Paint Thickness
Using
a medium abrasive polish and a rotary polisher will remove approximately 3µ
from the paint surface (typically 4 passes at 1500-1800 RPM) but there
are many variables such as the abrasive grade of the polish or compound and
speed and pressure used that may affect
the paint removed) These numbers should be checked with a paint thickness gauge
(PTG) There comes a point when you must judge whether removing a scratch will
compromise the clear coat and if so you’ll have to ‘live’ with the
imperfection.
A
clear coat thickness is approx. 50 - 75 µ a paint thickness reading of 100 µ < (Microns) is reasonably safe for polishing. 80-90 µ I wouldn't use anything stronger than 2000 < grit polish, 70-80 µ 2500 < grit polish and under 70 µ)
use a glaze.
If
you have reservations about the amount of paint surface removed or the amount
of paint coating remaining the use of a paint thickness gauge (PTG) is
arbitrary
Note: 1 µ (micron) is 1/1000th
of a millimeter or 0.0393700787 Mil or 0.001 of an inch
·
200µ + can be expected on older cars that have been hand painted or a
re-painted vehicle
·
100 – 200µ - normal paint thickness
·
80 – 100 µ - thin paint
·
80 µ < - very thin paint
These numbers are offered as a guide only, as there are too many
variables to provide any more than an approximation.
Paint
thickness will often depend upon the OEM paint specification, which can vary by
vehicle assembly plant. It’s interesting to note that painters must now
demonstrate proficiency with an electronic paint thickness gauge in order to
become certified to perform paint refinish warranty work for General Motors
Corp. (GM) vehicles.
Types of Scratches
The
less you physically touch the paint surface the less likely you are to cause
scratches. Most surface scratches are caused by improper washing or drying, or
by using unsuitable media. Avoiding paint
scratches (as much as is possible) will lessen the need to use an abrasive
polish along with the subsequent loss of clear coat
Scratches in the clear coat or its
sub-surface, that is to say any form of damage that is in the top layer of the
paint surface, which includes; marring, swirl marks, scratches, stone chips,
water spots and acid etching. The most common form of sub-surface damage is
caused by road thrown stone chips, particularly on the front ends of cars.
Surface scratches are invariably caused by grit being trapped between the paint
surface and the applicator and being moved across the surface under pressure
Most
scratches on a paint surface are V or U shaped, being caused by a small sharp
object (fine sand or grit) and a slightly blunt object (belt buckle, button or
zip) so an abrasive polish and pad are more readily able to polish the sides
and smooth the points where the top of the scratch meets the surrounding
paint's uppermost surface (paint levelling).
What makes a scratch visible is that it makes the paint surface
two-dimensional and the light reflects from the microscopic peaks and valleys
differently from the rest of the paint surface. When you abrade an area with a
machine and foam pad these abrasions form a uniform pattern (the machine /foam
pad applies an even and consistent pressure) and light reflects from its
surface evenly without any two-dimensional reflectance giving the impression
that it’s been ‘removed’
The
perfect, mirror-like reflection of light from a surface, in which light from a
single incoming direction is reflected into a single outgoing direction the
best example of spatial reflection is
seen when reflected from a flat level surface. If the surface is perfectly
flat, light will be reflected to produce a mirror image of the surface. But if
there you have matte paint or are imperfections such as swirls, surface
contaminants, orange peel, or oxidation (dull, opaque or un-levelled paint)
light is refracted and the reflected light becomes distorted, diffuse reflection, which mutes the
shine.
Technically we have different types
of scratches because of the different ways they are introduced into the paint.
·
Surface marring –could be in either in the paint surface or wax /sealant, the shallow surface marks often caused by
the incorrect use of a micro fibre towel, improper washing methodologies or the scratch pattern caused by a dual action polisher. Surface
marring is actually made up of tiny scratches, which can easily be remedied by
using a very light abrasive one-step polish
·
Halo-scratches - (swirl marks or
spider webs) which, when the light reflects off the raised edges of the
scratches, appear to be circular but in reality they are made up of numerous
straight line random scratches which are caused by washing, drying and everyday
wear and tear. Some are surface marring, whereas others can be deep into the
clear coat.
·
Holograms - (also called
buffer marks or buffer trails) which again are scratches but these scratches
are micro-fine patterned scratches which are caused by a high speed polisher
and an operator who doesn't know how to properly finish down their work. They
take on a 3D effect and if the car is moving or you move around the car they
seem to "flow" through the paint.
·
Pig-tailing - caused by dried
compound residue lodged in the fibres of a wool pad
· Etching - is a type of paint defect that can vary in depth and frequency, but
creates a unique pattern dependant on how it is created. Etching is caused by
chemical reaction (Acid Rail, IFO, Bird excrement, bombs, and the residual minerals
found in water) on that paint’s surface that dissolves the surface, creating
depressions.
· Deep Scratches- a surface scratch that will `catch' your fingernail is
approximately 0.04 Mil (1.0 µ) deep will usually require wet sanding
· Haze - this is usually caused by using a pad / polish combination that
is too abrasive for the paint surface to finish without leaving very fine
scratch marks. Paint exhibits a general lack of gloss, this could also be
caused by harsh detergents, solvents, or hardly perceivable hairline scratches
or even a paint protection or polish that is not properly removed, all of which
leave behind a dull surface that doesn't reflect light.
· Surface scouring – this is usually caused by abraded paint residue not the pad or
the polish used
·
Swirl marks - Swirl
marks (buffer trails) ribbon-like abrasions, the things that cause swirl marks
are varied; an unnecessarily aggressive pad or abrasive, excessive speed or
pressure used or too stiff a backing plate are just some of the many reasons
for this type of surface defect. Even scratch-resistant and ceramic clear coats
are susceptible to swirl marks if polished incorrectly.
·
Stone chips - and
other minor damage are not only aesthetically displeasing they look unsightly
and once they begin to accumulate, especially on dark coloured car. But worse
still, because the stone chips, scratches and scuffs have penetrated the clear
coat, you car will be prone to rust
Surface Inspection Tools
A powerful
60-100x magnification microscope with an extremely lightweight and portable
design, it features a built-in light that provides a bright, clear image and a
rubberized eyepiece for comfortable viewing. Powerful 60-100X magnification,
compact design provides easy portability; easy-to-use controls allow for
adjustable focus and zoom
Built-in light
with on/off switch uses AAA batteries
Digital
Microscope
This unit
enables you to analyze and capture paint surface defects, the unit’s
interchangeable lenses provide The ProScope™ with tremendous versatility. With
the 0-10X lens, it becomes a high-quality video camera. Magnification can be
increased to a startling 200X power in a matter of seconds (50x seems to be a
good magnification for detailing work) the lens mount is an industry-standard
C-Mount that will accept third-party lenses. ProScope HR™ CSI Science Level 1,
includes- 1/0-10x Lens, 1/50x Lens, 1/Carrying Case - http://www.proscopehr.com/buy.html
Magnifying
Loupe
Useful for
checking paintwork surface for various problems (cracking i.e. impact damage
from egg or to ascertain how deep ‘crow’s feet ‘or wither ‘water marks’ are
just on the surface or are they etched, etc) paint surface discolouration or
other damage with a 30X lighted magnifying loupe
Automotive Safe Solvent
Wurth Clean Solve is fast acting and will not leave film residue, safe to use on
all painted surfaces. Quickly removes track marbles (pill-shaped pieces of
rubber shaved off the racing cars' tyres) paint overspray, adhesives, tar,
grease, oils, silicone and waxes. Can be used safely on acrylic finishes,
aluminium, plastics, vinyl, fabrics, glass, and fiberglass
ValuGuard
"N" New Car Prep - is a paint safe
solvent that is used for the removal of tar, grease, adhesive, bugs, crayon and
stubborn stains on paint and upholstery. Contains no harmful Xylene, Benzene or
Toluene, used for the removal of bugs, tar, grease, adhesive, crayon,
upholstery stains and tree sap, aged Rap Gard and its adhesive residue, from
painted surfaces
Paint Film Surface Problems (in alphabetical
order)
Some problems exist in the paint, as well as
on the surface. As you become more experienced with paint problems, you will be
able to determine correctly which methods to use.
Acid / alkaline spotting (small concave
circular marks) – (this is not actually a paint film ‘problem’ but is added
here as many paint symptoms are incorrectly diagnosed as this) if an aggressive
alkaline or acidic water solution alights on a paint surface and is
subsequently dried by ultra violet (UV) radiation it will produce a small
concave circular mark, the so called ‘water spot’ (often with a white residue
from the minerals)
Acidic pollutant protection
The latest nanotechnology PPG
CeramiClear™ Clear Coat or the newer
nanotechnology, although they are highly resistant to chemicals, detergents,
scratches and ultra violet radiation (UV) will only offer limited resistance to
acid etching. Organic or inorganic protective coatings, with the exception of
Acrylic polymers, offer very limited resistance to acidic pollutants (acid
rain, bird excrement, industrial fallout, hydrazine and etc.).
The most
effective deterrent, once the paint film surface has been decontaminated, is to
apply an Acrylic polyaminosiloxane or polyethylene-acrylic (Klasse, Jeff Werkstatt or Duragloss
#105 Total Performance Polish)
are sulphonic acid-based so they
hold up better to acidic pollutants (acid rain, bird excrement, and etc) there
is no cross-linking capability with this technology, and they cannot be
layered, however, they form an anchor with the paint by etching, which gives
this type of polymer its durability and they are heat resistant up to 350.0F.
For added protection apply an organic wax over the polymer sealant as this will
act as a sacrificial barrier and by washing the vehicles paint surface on a
regular basis.
Anti-Static
Static [the process causes electrons to be pulled from the surface
of one material and relocated on the surface of the other material]
Static
electricity is an occasional annoyance in seasons of low humidity, but is
usually caused when certain materials are rubbed against each other
(friction).Using products that do not contain oils (i.e. polymer sealants) will
help by not attracting dust. Finish Kare's 425 quick detailer (QD)
has in-built anti-static properties.
A
100% cotton micro fibre towel is inherently anti-static; as opposed to the
static build-up caused by friction using a polyester Micro fibre towel on a
polythene clear coat.
Air
entrapment
May have an
appearance very similar to solvent pop or dust contamination small crater like
openings in or on the paint film; cause - trapped air pockets in the wet paint
film that rise to the surface and "burst" causing small fissures;
lack of atomization is the cause of air entrapment and may be due to one or
more of the following;
•Spray gun travel too slow or
•Spray gun held too close to painted surface,
•Low air pressure or
•Improper spray gun setup.
Correction- sand or compound with 1500 or finer grit paper to remove and then polish to restore gloss.
