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After care of vehicle paintwork

Modern conditions place a heavy burden on the life of a paint finish on any road vehicle. The influence of acid rain, traffic grime, road salt, bird-lime (bird droppings) ultra-violet rays from sunlight, dampness and moisture, changes in temperature, industrial gases, tree sap etc.
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BLEEDING

Bleeding is the staining or seeping through of a soluble dye from the substrate through the topcoat color. Bleeding is normally observed as spots or patches of discoloration in the topcoat, (often in red or yellow colors).
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BLISTERING

In damp weather, a small quantity of water vapour is absorbed into the paint structure and is then evaporated again in dry conditions (osmosis). This process is normal and does not harm a well constructed finishing process.
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CLOUDING

Spots or stripes of light and dark patches, mainly seen in metallic finishes.
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Cracking

Cracks of various lengths and depths.
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CRATERING

Crater-like depressions with a diameter of 0.5 to 3 mm. The problem may range in appearance from small craters in the topcoat to deep depressions extending down to the substrate. If repaired incorrectly, the original craters may reappear as shallower depressions.
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Crinkling

Swelling and lifting of lower paint layers when new paint is applied. Problem may occur during painting or drying.
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Dust / DIRT CONTAMINATION

Usually small, irregular particles in the paint film caused by foreign matter (e.g. dust / dirt) which can occur in different sizes, shapes, types and patterns.
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Edge marking

Swelling or sweated edges showing in the topcoat around feather-edge sanded old paintwork.
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Faults in painting plastics - PINHOLES

Small holes in the paint surface due to pores and bubbles in the plastic. This problem often appears on the soft flexible parts (e.g. PUR rear spoilers) and GRP fibre-glass mouldings.
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FAULTS IN PAINTING PLASTICS - Flaking

Easy removal of the total film build from the plastic substrate.
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FAULTS IN PAINTING PLASTICS - CRACKING

Break or crack lines in the paint finish after mechanical stress. In severe cases the plastic may also crack. This problem is normally associated with soft flexible parts (e.g. PUR rear spoilers).
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Industrial fall-out

Spots of corrosion located on the paint surface.
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Loss of adhesion

Loss of adhesion can manifest itself in two different ways. First - where a total lack of adhesion occurs below the entire paint film. Second - where a lack of adhesion occurs between coats.
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METAMERISM

Metamerism is the effect where a colors that appears the same shade to a second colors under certain conditions, may look totally different under different conditions.
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ORANGE PEEL EFFECT

Poor surface texture of the paint similar to the surface texture of an orange peel.
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OVERSPRAY

Fine, dry, atomised spray droplets from the painting process stuck to the surface, or droplets that have not been absorbed by the paint film.
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Paint damage identification with the sand through method

The sand through method is a simple way to diagnose paint damage on site, more accurately and therefore, determine the best repair method required.
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PINHOLE MARKS

Small holes or craters in the new paintwork as a result of solvent boil not removed properly from the substrate (old finish).
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Polishing marks

Very fine lines in the paint surface with a low gloss greyish appearance from polishing paste and / or cloth.
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Runs

These are beads, droplets, larger globules or “curtain effect” in the paint finish on vertical surfaces.
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RUST

Paint damage showing at the paint surface as irregular shaped blisters. If the blisters burst then corrosion spots are clearly visible (e.g. brown rust on steel or white rust on aluminium).
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Sanding marks

Sanding swirl marks in the substrate show as lines in the topcoat.
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SCRATCHES FROM CAR WASH BRUSHES

Thread-like scratches which are often in parallel lines and are particularly visible on darker colors. The surface can lose gloss and appear grey in shade.
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Solvent boils / popping

Blister-like surface defects due to solvent entrapment in the surface of the paint film.
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Solvent test

Before starting any repair painting, we recommend that a solvent test is carried out on a sanded area to reveal any layers (coats) which may be solvent sensitive and therefore require special attention or treatment to avoid problems. SOLVENT-SENSITIVE LAYERS MAY BE: TPA (Thermo Plastic Acrylic)
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Spotting caused by external influences

Physical attack or discolouration of the paint surface due to various causes; the spots take various shapes, colors and sizes.