Paint quality on 2025 Telluride?

[zoomjay]

We just purchased a 2025 Telluride. The dealer washed it... but did not wax it - okay, I can do that. Once back home, I really looked at the paint and it seems to have some imperfections in it - it is not as smooth as other cars - specifically my 2020 Ford F250. I know that the dealer had it for some time on their lot... so, maybe it has some grit that has taken a hold on the paint. Maybe I just need a real good cleaner wax.

What have all of you seen with your paint? Is it up to the same quality of other cars? Maybe I just get to get it deep cleaned??? Am wondering what is typical - this is the first Kia we have ever owned...

 

[KMiles]

Ours didn't sit on a lot long, but needed some good cleaning. No matter what, wax doesn't improve paint, it just protects the paint. The steps that I took with my new 2024 Telluride were the following, all from Griot's Garage.

1. Surface Prep Cleanser - de-greaser that removes polishing oils and other residues from dealer car washes
2. Foaming Surface Prep (does paint decontamination)
3. Full cleaning with paint clay with clay bar or synthetic clay while still wet
4. Rinse car and check paint - I originally had some water spots, etc. from dealer car washes.
5. Only if needed - paint correction using a polisher, I needed to do this in a couple of places, including the hood
6. Wax - I used the Ceramic 3-in-1 wax and applied it twice as per their directions

After that, I have washed it at home and never took it through a car wash. Paint looks great after 1.5 years and 14k miles.

I know that there are lots of good brands of detailing products out there. I've used Griot's for about 10 years and love their products. They're really good at consulting via phone and answering any questions you may have. FYI - every car needs some good paint prep before first wax, including our Lexus.

 

[MrMCar]

At my first Bosch shop, my partner was the lets make it shine club member. I was the lets make it perform guy.
I did learn a LOT from him about cleaning & prep. Now that I'm retired, I dabble...

Dawn dish soap is magic for removing all waxes etc. Only use if you want to strip ALL the wax/ceramic off. Foaming cannon is (I don't have) a bonus.
Clay Bar? Mos Def. Any car isn't clean until your fingertips glide. Those that do, know of what I speak.
A few different microfibers and a dirt grille for the bottom of the wash bucket.
Currently I'm on Jay Leno's Ceramic coating. Twice a year. For the $$ works well.

I'll have to take a closer look at my paint. Wondering if it has "Orange Peel" like the German cars?

 

[Venbone]

I have a 2025 Telluride Panthera Metal
My paint around my badging started to peal.
Kia re sprayed my entire back hatch.

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[1 Alibi 2]

Welcome to the forum.
Both vehicles were ordered, so they didn't sit on the lot.
Both came from the same dealership, & had wax or a sealant applied before we took delivery.
Considering offerings from other Mfg., I'd say Kia did pretty damn good..
.

.

 

[SaddieTaz]

Even a brand new car, it would have got contaminated in transit. Do the deep decontamination and see if it helps. Deep decontimation includes bucket wash with high ph soap, chemical decon (iron remover), mechanical decon (clay bar followed by buffering). If you are going to polish the paint, any cleaner wax would do the job. There are tons of tutorials on YT.

 

[chickdr]

I have a 2025 Telluride Panthera Metal
My paint around my badging started to peal.
Kia re sprayed my entire back hatch.

That is pretty disturbing. We too have Panthera Metal. Hopefully we don't have the same issue. Once I have paintwork done, I want the car gone.