•Spray gun travel too slow or
•Spray gun held too close to painted surface,
•Low air pressure or
•Improper spray gun setup.
Correction- sand or compound with 1500 or finer grit paper to remove and then polish to restore gloss.
Artillery Fungus
[Sphaerobolus]
These resemble asphalt (tar) spots but could
be the spore of artillery fungus they look very much like tar spots and are
usually about 1/10th-inch in diameter, typically
artillery fungus feels like a sticky film, and when flattened can be smeared
appearing white
The term artillery refers to the fact that the
fungus actively uses energy to shoot its spore masses, sort of like cannon (an
artillery piece). They are usually found on the lower parts of a vehicle that
has been parked at a gardening centre or close to newly laid grass. It is a
fungus that lives in wood-based mulch, the spores are usually shot only a short
distance (several feet) but the wind can carry them for longer distances.
Correction-They can be removed by using a chemical paint cleaner (Werkstat Prime Strong or Klasse
All-In-One) or plastic razor blade to scrape and
remove the spot. If the affected paintwork is not neutralized any remaining
acid residue will be reactivated each time it comes into contact with water.
Brake Fluid
Common names-Polyethylene glycol usually a mixture of Ethylene, Diethylene,
Polyethylene and Triethylene Glycol and monobutyl ether and cleaning additives;
pH 9.5 – 10, this alkaline will degrade paint if allowed to remain on the paint
surface for any period of time
Correction- remove for surface(s) as soon as feasible using a chemical paint
cleaner and then an abrasive polish. If paint surface has become degraded a
re-spray will be required
Bird Excrement Removal
To
remove bird excrement without causing scratches; apply very little surface
pressure, dusting with long strokes in one direction only, use a product that
contains a surfactant; this will lessen surface scratching as they ‘lift’ dust etc.
into the media used avoiding surface friction (use a solution of Optimum
no-rinse (ONR) diluted 1:20 / distilled water in a fine mist spray bottle)
Use a
long nap micro fibre towel to ensure the dust lifted from the paint surface
will remain in the nap and not on the towel surface thereby causing surface
marring. Shake the towel occasionally to ensure any particles picked up will
drop out rather than come to the surface while you’re using it
Do
not scrub hardened/dried excrement residue as it is very abrasive and will scratch
the paint surface, once they are softened (re-liquefied) it enables their
removal with less likelihood of damage to the paint surface Do not use on a hot
paint surface (soon after driving) as this will cause streaking?
Use the least
abrasive product first-
1.
Use a paint surface cleaner (Z-PC Fusion Dual Action Paint Cleaner)
2.
Try to dissolve the alkaline-based, surface/etched mineral water deposits try
one or more of the following;
a) Use a 2:1 or stronger solution of distilled water/distilled
white vinegar (Acetic acid)
b) Try a 2:1 solution of distilled water/Isopropyl Alcohol
(adjust ratio as required)
c) Or equal parts distilled water/distilled white
vinegar/Isopropyl alcohol.
3.
Clean the effected surface with Klasse All-In-One or Zaino Z-PC Fusion Dual
Action Paint Cleaner
4.
Use detailing clay to remove any 'hard' surface granules
5.
Use a machine polish (Optimum Polish, Optimum Compound) and a cutting (LC
White, Orange or Yellow) foam pad (speed # 4- 5.0) to level the surface
6. For
CeramiClear or other hard clear coats substitute Menzerna for machine polish;
Super Intensive Polish / Nano Polish or Final Finish Polish (4500)
7.
Use the least aggressive polish/foam pad first, if this doesn’t remove the
problem step-up to a more aggressive polish / foam pad set-up
8.
Wet-sand with 2000, 2500 or 3000 grit finishing paper
Calcified Water Marks
Often found from parking in municipal or
underground parking facilities, calcified water spots on paint and glass, water
and concrete spots are pretty much the same chemically; they are consist of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) both of which are
basic (alkaline pH 10) with the concrete being
cross-linked with water. Often mistaken as rust spots
Correction - these
can usually be removed by using detailer's clay to remove any hardened surface
deposits
a) Apply 1:1 ratio distilled water with distilled White Vinegar (Acetic acid, pH 2) solution, and using a spray bottle, spray that mixture on the
spots and let them "soak." Then rinse with water and repeat as
necessary.
b) If the ambient temperature water/vinegar mix does not work, use
warm (100-120 degrees) 100% distilled White Vinegar, saturate a clean kitchen
sponge with undiluted vinegar and hold
the sponge over the concrete spots for a few minutes
c) If the above do not remove them try equal parts distilled
water, isopropyl alcohol and distilled white vinegar. The acid in the vinegar
will help etch and dissolve the concrete.
·
Rinse the area thoroughly with water after the vinegar and then
reapply wax or sealant to that area.
·
To remove any surface
etching use a machine polish ( Optimum Polish, Optimum Compound, Z-PC Fusion
Dual Action Paint Cleaner or Klasse All-In-One (AIO) and a cutting (LC Orange
or Yellow) foam pad (speed # 4-5.0 ) to level the surface (use the least
aggressive polish/foam pad first, if this doesn't remove the problem step-up to
a more aggressive set-up)
·
Work on a very small area at
a time (2-foot x 2-foot) until the polish has run out
·
Repeat this process two or
three times, as necessary
·
If none of the above methods
remove the etched water spots consider wet-sanding the paint finish
·
Reapply surface protection
once spots have been removed
Cyanoacrylate (Superglue)
Ethyl cyanoacrylate
(ECA) C5H5NO2- Loctite® Super Glue is virtually 100% ECA. Cyanoacrylate is an
acrylic resin that is moisture cured (anionic polymerization) and forms a
strong bond almost instantly.
One of the easiest way
s to remove Cyanoacrylate (Superglue) adhesive is to use Acetone nail polish
remover. Acetone dissolves these types of adhesives, but use caution using
acetone to clean Cyanoacrylate adhesive that is stuck to plastic or polymer
clear coat; and avoid hard rubbing Acetone can also cause damage to plastic
surfaces or even melt smaller pieces (test on an inconspicuous area first).
Most hobby shops and
some hardware stores carry some sort of Cyanoacrylate remover. In fact, one of
the most popular products is actually branded: Super Glue Remover (check to see
if they contain Acetone).
Concrete
[: a construction material
composed of cement (commonly Portland cement) as well as other cementitious
materials such as fly ash and slag cement, aggregate (generally a coarse aggregate
made of crushed rocks such as limestone, or granite, plus a fine aggregate such
as sand), water, and chemical admixtures]
Calcified
water spots on paint and glass and water and concrete spots are pretty much the
same chemically; calcium carbonate, with the concrete being cross-linked with
water. These contaminates often drip after passing through concrete decking or
the roof of multi story parking garages
Whatever
application method use using short strokes with light pressure or you may cause
deep surface scratches
Correction-
•
If
the concrete is ‘fresh’ try using detailer’s clay
•
Apply
1:1 ratio water with distilled White Vinegar solution, and using a spray
bottle, spray that mixture on the spots and let them "soak." Then flood-rinse
rinse with water to lessen the need to wipe the surface and repeat as
necessary.
•
If
the ambient temperature water/vinegar mix does not work, warm (100-120 degrees)
100% distilled White Vinegar, saturate a clean kitchen sponge with pure vinegar
and hold the sponge over the concrete spots for a few minutes
•
If
the above do not remove them try equal parts distilled water, isopropyl alcohol
and distilled white vinegar. The acid in the vinegar will help etch and
dissolve the concrete.
•
Rinse
the area thoroughly with water after the vinegar and then reapply wax or
sealant to that area.
Back-Set by
Romix is a paint safe acid alternative with no fumes or odours,
molecularly breaks down the ionic bond in Portland cement, completely
dissolving and releasing the hardened cement from any surface it is adhered to.
Chemically speaking, Back-Set converts the positive ions in the hardened matrix
into negative ions, which dissolves the cement into mud that can be rinsed
away. Because it works chemically, rather than mechanically, Back-Set may be
used to remove cured concrete, mortar, grout, and stucco from virtually any
surface without harm. Always apply to a dry surface area
Clear Coat
Failure
A chalk like appearance on the paint surface or small triangular marks
(crow’s feet) or other similar marks on the paint surface - basically the
chemical integrity of the paint has been degraded by ultra violet (UV-B)
radiation, stress, environment fall out, acid rain and etc.
Oxidation really amounts to a
weakening of the resins that bind paint, which results in the micro-pores
becoming exposed and a larger area of paint becomes oxidized. Once the paint
has been breached in this manner, applying waxes and polishes temporarily wets
the surface making it appear better. The oxidation residue can be removed with Klasse AIO or Duragloss DG
501
Correction- usually
entails a re-paint of the affected panel, although sometimes wet-sanding may
remove it, if it’s not too deep
Removing
more that 0.3 mil (7.5µ) of
clear coat will cause premature paint film failure as the ultra violet (UV)
protection percolates to the top of the clear coat, there is ultra violet (UV)
protection all the way through the paint, but the majority of it migrates to
the top of the clear coat along with the thinner solvents and particles.
Therefore
removing clear coat ultra violet protection is not a linear process; by
removing a small percentage of the clear coat paint tends to remove a larger
percentage of UV inhibitors. So once you remove too much clear coat you'll have
no paint UV protection other than what you apply with a LSP
Oxidation is sometimes confused with clear coat failure; the clear coat
finish can become ‘dull’ by using harsh (abrasive) or if a high alkaline car
washing solution as used in ‘touch less’ car washing systems, or from
industrial airborne pollutants compromising the clear coat allowing the suns
heat to dry out and oxidize the paint
1. Ultra violet radiation is the prime cause of clear
coat failure, infrared radiation (IR) represents
part of the ultra violet solar spectrum (approximately 55%-60%). The remaining
heat source comes from visible and ultra violet light Infrared radiation infrared
radiation (IR) that transmits heat that will cause oxidation by drying out
materials, like the paint (binder) resin system, the plasticizers in vinyl,
moisture evaporation of leather and the elasticity of rubber causing these
materials to dry out and become brittle and compromise their structural
integrity
2. Ultra violet light; UV-B radiation is known to contribute to the
chemical modification, photosensitised (fading) of exposed paint surfaces
resulting in loss of gloss, colour change, chalking, flaking and along with
infrared heat radiation infrared radiation (IR) eventually the destruction of
the clear coat paint film.
First, the paint take on a cloudy
appearance, then as time progresses, we observe small hairline marks start to
appear; that's the clear breaking down.
3. Acid Rain, as previously mentioned penetrates the
clear coat surface and breaks down the chemical bond between the Clearcoat and
the basecoat colour. Again, this will cause a delamination between the layers
since once the chemical bond is destroyed; only the weaker mechanical bond
remains. Like the above reason, usually occurs predominately on top surfaces
for obvious reasons.
