Motor City Truck Collision Paint Restoration Guide

Paint Restoration Challenges

This guide provides a detailed analysis of typical issues encountered in automotive paint jobs and offers strategies for their prevention and rectification, ensuring the restoration of trucks maintains high standards of quality and durability.

Common Paint Defects Explained

Acid Rain Damage: This manifests as discoloration and diminished gloss in the topcoat. Typically caused by chemical pollutants, this can be prevented by regular washing and using protective coatings. In severe cases, affected areas should be sanded and repainted.

Adhesion Failure on Plastics: Often due to inadequate surface preparation or lack of an adhesion promoter. To prevent this, ensure thorough cleaning and correct preparation of plastic parts. Repaint using recommended procedures if adhesion fails.

Blistering: Small bubbles indicating trapped moisture or contamination. Avoid excessive paint layers and ensure thorough cleaning and drying to prevent this issue. If blistering occurs, remove the affected paint and reapply carefully.

Chipping: Caused by impacts from stones or debris, chipping can be minimized by using flexible additives in paint and avoiding driving on gravel roads. Damaged areas should be touched up with flexible paints to resist further impacts.

Clearcoat Yellowing: This is often due to the use of incorrect hardeners or excessive application. Use only recommended hardeners and apply clearcoat evenly to prevent discoloration. If yellowing occurs, the area must be sanded and refinished.

Dirt Contamination: Embedded dirt in paint layers can be prevented by maintaining a clean painting environment and using proper filtration. If contamination occurs, sand the affected area and reapply paint.

Fish Eyes: Small craters in the paint surface caused by silicone or oily residues. Ensure a clean, contaminant-free environment and use fisheye eliminators if necessary. Affected areas should be repainted after thorough cleaning.

Preventive Measures

Regular maintenance of painting equipment and environment is crucial. Use appropriate materials, following recommended application procedures, and ensuring adequate training for all technicians to maintain the highest standards in truck restoration projects.

Rectification Techniques

Each type of defect requires specific corrective actions, ranging from simple polishing to complete reapplication of the paint. It's crucial to address defects promptly to maintain the aesthetic and structural integrity of the truck's exterior.

By adhering to these guidelines, Motor City Truck Collision ensures that every truck is restored to its pristine condition with a durable and visually appealing finish.

Call (248) 986-8000

Identifying Common Paint Defects

By PPG

Identifying Paint Defects

AUTOMOTIVE REFINISH

IDENTIFYING COMMON

PAINT DEFECTS

A GUIDE TO IDENTIFYING AND SOLVING COMMON PAINT DEFECTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acid Rain 3

Adhesion Loss, Plastic Parts 4

Blistering 5

Chipping 6

Clearcoat Yellowing 7

Delamination, Clearcoat 8

Dirt in Basecoat 9

Dirt in Clear 10

Edge Ringing (Mapping) 11

Fish-eyes 12

Lifting/Wrinkling 13

Orange Peel 14

Peeling 15

Pinholes 16

Polishing Marks 17

Poor Color Match 18

Poor Gloss 19

Rail Dust 20

Runs and Sags 21

Sand Scratch Swelling 22

Slow Drying 23

Solvent Pop 24

Staining 25

Tree Sap 26

Water Spotting 27

Identifying Paint Defects

ACID RAIN

Description

Discoloration in the pigments of the topcoat.

The clearcoat may lose some transparency or gloss

causes

• Contamination can derive from agricultural and horticultural

sprays. The process may be accelerated with time and higher

temperatures

• Effluents coming from manufacturing and chemical industries.

