Metallic paint imperfections - paint chip detailing

[taylor192]

I had the hood of my car repainted in the winter 2 years ago and picked it up on a overcast winter day. I didn't notice until that summer the paint had some defects in it and the body shop is a PITA to deal with so I've left them until now.

My car is metallic silver, and from all angles but directly overhead the hood paint looks perfect. In one section from overhead the paint looks like it has black streaks through it. Looking closer at the bad areas it looks like the paint as clumped the metallic bits together and didn't get uniform coverage.

Why am I posted this in Detailing 101? I'm about to use the G100 and DACP on my hood this weekend for the first time.

Should I be worried about this paint defect and an abrasive polish?

In addition my hood has 40+ chips I've filled. Should I be worried using the G100 at higher speeds with the DACP when there's lots of filled rock chips?

[Tim Lingor]

Hey taylor192

It sounds like they did not prep very well before they painted the hood. But if you have some pics you can post, it would make it a little easier to determine what is going on.

As long as the black strips are not actually thin paint, using the G-100 with the #83 should be no problem. As for the paint chips, you may lose a few but that would happen with a pressure washer as well. The touch-up paint just does not bond as well to the finish. But overall, it should not be a problem.

Please post some pics.

Tim

[taylor192]

Thanks for the advice Tim.

Its hard to post pics of cause really the blemish areas are unoticable unless directly overhead and under bright sunlight. I'll try and get some up before this weekend (gallery is down? I'll just attach them for now) and hopefully you can have a look at them.

I'm hoping the blemishes aren't just thin paint. I'm gojng to stop by an automotive painter today to get some advice on what they might be before continuing.

Finding a quality automotive painter here has been a problem. I just had some lip spoilers repainted only to chip within a month. After chipping I noticed the paint underneath was never prepped and the new paint very thin.

[Tim Lingor]

Hey taylor192

Finding a good painter is difficult as many are in a hurry to get the job done and move on to the next job.

Try and see if you can get some pics if possible and then attach them to the post. The gallery is still down and is still being worked on.

The black lines could be caused by the metallic paint not flowing properly when sprayed. But again, a picture would make it easier. Perhaps once you talk with the other Body Shop, we may have an idea as to what is going on.

Tim

[Mike Pennington]

2hotford is correct....

If it is what we think your describing it is called "mottling" That is where there is color distortion in the base coat because of uneven distribution of metallics, micas, or special effect pigments. This will look like what you described...

This could be caused from a variety of issues from...Incorrect reducer, uneven spray pattern, low shop temp just to name a few.

Unfortunately, the only solution to remedy it is to repaint that area...

Mike

[taylor192]

Boo!

Anyways I've known for a while that the paint on my hood is ruined, so I've been saving for a CF hood if one is ever manufacturer for my car.

There are gauges to determine paint thinkness. Could I not simply buy one and know for sure if its thin paint or mottling? How much are they? Where can they be bought? I'll STF.

Thanks, at least I know what to call the problem now. Would you think a reputable body shop offering lifetime paint waranties would repaint based on mottling?

[Mike Pennington]

There are gauges available, but they do not measure every individual coat. They only measure overall film build. While the number may be high on the reading, that doesn't mean there is incorrect film build, that could mean there is some filler below the paint coats....so this method is not guaranteed to prove what you looking for in this instance.

As far as a reputable shop...

Yes...most of them should repaint this !!!

Remember the old saying squeaky wheel gets the grease...



Mike

[taylor192]

Originally posted by Mike Pennington
There are gauges available, but they do not measure every individual coat. They only measure overall film build. While the number may be high on the reading, that doesn't mean there is incorrect film build, that could mean there is some filler below the paint coats....so this method is not guaranteed to prove what you looking for in this instance.

As far as a reputable shop...

Yes...most of them should repaint this !!!

Remember the old saying squeaky wheel gets the grease...

My biggest concern is that I want to polish my hood and don't want to make this worse and later have to go visit the body shop to get it fixed, then they will definitely blame me and I'll be SOL.

After reading about how much #83 with the G100 actually removes (> 0.3 mil), there's no way with CC and paint I'll ever make this worse so I'm going to try it anways and deal with the consequences.

The squeaky wheel does get the grease, yet sometimes its not worth it. For instance my front lip spoiler was repainted poorly, no prep, no primer, no sanding, just a thin coat over the exisiting paint. The only prep was done where the orginal paint was damaged (curbed). It cost me $150 to repaint and $150 to 3M clear bra.
I had a clear bra installed and due to the shape the installer decided not to cover it 100%. Had the installer asked I would've taken the risk of a bad job for 100% coverage, or not done it all.
Now the lip spoiler has chipped and exposed the poor paint. The painter can't fix it without ruining the clear bra (since metallic paints can't be blended well), and the clear bra installer couldn't add more clear bra to cover 100% without having lines creating a terrible look.
To fix all this would requiring arguing with 2 shops and a week of running around getting stuff done. Is it worth it since the chips only show the paint underneath and from anywhere but up close you'd never notice?
It will be worth it if the paint chips where the curbed damage was repaired and shows the paint was poorly prepped there as well. Until then its a $300 lesson, both garages ****.

I still can't believe in the 'communication era' shops don't realize how important it is to do a good job. I posted online looking for recommendations in another forum, and posted these same results there. They've lost my business, the person that recommended me, and anyone else that reads this or those posts.

[sky8811]

Originally posted by 2hotford
Hey taylor192

Finding a good painter is difficult as many are in a hurry to get the job done and move on to the next job.

Tim

I agreed with you Tim.

Recently, I sent my car in to respray the bumper and radiator grill.
The manager told me to leave my car there for one full day, but I told him I will leave it there for tow days instead (hoping that they
don't do a rush job).

When I went back to collect my car, I saw that the colour does not match the original silver at all. So I spoke to the manager and he agreeded to respray again.

When I went back the next day to collect my car, I was so happy that they did a good job in re-matching the colour and the final result was really good. However, when I wash my car today, I found buffer marks under the sun at the side panel above the front right wheel...

So I guess I can't have the best of everything and decided to get the buffer marks out myself over the weekend instead.