A polyurethane paint (high solid / low solvent) clear coat can absorb
moisture; as water molecules are smaller than a cross-linked clear coats
molecule. Acid rain can
permeate and break down the chemical bonds between the clear coat and the
basecoat. This will also cause delamination between the layers since once the
chemical bond is destroyed; only the weaker mechanical bond remains.
Clear coat
bubbles (Solvent pop)
So called
solvent pop is caused by the paint topcoats trapping evaporating solvent gases
during curing and drying (outgas) the pressure builds causing micro-explosions
(pop) pushing up small blister in the wet paint or topcoat. Solvent pop will
appear after the film is "skinned over" and when sanded will have
pinholes
•Improper paint prep
•Wrong solvent or reducer
•Excessive film thickness
•Too heavy and undercoat can trap solvents
•Insufficient outgas (paint cure)
Correction- Fill the pin holes with paint, sand them level then sand the entire panel and then re-paint it. If the paint doesn't harden sufficiently then fill them with primer, and then block sand and paint. Apply a clear-coat to the affected panel(s)
Correction- Fill the pin holes with paint, sand them level then sand the entire panel and then re-paint it. If the paint doesn't harden sufficiently then fill them with primer, and then block sand and paint. Apply a clear-coat to the affected panel(s)
Concave
depressions in paint
Refinishing using heat
to outgas vs. air/time; auto body repair shops drying oven caused a ‘skin’ to
form over the painted surface, trapping solvents in the paint. The vehicle was
then subjected to rain water 48 hours after painting. The water is absorbed
into the paint and implodes the top surface creating concave depressions in
paints horizontal surfaces.
Attempting to correct
this by colour sanding and / or buffing will expose the uncured portion of the
paint. It is extremely soft, and will not attain hardness for several months,
if at all. Attempting to correct by these procedures before it is cured will
result in an opaque paint finish (See also Acid / alkaline spotting)
Concentrated calcium or Lime scale
Often from an
indoor parking garage, the calcium drips down from the level above onto the
paint surface producing a surface stain.
When water drips off of concrete and onto your vehicle's paint, it brings
with it a tiny bit of calcite and mineral deposits, and sometimes rust deposits
from the concretes steel reinforcement (rebar), which dries on the paint when
the water evaporates, leaving a light coloured streak that is not miscible.
These types of stains should be removed as soon as possible
Correction- to remove the lime residue from glass, carefully remove with a plastic
razor blade Lime on paint or plastic can be removed if caught early, use a 1:1
or stronger solution of distilled water/distilled white vinegar (Acetic acid)
or try the acidic (B) part of a decontamination system (ValuGard's Decontamination Kit) otherwise it can be removed by using an
abrasive polish or wet-sanding
Cloudy (Opaque) Clear Coat
If
moisture permeates the clear coat it may become ‘cloudy’ or opaque.
Correction- apply isopropyl alcohol (IPA) to the
area, allowing it to dwell for five to ten minutes and with a heat gun or hair
dryer, heat the area (do not exceeding 100.oF spot temperature) the
IPA acts as a "drying" agent, and when combined with the heat the
moisture will evaporate
Corrosion (Rust) Removal / Treatment
Pay
particular attention to places like wheel well lips, fuel filler, the bottom of
doors or trunk hatch; the places where road dirt builds up and retains salt and
moisture. Pay particular attention to any part of the paint surface that has
been compromised (paint chips) or any bare metal and check that the drainage hole
(s) at the bottom of the doors is clear
Rust removal - remove any loose rust / scaling and grind down to ‘surface
metal’ were possible, holes, gaps; etc. should be filled with suitable metal
filler (Bondo)
Rust converter - phosphoric acid may be
used as a rust converter; by direct application to rusted iron, steel tools, or
surfaces. The phosphoric acid converts reddish-brown iron oxide (rust) to black
ferric phosphate (FePO4)
"Rust converter" is sometimes a
greenish liquid suitable for dipping (in the same sort of acid bath as is used
for pickling metal), but it is more often formulated as a gel, commonly called
naval jelly. It is sometimes sold under other names, such as "rust
remover" or "rust killer". As a thick gel, it may be applied to
sloping, vertical, or even overhead surfaces.
After treatment, the black ferric-phosphate
coating can be washed off, leaving a fresh paint surface. Multiple applications
of phosphoric acid may be required to remove all rust. The black phosphate
coating can also be left in place, where it will provide moderate further
corrosion resistance
Follow up with a rust protection aerosol can
of ValuGard Rust
Inhibitor and/or some Eastwood Heavy Duty
Anti-Rust.
Neutralizing -washing the paint film
surface with a slightly alkaline car wash concentrate and thoroughly rinsing
will neutralize the contaminants and remove them from the paints surface
Detailer's clay removes embedded brake dust and other contaminants by
encapsulation, thereby eliminating the primary cause
Treatment- by applying a suitable
cleaner and then a rust inhibitor (POR-15® Products) it will arrest corrosion
on contact without leaving a sticky residue that would attract dirt, dust or
grime.
Corrosion attacks metal by an electrochemical (galvanic)
reaction with water as the catalyst. It penetrates the corrosion cells,
emulsifying the moisture and separating it from the metal, leaving an
ultra-thin barrier to protect from further damage.
Since
most corrosion begins in crevices, (seams), it is important to have the
capability to penetrate these crevices in order to form a protective barrier.
Many heavier or more viscous products don't penetrate crevices, instead they
form a `bridge', and while this may isolate the crevice from further contact
with the electrolyte it does nothing to eliminate the presence of existing
moisture or surface corrosion. Injection into a seam or crevice with an aerosol
or spray eliminates this problem Por-15® Products Marine Clean
After
the paint surface has been subjected to a chemical cleaning its protective
layer (s) have been removed and the paint surface left without protection, so
it is very important that a wax or polymer protection be applied immediately.
Rust Inhibitor Treatment - a
three-part rust inhibitor treatment by POR-15®
1. Marne Clean ™ cleans and degreases in one
application without leaving residues, noxious fumes or flammable solvents. Its
water not solvent-based and it cleans without leaving residues, no other
cleaner works as fast or as well. It makes petroleum-based cleaners almost
obsolete because it can be diluted 5:1with distilled water, thoroughly rinse
with clean water after completing your cleaning job.
2. POR-15™ Metal Ready provides the best
adhesion for POR-15® on any metal surface, including aluminium and shiny
polished metal surfaces.
3. POR-15® is a high-tech, high
performance rust-preventive coating designed for application directly on rusted
or seasoned metal surfaces. It dries to an incredible rock-hard, non-porous
finish that won't chip, crack, or peel, and it prevents rust from recurring by
protecting metal from further exposure to moisture.
Cosmoline
Often used to protect non-domestic vehicles during transportation
Cosmoline Remover (Cosmoline direct.com) is a solvent-based industrial cleaner specifically
formulated to effectively remove all types of Cosmoline and other
petroleum-based transportation coatings, which will not soften, dull, or
discolor finishes. .
1.
Remove loose dirt and soil prior to cleaning
2.
Saturate a clean cloth and allow cleaner to dwell for 30-90
seconds
3.
Gently rub area to maximize contact between cleaner and surface.
4.
For best results, turn cloth frequently while cleaning.
5.
Repeat as necessary.
Caustic or Acid Paint Cleaning
Using
highly caustic or an acid to clean a paint surface will weaken the resin
(binder) system. The symptoms are very hard to spot with the naked eye and can
be very difficult even under magnification. Problems can take time to appear,
sometimes even years. Preliminary signs are the clear coat becomes opaque and
/or cloudy, eventually the resin system will fail causing delamination
Dust Nibs
When
painting vehicles, contaminants (dust particles) can compromise the visual
appearance of the finished paintwork. Exactly how much this happens depends on
a number of different factors, such as insufficient cleaning of the existing
surface before painting, lint from clothing, the spray booth not being clean
enough, and the air supplied to the gun.
These
base coat or clear coat dust particles create small bulges in the paint
surface, under close
examination they have a speck of dirt in the centre of the crater
Correction- use a fine Nib File for dust nibs and a coarse for paint runs and other surface imperfections after the paint has hardened.. Don’t use pressure on the file and then sand using ultra-fine finishing paper 1200 or finer grit to remove and then polish to restore shine
Correction- use a fine Nib File for dust nibs and a coarse for paint runs and other surface imperfections after the paint has hardened.. Don’t use pressure on the file and then sand using ultra-fine finishing paper 1200 or finer grit to remove and then polish to restore shine
Deep Scratches (keyed paint)
Vandalism is an
unfortunate fact of life; waking-up to find that your automobile has been
‘keyed’ or scratched will quickly ruin your day. Comprehensive Insurance should be able to meet
a claim like this without raising your rates.
A surface
scratch that will `catch' your fingernail is approximately 0.04 Mil (1.0 µ) is
usually considered a deep scratch, which will usually require wet sanding and
refinishing. Comprehensive Insurance should be able to meet a claim like this
without raising your rates. An experienced detailer should be able to repair it
or take it to a body-shop for re-painting
Use WD-40
(water displacement) until a permanent repair can be carried out to protect the
paint underneath the scratch if it’s down to bare metal
Correction- Put a drop or two of Woolite® liquid in a clean bucket and fill
it with clean water. You will need 6-inch x 4-inch sheets of Nikkens™ 2000,
2500 and 3000 grit finishing paper Using a Unigrit Sanding Block and a small
can of paint colour-matched to your vehicles colour code
This method
requires that you clean the surface with Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and then apply
paint to ‘overfill’ the scratch. Apply the paint in multiple layers allowing
each layer to dry and remember "patience
is the key"
·
Take your time go slow and
check progress often. You don't want to sand to deep or through the paint. No
need to be aggressive, eventually it
will all become smooth and levelled
·
Layer the touch up paint
until it’s higher than the surrounding paint
·
Once the last layer of paint
has dried (allow 12-24 hours dependent upon environmental conditions.
·
Soak the finishing papers in
a solution of water and a little dish washing liquid. Place the wet finishing
papers on the sanding block and proceed very slowly, keeping the block
perfectly flat.
