Mottled effect on paintwork

[curiousgeorge]

I didn't really notice this on my old car, and I was wondering if this is normal.

The picture is a reflection from the rear door but it's present pretty much all over.

[elitedetailer]

I didn't really notice this on my old car, and I was wondering if this is normal.

The picture is a reflection from the rear door but it's present pretty much all over.

Hi

That is what's known as "Orangepeel" and is common on most modern cars, especially Audi, Mercedes, Jap cars etc.

To remove there are large amounts of worked involved i.e sanding, its not something you should try at home and it would cost a fair amount too.

Regards
EliteDetailer

[curiousgeorge]

Thanks for that. I thought the paint might have been cracking up under the clear coat.

[eob]

Hi

That is what's known as "Orangepeel" and is common on most modern cars, especially Audi, Mercedes, Jap cars etc.

To remove there are large amounts of worked involved i.e sanding, its not something you should try at home and it would cost a fair amount too.

Regards
EliteDetailer

Out of interest, does this pass quality inspection and are we (the consumers) expected to just 'live with it'?

@curiousgeorge, do you have an overall picture of your car? Is the effect less obvious from further back?

[elitedetailer]

Out of interest, does this pass quality inspection and are we (the consumers) expected to just 'live with it'?

@curiousgeorge, do you have an overall picture of your car? Is the effect less obvious from further back?

Hi

As with stricter rules manufacturers have to use water based paint instead the older cellulose format. This doesn't help with the orangepeel effect you often see. In addition to this the majority of the mass production cars do not receive the higher level of attention that some of the more prestige brands do when it comes to paintwork.

This does not mean your paintwork is damaged, its just not as level as it could be.

Audi, Mercedes, BMW all have this and it can be reduced but as stated earliar its a very time consuming job and not to be performed by a beginner.

Regards
EliteDetailer

[curiousgeorge]

Out of interest, does this pass quality inspection and are we (the consumers) expected to just 'live with it'?

@curiousgeorge, do you have an overall picture of your car? Is the effect less obvious from further back?

Yes, it's much less obvious, although if you look at a reflection of a straight edge like a roof line, it appears wavy. It doesn't really bother me as long as the paintwork is sound.

[eob]

Hi

As with stricter rules manufacturers have to use water based paint instead the older cellulose format. This doesn't help with the orangepeel effect you often see. In addition to this the majority of the mass production cars do not receive the higher level of attention that some of the more prestige brands do when it comes to paintwork.

This does not mean your paintwork is damaged, its just not as level as it could be.

Audi, Mercedes, BMW all have this and it can be reduced but as stated earliar its a very time consuming job and not to be performed by a beginner.

Regards
EliteDetailer

Ah yes, my 5 series had waterbased paint and I remeber everyone on the BMW forum complaining about the move away from solvent based paints.
I didn't have the orangepeel effect but the paint was very soft which resuled in the leading edge of the bonnet and wings ending up a bit of a mess from lots of mway miles.

How much would it cost to have the effect corrected in the case of curiousgeorge (that sounds like a kid's story)?

Yes, it's much less obvious, although if you look at a reflection of a straight edge like a roof line, it appears wavy. It doesn't really bother me as long as the paintwork is sound.

Still a very pretty car. A colleauge at work has this very car in the three door version and sort of gun metal grey.

[elitedetailer]

Hi eob

With reference to how much it would cost, you would need to contact www.elitedetailing.co.uk . Gurcharn would perform the work.

Regards
EliteDetailer

[eob]

Okay cheers. I was just wondering a ballpark figure.
TBH, if my car is delivered with the same as george's I would live with it as it is a company car.

[curiousgeorge]

How much would it cost to have the effect corrected in the case of curiousgeorge (that sounds like a kid's story)?.

This would be a HUGE job and the expense wouldn't be worth the benefits IMO.

Still a very pretty car. A colleauge at work has this very car in the three door version and sort of gun metal grey.

Thanks! It's just come back from the bodyshop after Audi agreed to respray the bonnet and polish/respray other parts (it wasn't in the best condition when I bought it).