Definition

• Uneven coloration.
• Substrate visible through top coat.

• Insufficient top coat applied.
• Incorrectly produced, uneven substrate (effect finishes).

• Keep to the film thicknesses specified on the Technical Data Sheets.
• For low-opacity colors, use the specified surfacer.
• Spray a neutral-coloured substrate.

• Sand the surface and respray.

Definition

• Particles projecting through the top coat.

• Surface not carefully cleaned.
• Faulty ceiling filters.
• Pressure in the spray booth too low.
• Unsuitable work clothes.
• Dirty spray booth.

• Carefully blow off the surface, clean it and then wipe with a tack cloth.
• Check filters regularly.
• Wear lint-free overalls.
• Maintain spray booth regularly.

• Sand defect lightly and polish.
• Sand and respray large surfaces.

Definition

• Surface texture resembling orange peel.

• Paint viscosity too high.
• Fast, highly volatile reducers.
• Incorrect nozzle size.
• Spray gun too far from object; not enough paint applied.

• Set the right spray booth temperature.
• Adapt the paint system to the repair job and spray booth temperature.
• Set the right paint viscosity with a DIN viscosity cup.
• Check and maintain spraying distance (follow spray gun manufacturer’s recommendations).

• On small surfaces, sanding and polishing are possible.
• On large surfaces, sand down the texture and respray.

Definition

• 3D effect on dark paint surfaces on which a paint defect has been remedied.
• Mostly elliptical or circular clouding; greyish iridescence like that of an oil film.

• Remedying of defects and dust nibs on mostly dark top coats or clear coats.

• Use products specified by polish manufacturer.
• Use suitable sanding materials.
• Keep to the drying times for the paint systems employed. (Follow instructions on the Technical Data Sheets.)

• Treat surface again with suitable polishes.

Definition

• Sealant visible through top coat.
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• Sealant overpainted too soon.
• Insufficient wetting of top coat on sealant.

• Allow enough time for sealant to dry.
• Apply a thin initial coat of base / top coat over seals.

• Respray.

Definition

• Paint runs on vertical body parts.

• Uneven paint application.
• Specified spray viscosity not observed.
• Unsuitable reducers.
• Material or spray booth temperature too low.
• Film thicknesses too high.
• Faulty spray gun (nozzle).
• Flash-off between coats too short.

• Comply with instructions on object, paint and spray booth temperature.
• Check spraying equipment regularly.
• Mix and apply paint in accordance with the instructions on the Technical Data Sheets.

• After the specified drying time, flat any runs. If necessary, use an infrared heater for further drying and then polish.
• If the runs have been sanded right through, respray.

Clouding or mottling in metallic finishes
Paint defects

Definition

• Uneven color / effect.

• Faulty spray gun (nozzle).
• Incorrect air pressure, unsuitable reducer, unsuitable spraying technique, unsuitable spray viscosity.

• Use mixing stick or DIN viscosity cup to obtain spray viscosity.
• Maintain spray guns regularly.
• Hold spray gun parallel to object while spraying (observe correct distance). Follow the spray gun manufacturer’s instructions.
• Follow the application recommendations on the Technical Data Sheets.

• Allow clear coat to dry thoroughly, then sand the surface and respray.

Solvent popping
Paint defects

Definition

• Small bubbles in the top coat, some of them burst.

• Excessive film thickness.
• Top coat not allowed to flash off long enough before forced drying.
• Specified spray viscosity not observed.
• Unsuitable hardener or reducer.

• Apply paint in normal film thicknesses.
• Keep to specified flash-off times.
• Follow the instructions on spray viscosity, hardeners and reducers on the Technical Data Sheets.

• Sand the affected areas lightly with a sanding pad and respray within 24 hours. Do not sand pop marks open.
• Where there are large bubbles / pop marks, sand down the surface completely and reapply the paint system.

Edge mapping
Paint defects

Definition

• Edges showing through in the top coat.

• Old paintwork not sanded down smoothly at the edges.
• Putty and surfacer applied on top of elastic factory finish.
• Surfacer sanded and recoated before it had fully dried.
• Substrate not completely dry.
• Priming material applied in excessive film thickness and not allowed to dry properly.

• Carry out a solvent test on the substrate (elastic / hard).
• Apply putty to bare metal only.
• On elastic substrates apply surfacer to complete panels.

• After the top coat has fully dried, fine-sand and polish.
• Sand, isolate with a surfacer and spray again.

Polyester bleeding
Paint defects

Definition

• Discoloured patches in metallic finishes.

• Too much hardener in the polyester putty.

• Isolate areas of putty with suitable materials.
• If necessary, use putty dispenser.
• Avoid using excessive hardener in the putty.

• If too much hardener was used in polyester putty, sand off polyester putty and repeat application using correct putty / hardener ratio.

Definition

• Marks and raised edges of water droplets on fresh finishes.

• Warm, not fully hardened top coat spotted with water droplets, usually immediately after oven drying.