Some effluents may be acidic or alkaline in the presence of water

prevention

• Avoid known contaminated atmosphere

• Immediately clean and neutralize contamination with

mild soap and water

• Frequently wash vehicle

• Maintain and protect the topcoat finish of vehicle

correcting

• Wash vehicle with warm soapy water. Rinse thoroughly to

neutralize the contamination

• Sand and buff the affected area with rubbing compound and polish

• In severe cases the finish will need to be removed and refinished

Identifying Paint Defects

ADHESION LOSS

PLASTIC PARTS

Description

Loss of adhesion of the refinish system over a plastic substrate

causes

• Improper prep and cleaning

• Failure to utilize an adhesion promoter on bare plastic

• Applying basecoat directly to a factory primed part

prevention

• Thoroughly abrade and clean plastic part

• Use recommended adhesion promoter on bare plastic

• Avoid excessive film builds

• Use appropriate sealer over primed part

correcting

• Remove finish from affected areas

• Refinish part using approved plastic prep recommendations

Identifying Paint Defects

BLISTERING

Description

Small bubbles or pimples ranging in size from

.5mm - 1.5mm in the topcoat application

causes

• High humidity

• Improper surface cleaning

• Incompatibility of materials

• Excessive film builds

• Water, oil, or dirt in airlines

prevention

• Insure you are within recommended film build

per product data sheet

• Select proper reducer for spray conditions

• Carefully clean substrate

• Do not touch cleaned areas with bare hands

• Drain and clean compressor and regulator to remove

trapped contaminants

correcting

• Establish where the blisters are

• If in between layers, sand blisters down to a

solid surface and refinish

• In severe cases the finish will need to be removed and refinished

Identifying Paint Defects

CHIPPING

Description

Small chips of finish losing adhesion typically caused by stones

or other hard objects coming into contact with the vehicles finish

causes

• Damage caused by impact, typically from stones or other loose

road debris hitting the vehicle at a high speed rate

prevention

• Properly activate the basecoat

• Use flexible additive in undercoats and clearcoats

• Avoid gravel roads

correcting

• Repair affected area using flexible additive, focusing on

the leading edge of the vehicle

Identifying Paint Defects

CLEARCOAT

YELLOWING

Description

After clearcoat application, discoloration noticed compared

to adjacent panel

causes

• Incorrect, contaminated or expired hardener used

• Excessive clearcoat film build over repair

prevention

• Use recommended hardener

• Lids should be dated upon initial opening, and

tightly replaced after each use

• Follow recommended film build per product data sheet

correcting

• Once finish is thoroughly cured, sand and refinish affected area

Identifying Paint Defects

DELAMINATION OFCLEARCOAT

Description

Clear losing adhesion to the basecoat system

causes

• Excessive film build of the basecoat

• Not allowing the basecoat to flash off long enough

• Not mixing clear properly

prevention

• Apply basecoat per the recommended film builds on

the product data sheet

• Allow ample flash off of the basecoat before clearcoating

• Mix clear properly

• Properly activate the basecoat

correcting

• Sand areas affected and refinish as needed

• For vehicles subject to harsh conditions, repair area

with activated basecoat

Identifying Paint Defects

DIRT IN BASECOAT

Description

Dust and debris of different sizes will be noticed in the color

causes

• Dirt and dust coming from dry sanding, clothes, etc.

• Contamination coming from compressed air supply

• Static on vehicle

• Dirty booth filters

• Paint was not strained

prevention

• Establish a regular compressor maintenance schedule

• Change booth filters regularly

• Strain paint

• Tack off basecoat between coats

• Wear a paintsuit

• Keep booth doors closed

correcting

• Sand dirt particles and re-apply basecoat to affected areas as needed

Identifying Paint Defects

DIRT IN CLEAR

Description

Dust and debris of different sizes will be noticed in the clearcoat

causes

• Dirt and dust attracted to the clear during application

• Contamination coming from compressed air supply

• Static on vehicle

• Dirty booth filters

prevention

• Establish a regular compressor maintenance schedule

• Change booth filters regularly

• Wear a paintsuit

• Keep the booth doors closed

• Tack off basecoat before clearcoating

correcting

• After fully cured, the surface dirt can be sanded and polished out

• Dirt below the surface will need to be sanded and refinished

once cured

Identifying Paint Defects

EDGE RINGING

(MAPPING)

Description

Enlarged sand scratches caused by swelling action

of the topcoat solvents around the repair area

causes

• Too coarse of sandpaper used

• Improper reducer used

• Undercoats not thoroughly cured before applying color

• High film build of undercoats

• Improper cleaning

prevention

• Use appropriate grit sandpaper being careful not to sand through

soft or sensitive substrates

• Use appropriate reducer for spray environment

• Do not apply excessive film build of undercoats

• Use compatible paint system

correcting

• Insure undercoats are thoroughly cured before topcoating

• Sand the affected area and seal before topcoating

Identifying Paint Defects

FISH-EYES

Description

Dimples or craters that form in the wet paint film

immediately after spraying. In some cases, the substrate

can be seen at the bottom of the crater

causes

• Improper cleaning of the substrate

• Spraying over surfaces that contain silicone

• Contamination of air lines and hoses

• Contamination of rags, sanding dust, or dirty hands

that come in contact with the substrate to be painted

prevention

• Wear clean gloves when touching the substrate

• Use appropriate solventborne and waterborne surface

cleaners to remove all contaminants from the substrate

• Use clean, disposable cloths

• Drain and clean air filters and compressors regularly and

service air line filters and driers periodically

• As a final effort a fisheye preventer may be utilized

correcting

• Spray an additional coat over the affected area to see if

the paint will flow out smooth over the fisheyes

• Allow paint to cure, then sand the affected area to level

the defects in the surface. Repaint the area as needed

• Utilize fisheye eliminator additive in the paint

Identifying Paint Defects

LIFTING/WRINKLING

Description

Surface imperfections, which include shriveling, swellings,

wrinkles or folds of varying severity in the paint surface.