·
Wet-sand using Unigrit 2000, 2500 and 3000 grit
finishing paper until the touch-up area is level with the surrounding paint
·
The next step is to polish
the paint surface to eliminate the ‘sanding haze’ by using a compound Menzerna and an LC Orange foam pad or a Surbuf® R
Series ® R Series pad)
·
Then use a finishing polish
to bring back the shine; Menzerna 4500 polish and a LC White polishing foam pa
·
Finish by using Menzerna 5000 and an LC Black finishing foam pad
·
Finally apply paint
protection of choice
The smaller the
scratch, the easier it is to correct it
With practice this process becomes easier and avoids having a panel being
repainted at a body-shop, along with the subsequent loss of using your
automobile for a couple of days or more, plus
the cost of which would run into hundreds of dollars
For really
deep U shaped gouges use Bondo Body filler before painting; use your fingertips
to ensure that it covers any contours in the paint surface. Although Bondo was created for cosmetic
repair of dents in cars, the fact that it’s easily malleable and dries rock
hard makes it perfect for this application
Delamination
Clear coat
detachment is the result of inferior preparation of the base coat (colour)
prior to the application of the clear coat. This may be evident on any area of
a vehicle where there is trim such as mouldings door handles, window trim, etc.
You need to remove the entire clear coat and re-apply a base coat and finally a
clear coat. If you don't the new paint will separate due to delamination of the
original clear coat under the new paint you applied.
Correction- repair requires correctly preparing the area by cleaning and sanding, the base coat must be examined (checked with a paint thickness meter) to insure correct film build and the clear re-applied.
Correction- repair requires correctly preparing the area by cleaning and sanding, the base coat must be examined (checked with a paint thickness meter) to insure correct film build and the clear re-applied.
The entire
panel should be refinished rather than attempting a ‘spot repair’. Any attempt
to hide the defect by wet sanding and polishing / compounding will result in
further damage by removing the paint build (thickness)
Dry Spray
Orange
peel has a shine but with some distortion of the reflected image caused by
minor differences in the thickness of the clear.
Dry
spray will look cloudy and the surface will have a noticeable texture. You will
not see the shiny surface you are looking for. In a bad case you may not be
able to see a reflection at all. (See also
Orange Peel)
Emblem or Sticker Residue
To
remove the residue from shipping protection plastic adhesive, double-sided tape
or dealership stick-on decals, the safest way to remove it without damage to
the paint, is to use 3M General Purpose Adhesive Remover or a 3M
Stripe Off Wheels and Meguiar’s® Last Touch Detail Spray diluted 1:1 distilled water or Gloss
It EVP Pad Prime for surface lubrication. If the
adhesive residue is thick try reducing it’s mass with a plastic razor blade and
apply heat from a hairdryer in conjunction with the 3M cleaner
Egg Stains / Damage to
Paint surface
As well as the
impact damage, egg contains Albumin (refers generally to any protein with water
solubility) and amino Aspartic and Glutamic acids that will erode the clear coat and eventually the basecoat if not
neutralized / removed.
If the affected
paintwork is not neutralized any remaining acid residue will be reactivated
each time it comes into contact with heat / water (See also Reactivity)
Wash the affected area with an alkaline car wash concentrate (P21S Total Auto Wash) and then rehydrate the area with an Isopropyl
Alcohol soaked micro fibre towel and keep it ‘wet’ for 4-5 minutes with the
towel laid on the stain, do not agitate the surface. Flush with clean water and
dry thoroughly. Inspect surface for cracking, discoloration or other damage
with a 30X lighted magnifying loupe.
Impact
damage (paint surface cracks) –
Use a chemical
cleaner to remove any discoloration, Klasse All-In-One or Zaino Z-PC Fusion Dual Action Paint Cleaner and then the least
abrasive polish or wet-sand to level the
paint surface to below the level of the etching (an shallow indentation in the
paint surface caused by an acid)
1.
Use detailing clay to remove
any `hard' surface granules and then use the least abrasive methodology to
remove blemishes
2.
Use a machine polish (Optimum Polish, Optimum Compound) and
a cutting (LC White, Orange or Yellow) foam pad (speed # 4- 5.0) to level the
paint surface
3.
For CeramiClear or other
hard clear coats substitute Menzerna for machine polish; Final Finish Polish (FF4500)
4.
Use the least aggressive
polish/foam pad first, if this doesn’t remove the problem step-up to a more
aggressive polish / foam pad set-up
5.
Menzerna Power Finish (PO203S) - (M) this is a one-step scratch remover polish is
formulated for CeramiClear or other ‘Hard’ paints. It will remove 2500 grit,
cut 3.0-gloss 3.5, is formulated as a quick way to polish out light flaws and
amplify the paint’s gloss. Use a primed Orange (mid-range, high density foam
(60 PPI) medium abrasive cutting action LC CCS foam pad 1200 RPM
6.
Wet-sand with 2000, 2500 or
3000 grit finishing paper
7.
After the paint surface has been
subjected to a chemical cleaning its protective layer (wax / sealants) have
been removed and the paint surface left without protection, so it is very
important that a wax or polymer protection be reapplied immediately.
Graffiti
Iz einszett GraffitiEx
Universal Gel acetone and
hydrocarbon free graffiti remover quickly and safely removes graffiti such as
spray paint and felt tip pens from all sensitive surfaces including painted
surfaces, reflective films on road signs, acrylic, and more. Formulated with
water-soluble and water-based solvents and does not contain acetone, any
aromatic or chlorinated hydrocarbons making it safe on the environment and for
you
Galvanized pop
These are small sand
particles trapped under the paint and over time as the steel sweats they form
moisture under the paint and pop up like you have shown, the small white head
in the middle is where it is breaking out. When the bare steel shell is
fabricated in the factory prior to being galvanized the shells are cleaned and
part of the process is a fine sand blast and then a wash off, when washed off
all the sand particles should be removed but some are missed.
The next process is for the
shell is dipped and galvanized with a coating and occasionally a sand particle
becomes trapped between the bare steel
and the galvanized coating and it’s not until years later do they turn into corrosion.
If you were to puncture the dimple you will see few drops of moisture coming out and if you scrape the area you
will find a perfect circle of bare metal which won't be rust because it has
always been sealed there needs to be oxygen introduced to create the corrosion.
Hail Damage
See Paintless Dent Repair (PDR)
Haze or Moisture Entrapment
Paint
will sometimes show ‘hazing” after removing a car cover or transportation wrap that has not allowed
transpiration. The temporary hazing, which can appear as a slight dull
discoloration, stain, or raised surface in the paint is caused by the paint
finish absorbing moisture
Correction- In most cases, by applying Isopropyl
alcohol (IPA) and exposure to heat (sunlight, heat gun or a hairdryer) allows
the moisture to evaporate within a few hours. For colder climates, moisture
evaporation recovery can be accelerated by placing the vehicle indoors and
using a portable infrared heat lamp (or professional-type heat gun). Allow the
affected area to outgas by not using a wax or sealer on the affected are for a
few days
Holograms (also called buffer marks or
buffer trails)
These scratches
are micro-fine patterned scratches, which are sometimes caused by a high speed
polisher and an operator who doesn't know how to properly finish down their
work. They take on a 3D effect and if the car is moving or you move around the
car they seem to "flow" through the paint.
Sometimes
referred to a buffer trails, this type of scratch has a very fine, faint
pattern, caused by the use of a high
speed polisher and not following up by using a finishing product / pad. A
random orbital polisher, a (soft) Lake County Black foam pad and Menzerna SF
4000 finishing polish should remove them
Latex Paint Removal
Try removal in this order-
1.
D-limonene based (citrus)
based detergent cleaner - (P21S Total Auto Wash) may help; be sure to allow
plenty of dwell time.
2.
Solvents - dwell time is
important, start mild with (3M™ Adhesive and Wax Remover or DuPont Prep Sol
3919)
3.
Detailers clay – start with
a medium and progress to a heavy grade
4.
Plastic razor blade to
abrade the surface of dried paint with a plastic (ScrapeRite
blades) or use single-sided razor blade
5.
A combination of the plastic
blade or detailers clay and a solvent, be patient and work small areas when
practical.
6.
The painted surfaces are
frequently easier than anticipated, however the rubber and vinyl trim pieces
may take more time / patience.
Leaf Stain Removal
Once
it lands on a paint surface the leaf bleeds sap from its phloem tubes along
with dissolved sucrose, produced by photosynthesis in the leaf. Some especially
those from an Oak trees, if left to
settle on a painted surface will lightly etch the surface; this is due to the
tannic acid or tannin they contain
Correction - use a
citrus-based cleaner (P21S Total Auto Wash) or apply isopropyl alcohol
(IPA) to the area, allowing it to dwell for five to ten minutes and then remove
with a damp micro fibre towel. To remove the etching use a (least to most
abrasive) a chemical paint cleaner, detailers clay or an abrasive polish
Lacquer thinner
Modern
clear coat paint is porous if you saturate it with lacquer thinner it will
often produce crazing if the thinner is allowed to permeate; this grazing may
not be visible immediately as it may take a year to become visible.
If
you’re using thinner ensure you localize its application and do not allow to
remain for too long as it will ‘dull’ the finish, which cannot be re-polished
Moisture Entrapment
Paint
will sometimes show ‘hazing” after removing the protective polyurethane transit
protection film on new shipped vehicles. The temporary hazing, which can appear
as a slight dull discoloration, stain, or raised surface in the paint is caused
by the paint finish absorbing moisture trapped below the protection film, which
may cause the affected paint finish area to temporarily discolor.
Correction- In most cases, by applying Isopropyl alcohol and exposure to
sunlight allows the moisture to evaporate within a few hours.
For colder climates, moisture evaporation recovery can be
accelerated by placing the vehicle indoors and/or using a portable infrared
heat lamp (or professional-type heat gun). Allow the affected area to outgas by
not using a wax or sealer on the affected are for a few days
Nitrocellulose lacquer or Enamel Paints
The
older technology paints on classic vehicles are oil-based and requires the oils
in the resin binder system to be replenished to keep them from becoming too
brittle and cracking
Correction- check the paint with a PTG to see how much paint there is
available before attempting repairs
·
Wash the paint surface and dry thoroughly
·
A detailer’s clay process will remove any surface
contaminants
·
Use a chemical paint cleaner to remove any oxidation (Klasse
All-In-One)
·
Apply an oil rich product to stabilize the paints binder system
(3M Imperial Hand Glaze) apply a thick coat and
allow to dwell for 12-24 hours before polishing, repeat as necessary until
surface has an ‘oily’ sheen.
·
Using Gloss It EVP Pad Prime on your pads will help
maintain sufficient oil lubrication for the polish
·
You are now ready to commence the polishing process
I
would suggest you use a wool pad for correction; this will reduce kinetic
friction (heat) and not dry out the oils
Nail Polish
Nail polishes are lacquer
based paint (a solvent carrier and a pigment colour) which doesn’t cure but
instead dries. When the solvent evaporates you’re left with a colour coating.
