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I have a dark spot on the front right quarter that is under the clear. See pic. It came like that from the factory. Before I give it up for a total panel respray under warranty, I was thinking I might investigate alternative repair possibilities.
One question I have about the defect is: Is it IN the clear, UNDER the clear, IN the paint, or PRIMER SHOWING THRU?
The idea is, if it in in the paint or clear, perhaps it could be wet-sanded out and recleared rather than a full repaint of panel.
So my question for the members here is:
Is there a paint thickness gauge or other device that would be able to answer this question?
So does a guage like that tell you the total thickness of the clear, paint and primer all together. How would you tell when you are cutting too much clear off, or if you are thru the clear, how much you have to go until primer?
As you can see, I am a total newbie to wetsanding and would never try it by myself but just trying to educate myself a little before making a desicion on how to proceed.
Take it to a well known paint pro in your area and get their opinion. Probably not, but would GM let you have a crack at getting a pro to try and fix it and if not done to your satisfaction then do a re-spray?
Sorry about your problem, they must have Stevie Wonder working QA at the plant.
So does a guage like that tell you the total thickness of the clear, paint and primer all together. How would you tell when you are cutting too much clear off, or if you are thru the clear, how much you have to go until primer?
As you can see, I am a total newbie to wetsanding and would never try it by myself but just trying to educate myself a little before making a desicion on how to proceed.
The typical OEM paint job (including primer, paint & clear) is only
5-6 mils. The clear-coat usually represents 1.5-2.0 mils of that.
For reference - 1 Mil standard = .001 inches or .0254 mm.
I have a dark spot on the front right quarter that is under the clear. See pic. It came like that from the factory. Before I give it up for a total panel respray under warranty, I was thinking I might investigate alternative repair possibilities.
One question I have about the defect is: Is it IN the clear, UNDER the clear, IN the paint, or PRIMER SHOWING THRU?
The idea is, if it in in the paint or clear, perhaps it could be wet-sanded out and recleared rather than a full repaint of panel.
So my question for the members here is:
Is there a paint thickness gauge or other device that would be able to answer this question?
Thanks!
Ron
Dry mil gage requires a magnetic substrate...
Get it repainted under warentee
I had a similar spot on my 13Z, the dealer didn't know what to do so I tried a little rubbing compound and it came right out, it was in the clear coat. When you take it back to the dealer ask them to try to use a little compound but don't do it yourself make them do it. Good luck!
If the defect doesn't buff out, have the panel painted. You would sand with 600grit the fender or whatever panel, spot the color JUST on the dark spot, blending it out just far enough to cover, then clear 2/3s of the panel with the first coat of clear then the whole panel on the second coat. If you don't remove too much of the factory OP when sanding for prep, then the panel should match dead on. Easy paint fix.....
If the defect doesn't buff out, have the panel painted. You would sand with 600grit the fender or whatever panel, spot the color JUST on the dark spot, blending it out just far enough to cover, then clear 2/3s of the panel with the first coat of clear then the whole panel on the second coat. If you don't remove too much of the factory OP when sanding for prep, then the panel should match dead on. Easy paint fix.....
Exactly THE wrong way to do it! Screwup your new car?
No blending on any car you CARE about. Blending turns to **** because you have color and clear over clear.
What do you all think IF the dealer is able to get a new, freshly-painted panel from BG? Would it be safe to swap panels? No gap issues? I would think yes. At least safer than a respray?
hopefully you're unlike me.... any car i ever had a panel resprayed after i identified an issue (when purchased new), the car was traded in shortly thereafter.. could never "not see" the NEW car as old because it got sprayed.
If compounding does not work, bring it to a reputable body shop to get their opinion on whether it can be wet sanded and buffed out. It could very well be in the clear.
My very last option would be to take it back to the dealer to have the quarter repainted. In fact, I'd have a reputable body shop do the repaint (if that is what's required) before going back to the dealer...you never know who they hired to work back in the paint booth.
I had a similar spot on my 13Z, the dealer didn't know what to do so I tried a little rubbing compound and it came right out, it was in the clear coat. When you take it back to the dealer ask them to try to use a little compound but don't do it yourself make them do it. Good luck!
Already took it to a body shop from GM and they tried rubbing it out with rubbing compound by hand but it didn't come out.
01-04-2015, 07:05 AM
Paint thickness guages
Exactly THE wrong way to do it! Screwup your new car? 