Can be noticed during application or while curing

causes

• Excessive film build

• Improper reducer selection

• Finishing over old non-catalyzed lacquer or enamel finishes

• Sanding thin, or sanding through clearcoat

• Improper flash times

prevention

• Avoid high film builds

• Use appropriate reducer for shop conditions

• Solvent check old or questionable finishes

• Take caution when sanding clear that needs to be refinished

• Follow product data sheet recommendation for proper flash

and topcoat times

correcting

• Remove finish from affected areas

• Prime the area past where the defect stopped

• Refinish as needed

Identifying Paint Defects

ORANGE PEEL

Description

Uneven, bumpy, or textured surface formation that resembles that

of an orange peel. Some orange peel is common in most OEM finishes

causes

• Improper spray gun adjustment prevents the paint from flowing

out smoothly such as too little air pressure, wide fan patterns or

excessive distance from the panel

• Using too fast of a reducer or hardener that does not give

the paint time to flow out

• Adding too little reducer, resulting in paint being too thick

• High paint booth temperatures

• Improper mixing of components

prevention

• Use proper spray gun setup as outlined in the product data sheet

• Allow proper flash and dry times as per product data sheet

• Use correct mix ratio with appropriate reducer for your

application conditions

• Stir all products thoroughly

correcting

• Apply full wet coats of clear and allow for the

recommended flash times

• Machine polish or compound to remove orange peel in the

cured coating

Identifying Paint Defects

PEELING

Description

Loss of adhesion between finished area and substrate

causes

• Improper preparation of the substrate (sanding and cleaning)

• Excessive film build

• Dry spray application

• Tape left on too long before being removed

prevention

• Thoroughly sand and clean area to be finished

• Avoid high film builds

• Carefully remove tape at a hard angle

correcting

• Remove the material from the affected area and

sand a slightly larger area

• Refinish as needed

Identifying Paint Defects

PINHOLES

Description

Tiny holes from the undercoat that penetrate through the top surface

causes

• Improper surface cleaning

• Too much spraygun air pressure

• Not thoroughly sanding body filler or primer surfacer

• Improper mixing and application of body filler

prevention

• Thoroughly sand and clean repair area

• Use appropriate spraygun air pressure and distance

• Throughly mix fillers as per product data sheet recommendations,

use the scale when possible

• Thoroughly sand filler and apply surfacer and sealer to the repair

correcting

• After surface is fully cured, sand the affected areas to a

solid substrate and refinish as needed

Identifying Paint Defects

POLISHING MARKS

Description

Microgrooves or smears on the finish typically in a

curved or swirling pattern

causes

• Polishing the final finish too soon

• Using sandpaper that is too coarse

• Using poor quality polishing compounds

prevention

• Follow recommended polish time per product data sheet

• Use recommended sandpaper grit

• Use ammonia free polish

• Finish with a foam pad

correcting

• Lightly sand with fine grit sandpaper if needed

• Re-polish area

• Sanding and refinishing may be required

Identifying Paint Defects

POOR COLOR MATCH

Description

Color of repair area differs from the original finish

causes

• Improper application of the basecoat

• Basecoat not thoroughly mixed

• Incorrect color formula used

• Blend area too small

prevention

• Use color tools to select best color match

• Clean adjacent panels when selecting color

• Spray a color test panel before applying to vehicle

• Mix basecoat color thoroughly

• Blend an area large enough to achieve a seamless transition

correcting

• Use color tools to select proper color

• Sand and refinish after have chosen the correct color formula.