To remove use a solvent that will re-flow the lacquer and help to remove it,
this is how a lacquer thinner (Acetone) works. Acetone will not harm a
cross-linked urethane, provided it is not left for an extended period of time.
Orange Peel
Is paint film surface that has a dimpled
appearance that paint takes on due to an equipment/operator caused defect?
Technically traditional orange
peel is in the clear coat. It can however be in the base coat usually caused by
spraying the paint dry.
There are several factors that
contribute to orange peel – incorrect paint mixture (incorrect reducer for the temperature during
spraying or incorrect
mixture of paint, hardener and reducer) incorrect paint-gun pressure
and/or distance from panel, poor
spray gun atomization, an operator not knowing how to
set-up the equipment for that particular type of paint, or even a partly
blocked paint-gun nozzle, improper pre-paint preparation and /or paint
application, or uneven drying of the clear coat.
It should be eliminated after the final
shooting of clear coat by the OEM wet sanding the paint film surface, and
polishing with a mildly abrasive polish and a high-speed rotary polisher.
Note that some degree of orange
peel can be found in most finishes, both OEM and repainted.
Correction- check the paint with a PTG to see how
much paint there is available before attempting repairs Clear coat that is too
thin loses its ability to adhere effectively (delaminating) to the underlying
paint layer and will flake off.
A
vehicle with its original paint has a higher re-sale value than a repaint. Due
to the above; something else to consider is a ‘do nothing’ option and learn to
live with it.
It can be
removed by wet-sanding but this entails a substantial reduction in clear coat
thickness, which may eventually entail repainting
Reduction - the way light is reflected from a paint
surface affects the vehicles appearance after it is detailed. Reflection of
light is either Specular (mirror-like) or Diffused (retaining the energy, but
losing the image) depending on the nature of the surface. It is also possible
for reflection to occur from the surface of transparent media, such as water or
glass.
A paint
surface that has 'orange peel' diffuses the light reflection, a wax also shares
this reflection trait in the so-called 'wet-look' (jetting)So by applying a
Carnauba wax to a surface that has 'orange peel' you are not masking the
effect, but disguising it by making the rest of the paint diffuse light
reflection in the same way
The
body shop / paint area the dealerships in Europe are among the cleanest parts
of those dealerships. The painters / body repair guys are highly skilled and
well respected and the work areas maintained to be extremely high standard.
The
painters match any varying levels of orange peel as he shoots the paint. Finish
work involves just some light spot repair with a foam pad and compound. The
thought of wet sanding an entire panel and then wool pad compounding it is just
completely alien to them and they don't understand why it's so common in the
US.
Of course, there are painters in the
US who can do the same, but whereas it seems to be the norm at dealerships and
body shops in Europe, it's the exception here. (See
also Paint shrinkage)
Oil Deposits
Usually
from diesel fuel exhaust, clean with a chemical paint cleaner and then apply paint
protection
Oxidation (Reduction)
Two
stage paint system- (base, colour and clear coat) - a clear-coat finish
does not oxidize in the true sense of the word (meaning that the pigments and
resins mix together and the pigments are exposed to the sun's ultra-violet
rays, which causes them to dry out or oxidize.
The clear coat is applied to protect against this but the finish
will become ‘dull’ by using harsh (abrasive) or if acidic car washing solutions
as used in ‘touch less’ car washing systems, or from industrial airborne
pollutants compromising the clear coat allowing the suns heat to dry out
(oxidize) the paint.
The clear coat layer is extremely thin (1.5 – 2.0 Mils) it is
not a solid coating and is to some extent porous, the top most layer of clear
coat paint contains ultra violet (UV) protection. Oxygen interacts with
substances in the paint layer (i.e. mica flakes as in metallic paints) and
trigger the oxidation reaction. It's just that the amount of oxidation taking
place is minimal in comparison to single stage paint.
Clear-coat dulling
has the appearance of oxidation, i.e. paint surface has little or no gloss and
may exhibit a slightly ‘grey’ colour but can usually be rectified without the
need to re-paint.
This can be brought about by abrasive washing which simply dulls
the paint; touch less carwash washing, which uses an acid that dulls the
clear-coat and / or simply from exposure to industrial fallout and UVR, etc.
• Wash the paint surface and dry thoroughly
• Clean the paint with
chemical paint cleaner (Autoglym Paint Renovator or Klasse All-In-One) using an orange foam pad at speed #4, this may take 2-3
applications
• Apply a paint surface protection
For highly oxidized paint try the
following; this may help to eliminate some of the oxidation-
• Wash the paint surface and dry thoroughly
• Clean the paint with
chemical paint cleaner (Autoglym Paint Renovator or
Klasse All-In-One) using an orange foam pad at speed #4,
this may take 2-3 or more applications
• Once the oxidation has been removed use a decontamination
system (C.Quartz IronX)
• Apply an oil rich product
to stabilize the paints binder system (3M
Imperial Hand Glaze) apply a thick coat and allow to dwell
time for 12-24 hours before buffing, repeat as necessary until surface has an
‘oily’ sheen.
•
Remove residue with 1:10 solution of isopropyl alcohol and distilled water
Finally
apply a coating (Opti-Coat™) a pre-polymer that cross links
and forms a semi-permanent continuous film on the surfaces it is applied to
similar to a single component isocyanate that forms a clear coating finish.
Single stage
paint systems (base and colour coat) – without a
clear coat to provide protection, primarily a hostile environment will attack
the paint surface causing microscopic gaps and valleys (micro fissures) and it
becomes compromised both chemically; by industrial fallout (IFO) acid rain,
brake /rail dust and etc., and by ultra violet (UV) heat radiation, which
causes it to dry out and/or fail, further causing the clear coat to expand and
often separate from the base coat, allowing environmental pollutants to
penetrate.
Acids enter the breach formed in the clear coat and attack the
resin binder system, which accelerates the degrading of the paint film surface,
eventually leading to oxidation and/or failure.
Oxidation can appear as a dull and somewhat hazy, or `chalky'
appearance to the paint surface, a paint film surface that is adequately
protected with wax or a sealant actually has a lower surface temperature than
one that is not.
A dark colored vehicle parked in the sun can attain a surface
temperature in excess of 200° F With both types of paint system the application
of a Carnauba wax provides a sacrificial and easily renewable barrier against
airborne contaminants, which means the wax is compromised not the paint system
Single stage is easier to correct than most clear coats, as a
general rule use a more aggressive pad before moving up the scale in an
abrasive polish. Start with a Lake County (LC) Orange (light) cutting foam pad with Optimum Polish or Menzerna Intensive
Polish (IP) you may also want to try an LC yellow cutting foam pad.
If you need a more abrasive polish; use a high speed rotary and
try Optimum Hyper or Menzerna Power Gloss with
a LC White polishing foam pad, if the
results are not satisfactory then step up by to
going to a LC Orange (light) cutting foam and then if needed a LC Yellow
cutting foam pad.
Polishing
Fresh Paint
If
it just came from a paint / body shop fresh paint shouldn’t need polishing. If
it should, I would strongly advise against the use of heavily applied pressure
and overtly abrasive products.
Automotive
paint is classified as a semi-permeable membrane; that has both tensile
strength and elongation (elasticity) allowing it to move with fluctuations in
surface temperatures. Newly painted surfaces are full of out gassing solvents.
Kinetic
surface friction and applied downward pressure transfers its energy into heat /
torque (force to rotate an object about an axis) which; causes the paint film
paint to become thinner by elongation and the pad rotation to transmit shear
stress (twist), which could result in the alteration of the paint films bond
between its substrate, causing it to delaminate or tear?
The
heat makes the gasses expand (pV = nRT) the expanding gases go through a phase
transition (change in density) and to relive this increased pressure they
rupture the paint film surface and may cause small fissures (similar to solvent
pop or pinholes)
Paint Runs
or Waves
Runs on the vertical surfaces, is the result of a clear coat that sets up
to fast. The slower the clear dries the more it flows out, the slicker is
looks, the faster it dries the less time it has to flow out. It could also be
the result of too much paint applied too quickly and gravity tends to pull it
down (See also Orange
Peel)
Correction- it can also be
removed (with limitations) by wet-sanding (colour sanding)
Paint Cracks
Acid rain, highly alkaline deposits, industrial fall or bird
excrement will cause the clear coat to become opaque (cloudy) and / or etch (a
small circular concave depression) another type of localized damage created by
acidic substances are the results of water and high temperatures that will
cause the polyurethane clear coat to expand, allowing the acid to breach the
clear coat compromising the paints resin system, which is the binder that holds
the clear together. The resultant cracks created will penetrate the clear coat,
possibly down to the basecoat (colour).
May be due to painting over ‘filler’ (Bondo) that has subsequently involved in a small hit
Correction- cracked paint will need to be sanded,
feathered, primed and repainted. Most shops will apply clear coat to the entire
panel. .
Paint delaminating
This is usually the
result of the vehicle manufacturer's decision to produce vehicles with one of
the following conditions;
•Insufficient clear coat film build
•Insufficient UV blockers in clear coat
•Surface primer was not applied over the e-coat (anti-corrosive primer)
The e-coat, (first layer of paint coating) is extremely susceptible to ultra violet rays, when ultra violet radiation (UVR) penetrates the clear coat and base coat; they are normally stopped by the surface primer.
•Insufficient UV blockers in clear coat
•Surface primer was not applied over the e-coat (anti-corrosive primer)
The e-coat, (first layer of paint coating) is extremely susceptible to ultra violet rays, when ultra violet radiation (UVR) penetrates the clear coat and base coat; they are normally stopped by the surface primer.
E-coats oxidize (looks similar to chalk powder) very quickly when exposed to
ultra violet radiation (UVR). Subsequently the base coat and clear coat no
longer have a clean, firm surface to adhere to. Over time the base coat / clear
coat detaches from the e-coat, resulting in this condition, which cannot be
corrected by polishing or compounding
Correction- It requires
repainting / refinishing by a body shop
Paint Photo degeneration
Why does ultra violet radiation have a more pronounced effect on
red paint?
The
sun gives off many different kinds of radiation. Most people are familiar with
the visible light spectrum or sunlight, with
colours ranging from violet to red, violet being in the centre and red
a little to the left.
Ultra
violet light has two components UV-B (light), which causes photo degeneration
and infrared heat (IR) radiation.
Red
paint when subjected to infrared radiation (IR), the most concentrated form of
heat radiation, which causes the resin (paint binder) in a paint system to dry
out (oxidation)
Any
dark colour absorbs heat but the pigmentation in red paint fades quicker and
its more noticeable because the colour fades to a lighter shade (light red or
pink) whereas black fades to a lighter shade but it only noticeable when it’s
in an advanced stage of oxidation.
