PAINT DEFECT GUIDE

Your vehicle’s paint faces constant wear from the elements. This guide covers how paint works, common defects, causes, and their proper solutions.

Your vehicles paint

Most automotive paint jobs consist of three layers.

The first is typically a primer, which prepares the surface and ensures proper adhesion to the body.
Next, is the base coat, which provides the color.
Finally, a heavy layer of clear coat is applied. Clear coat is a a transparent finish paint that adds shine, gloss, and protection from the elements.

In single-stage paints, common in older vehicles, the color and protection are combined in one layer. Aircraft paint, on the other hand, often uses specialized formulas that provide extra durability against factors like corrosion and extreme temperatures.

Common Paint Defects

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Waterspots & Acid Etching

Water spots and acid etching occur when mineral-rich water or acidic contaminants sit on your paint too long. When water evaporates, it leaves behind mineral deposits that bond to the surface. Over time, these deposits can etch into the clear coat, creating rough, circular marks that diminish your paint’s clarity.

There are generally two types of water spots:

Surface mineral deposits – Typically removed through standard washing techniques.
Etching damage – Occurs when acidic contaminants or minerals remain on the paint long enough to chemically break down the clear coat. This type of damage requires machine polishing or deeper compounding/ wet sanding.

Prevention is key. Regular washing, drying, and applying a high-quality sealant or ceramic coating can protect against future damage. For vehicles exposed to acid rain or hard water, a professional-grade ceramic coating offers the best long-term defense

Causes & Solutions

Swirl Marks & Scratches

Swirl marks and scratches often result from improper washing / drying, abrasive materials, and even touch car washes. Light swirls and scratches can typically be removed through machine polishing, which levels the clear coat to match the depth of the defect. Deeper scratches may require wet sanding or repainting. Prevent future damage through proper wash techniques, high-quality tools, and touchless auto car washes

Oxidation

Oxidation occurs when prolonged UV exposure and environmental contaminants break down the clear coat, causing the paint to fade, lose gloss, and appear chalky. Light oxidation can typically be corrected with machine polishing, while severe oxidation or clear coat failure may require repainting. To prevent oxidation, applying a protective layer like wax or a ceramic coating is essential.

Holograms

Holograms, or buffer trails, are faint, directional patterns in the paint caused by improper machine polishing with aggressive pads, compounds, or incorrect technique. Correction involves re-polishing the surface with proper techniques, and tools. Preventing holograms requires skilled polishing, proper pad and product selection.

Paint Overspray

Overspray occurs when paint from an external source lands on your vehicle’s surface. Removing overspray typically requires using clay bars or chemical decontaminants, which gently lift the excess paint without damaging the underlying surface. Depending on the severity, machine polishing may be needed.