Downer :(

Why? The factory/importer applied Alfa (156) paintwork is well known
to be mediocre at best with runs and  rough patches commonplace. Get
the job done by a decent paint shop and it should feel like it's an
improvement!!

In 2001 when I bought mine, I had a sad hobby of going round Alfa
dealerships looking at the paintwork of their brand new unregistered
cars. I did  this because I couldn't believe the quality of the cars
in my local dealership and their excuse for them. I jest not but, not
a single one I ever saw had unblemished paintwork. All had pain runs
somewhere (often over badly prepared spot welds) though, fortunately,
not often on the flat panel work. All of them had quite bad scratches
from their 'travel from Italy' which I was rather surprised about. All
had areas where the sprayed paint had missed. I came to the sad
conclusion that the any new 156 in 2001 had probably been to a paint
shop before you bought it regardless of pedigree! Soiled?
Nah..improved! Just part of the process of 'completing the build
process that Alfa started' that, I suspect, owners of many brand new
Alfas go through.