Allied
to this some red, black and white vehicle paints are single stage, that is they
have no clear coat with its inherent ultra violet radiation protection
Paint
nibs
This small hand-held tool is capable of getting into
very small / restricted places. 3M Perfect-It™
Denibbing Tool a lightweight, cordless, handheld
mini-sander, powerful enough to remove paint nibs and some paint runs, with a
built-in battery life indicator, the tool fully recharges in its docking base
within 30 minutes
Paint Transfer
Is
usually caused by the abrasion of two paint surfaces and one of the surfaces
transfers a thin film of paint
Correction – first try using a chemical paint cleaner (Klasse AIO)
if this doesn’t remove it try detailers clay, failing this try an abrasive
polish
Paint
Blending (Repairs)
Paint ages and fades due to ultra violet radiation exposure,
which causes photo degradation (fading). This happens to both the colour and
clear but some colour change more than others; matching paint colours is an
art. Combine the base colour coat with
flakes and tints then add a few costs of clear, some tinted and some not.
The
quality of the blend will be determined by several factors....
·
Prep work- sand / scuff beyond the area to be painted.
·
Paint normally and thin the paint (feathering) at the edge of
the blend.
·
Apply the clear over the repair, thin it and extend the spot
then dust straight slow reducer over the dry edge to melt the edge into the
surface scratches.
·
Allow the new clear to fully cure before you try to polish the
edge to make the blend invisible.
·
After the application of the
last coat of over-reduced clear, immediately empty out the clear from
the gun and pour in a little slow reducer and dust it lightly over the wet edge
of your blend so that it helps the edge melt into your sanding scratches. Don’t try to make the edge smooth by spraying
this reducer too wet or you will cause the clear to puddle or run and then you
will have bigger problems on your hands.
·
Use high quality materials because low-end products may not bond
to the surface properly and may not get hard enough to polish without breaking
back.
·
A good quality spray gun will also help because you want an even
application of well atomized paint.
·
Dark colours are much more critical because you can see problems
much more easily than with lighter colours
Prep
the entire panel and then spray some color over the area, thin the color and
spray another coat enlarging the area. That should be all you need. If you need
more than one coat of color be sure to enlarge the area a little with each
additional coat to help hide the ‘dry’ edge
Paint shrinkage
This
sometimes occurs after the paint has been cured. It usually resembles a fine,
almost leather grain like appearance and a diffused light reflection, muting
its gloss. It is caused as the chemicals and solvents in the paint system
matrix evaporate, reducing the volume of the paint, this shrinking causes a
wrinkle effect, which is similar to orange peel but not a pronounced (See also Orange Peel)
Paint
Surface Staining
A paint film surface becomes stained when continually exposed to
an outdoor environment and inclement weather. Dirt and pollution accumulate in
the microscopic pores and surface imperfections of the paint film surface and
causes it to become clouded and grey, which over time causes a staining effect
that hides the true colour of the paint system.
Chemical or pre-war cleaners are a mildly abrasive (CAS = 1/10)
liquid polish containing chemicals will remove surface contamination that
either normal washing or using detailer’s clay alone will not remove. Light
colored paint shows this staining more than dark
colours; white being peculiarly vulnerable to staining
Removing
paint staining build-up requires detailer’s clay to remove imbedded particles,
a paint safe chemical cleaner (Klasse AIO) to
clean road dirt and grime and a machine polish to clean the surface and replace
the necessary oils. Once the surface has been ‘cleaned’ apply a polymer sealant
and/or a wax for surface protection.
Removing tyre
‘sling’, exhaust carbon or petroleum gas stains from paintwork- use a
d-Limonene based (citrus) cleaner 3M Citrus Cleaner Adhesive Remover Spray, ValuGuard "N" New Car Prep or paint cleaner (P21S Paintwork Cleaner or, Klasse
All-In-One)
Paintless Dent Repair (PDR)
[Paintless dent repair (PDR), also known
as "Paintless dent removal", is a collection of techniques for
removing minor dents and dings from the body of a motor vehicle. A wide range
of damage can be repaired using PDR; however, usually if there is paint damage,
PDR may be unsuitable.
The most common practical use for PDR is
the repair of hail damage, door dings, minor body creases, and minor bumper
indentations. The techniques can also be applied to help prepare the damaged
panel for paint. Such applications are referred to as "push to
paint", or "push for paint".] 1
Limiting
factors for a successful repair using PDR include the flexibility of the paint,
and the amount the metal has been stretched by the damage incurred. Hence,
often extremely sharp dents and creases may not be repairable - at least not
without painting afterwards.
PDR is much
cheaper than traditional repair methods and is superior most of the time for
many reasons. It keeps the factory paint
intact and for the most part, the car does not have to be disassembled in a
major way that can also cause damage. It is also available in most major
cities. However, not all paint less dent
repair companies are equal. Like any job
requiring a lot of skill there are some who are good, some that are bad and
those who excel at this sort of work.
I would suggest working with someone
recommended by a detail company as detail companies are used to having picky
customers who require this sort of service who don't tolerate bad work.
The object of
removing a dent is by pushing the metal from inside the panel. What you need to
watch for is stretching; this occurs when they push too hard.
Also make sure
they do not drill into any panel, as it will cause future rust. No Bondo or
other fillers should be used. If a Paintless repair is carried out on a hood
they must pay special attention to its reinforcement.
Glue and Pull- a good tech will use a combination of traditional tools as well
as glue pulling tools to repair your car. a plastic tab with an access hole in
the centre is glued on to the panel and then pulled with a slide hammer, any
area's that are too high are then very carefully tapped down.
Drilling holes
into the inner structure isn't allowed under any manufacture's and/or I-CAR
guidelines and some insurance companies have a no drill policy; meaning that
the technicians must not drill to gain access to repair the dents. It's a
safety issue and therefore isn't a good idea. Many of these inner panels have
crush points that are intentionally designed to deflect energy away from the
occupants, and even a small drilled hole can negatively affect this from
happening.
And it can
also affect the OEM corrosion warranty; some rust protection application
centres have been sued for drilling access holes to apply rust protection.
Paintless dent
repair does have limitations, insofar as it cannot perform miracles. It cannot take out huge dents or straighten
bent frames. Some dents behind door intrusion beams or heavy unibody reinforcement
areas where the reinforcement is bonded or welded to the outside skin are not
possible to with this method. It must be possible to reach the backside of the
dent. Long handled and curved tools
help, sometimes small holes need to be drilled but not every dent is
accessible. I'd say 95% of dents can be reached without drilling though.
Sometimes a
repainted car with too thick or poorly prepped paint can have the paint crack
while a repair is being made. Select an operative with experience as in most
things you get what you pay for so check pest repairs and ask for references
for past clients
It would take approx.
six months practice to become proficient and the tools are a large initial
outlay (probably too large for an enthusiast detailer) But if you could find
enough of this type of work it’s a great 'up-sell' to offer clients. I would
suggest working with someone recommended by a detail company, as these
companies are used to having picky customers who require this sort of service
who don't tolerate bad work.
Ron Harris-http://www.concoursautosalon.com
San Antonio Auto Detailing and Paintless Dent Repair Professionals
San Antonio Auto Detailing and Paintless Dent Repair Professionals
Rust Spots
Very small brown ‘pinholes’ or ‘rock chips’, they are usually
caused by road grit that has penetrated the paint film surface and moisture /
acid rain has produced rust.
Correction- sand or compound with 1200 or finer grit paper to remove, use a rust inhibitor product Rejex CorrosionX, use chip repair paint and then polish to restore gloss.
Correction- sand or compound with 1200 or finer grit paper to remove, use a rust inhibitor product Rejex CorrosionX, use chip repair paint and then polish to restore gloss.
Removing
Latex Paint Overspray
1.
D-limonene based (citrus)
based detergents (P21S Total Auto Wash) may help; be sure to allow plenty of dwell time.
2.
Solvents; dwell time is
important, start mild with (3M™ Adhesive and Wax
Remover or DuPont Prep Sol 3919
3.
Detailers clay (Auto magic’s Magic Clay) both red
and blue grades
4.
Plastic razor blade to
mechanically 'chip' the overspray
5.
A combination of the plastic
blade or detailers clay and a solvent, be patient and work small areas when
practical.
6.
The painted surfaces are
frequently easier than anticipated, however the rubber and vinyl trim pieces
may take more time / patience.
Removing Paint Overspray
Dampen but do not soak a terry cloth towel with lacquer thinner
(do not use mineral spirits or turpentine) and then apply lacquer thinner to
the paint overspray.
Wipe the paint overspray from the vehicle using a terry cloth
and then dry the surface using clean dry 100% cotton towels. Do not leave
lacquer thinner on the car's finish for longer than necessary as this may
damage the clear coat. Use with caution on repainted vehicles
For extensive paint
overspray removal
·
Wet-sand using 2000 grit finishing paper
·
Meguiar’s M105 and a SurBuf R Series pad
·
Meguiar’s M205 and a Lake Country (LC)
Green foam pad
Paint overspray ‘spots’ – use detailer’s clay
An epoxy paint can be very difficult to remove and often when
the "overspray" particles are removed, the solvent carrier /thinner
system often etches the paint surface.
Removing Oil
Soak the area
with mineral spirits, then use a d-Limonene
based (citrus) safe solvent all-purpose cleaner (P21S Total Auto Wash) once the mineral spirits have broken
down the oil, the all-purpose cleaner will create an emulsification of the
oils, hose the area and then wash area with a car wash concentrate.
Removing dried -on rubber
Use a safe
solvent to remove burned on rubber; that does not contain any harmful
components (heptanes or xylene or hydrocarbon aliphatic solvents; Autoglym Intensive Tar Remover, Stoner™
Tarminator, or Wurth Spray Solvent that simply emulsifies and dissolves the rubber, then use a
plastic razor blade to remove any hard debris.
If
this does not remove the rubber try a 3M Eraser wheel – this 4-inch diameter wheel is made from a soft white polymer,
which looks and feels like rubber. 3M Stripe and Decal Remover
Removing dried -on Silicone
Standard RTV
silicone (caulking) sealant can sometimes be removed by rubbing with your
fingers or try a heat gun and a plastic ‘razor blade’. Dependent upon how long
it’s been on the paint surface and how much heat it’s been subjected too, you
might want to try an Eraser Wheel (Wurth P/T # 058591) 3.5-inch x 5/8-inch
eraser wheel fits on (a slow speed, 3,500) machine
Removing (Stripping) Paint
Chemical paint stripper is the fastest way to
remove paint, or at least to get the most material off quickly. It also allows
you to more gently (less scratching) sand the remaining film off the bare
metal. Stripper is easily washed off and neutralized (follow directions on
container) and bare metal can be coated with metal prep (phosphoric acid).
