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  1. #1
    Just a regular guy Todd@RUPES's Avatar
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    Detail Institute- What are paint defects

    When a car is first painted the top coat is relatively smooth and reflects maximum light. Over time abrasion and environmental conditions transform the once smooth, level surface into a proverbial mountain range of varying textures that reduce the ultimate reflectivity of the paint. These changes in the surface are known as Paint Defects This occurs because changes in the angle of the paint, whether large or microscopic deflect light instead of reflect it evenly. Paint Defects are characterized by the by both the depth which they penetrate the surface, as well as the frequency and pattern which they occur.





    Marring

    Marring is often a term often used to frequently occurring, shallow paint defects.

    Swirl Mark Marring- Swirl Mark marring is likely the most common type of defect. It is extremely shallow in depth and is very frequent in occurrence. Most swirl mark marring is wash induced and caused by incorrect washing and drying techniques. Because these paint defects are so easy to get and thus occur so frequently, they forum a circle pattern of scratches that reflect outwards from a central light source giving this marring it’s name sake: Swirl Marks or Spider Webbing.

    Random Deep Marring is often wash induced but with a greater degree of force implicating more damage to the paint’s surface. A piece of grit stuck in a wash mitt or drying towel can cause isolated spots of deep marring; Washing a car with a shop brush or using an automated car wash can cause frequent spots of deep marring. Incorrect sanding of the vehicle’s paint can cause very deep marring also known as sanding tracers. Random Deep Marring occurs in different patterns and frequency, but is characterized by the depth of damage: Deep enough to see, but not deep enough to feel. In frequent deep marring is often referred to as Random Isolated Deeper Scratching or RIDS.

    Scratching

    Scratches are paint defects where a significant amount of paint has been removed and the defect is not only visible but can be felt to the touch. In general scratching/deep scratching penetrates too deeply into the paint’s surface to be completely removed, although the appearance may be lessened.

    Etching

    An etching is a type of paint defect that can very in depth and frequency, but creates a unique pattern dependent on how it is created. Etching is caused by chemical reaction on that paint’s surface that eats dissolves the surface at a fairly consistent rate of a relatively large area, creating depressions on the surface that appear like empty swimming pools. The most common forms of etching are from acid rain, acidic insect remains and bird bombs, and from the residual minerals found in water.

    Machine Created Polish Marks

    Holograms are extremely consistent, extremely shallow frequently occurring paint defects created by the machine polishing of paint. These defects are so frequent and shallow that they reflect light in their own unique pattern, creating a three dimensional appearance in the paint, hence the name hologramming. Hologramming is must often created by a high speed rotary polisher, allow dual action polishers can create a similar pattern if the pad is rotating fast enough. The pattern of ultra fine marks created by dual action polishers is often more random in nature and creates a pattern known as micro-marring or micro haze.

    Paint Defect Removal

    To remove a paint defect itself is impossible cause a paint defect is area where the paint has already been removed. To remove a paint defect means that all of the surrounding paint above the deepest part of the defect needs to be removed in order to create a more level surface. This new surface will be smooth and reflect maximum light. Because new cars are frequently damaged at the dealership, often this new fresh, smooth surface will improve the appearance of new vehicles dramatically as well.

    The diagram below illustrates the difference between paint with paint defects and what removing them means.



    Methods for Paint Defect Removal

    By hand: Modern clear coats are much harder then their older, single stage counter parts. However modern technology increases have made it more possible to remove paint defects by hand. Keep in mind that the polishes used to remove paint evenly require a lot of work and this is the slowest method possible.

    By machine: With the rise in popularity of Dual Action polishers, many enthusiast have taken to machine polishing their cars themselves. Machine polishing with a Dual Action is very safe and affords great results with a great margin of safety. Some enthusiasts and many professionals use a Rotary Polisher to polish paint. These powerful machines are capable of quickly removing the deepest marring marks but can also damage paint in the hands of an inexperienced user.

    Removing Swirl Mark Marring: Swirl Mark Marring is very shallow by definition and usually requires only a light polishing step with a machine. Some harder paints may require a moderate polishing step followed by a finer polishing step for complete removal. These marks can often be removed by hand polishing.

    Removing Random Deep Marring: Random Deep Marring can be the most frustrating paint defect to work with and usually requires several moderate to aggressive polishing steps for complete removal. Random Deep Marring is often the most difficult defect to diagnose with a visual inspection as it can occur frequently enough to look like typical Swirl Mark Marring. This is the case with vehicles that have been frequently washed with shop brushes, dirty rags, and dried with dirty towels or have been scrubbed clean at a drive thru car wash.

    If these defects resemble typical swirl marks because of the frequency in which they occur they are often called Deep Swirls or Bad Swirls, and the detailer or enthusiastic has a long day a head of him.

    If the Random Deep Marring occurs sporadically, it may not even be noticeable until the swirl marks have been removed. After polishing a couple of steps, the surface will show a dramatic improvement in gloss but deeper marks will remain visible, although infrequent. This pattern of occurring Random Deep Marring is also known as Random Isolated Deeper Scratching. The method of correction is the same regardless of the frequency and dependent on the depth.

    Extreme cases of Random Deep Marring may require heavy compound polishing or wet sanding for complete removal.