• Observe drying time.
• Allow object to cool after oven drying.

• Lightly sand and polish.
• Sand damaged area and respray.

Definition

• Sanding marks with swollen edges.

• Excessively coarse sanding materials for substrate preparation.

• Sand putty with P 120-180 (initial sanding) and P 240-320 (final sanding).
• Surfacer: dry P 400-500, wet P 800-1200.
• Follow instructions for substrate preparation on the Technical Data Sheets.

• When the top coat has fully dried, fine-sand and polish the paint surface.
• To eliminate serious damage, sand paint surface and respray.

Definition

• Small raised pimples appearing in the paint film.

• Moisture absorbed by the substrate.
• Insufficient substrate drying after wet sanding (particularly a problem with polyester products).
• Condensation due to temperature fluctuations.
• Polyester products not isolated.
• Damp compressed air.

• Dry-sand and isolate polyester products.
• Ensure that the supplied compressed air is clean.

• Sand down the affected area completely, matt-sand the unaffected remaining surface, clean with silicone remover, apply surfacer and then respray. 
  

Lifting / wrinkling
Paint defects

Definition

• Lifting / wrinkling of the paint surface.

• Substrate solvent-sensitive or not fully cured.
• Areas where clear coat was sanded through to base coat either not isolated or isolated with an unsuitable surfacer.
• Unsuitable substrate (e.g. aerosol-can finish with TPA or nitrocellulose paints).
• Unsuitable priming materials, top coats or reducers.

• Carry out a solvent test on problem substrates.
• Apply several thin coats of a 2K surfacer to problem substrates and allow longer flash-off.

• Completely remove the fully dried area of wrinkled top coat together with the affected substrate and apply the paint system again.
• Before applying the top coat, lightly sand the entire area.

Pinholes
Paint defects

Definition

• Small, pinhole-like depressions.

• Air trapped in putty.
• Excessive putty film thickness.
• Incorrect spray viscosity for surfacer materials.
• Excessive surfacer film thickness.
• Insufficient flash-off between coats.

• Follow the application recommendations on the Technical Data Sheets.
• Choose the right hardener for the temperature.
• Observe flash-off times.

• Sand down pinholes, apply surfacer if necessary and reapply paint system.

Matting
Paint defects

Definition

• Loss of top coat gloss.

• Surfacer not allowed to dry properly.
• Unsuitable reducers or hardeners.
• Hardener had already reacted with moisture.
• Poor air circulation in drying oven.
• Extraordinary climatic conditions.
• Film thickness too high or low.

• Keep to the drying times and film thicknesses specified on the Technical Data Sheets.
• Use only the recommended reducers.
• Close hardener cans immediately after use.
• Check air circulation in drying oven.

• After drying, polish the affected area to a full gloss or, alternatively, lightly sand the whole surface, clean with silicone remover and respray. 
  

Salt and pepper effect
Paint defects

Definition

• Black and white stippling / impurities in the base coat.

• Material insufficiently filtered.
• Incorrect storage temperature (waterborne base coat).
• Material past end of shelf life.
• Insufficiently stirred base coat.

• Use a suitable strainer.
• Observe storage temperature (as given on the Technical Data Sheets).
• Stir the tinters in the mixing machine regularly.

• Sand and respray with uncontaminated material. 
  

• Dirt particles projecting from the base coat.

• Base coat not filtered.
• Incorrect cleaning of the surface (dirt from rebates, etc.).
• Dirt from clothing (refinisher).
• Unsuitable tack cloth / dirty spray booth and filters (ceiling, floor).

• Filter base coat.
• Clean surface correctly (including rebates, etc.).
• Wear clean overalls.
• Use suitable tack cloth.
• Maintain the spray booth regularly.

• Clean with silicone remover, tack cloth (sand if necessary) and reapply base coat. 
  

Dirt and dust in the clear coat
Paint defects

Definition

• Dirt particles projecting from the clear coat.

• Clear coat not adequately filtered.
• Incorrect cleaning of the surface (dirt from rebates, etc.).
• Dirt from clothing (refinisher).
• Dirty spray booth and filters.

• Filter clear coat well.
• Clean surface correctly (including rebates, etc.).
• Wear clean overalls.
• Maintain the spray booth regularly.

• Sand (P 1500) and polish.
• If exceptionally contaminated, sand and then respray base coat and clear coat. 
  

Poor adhesion
Paint defects

Definition

• Loss of putty adhesion on bare metal (steel, zinc or aluminum).

• Unsuitable substrate.
• Putty overheating during IR drying.
• Insufficient substrate preparation.

• Choose suitable putty for the substrate.
• Observe distance from heater.
• Choose correct preparation.

• Sand down and start again. 
  

Adhesion problems between base coat and clear coat
Paint defects

Definition

• Poor adhesion between base coat and clear coat.
• Clear coat peels off.

• Insufficient flash-off before clear coat application.
• Base coat film too thick.

