Car paint coatings are exposed to various types of damage during everyday use. These damages can be caused by both external factors and improper paint care. Below, we present the most common operational defects in car paint coatings, their causes, and methods of preventing and removing their effects.
COATING DEFECTS – operating
Corrosion
Occurrence: Corroded substrate causes irregular bubbles (blisters) with rust blooms on the paint surface.
Causes:
- Humidity and air pollution causes coating damage, exposing bare metal
- Rust was not sufficiently removed from the component
- The surface was not thoroughly cleaned of salt, grease, etc.
- Moisture penetrating cracks in the paint layer
- Harsh weather conditions causing the formation of rust
Prevention:
- Thorough removal of rust, salt or grease residues
- Protection of sensitive areas with an anti-corrosion product
- Frequent washing and waxing, especially during winter
- Immediate covering of paint cracks to prevent rust from forming.
Removal: Sand down the damaged area on the coating. Remove all rust. Use an anti-corrosion primer before varnishing.
Scratches from car washes
Occurrence: Scratches visible on the surface.
Causes:
- Dirty or damaged brushes in automatic car washes
- Too soft top coat
- Washing fresh, not fully cured varnish
Prevention:
- Avoid using automatic car washes
- Use good quality paint materials
- Do not wash new varnish
Removal: Polish the damaged surface.
Fading/colour change
Occurrence: Visible changes in color tone
Causes:
- Influence of UV rays on certain pigments in varnish
- Low-quality varnish with little or no UV resistance
Prevention: Paint protection by regular waxing
Removal: Polish the damaged surface.
Industrial pollution
Occurrence: The coat is attacked and corroded or discoloured by aggressive substances (metallic dust, resins, paraffin, chemicals), which destroy the paint surface
Causes:
- Industrial gases, chemicals penetrate the paint surface (chemical reactions between aggressive agents and pigments).
- Ash or gravel damage the coating and aggresive industrial atmosphere increases the damages.
Prevention:
- Clean contaminated surfaces immediately
- Regular use of waxes to strenghten protective layer
Removal:
- Minor damages can be removed by polishing.
- Major damages must removed and repainted.
Stone chips
Occurrence: Stone chips are small surface defects caused by the impact of a stone in the paint finish
Causes:
- Impact at high speed of stones or other small objects thrown up from the road
- The damage varies, depending on the strength of the impact - only the top coat or all layers of coating (causing corrosion of the metal)
- Too hard paint or varnish, that are not resistant to impacts
Prevention:
- Operational defect difficult to avoid
- Particularly vulnerable areas can be coated with primers and varnishes with increased flexibility.
Removal:
- When damage is minor, polish the surface
- Serious damages must be removed and repainted
Stains
Occurrence: Stains can be caused by water, acid rain or resins.
Causes:
- Reaction of chemical compounds from the atmosphere with carbon dioxide from the air. Damage visible on the surface in the form of drops/stain where the compound was particularly concentrated.
- Hard water washers
- Defects visible on dark colours, especially in direct sunlight
Prevention:
- Avoid parking in industrial districts or under trees
- Protect paintwork by frequent washing and waxing
Removal:
- Clean with products containing wax
- Dry with a damp chamois leather cloth
- Old stains can be removed only by polishing
- In case of heavy damage, sand down and repaint.
Bird droppings
Occurrence: Remnants of bird droppings form stains on the surface of the clear coat.
Causes: The acid in the droppings can penetrate the paint and cause various damages, ranging from small stains to damage to the galvanized layer.
Prevention:
- Remove droppings as soon as possible
- Regularly protect the paint with appropriate products
- Avoid parking under trees
Removal:
- Cover with a damp paper towel and leave for a few minutes. Remove the paper and wash off the droppings, then dry
- Stains can be removed by polishing the affected area, and in the case of severe damage, sanding and repainting may be necessary.
Insects
Occurrence: Stain on the surface of the clear coat.
Causes: Alkaline insect residues combined with the substrate and atmosphere.
Prevention:
- Wash off immediately with water or a mild cleanser
- Protect by waxing the body regularly
Removal:
- Remove small damages by polishing
- Larger contaminated area mustbe sanded down to the substrate and recoated.