have a report done, backed up by my household insurance solicitors!

Will let you know how I get on.

Cheers Roy 2005 L322 Vogue Gold gone
2006 L322 Vogue Black gone
2011 L322 Vogue Silver gone
2011 L322 Autobiography Black gone
2015 L405 Autobiography LWB Black gone
2019 L405 P400e Range Rover Autobiography LWB Eiger grey / black roof gone
2001 P38a 30th Anniversary Wimbledon Green gone
2019 L405 P525 Autobiography LWB British Racing Green

Very unlikely to be 2 Pack acrylic. Most paints are water based these days although the lacquer is usually 2 part.

As the Engineer points out, that micro blistering is where the paint has lifted from below. You can see this from the bubbles which haven't burst, i.e. it's underneath the lacquer and the paint so bird pooh is definitely not the cause. It's something underneath, possibly silicon based polish not removed, moisture in the airline etc. In other words, poor workmanship, not outside influences.

Just found bill £2,800.44

That's an incredible sum

Update - I have asked my local dealer to get the body shop to review. If there is a dispute, LR will commission an independent engineer to assist in a resolution - that should do it. If they still refuse to repair I will then get my own inspection done to support it and get legal advice.

Thanks everyone 2005 L322 Vogue Gold gone
2006 L322 Vogue Black gone
2011 L322 Vogue Silver gone
2011 L322 Autobiography Black gone
2015 L405 Autobiography LWB Black gone
2019 L405 P400e Range Rover Autobiography LWB Eiger grey / black roof gone
2001 P38a 30th Anniversary Wimbledon Green gone
2019 L405 P525 Autobiography LWB British Racing Green

Just point at the little bubbles and say "MICRO BLISTERS", that should stop all their waffle instantly.. also if there are micro blisters in that bit, my pal said it was highly likely that there would be more on the roof, if there are more to be found then invest in a chinagraph pencil and put a little ring around them before you go.. the more you can find the less they will argue, it was either poor prep or contaminated air lines that caused it. Yesterday I couldn't spell Engineer... Today I are one!
Inventor of the 'Guide-o-Matic automatic wheel alignment tool'
Former long term L322 owner, Up/Down graded to a Classic Tractor!

Body shop comtinues to deny it is blisters. However, dealer principal at my local garage has agreed to pay for repair - will ask that they check the rest of the roof too, thanks. 2005 L322 Vogue Gold gone
2006 L322 Vogue Black gone
2011 L322 Vogue Silver gone
2011 L322 Autobiography Black gone
2015 L405 Autobiography LWB Black gone
2019 L405 P400e Range Rover Autobiography LWB Eiger grey / black roof gone
2001 P38a 30th Anniversary Wimbledon Green gone
2019 L405 P525 Autobiography LWB British Racing Green