Normal paint crack area?

[93civej1]

Either I’m nitpicking my 2025 apart of the quality has just gone wayyyy down compared to in 2020. So I just noticed something about my 2025. I don’t recall seeing an issue on my 2020, but my new mojito gladiator has little paint cracks in the little gutter looking lines that are below the doors. Anyone else have paint cracked in that area? Almost like faint stress crack. I’d take it to the dealership but they probably won’t do anything and even if they did I feel like mojito would be one of the ones no one could ever get to match right.

With that said I’m thinking of just somehow hitting it with touch up paint somehow as I need to get some anyway for a couple nicks and dings from rocks.

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[Maximus Gladius]

Pics?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Pics?

^^^^^

Yeah, pics?

Do you mean where the rocker panels and B pillar panel overlap below the door sill area?
(one below the front door, one below the rear door)

I dread the day I have to have my Mojito JT touched up or repaired. Won't be an easy one.

I have noticed that the factory paint finish on mine isn't near the quality that my 2020 and 2022 had as far as a level surface without any orange peel and so on. I don't really have "orange peel", but it's not smooth as glass, either.

I was surprised at how perfectly the dealer's collision shop matched the reign paint on my wife's JLU to fix the f-up that Safelite did on her Jeep. You absolutely can't tell any difference. (and my wife can pick out differences like few others, being a quilter and all, she looks for things like that)

 

[Janster]

I would definitely take it to the dealership and have them look at it AND get an official ‘complaint’ in the books….

Picts please…. As I haven’t noticed any issues on the 2024 Mojave, but that doesn’t mean I’m looking in the right spots.

 

[93civej1]

^^^^^

Yeah, pics?

Do you mean where the rocker panels and B pillar panel overlap below the door sill area?
(one below the front door, one below the rear door)

I dread the day I have to have my Mojito JT touched up or repaired. Won't be an easy one.

I have noticed that the factory paint finish on mine isn't near the quality that my 2020 and 2022 had as far as a level surface without any orange peel and so on. I don't really have "orange peel", but it's not smooth as glass, either.

I was surprised at how perfectly the dealer's collision shop matched the reign paint on my wife's JLU to fix the f-up that Safelite did on her Jeep. You absolutely can't tell any difference. (and my wife can pick out differences like few others, being a quilter and all, she looks for things like that)

Yes exactly those spots. I’ll try to snap some pics today.

 

[93civej1]

Ok here are a couple pics. It’s hard to get it to focus but you can see the black lines where the paint is cracked open. It only seems to be under the front doors. Both sides.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Ok here are a couple pics. It’s hard to get it to focus but you can see the black lines where the paint is cracked open. It only seems to be under the front doors. Both sides.

Not great - any paint edge only leads to more issues. I'd be for seeing that get resolved.

 

[Chasm]

On my Dakota, there was some kind of caulk in those seems that shrunk over time.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

On my Dakota, there was some kind of caulk in those seems that shrunk over time.

In the auto-body trade, it's "seam sealer"..
The original on my 70 Javelin and 82 Eagle, believe it or not, had not cracked over all of those decades.
It's normally used between panels to smooth joints, or in the case of cars, quarter panel extensions, fender extensions up front, parts that are bolted or screwed on, have seam sealer between the parts to seal, and smooth the transition between the parts.

 

[Lost1wing]

In the auto-body trade, it's "seam sealer"..
The original on my 70 Javelin and 82 Eagle, believe it or not, had not cracked over all of those decades.
It's normally used between panels to smooth joints, or in the case of cars, quarter panel extensions, fender extensions up front, parts that are bolted or screwed on, have seam sealer between the parts to seal, and smooth the transition between the parts.

What was the body seam sealer they used in the good ole days? I'm talking about the roof to rear quarter. Wasn't that called the lead line?

 

[Janster]

Ok here are a couple pics. It’s hard to get it to focus but you can see the black lines where the paint is cracked open. It only seems to be under the front doors. Both sides.

I would definitely have the dealership look at it. See what they have to say and if they have any offers on HOW to fix it. I WOULD NOT have them respray…… but perhaps some caulk (as others have mentioned) or other clear sealant (of sorts).

Once you agree on a method to have it repaired…I would force them to give you an extended warranty on the paint. Seriously…..

On my 2016 Canyon, there was spot on the roof that looked like a ‘bug’ got stuck to the paint before they applied the clear coat. The clear coat (over the bug) looked thin, like it could come up at anytime. Because it was on the roof, I didn’t care to have them fix it (And/Or make it worse). I asked them for an extended paint warranty in case it does get worse over time. They gave me 3 years extended warranty on the paint. Luckily, after 8 years… it never changed.

You never know and it doesn’t hurt to ask….

 

[Vtur]

I would just apply some touch paint. Save the hassle and your times.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

What was the body seam sealer they used in the good ole days? I'm talking about the roof to rear quarter. Wasn't that called the lead line?

That was to form a solid transition and make the two appear as one. Wasn't seam sealer in the same respect.
Roof to quarter, roof to A-pillar, lead.
They switched to a body compound like epoxy later.
My SX4 had lead at the A pillar to roof joint but the roof to quarter panel transition was a different filler.

A quarter extension bolted on here - you can see the sea sealer (white)

I prepped, put the extension back on with new sealer, and here it is painted. The light sort of reflects in the joint, but it's really totally as one after painted over that sealer -

All of these years after I did the repaint, there are no signs of cracks.

 

[Lost1wing]

The epoxy doesn't corrode like the lead seams. The lead seams took 20-30 years to show signs of corrosion if the paint was in good shape. I have a few older vehicles where the seam sealer is cracked like what the OP is talking about. I've never really worried about it. But you are right that he should look at it. Any opening in the paint will only get worse.

 

[Maximus Gladius]

Maybe having the 3M clear wrap on the bottom is a good option to seal it off plus it’s a bit of a rock chip guard. I had this done to mine.

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