09 Jetta Paint corrosion/rust?

I have had my 09 Jetta TDI for about 5 weeks. I noticed about a week after purchasing that there is an area on the roof where there are a bunch of tiny little rust spots that appear to be under the clear coat (and dealer-applied protection coating). My friend who has a marine (ships) paint and critical coating inspection certification said it looks like point rust. Any previous experiences or news on this issue? Taking it to dealer today.

There have been others with paint issues, but not with rust.

It's hard to believe that it's rust. The body is galvanized.

I think it is entirely possible, or perhaps the body was not prepped well and some debris was left behing unnoticed. Excercise that warranty.

frugality said:

It's hard to believe that it's rust. The body is galvanized.

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where have you been ? check the inside of your fenders

I can't believe 09s still have paint issues

I've had my car for 9-1/2 years, not 5 weeks. I wouldn't expect any kind of rust on a brand new galvanized body. I have only 1 rust spot after all that time (tiny stone chips on the hood excepted.)

dganio said:

(and dealer-applied protection coating).

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You got ripped off...BIG TIME! That cr@p they put on is glorified car wax, heck your average car wax lasts longer than that stuff!

You may want to read your factory warranty, applying any aftermarket coatings aside from the recomended maintenance and waxing may void the VW warranty...but they never tell you that!

It could be a defect from the factory, always possible. The car ahead of yours may have had a different color applied and somehow a bit of it got onto your car below the clear coat. They use a static charge process to apply paint.

does it look like a stain under the clear coat ? I had that on the trunk handle in my 01 , taken care under warranty.
DBW is right , i wouldn't pay for any "sealer" or undercoating from the dealer , all gimmicks to rip you off

VW "specialist" has to take a look

Took it to dealer yesterday. They looked at it and said that it looked like rust, but I would have to wait for the VW specialist to come around again (not for another 3 weeks of course). We'll see what happens. I will check the bumpers and everywhere else closely to see if it is anywhere else.

you won't see rust in the bumpers , they are plastic

the VW rep will try to BS you using the "acid" rain , fallen object on the roof arguments , you are gonna hear it all.
If the clear coat is still there and the rust is underneath , he won't have a case to argue. If VW repaints the car , make sure you know which body shop is taken and check upon it , they will just respray , not get down to bare metal. So if there was a problem in the factory with the sheet metal treatment , it might surface later on other spots .

You are probably better off getting another car , check the lemon law in your state . Even if you pay an extra car payment , I would opt for another car , rust is a serious issue

Update - It's everywhere!

I washed the car again this morning, but this time I took a close look all around. I found this "discoloration", rust or paint contamination everywhere! There's a big area on the trunk, a small spot inside the door/rocker panel on the rear left side, some on the hood, and I noticed a "rust-looking" spot on the bumper. I saw that you said the bumper is plastic but what part? I am waiting for the VW tech to come back to my area, but they are at least going to paint the car again; I will make sure of that. BTW anyone w/ a new white Jetta see tiny little blackish flecks in the paint?

dganio said:

I washed the car again this morning, but this time I took a close look all around. I found this "discoloration", rust or paint contamination everywhere! There's a big area on the trunk, a small spot inside the door/rocker panel on the rear left side, some on the hood, and I noticed a "rust-looking" spot on the bumper. I saw that you said the bumper is plastic but what part? I am waiting for the VW tech to come back to my area, but they are at least going to paint the car again; I will make sure of that. BTW anyone w/ a new white Jetta see tiny little blackish flecks in the paint?

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Follow the body line where the metal fenders meet the bumper, also anything beneath the headlights and grill....so basically the BUMPER.
EDIT: kidding aside, you should be able to lightly tap it with your knuckle and hear/feel a difference between metal and plastic.

you need to ask for a new car. They will never get it right with a repaint. Have to take half the car apart to do it right. Thanks Steve

stevekris said:

you need to ask for a new car. They will never get it right with a repaint. Have to take half the car apart to do it right. Thanks Steve

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even if they get the painting part right , putting the car together again will be done half a$$.