• Observe flash-off times (follow instructions on the Technical Data Sheets).
• Observe film thicknesses (follow instructions on the Technical Data Sheets).

• Sand and respray. 
  

Halo effect in blending areas
Paint defects

Definition

• Visible edge when blending in from the base coat.

• Edge zone sprayed too dry / wet.
• Incorrect spraying technique.
• Spraying pressure too high.
• Spray booth temperature too high.
• No blend-in additive used.

• Check spray booth temperature.
• Use blend-in additive in accordance with instructions on the Technical Data Sheets.

• Sand clear coat, and respray base coat and clear coat. 
  

Bird droppings
Environmental effects

Definition

• The damage can range from paint discoloration to the film dissolving completely.
• Bubbling, swelling and etching are typical phenomena.

• The different types of food ingested by birds affect the composition and quantity of droppings.
• Chemical aggression on the paint surface may be caused by strong organic acids acting for an extended period and exposed to high temperatures.

• Depending on the type of damage, the remedy ranges from polishing to a complete respray. 
  

Acid rain
Environmental effects

Definition

• Droplet-like spots with sunken edges or edge zones.

• Etching of the paint surface by acid rain.
• Destruction of the paint film by the sulphurous acid or even sulphuric acid contained in acid rain.

• Repair paint surface by polishing.
• In the event of severe damage, a respray may be necessary. 
  

Stone chipping
Environmental effects

Definition

• Dot-like, angular or crater-like damage to the paint.
• Tiny impact holes in the paint surface.

• Serious mechanical stressing of the paint surface, particularly at the front of the vehicle.
• Small stones or chippings thrown up at the paintwork by other vehicles.

• Local repair is possible with a brush.
• If stone chipping is widespread, sand and replace paint system.

Tree sap
Environmental effects

Definition

• Thread or droplet-like deposits then can etch deep into the paintwork.

• Chemical aggression from tree sap and blossom resin.

• Remove tree sap carefully, so as not to damage the top coat.
• Allow cloths soaked in silicone remover to act for some time, then carefully scrape off the tree sap with a plastic spatula.
• Polish (if necessary sand and polish).
• Respray if damage is serious. 
  

Definition

• Etching of the top coat.
• Damage can range from loss of gloss to the complete dissolving of the top coat down to the surfacer.

• Insect secretions reacting on exposure to moisture and heat.
• Substances allowed to act for a long time.

• Clean with water or silicone or tar remover.
• Polish (if necessary sand and polish).
• If the damage cannot be remedied by polishing, respray. 
  

Tar
Environmental effects

Definition

• Dark or yellow dot-like marks surrounded by a halo of discoloration.

• Spots of tar diffusing into the paint film.
• Made worse by lack of care.

• Immediately remove with tar remover or silicone remover and then polish.
• If allowed to act for too long, respraying is the only remedy. 
  

Definition

• Particles of rust locally visible on the top coat.

• Chemical destruction of the paint film by the corrosion of individual rust particles on the paint film.

• Depending on the extent of the chemical reaction, polish (or sand and polish).
• Chemical remedy possible (please contact our Technical Service).
• Respray in the event of serious damage. 
  

Definition

• Matted surfaces with bright, whitish marks.
• Etched areas on the paint surface.

• Chemical destruction of the paint film by splashes of lime or cement.

• Depending on the extent of the damage, polish (or sand and polish).
• Respray if polishing does not help.

Definition

• Mechanical damage with rust beneath the paint film.

• Stone chipping in conjunction with de-icing salt and moisture.
• Penetration of moisture into the damaged paint film.
• Bare metal exposed to moisture before priming.
• Inadequate vehicle care.

• Before priming, thoroughly clean and degrease the bare metal.

• Remove rust from areas of corrosion by sand-blasting, with wire brushes or with CSD cleaning discs.
• If the rust is serious, part replacement may be advisable.
• Complete new respray. 
  

Definition

• Uniform and almost parallel scuff and scratch marks of varying depth.
• Dull paint surfaces.

• No or insufficient prewash.
• Washing with too little water.
• Wash brushes worn or dirty.

• Mechanical polishing.
• Sealing the paint surface with hard wax.
• Proper car care. 
  

Definition

• White, light-colored, pale surfaces, mostly horizontal.
• Staining with discolored spots.

• Destruction of the paint pigment by UV radiation and weathering.

• Respray.
• Recommended is a solid-color 2-coat system. 
  

Definition

• Plastic film contact marks are clearly visible.
• Remains of film adhesive.

• Plastic film placed too soon over paintwork that was not completely dry.

• Vapor-diffusing film should be used.
• Follow the instructions of the plastic film manufacturer.

• Remove remains of adhesive with silicone remover or other mild cleaners.
• Then polish.
• If necessary, sand surfaces and respray.

Definition

• Scratch marks of varying depth.

• Insufficient protection of factory finish during improper transport.

• Covering the original paintwork (plastic film or protective paint).

• Sand shallow scratches and polish.
• Deeper scratches require a refinish.