Dry paint stripping
(Plastic media) one of
the processes involves blasting with a special plastic granule that was
developed for use on military aircraft. This material will remove paint, glue,
and light rust deposits and many under seals but will not generally remove body
seam sealers without concerted effort and not at all in the case of the very
latest products.
The
advantages of using this plastic media over other materials are numerous. The
material has a low mass, thus allowing low air pressure to be used in the
blasting process. This minimizes the kinetic energy involved and consequently
the amount of heat generated, which is the primary cause of damage or
distortion to the material being stripped. This is especially important when
working on light metals and alloys such as aluminium or on composites such as
glass fibre or carbon laminates
Road Paint (Traffic Lane Paint)
Is a pigmented resin system, very high in solids with a colour aggregate and is
more like an adhesive than paint; it contains silica (glass) micro beads that help reflect light,
however they can cause scratches if you use mechanical removal.
Correction / Removal - unlike most
water-based citrus cleaners that are designed to lift and carry dirt, XENIT is formulated to break down the
complex molecules found in sticky materials. Use in conjunction with detailer’s clay or a plastic razor blade.
Alternative - 3M Eraser Wheel Detailer’s Clay or try wet-sanding with 2000 - 2500 grit
finishing paper and a Unigrit block.
For heavy
accumulations or paint that has dried for several days on the vehicles paint
surface, apply a liberal coating of Vaseline to the dried traffic paint and
allow to remain overnight and then pressure wash. This should remove most of
the traffic paint. If not, repeat the procedure.
Road Paint Remover (wipes) – TOTL; Lay the smooth side of the wipe over
the contamination to saturate the surface. Let it sit for about one minute to
soften the paint. Use the textured side of a new wipe and rub vigorously. Use
firm pressure and a lot of action. Particularly difficult cases may take a
second application.
Once you have removed the road paint, wash off
the chemical with shampoo and a spot polish should bring back the original
shine. (Do not use on paint that is less than 90 days old) The same technique
can be used for old tar removal.
Removing Road Salt from Paintwork
Corrosion [: Water has a low electrical
conductivity, but this increases significantly with the dissolution of a small
amount of ionic material such as sodium chloride. Sodium chloride CI and water H2O
produce oxides, which cause corrosion]
ValuGard Decontamination System (B) alkaline neutralizer (pH 1.0) that is a blend of acids, which
deep cleans painted surfaces to remove alkaline road salt / water solution
deposits, pH 9.0 used for freezing point depression in a sprayed brine solution
(often mixed with grit / sand for tyre adhesion) and safely dissolves salt
particles bond with the paint so that they can be rinsed away. Apply to a clean
and freshly rinsed surface. Allow product to dwell for 5-7 minutes, works well
with detailer’s clay to remove contaminants.
All
necessary safety precautions should be taken whilst using this product. Protect
paint surface with a synthetic polymer sealant Collinite's
Insulation Wax # 845 or Finish Kare FK1000P (see also
Undercarriage Care and Road Salt)
Removing Surface (dry) Dust
The
best known brand (California Car Duster) it can be used to remove pollen or light dust without causing
scratches hold at the end of the 21-inch handle and applying very little surface pressure with
the duster, dusting with long strokes in one direction only, the dust is
collected by paraffin wax and held in the cotton fibres (the same way a micro
fibre cloth works (but without the paraffin wax) Shake the duster after each
pass to ensure any particles picked up will drop out rather than come to the
surface while you’re using it.
It
important to use the duster only for the removal of dry surface dust, if the
vehicle has oily road film, road tar, damp pollen or dust, etc. the vehicle
surface should be washed (or use Optimum No Rinse (ONR) rinse less wash)
Dust
build-up-with low humidity conditions friction on the paint surface will cause
static electricity (this is exacerbated by the use of polyester (nylon) Micro
fibre) resulting in dust attraction to the paint surface.
Rinsing
the surface with water or applying a quick detailer (QD) or use the CCD as
stated above to remove dust. When the duster is first purchased it should be
wrapped in newspaper (48 hours) to remove any excess paraffin wax, the duster
should not be washed, the dirtier it gets the better it works (I've been using
mine now for almost five years without it being washed) http://www.calcarduster.com/faq.asp
Don't use – on a wet surface (even condensation) as this will cause
streaking, or soon after driving; as a hot surface will also cause streaking
Alternative product-Dust build-up-with low humidity
conditions and friction on the paint surface will cause static electricity
(this is exacerbated by the use of polyester (nylon) Micro fibre) resulting in dust
attraction to the paint surface. Unlike most other car dusters which are wax
covered cotton fibres, the GP Wool Duster is an all-wool Australian pelt.
Rather than relying on surface tension to hold on to dust, our wool duster
simply uses static charges, created by twirling the duster in your hands, to
safely lift dust from the surface. Almost no surface pressure is necessary to
make it 100% effective. GP Australian Wool Duster
Rubber Tyre Marks on Surface
Tyre debris either
thrown up from the road or track surface leaves small smudges from the
collision between rubber and paint
Correction - Use a safe solvent (3M™ Prep Solvent-70 (#08983) or3M™ Panel Wipes (#4567) to remove burned on rubber; that does not contain any harmful
components (heptanes or xylene or hydrocarbon aliphatic solvents; Autoglym Intensive Tar Remover, Stoner™ Tarminator, or Simple
Green® Aircraft & Precision Cleaner that simply emulsifies and dissolves the rubber, then use a
plastic razor blade to remove debris.
If
this does not remove the rubber try a 3M Eraser wheel – this 4-inch diameter wheel is made from a soft white polymer,
which looks and feels like rubber. 3M Stripe and Decal Remover
Radiation Damage
Ultra
violet Radiation is known to contribute to the chemical modification of exposed
paint surfaces resulting in loss of gloss, colour change, chalking, flaking and
eventually destruction of the clear coat paint film by oxidation.
Ultra
violet protection is a sacrificial / renewable component; this is due to the UV
protection layer (stabilizers) being degraded by exposure to the elements (sun,
sand, road or sea salt, and etc.) it is also water miscible, so it is
imperative that you renew it and needs to be re-applied on a regular basis
(dependent upon location climatic condition)
When
radiation is absorbed, it starts to break (cleave) weak chemical bonds, which
leads to photochemical degradation (bleaching, (fading), discoloration, chalking,
brittleness and cracking) all indications of UV deterioration. The paint top
surface loses its reflective ability and becomes ‘chalky’; this is a sign that
the structural integrity (mechanical strength) of the paints matrix has become
compromised.
The bond
cleavages resulting from UV absorption cause the formation of “radicals.” Each
free radical can trigger a chain of reactions (in the presence of air), leading
to more bond cleavages and destruction. These oxidising chain reactions require
no further UV exposure, just the presence of air
Once the air borne contaminates and pollution compromises the paint
surface they accelerate the oxidation (reduction) or paint failure process,
which leads to bleaching (fading), discoloration, chalking, brittleness and
cracking - all indications of UV deterioration. Once a paint surface structural
integrity is compromised like this it usually means the paint requires
replacement (re-painting)
1.
UV-A radiation dries out the binder system causing structural
failure; it will dry the resin in paint; leading to oxidation. A paint surface
will often show cracking as the resin binder dries out the paint draws up on
itself forming ‘crow’s feet’. It will also dry out the oils and plasticizers in
vinyl and other materials and may lead to structural damage (this is especially
relevant to open top convertibles)
2.
UV-B radiation exposure leads to gloss and colour instability
(photosynthesis or photo-oxidation) and surface fading stains. But before UV
light can cause harm, it must first be absorbed. If it is not turned into heat
or transferred to a nearby stabilizer molecule called a quencher, it breaks
weak chemical bonds. This is the beginning of UV damage. Oxidation really
amounts to a weakening of the resins that bind paint, which results in the
micro-pores becoming exposed and a larger area of paint becomes oxidized.
The paint top surface loses its reflective ability and becomes
‘chalky’; this is a sign that the structural integrity (mechanical strength) of
the paints matrix has become compromised.
Some materials absorb UV radiation more readily than other
materials. Materials that readily absorb (UV-B) radiation are quickly
damaged...rubber, vinyl’s, gel coat fiberglass, and many other plastics.
Superglue (See Cyanoacrylate)
'Soft’ (refinished)
paint By lowering the OEM paint
oven temperature and cycle time of the clear coat reduces (VOC), which creates
a soft or sometimes sticky clear coat. This could also be due
to not using the correct reducers / hardeners for the temperature the paint is
to be sprayed and cured at, or the painter uses an incorrect mixture for a three
part clear or there are contaminants on the paint surface or could be silicon contamination on the paint
film or a strong solvent 'softening' or causing the paint to be sticky
Correction detailing - use a chemical paint cleaner (PrepSol or Hi-Temp Silicone Remover) to remove silicone. Use very soft foam (LC Black finishing pad) and a mildly aggressive polish (Menzerna SF 4000 – Super Finish (FF4500) as this type of ‘paint’ easily shows surface marring etc.
Some
less dense (soft) paint will not respond to the elliptical action of an orbital
polisher. This is due in part to the amount of oxidization and the paints
density characteristics. The planning motion that is inherent in a rotary
polisher may suit soft paint and along with a stiffer, open celled pad can give
the polish residue (oxidation and polish reside) a place to go and you may be
able to achieve a higher quality finish.
CeramiClear - after the CeramiClear top coat is sprayed, the nano particles
of Fumed Silica (SiO2), which are synthetically engineered, migrate to the
upper 0.5 Mils as it is curing. If this is removed you will encounter a ‘soft’
layer of paint, which will react very differently from the supper dense (hard)
CeramiClear paint
Soft or Sticky clear
coat
Some paints (isocyanate
free paint formula, a clear coat with low heat and abrasion resistance, paint that has not
sufficiently outgassed or has insufficient hardeners, hence ‘soft’) this type
of paint heats up very quickly causing the polish surface lubrication to dry
out, which causes an increase in surface resistance, the pad feels like its
dragging and can skip, as the polish abrasives stick to the paint
Correction - use a firm pad that has little surface resistance,
a LC Purple Foamed Wool and Menzerna PO 203S or PO 106 FF polish with very light surface pressure. You could also add more surface lubrication (Gloss- it Pad Prime) alternatively apply polish with a PC orbital polisher #4-5.
(Nissan)
Scratch Shield Paint
Repairs
fine scratches, restoring painted surfaces close to their original state
anywhere from one day to one week. Nissan paints by using a special highly
elastic resin that has been combined with a conventional clear coat to increase
the paint's flexibility. This has also increased its strength by raising the
resin density. Contains a self-healing, heat-activated, resin-compound that
expands to fill fine scratches,
The
paint does not self-repair if scratches are deep enough to sever the bonds
within the clear coat or if the clear coat has been peeled off. The amount of
time required for self-repair depends on the surrounding temperature and the
depth of the scratch. In some cases, restoration may take up to one week.