    Removing Scratching/Deep Scratching: Scratches can often be felt with your finger nail on the paint’s surface. This indicates that the defect has a significant amount of penetration and removal may not be completely possible or may require that too much paint is removed for its removal.

    For scratching it is best to polish the edges of the scratch in order to blend the sharp edges and reduce the visibility of the scratch. This can be accomplished by hand or machine.

    Removing Etching: Etching, because of the width of the defect, is difficult to remove. Complete removal often requires wet sanding the surface flat with a stiff backing plate because of a polishing pad’s tendency to travel into the defect itself. Deep etching often requires experience or a professional for removal.

    Removing Buff Marks/Hologramming: Buffer marks are often caused by using too aggressive of a polish or pad as the last step in machine polishing, or using incorrect technique. Most buffer marks are extremely shallow and can be removed in a manner similar to removing swirl marks, requiring a finer polish and/or pad.
    Last edited by Todd@RUPES; 12-26-2011 at 08:06 AM.

  2. #2
    Just a regular guy Todd@RUPES's Avatar
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    Re: Detail Institute- What are paint defects

    Link Added to Autopia 5 Step Paint Care Cycle

  3. #3
    BobbyG's Avatar
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    Re: Detail Institute- What are paint defects

    Todd,

    Your posts are always the most thorough and detailed clearly explaining the topic with writeup, photos, and illustrations...Absolutely outstanding!!

    Many Thanks!!


    BobbyG

  4. #4
    Just a regular guy Todd@RUPES's Avatar
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    Re: Detail Institute- What are paint defects

    Quote Originally Posted by BobbyG View Post
    Todd,

    Your posts are always the most thorough and detailed clearly explaining the topic with writeup, photos, and illustrations...Absolutely outstanding!!

    Many Thanks!!
    Thank you Bobby!

  5. #5
    Mister B's Avatar
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    Re: Detail Institute- What are paint defects

    That is a very nice and detailed write up with awesome graphics to better explain what you are talking about.

    I like it.... Great Job, Todd.

  6. #6
    Marc08EX's Avatar
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    Re: Detail Institute- What are paint defects

    Wow!! That`s a very cool article you posted Todd!!! This will help out a lot of newbies to this hobby. Thanks for taking time to write this article with those amazing graphics.

  7. #7

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    Re: Detail Institute- What are paint defects

    Great write up & explanation of exactly what we all deal with on a regular basis. The graphics really help explain what we are really looking at on a cars finish.
    Current: 2015 Volvo S60 Platinum - Ember Black Metallic

    Past: 2011 Jaguar XF Premium - Ebony, Barley/Truffle

    Past: 2007 Celestial Blue Metallic C70 T5

    Past: 2005 Black Saphire Metallic S60 R

  8. #8
    Just a regular guy Todd@RUPES's Avatar
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    Re: Detail Institute- What are paint defects

    Quote Originally Posted by Mister B View Post
    That is a very nice and detailed write up with awesome graphics to better explain what you are talking about.

    I like it.... Great Job, Todd.
    Quote Originally Posted by Marc08EX View Post
    Wow!! That`s a very cool article you posted Todd!!! This will help out a lot of newbies to this hobby. Thanks for taking time to write this article with those amazing graphics.
    Quote Originally Posted by SS 07C70 View Post
    Great write up & explanation of exactly what we all deal with on a regular basis. The graphics really help explain what we are really looking at on a cars finish.
    Thank you very much guys, I am glad they help!

  9. #9
    My name is Mike mjlinane's Avatar
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    Re: Detail Institute- What are paint defects

    I`ve always found that, if I understand the problem and how the tools I use work, I can most effectively and efficiently deal with it. This is an excellent post on the former. Can I request similar representations of compounding, polishing and finish polishing?

    Yes, I know DaveKG has an article elsewhere but reading that article was the turning point for me. I no longer was just following recipes - I understood what I was trying to do with each product. (And Todd`s posts are more concise and easily understandable.)

  10. #10
    CT3's Avatar
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    Re: Detail Institute- What are paint defects

    Thanks for the article Todd! A reference for the problem and the solution.

  11. #11
    Garry Dean Quality! Garry Dean's Avatar
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    Re: Detail Institute- What are paint defects

    Todd, it is very clear to us all that you are well worth whatever they are paying you at AG.

    Very informational, well thought out, and creative. Thanks for sharing, sir.
    Garry Dean - Tampa, FL - 813-846-4406
    Auto - Boat - RV - Motorcycle - Aircraft
    Premium Custom Detailing

  12. #12
    juliom2's Avatar
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    Exclamation Re: Detail Institute- What are paint defects

    Ufffff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Awesome Graphic!!!!!!!!!!!!

  13. #13
    rzatch's Avatar
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    Re: Detail Institute- What are paint defects

    Great stuff Todd! It is so much easier to try and figure out something when you can actually see what you are trying to fix and the steps accomplish it.

  14. #14
    umi000's Avatar
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    Re: Detail Institute- What are paint defects

    Those graphics you make are great, really helps in visualizing what`s being discussed.

  15. #15
    Just a regular guy Todd@RUPES's Avatar
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    Re: Detail Institute- What are paint defects

    Thank you!

 

 
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