Koni Struts, very poor finish

Post by **RussB** » 17 Aug 2015, 16:27

I got this pair of Koni Sport (yellow) struts & shocks in July of 2014. In March of 2015, 1 strut failed and FCP Euro promptly replaced it. Here's what they look like today,

13 months old,

5 months old,

The problem seems to be the paint bubbles up, and the steel under the bubbling is already rusted. Looks like poor metal prep to me ??? I have contacted Koni to see what they have to say

beigg · Post by **beigg** » 30 Aug 2015, 17:47

that sucks! keep us posted.

Post by **RussB** » 30 Aug 2015, 18:13

beigg wrote:that sucks! keep us posted.

To sum up the reply,

The KONI Sport yellow dampers are produced in Oud Beijerland, NL. Each country has its own regulations regarding paints, specifically regarding the removal of solvents and using water based paints, which can present adhesion and long term oxidation issues, in areas with harsh winter weather and regularly salt and chemical treated roadways...

They offered to send me some touch-up paint. I passed

I bought a set in '06. They actually rotted to the point where the fluid leaked out of the shocks and struts. FCP replaced them, because they stand behind their products.

These new Konis are poorly finished just as they were in '06.

I sprayed the struts & shocks with some Rustoleum rust converting paint after cleaning them up as best as I could

crlande · Post by **crlande** » 25 Sep 2015, 16:59

Does your state use salt brine for treating the winter roads?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/tr ... story.html

Post by **oragex** » 25 Sep 2015, 17:29

For some reason, that doesn't look like an original paint ?

Post by **RussB** » 25 Sep 2015, 18:22

oragex wrote:For some reason, that doesn't look like an original paint ?

It is the original paint

Post by **oragex** » 26 Sep 2015, 14:48

RussB wrote:
oragex wrote:For some reason, that doesn't look like an original paint ?

It is the original paint

Does the paint have the same thickness in all areas? The paint finish on the areas where it didn't peel doesn't look like a factory finish and the way is bubbling shows the paint was applied on a rusted surface. Looks like they sold/sent you an old repainted strut.