Be
cognizant that any friction heat generated from polishing will cause the
elastic resin coating to swell, which will temporarily fill the defects, but
when it cools down, the damage will reappear
Correction - this type of paint heats up very quickly causing the polish
surface lubrication to dry out, which causes an increase in surface resistance,
the pad feels like its dragging and can skip, as the polish abrasives stick to
the paint.
Using a random orbital polisher and Optimum Polymer Technologies - polishing and cutting pads, their low profile, reticulated,
open-cell foam interface backing to
disperse heat and Menzerna PF 2500 - Power Finish Initial speed #2 to spread and evenly distribute polish on the
pad, speed 4-5 using medium- heavy pressure followed by SF
4000 – Super Finish Polish speed #3 using medium-
light pressure and/or add surface lubrication (Gloss- it Pad Prime)
Strikethrough
(Paint burn)
It
should go without saying that you need proper lighting available when you’re
polishing. Always work in good
lighting conditions, and frequently check your work. Without it you may polish through
(breakthrough) paint surface or friction ‘burn’ the paint by polishing in one
area for too long.
Basically when
friction heat (kinetic force) has compromised the clear coat and exposed the
base coat. Paint often looks a slightly lighter colour; it’s usually
concentrated on a small area or ‘spot ‘You will also be able to see a
non-glossy patch (base coat) where the clear has been removed with the edges of
the remaining clear coat being visible .
Areas of risk-
bumpers, as they don’t conduct heat like metal panels, edges an seams and the
paint in these areas is generally thin (masking tape is good insurance)
Applying pressure and holding the polisher stationary for too long will cause
friction heat to be concentrated, especially with a foam pad. Clear coat
provides both ultra violet (UV) radiation and the paint systems protection.
Repair any breaches in the clear coat system otherwise you risk the paint
delaminating, which will then require repainting
Correction- replace the missing clear coat and ‘blend to match. Any areas that have been subjected to strike-through need to have another application of base coat sprayed to cover the problem, and then clear coat can be applied to provide UV protection.
The
problem is that the new base will tend to lift the edge of the clear around the
strike-through spot so you need to seal the gap in the clear coat before you
apply more base coat. Seal the spot by using clear coat applied first and allow
it to harden sand using finishing paper and then apply more base coat and
finally clear coat the entire panel.
It
takes some experience to blend the clear coat and a novice painter can cause
additional problems until gaining the experience needed to do it properly. Spot
blending clear coat is not something an inexperienced painter should attempt.
Solvent Pop
[Blisters
on the paint surface caused by trapped solvents in the topcoats or primer-surfaces,
a situation which is further aggravated by force drying or uneven heating]
DuPont website
Solvent pop can also be
created if you heat the surface before the paint flashes a little. Don't put
the new paint into the sun or use heat lamps before it's dry. That looks like little bumps with hollow spots in the centre.
They will become very apparent when you sand or polish as that hollow spot will
fill up with white dust.
Correction- If damage is extensive and severe; paint must be removed down to
undercoat or metal, depending on depth of blisters; then refinish. In less
severe cases, sand until smooth, resurface and refinish] DuPont website
Skunk
Chemically
it’s an organic chemical containing sulfhydryl (a mixture of sulfur-containing
chemicals such as methyl and butyl thiols traditionally called mercaptans),
which are not water soluble.
To
eliminate them and the odours they produce solubilise it (i.e. raise the pH
from an acid to an alkaline) with an alkaline wash solution at which point it
will become soluble and wash away.
Due
to the chemical composition of the skunk spray, most household remedies are
ineffective, with the exception of a peroxide formula or other remedies that
break down the thiols.
Scratch Shield Clear
Coat
Some paints (isocyanate
free paint formula, a clear coat with low heat and abrasion resistance; this type of paint
heats up very quickly causing the polish surface lubrication to dry out, which
causes an increase in surface resistance, the pad feels like its dragging and
can skip, as the polish abrasives stick to the paint
Correction - use a firmer pad that
has lees surface resistance or an LC Purple Foamed Wool. Or try to add surface lubrication (Gloss- it Pad Prime) alternatively apply polish with an
orbital polisher.
Transport (Microcrystalline) Wax
P21S
Total Auto Wash or 3M Adhesive Remover both are safe solvents
that are very effective for the removal of transport wax, a temporary
protective transport Microcrystalline or co-polymer wax (See also Cosmoline)
Urethane Wave
This is
something in addition to orange peel when layering thick clear coats for custom
paint jobs and show cars. Painters will spray 3-4 coats of clear, block it down
with 400-600 grit, and then spray a final flow coat. (See
also Orange Peel)
Correction - this
would require block sanding to flatten urethane wave.
Tire Dressing Overspray (Sling)
As you drive
the tyres rotate and the inertia can cause tyre dressing to ‘sling’. Tyre
manufacturers use carbon black to protect them against ultra violet radiation.
Using a dimethyl solvent-based dressing (usually a clear greasy liquid)
emulsifies it, if this contaminated dressing comes in contact with your paint
and if it dries it will it will dye / cause a stain; it’s especially noticeable
on light coloured and can irreparably stain the paint light colours and single
stage paints.
Remedy- This can be
caused by (a) applying the product to an improperly cleaned
surface, to which it cannot adhere too. The preparation of the surface is the
cause of this problem not the product (b) and / or an excess of product, after the dressing has
penetrated remove any excess.
Removal - use a
d-Limonene based (citrus) cleaner 3M Citrus Cleaner Adhesive
Remover Spray or ValuGuard "N" New Car Prep or paint cleaner P21S Paintwork Cleaner or, Klasse All-In-One, failing this
use an abrasive polish / pad.
Unfortunately, sometimes
the only permanent remedy is to remove the stained paint down to e-coat and
re-paint
Water ‘Spots’
[A water spot is an area of
dried mineral deposits left on a surface after being allowed to air dry. Water
quality, specifically the amount and type of minerals in the local water supply
as measured by the total suspended solids or TSS test and other mineral levels
such as sodium level, has a big effect on how severe water spots can be]
If
the surface can be rectified by chemical means then this is the answer; not
abrasive polishing. Using the correct chemical cleaners will dissolve the
contaminants rather than abrading the surface. If water spots are not washed away using
normal car wash they might be etched into the wax or surface. The next step
would be to use a paint cleansing lotion or the cleaner wax indeed. Don’t use a
pure carnauba product over the water spots as it has no ability to remove them
and will seal them in. You can move to machine polishing as needed, but most
the time newer water spots are removed with a chemical paint cleaner type
product or distilled white vinegar
With all
cleaning products (especially solvents) always test a small inconspicuous area
first to ensure it won't discolour, stain or etch the surface, and ensure that
the pH of the product is suitable for the material
After the
paint surface has been subjected to a chemical cleaning its protective layer
(s) have been removed and the paint surface left without protection, so it is
very important that a polymer and / or Carnauba wax protection be applied
immediately
Water
doesn’t leave marks or etch glass; it’s the minerals that it contains calcium
(Ca) and magnesium (Mg) and reactivity (heat acting as a catalyst) the spots
are actually traces of minerals left on the surface. Alternatively they can be
caused by industrial pollution (i.e. acid rain, bird Ca2+ and Mg2+ excrement or industrial
fallout)
Generally
surface water-spots have no raised edges and are very shallow and so cannot be
felt, they are very similar to micro-fine surface marring. They cannot be
removed from the surface by washing but they can usually be removed with a
slightly abrasive chemical paint cleaner
There are two categories of water mark (the so-called water
spots)
1. Stage I Corrosion
[: defined as a surface with
light to moderate corrosion damage to the paint surface]
2. Stage II Corrosion
[: definition when the
dirt/corrosion deposits are no longer on the surface but have started to break
down the molecular structure, leaving an etched or white haze on the surface( a
concave circular mark ) after the stain has been removed, with moderate to
serious paint damage]
Progressively using the least abrasive product first-
1. Use a paint surface cleaner (Z-PC
Fusion Dual Action Paint Cleaner or Duragloss 501)
2. Try to dissolve the alkaline-based, surface/etched mineral
water deposits try one or more of the following;
a) Use a 2:1 or stronger solution of
distilled water/distilled white vinegar (Acetic acid)
b) Try a 2:1 solution of distilled
water/Isopropyl Alcohol (adjust ratio as required)
c) Or equal parts distilled
water/distilled white vinegar/Isopropyl alcohol.
3. Clean the effected surface with Klasse
All-In-One or Zaino Z-PC Fusion Dual Action Paint Cleaner
4. Use detailing clay to remove any `hard' surface granules
5. Use a machine polish (Optimum Polish,
Optimum Compound) and a cutting (LC White, Orange or
Yellow) foam pad (speed # 4- 5.0) to level the paint surface
6. For CeramiClear or other hard clear coats substitute Menzerna for machine polish; Super
Intensive Polish / Nano Polish (105FF) or Final Finish Polish (106FA)
7. Use the least aggressive polish/foam pad first, if this doesn’t
remove the problem step-up to a more aggressive polish / foam pad set-up
8. Menzerna Power Finish (PO203S) - (M) this is a one-step scratch remover polish is
formulated for CeramiClear or other ‘Hard’ paints. It will remove 2500 grit,
cut 3.0-gloss 3.5, is formulated as a quick way to polish out light flaws and
amplify the paint’s gloss. Use a primed Orange (mid-range, high density foam
(60 PPI) medium abrasive cutting action LC CCS foam pad 1200 RPM
9. Wet-sand with 2000, 2500 or
3000 grit finishing paper
Due
to the reactivity of the calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) be cognizant that there
are no products that offer complete protection; however either of these
products will offer resistance to water marks, just remember; they are a
sacrificial polymer waxes- Finish Kare FK 1000P Synthetic wax or Collinite 476S
Super Doublecoat
Always be
willing to learn; because the more you learn, the more you’ll realize what you
don’t know.
It is said that knowledge is power, with the caveat that it includes access
to a reliable information sources.
I would like to
think that these articles become an asset to anyone who is new to detailing and
to professional’s alike, as well as industry experts who seek to advance their
knowledge.
I hope the
article are informative. By having some understanding of the ‘What’ and ‘Why’
as well as the ‘How’ along with a little science to help you understand how the
chemicals we use react, you can achieve the results you desire.
I would appreciate it if you
would share these articles as it helps other detailers further their knowledge.
Questions and/ or constructive
comments are always appreciated.
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