Tint the existing formula if needed

Identifying Paint Defects

POOR GLOSS

Description

Final finish lacks a normal shine

causes

• Polishing too soon

• High film build and/or high humidity

• Poor air flow in spray booth

• Using incorrect reducer and/or hardener for spray conditions

• Too short flash time between coats of clear

prevention

• Provide ample cure time before polishing

• Check for proper spray booth air flow

• Follow product data sheet for proper reducer/hardener selections

• Follow recommended flash times per product data sheet

correcting

• Sand and polish repair area

• Sand and repaint affected areas

Identifying Paint Defects

RAIL DUST

Description

Gold or rusty spots embedded in the finish

causes

• Contamination coming from small particles of metal

prevention

• Clean surface immediately

• Polish frequently to make it more difficult for the

small flakes to adhere to the vehicle

correcting

• Minor defects can be polished off, often times a clay bar will suffice

• In severe cases finish will need to be sanded and refinished

Identifying Paint Defects

RUNS AND SAGS

Description

Running or sagging of a wet paint film that resembles

drips or a curtain of film

causes

• Applying too much paint in 1 coat

• Low air pressure

• Too little flash time between coats

• Holding gun too close to the surface and/or moving too slow

• Surface and/or spray conditions are too cold

• Using too slow of a reducer and/or hardener

prevention

• Allow sufficient flash times between coats

• Choose the proper reducer for the spray temperature and

hardener as recommended per the product data sheet

• Adjust air pressure and fluid control per product data sheet

or spray gun chart

• Allow substrate and spray booth to reach proper spray

temperature before refinishing

correcting

• Use solvent to remove the sag and then refinish

• Allow paint to fully cure and then sand the run/sag

smooth before polishing

Identifying Paint Defects

SAND SCRATCH

SWEllING

Description

Visible lines in the paint film that follow sanding marks

caused by the swelling action of topcoat solvents

causes

• Sanding with too coarse grit sandpaper

• Insufficient dry time of undercoats before topcoating

• Too fast of solvent in surfacer causing film to “bridge’ over

• Refinishing over soft or soluble substrates

prevention

• Use appropriate grit sandpaper

• Allow undercoats to cure thoroughly before topcoating

• Apply a sealer over the primer surfacer

• Use appropriate reducer in the primer surfacer

for the spray conditions

correcting

• Sand and refinish the area, using a sealer before topcoating

Identifying Paint Defects

SLOW DRYING

Description

Paint isn’t curing within the time outlined on the product data sheet

causes

• Heavy application

• Insufficient spray booth air flow or high humidity conditions

• Too little flash time between coats

• Improper mixing of product components

• Improper reducer or hardener selection

• Spray conditions too cold

prevention

• Avoid high film builds

• Perform routine spray booth maintenance

• Mix and apply per the product data sheet

• Use appropriate reducer or hardener for the spray booth conditions

• Do not apply urethane coatings below 55°F

correcting

• Maintain spray booth temperature above 55°F

Identifying Paint Defects

SOLVENT POP

Description

Open blisters on the finished surface

causes

• Too much air flow over repair area

• Solvent trapped in the film during the curing process forming

bubbles in the paint film

• High film builds

• Using too fast of a reducer and/or hardener for the spray conditions

• Bake temperature too high or IR lamp too close to the surface

prevention

• Use appropriate reducer and/or hardener for spray booth

conditions per product data sheets

• Apply recommended film builds per product data sheet

• Keep booth at recommended bake temperature and times

• Insure proper spray booth air flow

correcting

• Sand surface blisters smooths and refinish

• Severe cases must be sanded back to undercoat and refinished

Identifying Paint Defects

STAINING

Description

Over hardening body filler causing a discoloration of the new finish

causes

• Original finish not sealed correctly

• Using too much hardener in the body filler

• Body filler not mixed thoroughly

prevention

• Seal repair area with appropriate sealer

• Carefully measure the hardener when adding to the body filler

• Mix filler on the scale

correcting

• Remove body filler and reapply over repair

• Isolate and sand the repair, seal and reapply topcoat

Identifying Paint Defects

TREE SAP

Description

Droppings from trees leaving a sticky substance on the finish

causes

• Secretions coming from tree resin

prevention

• Avoid parking under trees

• Polishing vehicle will deter the sap from sticking

making removal easier

correcting

• Minor defects can be polished out

• In severe cases finish will need to be removed and refinished

Identifying Paint Defects

WATER SPOTTING

Description

Dulling of gloss in spots or large areas due to water droplets

sitting on the surface

causes

• Washing vehicle in the sun

• Water evaporating on a freshly painted surface

prevention

• Do not allow water to air dry on freshly painted repairs

• Wash vehicle in the shade and wipe dry completely

correcting

• Remove marks by compounding and polishing

• Severe cases may need to be sanded and refinished

PPG

Automotive Refinish

19699 Progress Drive

Strongsville, Ohio 44149

800.647.6050

PPG Canada Inc.

2301 Royal Windsor Drive, Unit #6

Mississauga, Ontario L5J 1K5

888.310.4762

www.ppgrefinish.com

6/19

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