New control arm had touch up “paint”

[dlundblad]

Bought a control arm for the truck from RA. AC Delco Professional. Long embarrassing story as to why it as well as the wheel bearing needs replaced.. Anyways, i was looking it over today and it had a couple scratches and gouges that were touched up with what looked to be black sharpie.

Oh my. Lol.

 

[Trav]

Can you tell if it was a return? If its okay then get yourself some of this, tape up anything you don't want painted, wipe it down with IPA and shoot it. The stuff works great at keeping rust away from clean suspension parts, its pretty durable and dries fast.

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/vht-paint-epoxy-satin-black-11-oz-aerosol-sp652/7141585-P

 

[eljefino]

Send it. The ball joint and or bushings will wear out before it rusts out.

 

[doublebase]

I wouldn’t worry about. See that type of stuff all of the time. Stuff gets dropped at the warehouse...I’m actually surprised someone tried to touch it up.

 

[dlundblad]

I’m not so much surprised or concerned about the scratches. I’ll add those myself either by installing or usage.

I’m just surprised somebody actually “fixed” it.

 

[BHopkins]

Use of a Sharpie is a common factory touch-up method for automotive parts. I've seen the same method used on minor scratches in powder coated interior components. These are parts that are under the instrument panel, and will almost never be seen by the consumer. And the scratch has no effect on form, fit, or function.

Use the part. You will probably scratch is again by the time it is installed.