Kapex Paint Chipping Off

[gtin723]

Anyone have a suggestion on the best way to repair paint chipping off the Kapex?  Was using blue painters tape to mark current fence alignment when adjusting the saw and when removing the tape it pulled paint off the bed as can be seen in photo.  I understand that this is a powder coat process after talking to customer service but no one seems to have a repair solution, so I thought I would ask here.

Update: 12/13/16 

Festool stands behind their products will repair my Kapex paint issue!

I am very pleased that Festool has agreed to repair the paint issue on my Kapex.  Any product no matter how well it is made can develop problems.  It is how the company addresses the issues that shows the true value of the products they sell.

I offered to take the base off and just send that part in to save weight in shipping,  but they wanted the whole saw so that it can be properly set up again after disassembling.  They are also sending a shipping box to me so that the saw is properly packaged to prevent any other damage while be shipped.

First class operation!

 

[DzordanoBruno]

Send it to service

 

[gtin723]

Called service, they didn't have any repair recommendations.  Was hoping for a color or type of paint that they would recommend using. 

 

[Distinctive Interiors]

[eek]

I can't see how a bit of Masking Tape (UK) could have pulled the paint off a Kapex unless there is something wrong with the way the paint/powder coating was applied in the first place.....!!!!

 

[AlexThePalex]

The colour is RAL 7035.

This is pretty bad for a powder coating, that should be strong enough to not peel off. One to add to the long list of flaws of the Kapex.

 

[J0hn]

I would think that Festool would be embarrassed by the fact that ordinary blue painters tape was able to pull off the powder coating like that.  Obviously it didn't bond properly (bad surface prep?) and that they would want to make it right, considering the outrageous price you pay for a Kapex

Come on Festool - step up to the plate

 

[ajones]

Festool and embarrassed..... now you don't often see those two words in the same sentence [wink]

 

[AlexThePalex]

Festool and embarrassed..... now you don't often see those two words in the same sentence [wink]

I think they are very often embarrased. But they'll never admit it, like that insecure kid who won't ever admit that he's wrong.

If simple tape can pull off a powder coat like that, it's a production fault. The surface wasn't cleaned properly, or not baked at the right temperature.

 

[Cheese]

If simple tape can pull off a powder coat like that, it's a production fault. The surface wasn't cleaned properly, or not baked at the right temperature.

I vote for improper surface prep in a localized area. If the surface prep was spot-on, you'd have to chip the paint off with a sharp chisel/knife. Even though the substrate is aluminum, it still shouldn't lift with blue painters tape.  [embarassed] [embarassed]

 

[gtin723]

Thank you Alex for the colour number, at least I can try to match it now.  Don't know why customer service doesn't have this information or why Festool doesn't have touch up paint available.  Some people could care less but I don't think the paint should just chip off the saw, it should be more durable than that.  I have a number of other Festool products, including a CMS, couple of MFT3s, couple of 1400 Routers, TS55, couple of jig saws, few sanders, CT48, several CT26s and none of them have chipping paint and the finish appears to be very durable as it should be.

 

[bkharman]

How long have you had the saw?  I would definitely send them the pic as that is not "normal". If you had it for three years and left it out in the elements, with the tape on full time... I might have a different opinion but that would really chaff my you know what.

I don't own a Kapex, but not because I don't like it (I have had a chance to use it several times and love a lot of the features), I have a great Hitachi that works great but weighs as much as a Lotus Elise!!

Let us know how you get along if you pursue it!

Cheers. Bryan.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Cheese]

...none of them have chipping paint and the finish appears to be very durable as it should be.

I'm not defending Festool or their supplier of the part (who probably is the real culprit), however, this could be explained away as simply an errant thumbprint (it appears to be the approximate size), accidentally placed on the part. When hanging items for powder coating, it's imperative that clean gloved hands are used as any oils can be transferred from nude hands/fingers to the cleaned parts and that will seriously affect the bonding of the paint to the substrate.

As [member=21412]bkharman[/member] suggests, I would definitely send Festool a picture of the problem along with a short description. This would be good for 2 reasons:
1. From a manufacturing standpoint, Festool would certainly want to know if one of their vendors has a compromised manufacturing process and I'm sure Festool has an internal QA group that works with the vendors to sort through these issues.

2. Maybe you'll get lucky and Festool will help you out on this one.  [big grin]  Talking to someone over the phone is different than sending a picture and a clear explanation. It's quite obvious that this is a manufacturing process issue...well at least to me it is, I'd put money on that.

 

[Paul G]

Painters tape should not peel proper powder coat

 

[Jimdude]

this could be explained away as simply an errant thumbprint (it appears to be the approximate size)

That's quite the thumb, seeing that the paint is chipping along the entire edge of the base.

 

[ChuckS]

...none of them have chipping paint and the finish appears to be very durable as it should be.

2. Maybe you'll get lucky and Festool will help you out on this one.  [big grin]  Talking to someone over the phone is different than sending a picture and a clear explanation. It's quite obvious that this is a manufacturing process issue...well at least to me it is, I'd put money on that.

Agreed. Reports in writing leave a record and people tend to deal with them more seriously. As others have suggested, include the picture as well as information such as how the saw has been kept  or used mostly (indoors vs outdoors; extreme temperatures, etc.). A production defect like this should be fixed by Festool -- even if it is outside the three-year warranty period. The paint chip-off may affect its future resale value as potential customers may think the saw is abused.

Chuck

 

[Cheese]

That's quite the thumb, seeing that the paint is chipping along the entire edge of the base.

You're correct and chipping is the operative word...chipping paint is just part of using the equipment, lifting paint...not so much. [smile]

 

[gtin723]

I have sent pictures and an explanation of the problem to Festool yesterday and still waiting for a response.  I will let you folks know what they say and thanks for the help and suggestions.

 

[NL-mikkla]

I for sure would not like to work at Festool, dealing with this bs all day.
It's a tool, not a piece of jewelery....
You don't feel emberassed for writing this, or even calling festool?
If I would be on the other side of the phone I would think someone was pulling my leg

Use the tool, make something nice, enjoy the work!

 

[Paul G]

I for sure would not like to work at Festool, dealing with this bs all day.
It's a tool, not a piece of jewelery....
You don't feel emberassed for writing this, or even calling festool?
If I would be on the other side of the phone I would think someone was pulling my leg

Use the tool, make something nice, enjoy the work!

personally I think the embarasment should fall on whoever does powdercoating on a $1500 SCMS  that peels off with painters tape, YMMV. As for the OP, they simply asked for repair suggestions and a paint spec, what's embarrassing about that?

 

[ajones]

Wonder if anyone from festool will chip in.. [wink]